Flex cadre - Revision history

Mboroff at 14:15, 8 October 2025

2025-10-08T14:15:16Z

Mboroff at 21:21, 16 March 2025

2025-03-16T21:21:19Z

Mboroff at 21:19, 16 March 2025

2025-03-16T21:19:02Z

Mboroff at 02:17, 2 March 2025

2025-03-02T02:17:36Z

Mboroff at 20:06, 28 February 2025

2025-02-28T20:06:40Z

Mboroff at 20:01, 28 February 2025

2025-02-28T20:01:55Z

Mboroff at 17:52, 28 February 2025

2025-02-28T17:52:58Z

Mboroff at 17:31, 28 February 2025

2025-02-28T17:31:12Z

Mboroff at 16:47, 28 February 2025

2025-02-28T16:47:13Z

Mboroff at 15:32, 12 April 2024

2024-04-12T15:32:01Z

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 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), 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 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.
+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 or your Windows Operating System PC. 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 ==

@@ Line 100: / Line 100: @@
 == Flex Cadre Homebrew Projects ==
-The Mundelein, Northbrook, Nothfield and Skokie radios are monitored by a Raspberry Pi running Node-Red. The software on the server polls the Blitzortung server to obtain lightning strike information. Should a lightning strike be detected within ten miles, the system will shut down the radio and disconnect the antennas where applicable.
+The Mundelein, Northbrook, Nothfield and Skokie radios are monitored by a Raspberry Pi running Node-Red. The software on the server polls the Blitzortung server to obtain lightning strike information. Should a lightning strike be detected within ten miles, the system will shut down the radio and disconnect the antennas where applicable. If storms are in the area, this may cause a radio to be removed from the SmartSDR selection list.
 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

@@ Line 99: / Line 99: @@
 |}
 == 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

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 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), 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.
+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 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 ==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-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.
+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), 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.
@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 |}
-== Our key members ==
+== Our hosting members ==
   * Burt Krain       KR9T
   * Marty Boroff     WD9GYM
   * Denice Plummer   V31KC
   * Don Whiteman     KK9H
@@ Line 49: / Line 48: @@
     downloaded from https://www.flexradio.com/downloads/:
-    FLEX-6400 and Flex-6600 Hardware Reference
+    FLEX-8000 Hardware Reference
     FLEX-6600M and FLEX-6600M Quick Start Guide
     Maestro Quick Start Guide

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 |Antenna
 |-
-|[[Mundelein]] 8600 & 6600<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
+|[[Mundelein]] 8600 & 6600<br><br><br><br><br><br>
-|EN52XG  42.27 N<br>88.04333 W<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
+|EN52XG  42.27 N<br>88.04333 W<br><br><br><br><br>
-|40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 10, 6<br><br><br><br><br><br>
+|40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 10, 6<br><br><br>
-|HyGain AV-640 (Ant 1) vertical that covers 40-6 meters.<br>Use the antenna tuner for the upper ends of 40 and 10.
+|HyGain AV-640 vertical that covers 40-6 meters.<br>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.<br><br><br><br>
+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.<br>
 The 8600 is connected to an 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.
@@ Line 94: / Line 93: @@
 |Ant 1 - HyGain AV-640 vertical that covers 40-6 meters. The internal antenna tuner is not needed on most bands, except for the lower and upper portions of 40 meters and on the upper end of 10 meters above 28.900<br>Ant 2 - 130 ft. inverted-L that can be used on 160-40 meters. It is connected to an external remote MFJ-998 automatic antenna tuner. Use only 10-15 watts in TUNE mode on the 8400 to activate the MFJ antenna tuner and watch the SWR display for when it completes finding a match. Be patient, it may take up to 20 seconds to find a match, any SWR under 2.5 is fine. Do not use the 8400's internal antenna tuner with Antenna 2<br><br><br>
 |-
-|[[Waukegan]] 6600M<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
+|[[Waukegan]] 6600M<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
-|EN62BI<br>42.362854 N<br>87.841262 W<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
+|EN62BI<br>42.362854 N<br>87.841262 W<br><br><br><br>
-|Ant 1 80 - 10<br>Ant 2 20 - 6<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
+|Ant 1 80 - 10<br>Ant 2 20 - 6<br><br><br><br>
 |EFHW   Inverted L,  up about 40 ft then from west to east.<br>80 to 10 meter. tuner needed only on 10 and higher half of 80 meter.<br>
-Hex beam 6 to 20 meter up 25ft. <br>Tuner need on 6 and 10 meter. <br>Flex internal tuner is good.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
+Hex beam 6 to 20 meter up 25ft. <br>Tuner need on 6 and 10 meter. <br>Flex internal tuner is good.<br><br><br>
 |}
 == Flex Cadre Homebrew Projects ==

