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Manuals,Repairinfo,Technicalinfo,Folderlocations
Clickonimages(below)toenlarge
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NOTE:Flex-3000putsoutfullpoweron630m(butyoumustuseanexternal630mLPFcapableofRXand100wattsTX)
SWRmeterreadingissueontheFlex-5000:(NotetheFlex-3000has1SWRcircuitsoavoidsissues,andtheFlex-1500doesnothaveanSWRcircuitbuilt-in.)
TheFlex-5000hasabuiltinSWRmeter.ItscircuitislocatedonthePAboardandiselectronicallycalibratedatthefactory(usingPowermasterexternalmeter),anditsSWRisdisplayedonthemainPowerSDRscreenTXmeters.ButifyouhavetheinternalTuner,theTuneritselfhasitsownSWRmeter(seeATUphotosaboveandlookforT1).ItscalibratedusingtheC1vari-cap.
Thereisasmallamountofcoaxbetweenthe2SWRmetersinsidetheradio.Thebuilt-inTunerusesitsownSWRmeterduringthe"ATU"tuneprocess.
Sodependingonyourantenna(i.e.howfarfromresonance)youmayfindtheSWRmetersreaddifferently(witheachpieceofcoaxcausingtheSWRtobedifferentatdifferentlocationsalongthecoax.AndmostlikelyanyexternalSWRmeterwillreadadifferentSWRsinceitsevenfurtherbeforethetuner.
TheSWRacrossthemetersshouldbeveryclosewhenrunningaresonantantenna,soifyoufindalargedifferenceinthiscase,youmaywanttotweaktheC1vari-capoftheinternalTuner.
TheinternalTunerSWRcircuit(T1)hasavari-capadjustmentC1.Thatvari-capmayneedaslightadjustmenttogetthebuilt-inSWRmetertomatch.TheTuneriseitherbuiltbyFlexorLDG(myunitwasanLDG)butthereisonly1vari-cap(C1)toadjust.
FoldersusedbyPowerSDR:C:\ProgramFiles(x86)\FlexRadioSystems\PowerSDRv2.8.0------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PowerSDR.exeitselfEEPROM.exe(forexporting/importingEEPROMdataandreading/writingRadiodata)Turf.txtLoTW_help.rtfCATStructs.xml
C:\ProgramFiles(x86)\FlexRadioSystems\PowerSDR\Documentation:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Owners_manualv2.8PowerSDRTXWaterfallIDpdfFlexControlquckstartguideVU5Kmanualaddendumev1.1C:\ProgramFiles\FlexRadio-----------------------------------------------------FlexRadio.exe(Firewire)program
C:\ProgramData\FlexRadioSystems\FLEXFirmware\:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NOTE:PowerSDRnormallyautomaticallyupdatesyourradiosfirmwaretothelastestTool.exe(manualfirmwareupdatetool)Flex-1500firmwarefolderFlex-3000firmwarefolderFlex-5000firmwarefolderFlexControlfirmwarefolder
C:\ProgramData\FlexRadioSystems\PowerSDR\:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------FireWireDriverinstallerfolderFlex-1500DriverinstallerfolderFlexControlKnobinstallerfolderSkinsfolder(subfolderscontainingskins)powermaster.txt(calibrationdataforflex5000finaltestform)
Note:InWinXPC:\DocumentsandSettings\becameC:\ProgramData\inWinVista.ButPowerSDRke9nsv2.8willnotworkunderWinXPorVista
%userprofile%\Music\PowerSDR---------------------------------------------------------"Wave"audiorecordings(nottheQuickAudio)(inWAVformatonly)"Memory"audioRecordings(inMP3formatonly)
%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\FlexRadioSystems\-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------master.xml(powerSDRstartupradioselectorscreen)production(emptyfileneededifyouwanttocalibratethePA)memory.xml(memorylisting)ATUdatabase.xmlfile(Flex-3000)ATU.logfileDXMemory.xml(DXSpotterURLlistings)
%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\FlexRadioSystems\PowerSDRv2.8.0\:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Databasefiles(5)(example:database_RevQ_F5K_1211-3170.xml)QuickAudiofolder(standardlargewavfilerecordings)QuckAudioMP3folder(MP3filesofallquickaudiorecordings)QuckScreen(screenshot.clickoncamera)folderSWR_PLOTSfolder(seeScanner)CustomScannerListfolder(seeScanner)TXWaterFallID(BMP)imagefiles.logfiles(shutdownlogs,errorlogs,atulog)LoTW_LOGfiles(yourlogfiles)(seeSpotter)SWL.csvfileandSWL2.csv(shortwavelistings)FCCDATA.datfile(callsigndatabasefile)(seeSpotter)DXLOC.txt(countrynameandlocationlisting)(seeSpotter)Continuum....csvdatafileswisdomfile(howfastyourPCcanperformDSPfunctions)
CompatibleWindowsversions(andRadioFirmware)
.NET4.8.0
8/7/22:UpdatePowerSDR2.8.0.253to.NET4.8.0.
