FLEX-6000™ Start shipping within six weeks of Dayton 2013 – Flex-6700 out of box by K6TU – N6V’s at 64th IDXC Visalia

FLEX-6700 & FLEX-6500 Radios will start shipping within six weeks of Dayton Hamvention 2013. – K5SDR, Gerard  updates the project status (FlexInside-9) -  FlexRadio will have four running demonstration units at the Dayton, May 17-19, 2013 – The nuew software, SmartSDR™ is a Thin Client!! – The Flex-6700 out of the box and how it saounds report by K6TU – see link below – The FlexRadio 6700 experience at N6V IDXC Visalia April, 2013 by EtherGeist, link below.

 Dayton Hamvention 2013 Link to: Official Hamvention Facebook page (EN)

 The Flex-6700 out of the box and how it saounds by K6TU, Stu.
14 May, 2013 – Stu Phillips, wrote: …… “As soon as I got the email alert that the package had been delivered, I hustled home and started unpacking……….. With the 6700 connected to the antenna via my amplifier, I made a test tranmission to set the output power and then started tuning for someone to work.” -

Poi K6TU più sotto scrive: “Il primo QSO è stato con un IT9 nel sud Italia. Con entrambi i segnali di S8 è stato un piacevole QSO ed ho ottenuto un controllo di “audio ottimo” in risposta alla mia domanda: “how does it sound?” (come è il suono del Flex-6700?)
Link to:  EtherGeist First Report – Flex-6700 full article by K6TU

FlexRadio 6700 experience at N6V – IDXC April 2013 (report by K6TU)

Sempre K6TU, Stu Phillips racconta le prime esperienze già fatte con il Flex-6700 durante l’attività di N6V (Speciale Event Station) attivata alla 64th IDXC 2013 (International DX Convention is held every April in Visalia, California US). Come si può leggere dal link più sotto Stu ha scritto un interessante articolo che, vista la lunga attesa per questo nuovo SDR Flex, può essere  interessante leggere dato che è scritto da pochi giorni per un ragguardevole “assetto” che si può vedere anche dalla foto qui sopra! // ……very grateful to the following folks who helped me put on N6V in 2011 and 2013.

• US Tower brings along a heavy duty mobile tower (55’)
• SteppIR supplies and assembles the antenna on site (DB-18E)
• M² Antenna Systems supplied the rotor (Orion 2800) and cables
• RF Concepts supplied an Alpha 9500
• FlexRadio Systems supplies the Flex-6700 radio

I’ve used every major brand of radio in the 40 years……  the FlexRadio System Flex-6700 evaluated as the best receiver K6TU has used in 40 years of amateur and professional experience regardless of the tranceiver costs!
………….. The filters perform!  You can pull signals out of a busy band that are really weak – even when parked next to a very strong station….

Link to: EtherGeist Report - Flex-6700 experience at N6V (full article)

FlexRadio Systems Flex-6000′s radios will start shipping  from mid/late-June

The new Flex Radio SmartSDR™ software running on a very THIN client.
Ad oggi le notizie dicono che la produzione è in corso e il software è in fase di test. Flex Radio ha diversi “beta-tester” che proveranno i nuovi Transceiver SDR. Molto impegno degli ingegneri sviluppatori è anche per il modulo “panadapter” che ora è stato molto implementato rispetto al progetto iniziale. – Tutte le funzioni di elaborazione dei segnali e di calcolo per il DSP sono tutte entrocontenute nella serie Flex-6000, contrariamente a quanto avveniva o avviene in altri modelli (come il Flex-5000 etc.) che utilizzano la potenza di calcolo ed elaborazione data sopratutto dal Computer esterno. La nuova serie funziona in “THIN Client”, con Computer anche semplici o via rete Ethernet.

Unlike PowerSDR (es. Flex-5000 etc.) where all the UI and DSP software are combined in one piece of software, SmartSDR™ is a THIN Client – its basically a User interface. - All the DSP functionality  runs on a dedicated processor within the radio itself. SmartSDR™ software running on a very THIN client. – (Clik the pictures to enlarge)

Receivers type: Direct Sampling / Direct Conversion / Multi Conversion

1. Direct Sampling a.k.a wideband: FLEX-6000 Series – HPSDR – Perseus, etc.
2. Direct Conversion: FLEX-5000, FLEX-3000, Elecraft KX3, etc.
3. Multi-Conversion a.k.a. Superheterodyne: Most every Kenwood, Icom, Ten-Tec, Elecraft, Yaesu amd Hilberling (note: latest models use a double conversion system it reduces signal distorsion and provides a high-fidelity RF signal to the builtin DSP processor)

Link to: Download the Brochure in Italiano pdf by WoodBoxRadio (IT)

[Note] All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders. This page is just a non-official overview, where no one should draw any conclusions - all images and versions above is for illustration only!

