Flex cadre

Thanks to the generosity of Burt Krain a deployment of Flex Radios and Maestro units have been implemented. It is the mission of this group to form a small cadre of hams to collaborate on learning the Flex Radio and its related software suites. Currently the Flex Radio software is free for users of WIndows based PC’s and Tablets. There is a small fee to operate using Apple OS on iPads and Mac’s. We shall create a collaborative environment where we can learn from each other and just generally have a good time using state of the art software defined radios on a remote basis. It is the commitment of the group to ensure everyone has a great experience. We have 6 Flex Radio stations at locations in Mundelein (EN52), Northfield (EN62CC), Northbrook (EN62CD), Skokie(EN62DB), Chicago (EN61DQ) and Waukegan (EN62BI). To allow for greater participation we are looking for hosts for a Flex Radio station with versatile antenna systems and strong internet service.

This wiki provides information needed to operate different models of Flex Radios from just about anywhere in the world. The requirements are very simple. A good Wi-Fi internet connection and either a Maestro unit loaned from the Burt Krain or your Windows Operating System PC. Using our Google calendar for current system use you will be able to choose the available base stations for operation. For all purposes the radio used is independent of the model or features installed. Experienced operators in the group will provide Elmer services as needed to enjoy the experience. All classes of operators may make use of the equipment but must operate in the bands and frequencies allowed by their FCC license. Only licensed hams will be allowed to operate the radios.

Equipment

The project uses a variety of Flex Radio equipment.

Flex 6700	Flex 6600/6400	Flex 6600M/6400M	Maestro

Our key members

* Burt Krain       KR9T
* Marty Boroff     WD9GYM
* Jeff Kraft       WW9F
* Denice Plummer   V31KC
* Don Whiteman     KK9H

We have dubbed the name of the team as the F L E X -A- T E ERS!

Software

• SmartSDR is installed on Windows PC platforms. We have at least one installation using Parallels Virtual Machine supporting Windows 10 or Windows 11 (requires Parallels v 17.1 and TPM setting on).

• SmartSDR™ - FlexRadio Systems®. For a slight fee, Flex radios may be operated using Apple iPads and iPhones.

 Please view this 10 minute video which highlights the features of SmartSDR https://youtu.be/iEctXuWBHME. 

Guides

We have developed the following guides for new users

http://ns9rc-wiki.ddns.net/mediawiki/docs/Flex-Cadre-Users-Guide.pdf

http://ns9rc-wiki.ddns.net/mediawiki/docs/FT8-Radio-Settings.pdf

http://ns9rc-wiki.ddns.net/mediawiki/docs/Improving_My_Flex_Experience.pdf

We also recommend the following latest guides to be

  downloaded from https://www.flexradio.com/downloads/:

  FLEX-6400 and Flex-6600 Hardware Reference
  FLEX-6600M and FLEX-6600M Quick Start Guide
  Maestro Quick Start Guide
  Maestro Users Guide v3.x
  SmartSDR Software User Guide v3.x

Videos

  SmartSDR Highlights https://youtu.be/iEctXuWBHME
  When setting up FT8 please review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxageEY7-Pw&t=80s

Deployments

Location	Grid	Bands	Ant 1	Ant 2
Mundelein Two 6600s	EN52XG 42.27 N 88.04333 W	40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 10, 6	HyGain AV-640 (Ant 1) vertical that covers 40-6 meters. Use the antenna tuner for the upper ends of 40 and 10. The resonant points on the AV-640 are: 7.125, 10.125, 14.175, 18.125, 21.200, 24.925, 28.350 and 50.200. The AV-640’s 2:1 SWR band width on 40M is +/- 75 KHz and the Flex’s internal antenna tuner should now allow you to operate from 7.000 to around 7.250. The inverted-L (Ant.2) will also tune on 40M and it covers the whole band. On 30-12 and 6 meters you will not need the Flex’s antenna tuner and on 10M you would only need it above 28.800 or so. The second 6600 is connected to an endfed 40 - 10.
Skokie‎ 6400	EN62DA 42.02 N 87.74954 W	40, 20, 15, 10, 6	MFJ-1796 Folded Dipole	Dummy load
Northbrook 6600M	EN62CD 42.125017 N 87.80413 W	Ant 1 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12,10	Cushcraft R-7
Waukegan 6600M	EN62BI 42.362854 N 87.841262 W	Ant 1 80 - 10 Ant 2 20 - 6	EFHW Inverted L, up about 40 ft then from west to east. 80 to 10 meter. tuner needed only on 10 and higher half of 80 meter.	Hex beam 6 to 20 meter up 25ft. Tuner need on 6 and 10 meter. Flex internal tuner is good.

Flex Cadre Homebrew Projects

Remote Power and Antenna Switches for Flex Radios by Marty Boroff WD9GYM http://ns9rc-wiki.ddns.net/mediawiki/docs/Remote-Processing-Power-and-Antennas.pdf

NS9RC Wiki links

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