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Win7issues
8/4/22:Ibelivedoto"EndofSupport"forWin7,simplyinstallingWin7andmanuallydownloadingSP1(servicepack1)and.NET4.5.2and.NET4.8isnolongerenoughtogetPowerSDRtowork.Ifyoufind"WindowsUpdate"failsyouwillneedtofixthissoyoucanupdatemanymissingupdatesthatcameafterthebasicSP1update.TrymanuallydownloadingKB3020369andKB3172605.Afterinstallingthese,youshouldnowbeabletouse"windowsUpdate",thenkeepcheckingforupdates.Everytimeitrequiresareboot,checkformoreupdates(youmayneedtorepeatthis7or8times).YoucanalsomanuallyfindandinstallKB3125574andKB3177467
RunsonWindows11
TheeasiestwaytoimprovetheperformanceofanolderPCistoswapoutyourcurrentmechanicalHarddriveovertoaSolid-StateHarddrivewitha6Gb/sSATAconnector(upto550MB/s).SSDmanufacturesprovidefreecloningsoftwaretomaketheswapouteasy.Iusea1TBSSDfromCrucialforaround$100
However,ifyourPCmotherboardhasaPCIeM.2NVMeslot(asshownbelow),youcanachievetheultimateinspeed(upto2700MB/s).Ipaidjustover$100for1TBM.2NVMeGen3x4.TheynowhaveNVMeGen4x4(orPCIe4.0NVMe)whichisaboutx2fasterthantheGen3.AlthoughyouneedamotherboardthatcanhandleGen3orGen4
Runsunder:Win7SP1,Win8,Win10,andWin11(Youwantaminimum1440x900screenresolution)
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News(Updates)
NewsandUpdates:
05/09/2024:8mBand(40-45mhz)willnowoperateontheFlex-1500,3000,5000whenin"Extended"modeforthosecountriesthatallowoperation.BandTexthasalsobeenupdatedforthe8mband.
05/01/2024:630mBand(472-479khz)operationwhenin"Extended"mode,ontheFlex-5000mayormaynotworkduetoafactoryECOin2010thatinstalleda160mBPF(notchfilter)inplaceoftheoriginal160mLPF(lowpassfilter).IfthisBFPisinplaceyouwillneedtoreplaceit,ormodifyittoextendthebandpassdownbelow630m.
08/17/22:USINGVAC:BecauseofSampleRate(SR)up&downconversionbetweentheRadioitselfandVAC1,itsbestifyouuse48khzSRforVAC1&2.Thisisbecauseitsaperfectmultipleof192and96khzSR.YoumustalsosettheSRforyourVirtualaudiocablesto2channel16bit48khz(forbothPlaybackandRecordingVACcables(seeWindows->ControlPanel->Sound).
Failuretodoso,willmostlikelyresultinbufferlag,whichwillcauseDigitalmodePCprograms(likeWSJT-X,FLDIGI)tonotworkcorrectly.IfyoudonoticealaginVACaudio,checkallyourSampleRatestomakesuretheyareALLsetto2channel16bit48khz.
12/28/21:JustdiscoveredthatyoucanrunAnyDeskonbothyourRemoteLaptopandRadioPC(2instances)atthesametimetoallowfull2-waybi-directionalaudioaswellasdesktopcontrolforfullPowerSDRremoteoperation.See"RemoteDeskop"Link.