IC-7100, HF/VHF/UHF Multi mode Touch Screen & D-STAR DV – The New Brochure (EN) & (JP)

 IC-7100, New HF/VHF/UHF Multi Mode & D-STAR DV Ready – Intuitive Touch Screen, Quick Response, Multi-band Radio - Built-in SD Card Slot for Voice & Log Storage. Designed to the 70MHz band in European versions, etc. – Icom announce the upcoming release of the new “Slanted style”  Amateur Transceiver!  (… available in the UK in the spring of 2013) – Icom Inc. have released a new Brochure (EN), and the MSRP Price in Japan, see links below and pictures.

D-STAR is NOT proprietary to ICOM, D-STAR is an AMBE Codec owned by Digital Voice Systems. Icom is the only manufacturer putting D-STAR in their currently available Icom rigs. – (!! Click to all pictures to enlarge)

!! Suggested Retail Price (Japan) ¥ 165,900 (base price ¥ 158,000 no taxes)

TMS320C6745BPTPA3 Device 3000MIPS (Million Instructions per Second) Clock 375MHz - a high-performance 32-bit floating point IF DSP delivers rich digital signal processing features, including digital IF filter, digital twin PBT, noise reduction, CW auto tune, etc.
Those digital features work on all bands from HF to V/UHF bands. The DSP digital signal processing is incorporated into the AGC function loop.

The optional RS-BA1 software allows you to operate the IC-7100 from a remote PC over the Internet or local home network

Link to: Download the Icom IC-7100 new EUR Brochure V.13GS0170 PDF  (EN)

[IC-7100] タッチパネル＆スラント型コントローラーが、今までにない直観的で軽快なマルチバンド運用を実現 - HF＋50MHz＋144MHz＋430MHz〈SSB・CW・RTTY・AM・FM・DV〉100W トランシーバー -

Link to: Download the Icom IC-7100 (JP) new  Brochure 2013-1-GSG661 (JP)

Touch Screen: The 48.6×75.9 mm in large “resistive” touch screen display can be operated even while wearing gloves.

IC-7100 il nuovo HF/50/70/144/430MHz, Multi Modo & D-STAR DV compreso. Ha un nuovo sistema di comando intuitivo e rapido con “Touch Screen” resistivo. Si possono eseguire i vari settaggi operativi direttamente toccando lo schermo LCD a matrice di punti! Il Transceiver dispone di una Slot per inserire una memorie SD-card (opzionale) per memorizzare e gestire Dati, il Log e le funzioni GPS (anche il GPS è opzionale esterno) i dati dei Ripetitori D-STAR, etc.  (come nel ID-51E/A). -
Purtroppo nessun ATU è stato integrato all’interno. Un accordatore automatico opzionale (come ad esempio l’AH-4 oppure l’AT-180) è disponibile per l’acquisto (!), per eventuali scopi di ottimizzazione con il sistema di antenna. – (Cliccare sulle varie immagini per ingrandirle)

Prezzo consigliato al pubblico (!! in Giappone) ¥ 165,900 (prezzo base 158.000 ¥)

Anche questo apparato IC-7100 può essere utilizzato in remoto via porta USB con l’utilizzo del Software RS-BA1 della stessa Icom, sia via rete LAN o via Internet e tramite l’impiego di Computer sia locale che nel sito remoto.

[Note] – Detailed specifications: please see the official ICOM  sources - All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders.

FLEX-6000′s Development/Delivery Update – Flex-SDR Architectures Link & more!

FLEX-6000 Signature Series Development – Delivery Update:  Our plan is to ship the Limited Edition radios pre-order during Q2 or into early Q3 2013 - Post Limited Edition orders will begin shipping in Q3 2013…..! (Latest Flex Insider-7) – See the panadapter high definition Spectrum Display and the Flex-6500 SDR Architectures “Some interesting tidbits” Episode 36 and more!

FLEX-6700™ high definition spectrum !! -  Due to the RF wide band digitization provided by the high performance Signal Capture Units™ (SCUs) in the FLEX Signature Series SDRs, 14 MHz of RF spectrum is viewable at one time using the panadapter high definition spectrum display (See below, the Spectrum View with Pre-Selector Turned [ Off ] )

The MUF is the highest radio frequency that can be used for transmission between two points. – The test results above(Click the picture above to big-enlarge) were taken at 8:00 PM local time when the 20m band was just about to close. -
With the 20m pre-selector turned [off ],  the spectrum view shows strong signals below 20m (14 MHz), but very few signals above 16.500 MHz,  indicating the MUF at this time was approximately 16 MHz, showing another one of the inherent capabilities of the wide band digital down conversion (DDC) technology provided by the Signal Capture Units™ (SCUs) used in the FLEX-6000 Signature Series.

