IW5EDI Simone – Ham-Radio

New FlexRadio FLEX-6500 and FLEX-6700

Smart SDR - FLex Radio

Rumors were tue about the Flex-6000 Series !
Flex-Radio just announced the new Flex-Radio systems FLEX 6500 and FLEX 6700

FLEX-6500 is an HF only SDR Radio while FLEX-6700 includes 6m band, there is also a FLEX-6700R that includes VHF.

FLEX-6000

More info and brochure can be found at FlexRadio Systems website or at the Dayton H amvention, while for Europeans probably will be possible to have a first look at these two new SDR radios in Friedrichshafen Ham Fest next month

FLEX 6000 Series

Genesis 3020 SDR vs Yaesu FT-950

Genesis 3020 SDR presentation

This evening at our local Club Station, ARI Firenze, we had a special event on SDR technology and in particular a Genesis SDR has been presented and tested with behind our club main radio the Yaesu FT-950.

At the event there were aproximately 20 persons, everyone almost interested and curious.

We were not able to make detailed measurements as happened before for the K2 vs K3, but rather has been a good occasion to play with that radio, switching antenna with the FT-950 and comparing signal reception.

First impression has been that selectivity and sensivity of that SDR receiver looks if not superior, at least equal to the FT-950 receiver.

We have also decided to buy a stock of those SDR kits at Genesis SDR and assemble the kits all together. During the event 8 hams joined the builder group and agreed to buy a full 160-6m Kit.

Furthere SDR events will follow in next months, so I will probably keep this blog updated.

First experience with an SDR

Setting up an assembled PMSDR

Tonight I’ve been invited by Franco I5XFD to setup one of his recent toys. A PMSDR Software Defined Radio transceiver.
Franco asked my help to setup the Winrad software, having just finished to assemble the PMSDR Kit.

This SDR comes in a disassembled kit, and is very small as you can see from the picture. It is connected to the PC via USB for remote control and via the PC soundcard for the audio output while Antenna of course use a standard BNC socket.

Well, I’ve been quite surprised of this toy, since it really works with the 5 volts coming from the USB and is capable of nice filtering capabilities and quick tuning.

We have ecountered some troubles on Winrad setup, even if we have opted for the more clean design on WinradHD.

For those of you that do not know, both software are free windows programs that “define… radio”, the first one is provided to the community by an italian ham I2PHD who also released the code for free, while the second is a remake of the original Winrad by DG0JBJ.

There are many SDR Software on the net, and and increasing number of SDR manufacturers offering interesting products