11/19/21:DiscoveredtheCulturedecimalpointissuewhenusing.NET4.6(orgreater).NeedtoaddIFormatProvider"CultureInfo.CurrentCulture.NumberFormat"checktoevery.ToString("fx",)anddouble.Parse(text,)andfloat.Parse(text,)statementfortheentirePowerSDRproject.Orfigureouthowtomakeaglobalcondition.
11/14/21:UpgradeCompilertoVS2022and.NET4.5.2.FoundthatPowerSDRhasanissuewithWindowsRegionsthatusetheCommaasadecimalpointwhencompliedwith.NET4.7.2.Willcontinuetouse.NET4.5.210/23/21:UpgradetoWin11Prowithnoissues.CompiledPowerSDRunderVS2019+Win11
10/16/21:WINDOWS11:Win11andFireWiredoworkwithPowerSDR.Win11doesrequireamorerecentComputerboardrunningamoreRecentCPU(example:AllAMDRyzenbasedcomputerwillbecapable,butnotInteli7olderthan2019).YourMotherboardorLaptopwillneedaTPM2.0or1.5(TrustedPlatformModule),whichisachiptostoreencrypteddatakeysthatresidesonyourMotherboard,anda"SecureBoot"Capablesetup.ThisrequiresyoutogointoyourBIOSandturnonyourTPM2.0module.ButalsoyourmainHardDriveneedstobeGPTformated(notMBR)andbothWin10andyourBIOSneedstobesettoUEFImode(notLegacy).IfyourharddriveiscurrentlyformatedasaMBR,MicrosoftdidcomeoutwithaMBR2GPTprogram(i.e.admindos:mbr2gpt/convert/disk:0/allowfullos).TogetaFreeWin11upgradeyouneedtohaveafullyupdatedandlegalcopyofWin10andpassthehardwarecapabilityandvalidCPUtestinWin10Update.YouwillneedtogooglefortheBIOSprocedureforyourmotherboardModel#toactivateTPMandUEFI(inbothWin10andBIOS).YoudonotneedtoactivateSecureBootinWin10,justbecapableofit).
10/15/20:UpdateFCCDAT.datcallsignfileNewFCCwebsiteURL>>>ftp://wirelessftp.fcc.gov/pub/uls/complete/l_amat.zipUpdateSWL.csvlistingsfile.9/2/20:Updateshortwavelistings,SWL.csvfile(eibispace.de/)addedtoboth.172downloads
DOWNLOADWARNING:AntivirusprogramsmaypreventproperinstallationofPowerSDRandtheFlexRadioFireWireapplications.IthastodowithcertainfoldersthatPowerSDRandFlexRadiouse.Disablingyourantivirusprogrammaynotfixtheissue.Incertaincasesyoumayneedtouninstallyourantivirusprotectionprogramfirst.EvenafterPowerSDRinstallation,someantivirusprogramswillremoveorquarantinefilesusedbyPowerSDRandFlexRadioprograms,soyoumayfindPowerSDRstopworkingwhenyouturnyourPCbackONthenextday.______________________________________________________________________________StandardmodernCOMPUTERSetup:
OS:Windows10or11(ItwilloperateunderWin7withSP1&.NET4.8installed,aswell)CPU:4cores(orlogicalcores)minimum(6ormorepreferred)Motherboard:PCIexpress3.0ornewer(forlesschanceofanIRQconflict)RAM:8GB(ormore)Memory:Solid-StateHarddrive("nvmem.2"P3isthebest,butSATASSDisOK)Screen:FullHD(1080p)LCDpanel(multiplepanelspreferredwith1dedicatedtoPowerSDR)MousewithaWheelthathasphysical"detents"forproperVFOoperationFireWire(fortheFlex-3000or5000):PCIenewercard,oranAppleThunderbolttoFireWiresolution
______________________________________________________________________________FullStand-AloneInstallerforPowerSDRke9nsv2.8.0.302(youdoNOTneedv2.7.2)Contains:Allfilesandprogramsneededforafreshinstall.FirmwareupdatestotheFlex-1500,3000,and5000radiosforbandregionupdatesv.2.8.0willautomaticallycopyoverthefullcontentsofthe2.7.2databasefolderandQuickAudiofiles.(Note:v2.8.0willnotaffectoperationofv2.7.2software)
Important:BeforeRunningthisFULLinstaller,RightClick,SelectProperties->Compatibility->CompatibilityMode=Windows7Important:MakesureyourWindows10/11PowerPlanissetto"HighPerformance"or"UltimatePerformance"powerplan.ControlPanel->PowerPlan.Toaddeitherorboththesedothefollowing:Run"CommandPromt"rightclick"Runasadministrator"andcopy/pastethefollowingfor"Highperformance":powercfg-duplicatescheme8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635ccopy/pastethefollowingfor"Ultimateperformance":powercfg-duplicateschemee9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61ThesePowerPlansarenotforlaptopbatteryusage,butareneededforReal-TimeAudioDSP
AfterInstallingtheFULLinstaller(orange),thendownloadIncremental(green)fromnowon.