This new “wide band” capability has generated much discussion regarding antenna requirements in regards to receiving for the FLEX-6700™ and FLEX-6500™ etc…. If you’re interested in a more detailed description read the complete Flex Insider-7 (pdf)

Link to: ©FlexRadio Systems Official web-page

FlexRadio SDR Architectures for Digital Communication (Episode 36 by HamRadioNow – 2012 )

La nuova serie Flex-6000′s con il suo software SmartSDR e due unità di acquisizione digitale definite Signal Capture Units™ (SCUs) con sitema a Campionamento Diretto consente di settare quattro, sei, o otto ricevitori e o panadapters a larga banda in contemporanea – La capacità di decodificare e visualizzare direttamente anche i modi digitali – Connettività Ethernet per una rete mondiale – La capacità di configurare i ricevitori in diverse condizioni e modi – La possibilità di trasmettere a livello locale e riascoltare se stessi da remoto a lunga distanza – L’accesso ai vari database remoti su Internet – L’apparato radio può essere utilizzato anche via rete Ethernet con qualsiasi tipo di Computer o Tablet anche portatile.

Most receivers type: Direct Sampling / Direct Conversion / Multi Conversion

1. Direct Sampling a.k.a wideband: FLEX-6000 Series – HPSDR – Perseus, etc.
2. Direct Conversion: FLEX-5000, FLEX-3000, Elecraft KX3, etc.
3. Multi-Conversion a.k.a. Superheterodyne: Most every Kenwood, Icom, Ten-Tec, Elecraft, Yaesu amd Hilberling (note: latest models use a double conversion system it reduces signal distorsion and provides a high-fidelity RF signal to the builtin DSP processor)

FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) Xilinx VIRTEX-6 XC6VLX130T: Massive DSP Power – Can’t build a Direct Sampling Receiver without one! – >90% of the FLEX-6000′s Power….. 317 billion multiply-accumulate operations per second!
Una FPGA della serie Xilinx VIRTEX-6 accoppiata con la potenza di elaborazione del dispositivo DSP altamente integrato è indispensabile per creare il Ricevitore a Campionamento Diretto FLEX-6000′s. Queste unità consentono di eseguire fino a ben 317 miliardi di operazioni al secondo direttamente all’interno!

FLEX-6000′s Architecture, Benefits and FlexRadio Team information: please click the pictures above to enlarge & read.
Link to: Download the Brochure in Italiano pdf by WoodBoxRadio (IT)
Link to: Flex-6000′s SmartSDR multi Slices  More Videos  Tmate-2 control

[Note] All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders. This page is just a non-official overview, where no one should draw any conclusions - all images and versions above is for illustration only!

FLEX 6000™ SDRs – SmartSDR multi Slices & Panadapters in early Q2 2013 – The Orlando 2013 Show (video interview)

FLEX 6000™ Signature Series SDR’s - SmartSDR Multiple Slices and Multiple Panadapters on the same Radio!
Orlando Ham-fest February 2013 – 67th Orlando HamCation Amateur Radio & Computer Show – The FlexRadio Booth video  interview! - See link, videos, pictures and the 1st Video of Tmate-2 HID Controller , below !

FlexRadio projects in early Q2 2013 start of deliveries: Gerard Youngblood, K5SDR FlexRadio CEO (latest Flex Insider-6):  ….. “Next, how to you make an extremely complex radio simple and intuitive to use? Leonardo Da Vinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”. “Complex is easy, simple is hard”. …… Progress is visible and accelerating. Everyone is motivated, excited about what we are building, and working hard…. etc. ! – (See link below to more news!)

Flex Radio Booth at HamCation Orlando 2013- (by videosbymike

Il Team-Marketing di  FlexRadio ha preparato quest’altro Video  che mostra più in dettaglio alcune funzionalità della loro nuova interfaccia utente detta “SmartSDR” -
Il video inserito qui sotto è ricavato da una registrazione dal vivo effettuata da K5FRS con l’hardware del FLEX-6700 in corso di produzione e su cui girava proprio il Software “SmartSDR” in fase di implementazione da parte degli ingegneri FlexRadio-

Imagine a real time spectral display where the noise floor is averaged to the terrestrial noise floor. – By real time, I mean that the display follows the instantaneous power of the signal but the noise floor is almost a flat line (no “grass,” as we call it) at the noise level seen at the antenna. This remains true whether zoomed out to view half of the HF spectrum or zoomed in to just a few kHz.
[Note] The “PacMan” looking signal that flies through the bands is a Propagation Ionosonde Station located a few miles from FlexRadio Factory!

Watch the Video below “First Look” at the new FLEX-6000 SmartSDR  and the Pictures! – See link below to new HID Controller Tmate-2 made in Italy (coming-son!)

Minimum Discernible Signal (MDS and NF) – How LOW do you GO? – by Greg Jurrens – K5GJ, VP, Sales & Marketing There’s been a lot of talk these days about Minimum Discernible Signal, or MDS. What is it? What affect does it have on my receiver performance? Why do I care? – …. “The ARRL labs use a procedure to measure MDS to a signal 3dB above the noise floor (NF) measured in a 500 Hz bandwidth.

