Yes, it has been a while since I lasted updated the blog. It has been busy around here. I have been spending a lot of time putting together the documentation and updating Knowledge Base articles to support the new roll out of the FLEX-3000 which started shipping last week. I also tore down the shack to setup the two weeks ago to use the FLEX-5000 and FLEX-3000 as demo equipment for the Raleigh Hamfest (RARS). Rather than just put it all back into place, I have decided to rearrange things to make them more ergonomic and to optimize things for a two SDR operating position. That means integrating a new small footprint computer for use with the FLEX-3000 (Buddy).
The rearranging is going to take a while because I have to figure out what stays and what goes. I believe that the Icom 756 Pro II is going to be the looser in this adventure, since I have the FLEX-3000 to replace it.
I hope to be back on the air in the next day or two. Rerouting cables is always a pain in the butt.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Buddy has a home
Hi all. Buddy made it to North Carolina just fine and he is working FLAWLESSLY.
I haven't been blogging too much recently since I was doing testing and I really can't chronicle all of the stuff that goes on during the beta test phase for numerous reasons. I hope you all understand that this type of testing is a closed process to ensure we get things fine tuned quickly as possible.
I had Buddy on the air last Sunday during the FlexNet on 20m. Dudley (WA5QPZ) and John (W5GI) were also using FLEX-3000s.
We have been testing a new algorithm for controlling the cooling fans based on temperature. The fans ramp up in rotational speed as the PA gets hotter during TX and ramps down quickly during RX until the threshold temperature is reached, at which point the fans are at their lowest rotational speed. This new feature is working great now.
Also there has been a lot of work on the integrated ATU and it is work great too. My antenna are not that out of resonance, so I can't sat what the max matching range is like, but it is fast and quite when it is matching impedance loads.
I am currently getting Buddy and "The Big Guy" (FLEX-5000 +RX2) ready for the Raleigh Hamfest. I will have both of them there at the FlexRadio Systems booth. I need to get a new Firewire card for the Shuttle XPC computer I'll be using. Buddy will be connected to an Intel Atom PC. A really cool low cost PC.
If you are near Raleigh (NC) this Saturday, stop by the hamfest
http://rars.org/hamfest/
Until later....
I haven't been blogging too much recently since I was doing testing and I really can't chronicle all of the stuff that goes on during the beta test phase for numerous reasons. I hope you all understand that this type of testing is a closed process to ensure we get things fine tuned quickly as possible.
I had Buddy on the air last Sunday during the FlexNet on 20m. Dudley (WA5QPZ) and John (W5GI) were also using FLEX-3000s.
We have been testing a new algorithm for controlling the cooling fans based on temperature. The fans ramp up in rotational speed as the PA gets hotter during TX and ramps down quickly during RX until the threshold temperature is reached, at which point the fans are at their lowest rotational speed. This new feature is working great now.
Also there has been a lot of work on the integrated ATU and it is work great too. My antenna are not that out of resonance, so I can't sat what the max matching range is like, but it is fast and quite when it is matching impedance loads.
I am currently getting Buddy and "The Big Guy" (FLEX-5000 +RX2) ready for the Raleigh Hamfest. I will have both of them there at the FlexRadio Systems booth. I need to get a new Firewire card for the Shuttle XPC computer I'll be using. Buddy will be connected to an Intel Atom PC. A really cool low cost PC.
If you are near Raleigh (NC) this Saturday, stop by the hamfest
http://rars.org/hamfest/
Until later....
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