@@ Line 92: / Line 92: @@
 |EN62CC 42.106333 N<br>87.776500 W<br><br><br><br>
 |Ant 1 40 -6<br> Ant 2 160 - 40<br><br><br><br>
-|Ant 1 HyGain AV-640 vertical that covers 40-6 meters. The internal antenna tuner is not needed on most bands, except for the lower and upper portions of 40 meters and on the upper end of 10 meters above 28.900<br>Ant 2  130 ft. inverted-L that can be used on 160-40 meters. It is connected to an external remote MFJ-998 automatic antenna tuner. Use only 10-15 watts in TUNE mode on the 8400 to activate the MFJ antenna tuner and watch the SWR display for when it completes finding a match. Be patient, it may take up to 20 seconds to find a match, any SWR under 2.5 is fine. Do not use the 8400's internal antenna tuner with Antenna 2<br><br><br>
+|Ant 1 - HyGain AV-640 vertical that covers 40-6 meters. The internal antenna tuner is not needed on most bands, except for the lower and upper portions of 40 meters and on the upper end of 10 meters above 28.900<br>Ant 2 - 130 ft. inverted-L that can be used on 160-40 meters. It is connected to an external remote MFJ-998 automatic antenna tuner. Use only 10-15 watts in TUNE mode on the 8400 to activate the MFJ antenna tuner and watch the SWR display for when it completes finding a match. Be patient, it may take up to 20 seconds to find a match, any SWR under 2.5 is fine. Do not use the 8400's internal antenna tuner with Antenna 2<br><br><br>
 |-
 |[[Waukegan]] 6600M<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

@@ Line 71: / Line 71: @@
 |[[Mundelein]] 8600 & 6600<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
 |EN52XG  42.27 N<br>88.04333 W<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
-|40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 10, 6<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
+|40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 10, 6<br><br><br><br><br><br>
 |HyGain AV-640 (Ant 1) vertical that covers 40-6 meters.<br>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 resonant points on the AV-640 are:  7.125, 10.125, 14.175, 18.125, 21.200, 24.925, 28.350 and 50.200.<br><br><br><br>
 The 8600 is connected to an 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.
@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
 |[[Skokie‎]] 6400<br><br><br><br>
 |EN62DA 42.02 N<br>87.74954 W <br><br>
-|40, 20, 15, 10, 6<br><br><br><br><br>
+|40, 20, 15, 10, 6<br><br>
 |MFJ-1796 Folded Dipole<br><br><br><br><br>
 |-
 |[[Northbrook]] 8600<br><br> <br><br><br><br>
 |EN62CD 42.125017 N<br>87.80413 W<br><br><br>
-|Ant 1 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12,10<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
+|40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12,10<br><br>
 |Cushcraft R-7<br><br> <br><br><br><br><br>
 |-
-|[[Northfield]] 8400<br>Bands: 160, 80, 60, 40,30, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, 6
+|[[Northfield]] 8400<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
-|EN62CC 42.106333 N<br>87.776500 W<br><br><br>
+|EN62CC 42.106333 N<br>87.776500 W<br><br><br><br>
-|Ant 1 HyGain AV-640 vertical that covers 40-6 meters. The internal antenna tuner is not needed on most bands, except for the lower and upper portions of 40 meters and on the upper end of 10 meters above 28.900<br><br><br>
+|Ant 1 40 -6<br> Ant 2 160 - 40<br><br><br><br>
-|Ant 2  130 ft. inverted-L that can be used on 160-40 meters. It is connected to an external remote MFJ-998 automatic antenna tuner. Use only 10-15 watts in TUNE mode on the 8400 to activate the MFJ antenna tuner and watch the SWR display for when it completes finding a match. Be patient, it may take up to 20 seconds to find a match, any SWR under 2.5 is fine. Do not use the 8400's internal antenna tuner with Antenna 2<br><br><br>
+|Ant 1 HyGain AV-640 vertical that covers 40-6 meters. The internal antenna tuner is not needed on most bands, except for the lower and upper portions of 40 meters and on the upper end of 10 meters above 28.900<br>Ant 2  130 ft. inverted-L that can be used on 160-40 meters. It is connected to an external remote MFJ-998 automatic antenna tuner. Use only 10-15 watts in TUNE mode on the 8400 to activate the MFJ antenna tuner and watch the SWR display for when it completes finding a match. Be patient, it may take up to 20 seconds to find a match, any SWR under 2.5 is fine. Do not use the 8400's internal antenna tuner with Antenna 2<br><br><br>
 |-
 |[[Waukegan]] 6600M<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
 |EN62BI<br>42.362854 N<br>87.841262 W<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
-|Ant 1 80 - 10<br>Ant 2 20 - 6<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
+|Ant 1 80 - 10<br>Ant 2 20 - 6<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
 |EFHW   Inverted L,  up about 40 ft then from west to east.<br>80 to 10 meter. tuner needed only on 10 and higher half of 80 meter.<br>
 Hex beam 6 to 20 meter up 25ft. <br>Tuner need on 6 and 10 meter. <br>Flex internal tuner is good.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>