!Amplifiers are very good at amplifying… Everything – signal, and noise. We want the signal but not the additional noise that comes along for the ride. Ideally, the amplified MDS should be 3 to 6db below the environmental noise floor. Plus, the amps themselves add a bit of noise to the mix. Worse yet, using pre-amplifiers have a cost of actually LOWERING the radio’s effective dynamic range. Dynamic range is defined as the difference between MDS and input overload. The pre-amp’s gain comes right off the top of that number. In this case, too much is not just right.

The FLEX-6000 Signature Series to the rescue! – One of the unique features of the Spectral Capture Unit (SCU) of the FLEX-6000 is the Digital Variable Gain Amplifier (DVGA). This allows the software to vary the SCU’s front end performance in 0.5dB steps from -11.5dB up to +20dB of gain (up to 40 dB on the FLEX-6700 with the additional +20dB second pre-amp). The result is the perfect MDS for your QTH and situation. Just enough gain to coax the signal out of the noise, but not so much that all you hear is noise or give up dynamic range. This capability will be provided for advanced operations. Again, the flexibility of a SDR (Software Defined Radio)…. etc”  Link to Source: FlexRadio Systems (Flex Insider – Issue-5 and 6)

  
SmartSDR Panadapter Video-Demo – A -First Look- at the new FLEX-6000 SmartSDR Panadapter from FlexRadio Systems. – This is the first in a series of introductory videos (28/dic/2012)

FLEX-6700 & FLEX-6500 Signature Series, incorporano una inconsueta potenza di elaborazione dati “built-in” (dentro!) – Montano la Xilinx Virtex-6®, una FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) di alto livello, un microprocessore Texas Instruments™ DaVinci™ Digital Media Processor che incorpora un processore ARM Cortex™-A8 CPU (con processore NEON™) a 1,4GHz (1,2GHz nel FLEX-6500) ed un coprocessore DSP a 32 bit in virgola mobile da 1,2GHz (1,0GHZ nel FLEX-6500). –
La nuova Serie FLEX-6000′s ora in pre-produzione e il suo Software SmartSDR in fase di perfezionamento, sarà rilasciata all’inizio del 2° Quadrimestre 2013! - (Leonardo Da Vinci diceva: “Complesso è facile Semplice è difficile” così lo cita K5SDR CEO Flex Radio nell’ultimo Flex Insider-6!)

Link to: Official Broshure EN by the FlexRadio Systems – Ver-2  (PDF ENG.)
Link to:  Broshure in Italiano di WoodBoxRadio IT- by IK3VIG  (PDF ITA.)

Da Flex Insider Issue-5 /2012…..A proposito delle discussioni tecniche in corso sul MDS/NF (Minimo Segnale Discernibile a +3dB sul rumore o Noise Floor)  Una delle caratteristiche uniche del circuito “Spectral Capture Unit” (SCU) incorporato nella Serie  FLEX-6000′s è anche l’Amplificatore di Guadagno Digitale Variabile (DVGA). Questo sistema permette al software di variare le prestazioni del Front-end della SCU a passi di 0,5 dB da -11.5dB fino a +20 dB di guadagno (fino a 40 dB sul FLEX-6700, con l’ulteriore +20 dB del secondo pre-amp)…. così da adattare al meglio la MDS in base alle condizioni del QTH….etc.

Tmate-2 HID – Altra novità Italiana in arrivo a breve (accessorio…. geniale!)

To make your SDR … like a real Radio! - Tmate2 HID Controller Compatible with Perseus, FDM-SW1, Studio1, and PowerSDR is ……….. Coming Soon! -
(Clink the pictures to enlarge – please!)
Tmate2 HID interface, no driver required -
Link to:  WoodBoxRadio – Italy

Tmate2 1st Video: Short demo of first testing the new CAT console Tmate2. It will be compatible with most SDR applications - (04. Feb. 2013 by ik3vig)

[Note] All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders - This device (Flex-6k’s) has not been approved by the appropriate authorities in each country etc.

R&S®EM510 HF Receiver 9 kHz to 32 MHz – R&S®PR100 Receiver 9 kHz to 7.5 GHz

R&S®EM510 HF Digital Wideband Receiver from 9 kHz to 32 MHz is a Direct Receiver, after the antenna signal has passed through Preselection with Highpass/Lowpass Filters, it is fed directly into the ADC (Analog Digital Converter) –  R&S^®PR100 portable receiver  9 kHz to 7.5 GHz spectrum and spectrogram (waterfall) display on 6.5″ color screen - See the pictures, summary overview and Official Data Sheet (ENG) by link below.

The R&S®EM510 receiver features digital IF filters with 30 different bandwidths from 100 Hz to 10 MHz. The filter characteristics are optimized for radio-monitoring tasks, allowing top-quality processing of signals up to 10 MHz bandwidth.
Panorama scan up to 34 GHz/s or 600 000 channels/s – Frequency/memory scan up to 1500 channels/s – IF panorama with up to 9.6 MHz span – Video panorama, AM, FM, AM², FM², I/Q, I/Q² – Audio filters: notch, noise suppression, band-pass - Dual-channel analog video output (AM, FM) – LAN interface (SCPI) – and more!

Excellent RF characteristics and a wide dynamic range combined with powerful Digital Signal Processing are the basis for optimal system solutions.
Wideband operation: I/Q data up to 10 MHz bandwidth – Demodulation up to 10 MHz bandwidth – and more! - Demodulation modes: FM – AM – PULSE (AM PULSE)- jM – USB – LSB – ISB – CW – I/Q.

Input level: –137 dBm to +10 dBm (–30 dBμV to +117 dBμV) f = 400 kHz to 32 MHz / Frequency resolution: 1 Hz / Aliasing suppression: ≥90 dB, typ. 120 dB / 3nd Order IP: ≥30 dBm, typ. 35 dBm (low distortion mode), f = 1 MHz to 32 MHz – ≥20 dBm, typ. 25 dBm (normal mode), f = 1 MHz to 32 MHz / and more features… see the link below.

Link to: Download the R&S EM510 Data Sheet for all informations (ENG)
Link to: More information at www.rohde-schwarz.com (ENG)

The R&S^®PR100 portable receiver  9 kHz to 7.5 GHz Spectrum and spectrogram (waterfall) display on 6.5″ color screen has been specifically designed for radio-monitoring applications in the field - Display of results on a digital map loaded in the R&S®PR100 - Digitally modulated signals converted to the baseband using I/Q demodulation and stored in the receiver or exported via LAN - Full remote control via LAN interface (SCPI commands to IEEE488.2) and more.. see the link below

Link to: Download the R&S®PR100 Data Sheet #..87012 – 29 pag. (ENG)

Fast panorama scan across the entire frequency range from 9 kHz to 7.5 GHz
10 MHz IF spectrum e demodulation with bandwidths from 150 Hz to 500 kHz
Spectrum and spectrogram (waterfall) display on 6.5″ color screen
Automatic location of emissions with direction finding (20 MHz to 6 GHz)
Whether used for monitoring emissions, detecting interference or locating miniature transmitters

[Note] Operation using standard software and PC  (The EM510 receiver comes with comprehensive operating software etc.) - All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders - This page is just a non-official overview, where no one should draw any conclusions.

QST reviews KX3 on Dec, 2012 – SDR with a 0 Hz IF – KX3 Datasheet & Schematics

KX3 a SDR with a ØHz IF (Direct Conversion) – QST Magazine reviews the Elecraft KX3 HF and 6 Meter QRP 10W on Dec., 2012 by W1ZR, Joel and K1RO, Mark. – IMD3 dynamic range, Blocking gain compression and Reciprocal mixing it is at the “top of the heap”! – See below the QST 14MHz Key Summary and Internal pictures.  Watch  the Video KX3 with iSDR app. Link to Schematics & Block Diagram pdf !

QST 12月号のProduct ReviewにKX3が掲載されます。

See the December 2012 issue of QST magazine for the complete review and ARRL Lab test results – [Note] Area Members Only.
Link to: ARRL – American Radio Relay League for Amateur Radio

The authors write: To say that the KX3 is a Direct Conversion Radio misses the point. It would probably be more descriptive to say that the KX3 is a Software Defined Radio (SDR) with a Ø Hz IF and I/Q quadrature component receiver processing that provides single-signal reception. Those signals allow a PC running your SDR software to display the spectrum and usual rig control management. – Elecraft provides your choice of a cable that connects to a PC USB2 port or an RS-232 socket (add. $29.95 or so!) -

Link to: Elecraft KX3 the Schematics & Block Diagram pdf (ENG)

Link to: Elecraft KX3 Datasheet (pdf 5.5MB) ver. May 2012 (ENG)

Source: QST Reviews, we show only… the Key figures at 14 MHz

• Band: 14 MHz – Pre OFF - (500 Hz BW,  500 Hz  roofing filter)
• Spacing 20 kHz blocking gain compression….130 dB
• Spacing    2 kHz blocking gain compression….128 dB
• Spacing 20 kHz 3rd-order dynamic range…….103 dB
• Spacing    2 kHz 3rd-order dynamic range….…100 dB
• Spacing 20 kHz 3rd-order intercept…………..+34 dBm
• Spacing    2 kHz 3rd-order intercept…………..+34 dBm

How To Connect Elecraft KX3 To iPad by WD9E - This video shows how to use the iSDR app with the Elecraft KX3 SDR Transceiver – (a great video, thanks WD9E!)

Link to: QST Reviews the Kenwood TS.590S on May, 2011 (TS-590 > K3 Key)
Link to: QST Magazine Product Reviews Key Soummary List by PA1HR, Hans

[Note] All marks are property of their respective owners. – Specifications are subject to change without notice!  - This page is just a non-official overview, where no one should draw any conclusions.  -  Non si assume alcuna responsabilità per eventuali inesattezze nella visualizzazione dei dati e notizie. (Tnx)

FLEX-6000′s a Direct Sampling SDR’s are slated for delivery in the 2nd quarter of 2013

FLEX-6000 Signature Series SDRs which are ordered now from our On-Line Store are slated for delivery in the 2nd quarter of 2013 - (news by FlexRadio Systems)
FLEX-6700 & FLEX-6500 Signature con potenza di elaborazione “built-in”:  montano la Xilinx Virtex-6®, una FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) di alto livello, un microprocessore Texas Instruments™ DaVinci™ Digital Media Processor che incorpora un processore ARM Cortex™-A8 CPU (con processore NEON™) a 1,4GHz (1,2GHz nel FLEX-6500) ed un coprocessore DSP a 32 bit in virgola mobile da 1,2GHz (1,0GHZ nel FLEX-6500). – !! Download the Brochure ENG (FlexRadio) or IT (WoodBoxRadio) PDF link below

The FLEX-6700 and FLEX-6500 coming soon, build package was released to AMS for materials procurement and pre-production engineering start-up !! – (Source: Flex Insider-Issue 2-3/2012) - FlexRadio Signs Manufacturing Partner: (AMS) – Austin Manufacturing Services located in Austin the same business complex with FlexRadio.

AMS’ is ISO 9001 certified contract manufacturer of  board and system level electronic. AMS’ offers considerable expertise and experience in complex, multi-technology, multi-configuration PCB assemblies. - Link to: AMS’s – Services Web-page

The FLEX-6000 Signature Series radios employ a Direct Sampling receiver architecture while the FLEX-Series radios (FLEX-5000, FLEX-3000, FLEX-1500) are Direct Conversion receiver and the RF signal is presented to a QSD – Quadrature Sampling Detector  a balanced mixer of sorts. – QSD receivers are only limited by the bandwidth of the audio ADC’s and balance issues in the detector.

By comparison, the FLEX-6000 Signature Series takes the conversion of RF to digital to a new level – Direct Sampling. Using  high bandwidth ADCs, the entire HF spectrum from 10kHz to 77MHz is sampled at the same time (plus 135MHz-165MHz in the FLEX-6700).
In the FLEX-6000, the Spectral Capture Unit (SCU) performs this function in real time delivering the digitized RF spectrum to the radio’s Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) for additional processing. -

[Note] Inside the SCU are three main functions: filtering, level control and digitization. The Flex-6500 Flex-6700 packs more built-in digital signal process power than ever before imagined in an amateur radio transceiver - The Xilinx® Virtex®-6 FPGA works in tandem with a Texas Instruments® DaVinci® Digital Media Processor that includes a 1.4 GHz (1.2 GHz on FLEX-6500) ARM Cortex®-A8 CPU with NEON® floating point coprocessor!

On the FLEX-6000′s the SCU’s job is to take the off-air signal from an antenna jack on the radio and convert it into the best digital signal possible. – The input to each SCU is one of the many antenna or receiver connectors on the radio. Coming out of the SCU is an incredible volume of digital data  3.93 Gbps for each SCU. – Just for comparison purposes, this data would fill forty of your typical 100Mbps Ethernet cables (LAN).

Retail pricing USA as follows –> FLEX-6500: $4299 / FLEX-6700R: $6399 / and the FLEX-6700: $7499
Retail pricing UK   as follows –> FLEX-6500: £3449 / FLEX-6700R: £4799 / and the FLEX-6700: £5799

Link to: Official Broshure by the FlexRadio Systems – Ver-2  (PDF ENG.)
Link to:  Broshure in Italiano di WoodBoxRadio It by IK3VIG  (PDF ITA.)

[Note] – Pricing and final detailed specifications are yet fixed, please see the official FlexRadio sources - All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders - This device has not been approved by the appropriate authorities in each country etc.

FTdx-3000 Menu very easy – VFO B/A now A/B! – FCC ID ok – FT1D and FTM-400D

FTdx-3000 Settings MENU now scrolling on display and set values! an innovative approach (now… like Icom inc.) – FTDX3000 approved by F.C.C.  ID K6620461X50 – New FT-1D V/U HT FCC ID K6620445X20 and FTM-400D V/U Mobile for digital  C4FM FDMA mode. - See the update pictures of a built-in 4.3-in TFT Display and other news and Link below.

List Price: $3500.00 Your Price: $2799.95  now 2699.95 (Universal Radio US market )

FTdx-3000 Utilizes a new innovative and easy menu settings system and a new 4.3-inch wide color LCD displays the operating information and the status of the transceiver functions selected. (now… like Icom inc.)

To enter into SET MENU mode, simply press the [MENU] button and turn the [CLAR/VFO-B] knob to scroll Up or Down your desired Menu number displayed on the Main LCD and access to many settings and speeds up the operation.

The layout settings [MENU-1] are very fine and offer a nice array of features for the operator. The directional arrows (keypad) and [SELECT] button help you with quick and intuitive access to settings. (please click the picture to enlarg) -

These systems have been newly developed by Yaesu Musen Co., LTD with new substantial design changes, compared to previous devices under the Vertex Standard Inc. Brand! – I have to commend Yaesu Musen Co. for coming up with such an innovative and easy approach.

In Dayton and Friedrichshafen Expo as you can see the buttons [VFO B/A] are reversed! than usual [VFO A/B] – Now in Tokyo Ham Fair these buttons to select the two VFO have been reported in the usual position: [VFO A/B]

The Main operating frequency is the most important in the radio display, with [VFO-A] frequency located just above the Main dial. The [VFO-B] frequency can be displayed on the 4.3-inch color LCD display (left). - For the [MODE] change (USB LSB CW  RTTY etc.) you have a single button with sequential selection or via Memory channels!
Link to: Download the FTDX-3000 Preliminary Brochure link a ML&S UK 

FTdx-3000 Receiver is double conversion, with the first IF at 9 MHz and the second DSP IF at 30 kHz for SSB and CW and 24 kHz for AM and FM modes (like FTdx-5000′s) but the 1st mixer is different from the 1st mix used in the 5000′ series (8x3SK294 !) (see the picture)

Independent Frequency display although the FTDX-3000 has only one receiver; the rig uses dual VFOs, essential for split operation. General coverage receive is available from 30 kHz to 56 MHz.

On the rear panel Signal are furnished: Output for an external receiver and the 9 MHz IF output and two connectors for optional u-tune unit … etc. (see picture)

The July, August and September  QST’s Cover II inserts the manufacturer’s specifications: !! 4.3-inch Large color LCD display / DR:106 dB / IP3 +33 dBm  / 14MHz Band CW (500) (IPO ON, Roofing Filter 600Hz, 2 kHzSpacing) -

Link: Video Ham Fair Tokyo 2012 YAESU Booth 【ハムフェア2012 ヤエスブース】

FT-1D 144+430 MHz HT coming-soon. – This device has been approved by the F.C.C. (FCC ID K6620445X20) !

The-FT1DR/E VHF/UHF HT provides both analog and digital communications on both bands with up to 5 watts.
It is possible to switch between analog and digital mode by pressing one button on the radio. – The FT-1D uses the C4FM FDMA for a lower BER (bit error rate) like the professional LMR (Land Mobile Radio) radios. – The FT-1D can obtain a data trasfer speed 9.6 kbps and E-GPS function for Digital ARTS (Auto-Range Trasponding System) and more.
[Note] The Digital C4FM FDMA mode is not compatible with the Digital GSMK D-STAR

Link to: FT-1D Brochure (pag. 1-2) Radioworld  http://blog.radioworld.ca/?p=2941

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FTM-400D VHF/UHF Mobile (first prototype) AM/FM/NFM/DV (C4FM FDMA, 9.6 Kbps)

Feature (preliminary): Large color touch screen. GPS/APRS functions. Packet 1200/9600bd ready.
Spectrum scope. ARTS. Bluetooth. Twin RX – Micro SD card slot.

[Note] All marks are property of their respective owners. – Specifications are subject to change without notice!

IC-7100 slanted touch screen HF V/UHF all mode DV – ID-51 D-STAR at Ham Fair 2012

IC-7100 HF/VHF/UHF All Mode Transceiver Slanted style Touch screen and ID-51A/E Dual banda D-STAR  new to the Tokyo Ham Fair 2012! – Icom IC-7100 SSB RTTY CW AM FM and D-STAR DV mode, ID-51 V/U D-STAR FM Handheld – !! See the Pre-release’s IC-7100 and ID-51 by Link below - アイコム ハムフェア2012で新製品発表！

HF-50MHz (100W) / 70MHz (50W) / 144MHz (50W) / 430MHz (35W) – (Note: Power may be different according to version. – The 70MHz band is available for some versions only) -
IF DSP for filtering / interference removal / noise reduction whith Dual DSP chips 32-bit Floating point digital processing / SD memory card slot, voice recording and data cloning / USB Audio In-Out, remote control / Built-in RTTY demodulator and decoder / Optional RS-BA1 IP Remote control /
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IC-7100: IF (Intermediate frequencies)  SSB/CW/AM/FM: 124.487 MHz, 455 kHz 36 kHz – WFM: 134.732 MHz 10.700 MHz -
The slant top controller display faces the operator and is designed to increase visibility of the display.  -  The IC-7100 provides D-STAR DV mode digital voice and low speed data communication – Built-in SD Card Slot for Voice & Log Storage – IF DSP with Twin PBT and more ….

List price ¥165,900 or so in Japan  = Yen/US $ 2,200.00  or so!
List price Marcucci Spa (IT) IC-7100 #03  €1475,00 + IVA  (21%)

The ID-51A/E series D-STAR handheld radio is an evolution of Icom’s ID-31A/E UHF D-STAR Handheld and will be capable of both VV / UU 144MHz + 430MHz dual band operation. The ID-51A/E will also include the much praised menu-driven user interface of the ID-31A/E series with a much bigger LCD screen.
Enhanced RX call sign memory records up to 50 past received call signs, which can be exported to micro SD-card.  - Increased memory channel for repeater list (n° 750)/ GPS memory (n° 200) - Limited wideband receive for AM/FM broadcast (no bar antenna!), 118-137MHz, 137- 174MHz and 380-479MHz receiver.

Link to: Download the ID-51 Pre-Release by Icom Uk web (PDF)
Link to: Download the IC-7100 Pre-Release by Icom Uk web (PDF)
Link to: Icom IC-7100 new page by VA7OJ/AB4OJ, Adam Farson 

Link to: Icom MarineCommander Website
More news: MDX-5000 System – The MarineCommander™ is Icom’s marine navigation system, which integrates various marine modules such as a Fish finder, Marine radar, AIS and VHF transceiver into the multi-function displays

The MarineCommander is compatible with the C-MAP™ MAX chart by JEPPESEN in an SD card format.

Video from Tokyo Ham Fair 2012 –  Icom Inc.  booth

[Note]:
All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders - This device has not been approved by the appropriate authorities in each country etc.

FLEX-6700™ utilizes Spectral Capture Units™ and On-board Digital Signal processing – New PDF Italian

Flex-6000 “Signature Series” – Flex-6500 – Flex-6700 packs more built-in digital signal process power than ever before imagined in an amateur radio transceiver - The Xilinx® Virtex®-6 FPGA works in tandem with a Texas Instruments® DaVinci® Digital Media Processor that includes a 1.4 GHz (1.2 GHz on FLEX-6500) ARM Cortex®-A8 CPU with NEON® floating point coprocessor! – See picture and link download ENG & IT pdf  below

Update IT: La serie FLEX-6500 / 6700  utilizzano “internamente” una Xilinx Virtex-6®, potente FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), per  tutte le operazioni di Down e Up conversion e l’analisi spettrale;  la Virtex-6® lavora in tandem ad un microprocessore Texas Instruments™ il DaVinci™ Digital Media Processor che incorpora anche un ARM Cortex™-A8 CPU (con processore NEON™) a 1,4GHz (a 1,2GHz nel Flex-6500)  ed un coprocessore DSP a 32 bit in virgola mobile da 1,2GHz (1,0GHZ nel modello FLEX-6500).

Link to:  Broshure in Italiano di WoodBoxRadio by IK3VIG, Beppe (the boss!)

Spectral Capture Units™ (SCU) which act something like extremely broadband multi… Slice Receviers in One Radio, for reception from 0.33 to 77 MHz plus 135 to 165 MHz. Optimized preselector filters can be selected for the ham bands for greater out of band rejection.. 100dB 2-tone 3rd Order Dynamic Range.. at 100Hz Spacing! New SmartSDR™ Technology & User Client Interface!

The innovative SmartSDR™ appears to have two main parts – the massive heavy duty part living inside the Flex-6000′s and the light GUI & Related Services portion out on the thin client Interface (…. Personal Computer, Notebook, iPad or iPhone! or..!)

New Flex-6000′s Series SmartSDR™ Radios, where the heavy lifting of DSP is done all in the radio and the computer has only “thin client” duties! – Immagine… This is truly a “Game Changer” product line, moving the main heavy lifting of SDR radio back into the radio box!

The Xilinx Virtex-6® FPGA put simply is a way to put software on a chip so the code can rip through huge amounts of data processing it basically in parallel rather than in series. No longer does the PC have massive processing duties!! – Flex-Radio has worked out a way to bring the costs of this massive processing power to amateurs radio price points.

The FLEX-6500 and FLEX-6700 Transceivers utilize Xilinx Virtex-6® FPGA hardware to directly generate the CW waveform digitally at the RF carrier frequency. (idem for digital RTTY /PSK31 etc..)
This means that the RF carrier switches at hardware speeds without first element truncation as is typical in many radios. When combined high speed T/R and bias switching on the PA, <10 millisecond key down to RF output is achieved.  - Full brek-in is possible from remote operations (SmartSDR™ - Networking! Native remote capability – Ethernet interface…) - The FLEX-6700 provides continuous duty 100W output across the entire 160-6m band, a push-pull pair of rugged RD100HHF1 MOSFET transistors.

The (*) Xilinx® Virtex®-6 FPGA works in tandem with a Texas Instruments™ DaVinci™ Digital Media Processor that includes a 1.4 GHz (1.2 GHz on FLEX-6500) ARM Cortex™-A8 CPU with NEON™ coprocessor.
It also includes a 1.2 GHz (1.0 GHz on FLEX-6500), 32-bit floating point DSP coprocessor. The FLEX-6000 Signature Series achieves world class PNDR (Phase Noise Dynamic Range) through the incorporation of an ultra-low phase noise master oscillator at 983.04 MHz! -
Link to: FlexRadio Systems – Flex-6000 Series Brochure – Rev.002

[Note] All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders - This device has not been approved by the appropriate authorities in each country etc.