Download:IncrementalInstallerforPowerSDRke9nsv2.8.0.307NOTE:Alwaysdoa"Setup->ExportDatabase"beforeupdatingContains:Justupdatesmadeafterv2.8.0andincludesupdatestoDXLOCcountrylisting,andSWLlistings.SoifyouhavealreadyinstalledtheFULL(Orange)Installer,thenfromnowon,youonlyneedtoupdatehere(Green)Installer.
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60mbandissues
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Belowisayoutubeiphonevideoshowinghowtoinstalltheke9nsPowerSDRRevT9andhigher
IfyoufindPowerSDRisfreezingup,youmayhaveaDPCLatencyissue:
DPClatencyhastodowithreal-timebackgroundprocesses.WhenyouopenwindowsTaskmanageryouwillseealltheprogramsandprocessesthatruninthebackground.Soevenifyouhaveahighnumberofcores,itcanstillhappen,dotoafaultydriver,orabadprogram,orvirus.Also,harddriveactivitycancauselatencyaswell(IswitchedtoaSolid-State1Gbdriveacoupleofyearsago.).Thereisonlysomuchbackgroundtimeavailableinordertokeepaprocessrunninginreal-time.ProgramsthatcanhelpfindoutwhatyourPCisdoing:WindowsTaskManager(rightclickinthewindowstraytoselect):ShowalltheAppsandBackgroundProcessesrunningwiththeCPU,Memory,HDD,networkloading.FlexRadio.exe(windowscontrolpanel):ViewDPClatencyintime.WhySoSlow.exe:Youcangenerateareportshowingwhatmightbecausingit.LatencyMonitor(LatMon.exe):TestforDPClatencyProcessExplorer(procexp.exe)willshowyouallcoderunning(thiscanbescarywhenyouseeit)andhowmuchCPUtime.Autoruns.exeorCCleaner.exe:YoucanseewhatexactlygetsloadedatStartup
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CPU%notfunctioningorTemp&Voltsnotworking:ClickStart,type"cmd"intheSearchbox.Rightclickcmd.exe,andselectRunasadministrator.Attheprompt,typelodctr/RandpressENTER.(notethe"R"isacapitalletter)ThiswillrepairthePerfMonpointers(thosearestoredintheregistry).Youshouldseethismessageiftheprocesswassuccessful:Info:Successfullyrebuiltperformancecountersettingfromsystembackup
IfthisresultsinanERROR,thentrythefollowing:
Type:C:\Windows\SysWOW64>lodctr/RYoushouldsee:Info:Successfullyrebuiltperformancecountersettingfromsystembackupstore
Thentype:C:\Windows\SysWOW64>winmgmt.exe/RESYNCPERF
ThiswillhopefullyfixaWindowsPerfMonissue.
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NOTE:FT8&JTAlert-xhavearatherlargepenaltyonyourCPUinacrowdedband(like80mand40m)tryingtodecode20orsosignalssimultaneously.Themoresignalstodecode,thehigherCPU.Myold4corecpumaxedoutat100%decodingon40mandrunningPowerSDRatthesametime.IdecidedtoupgrademydesktopmotherboardtoanAMDRyzen6core(12thread)and16gbofDDR4ismorethanenoughhorsepowertoruneverythingandanything,andallowsPowerSDRtorunat30fpsandtheanalogmetermovementtorunat40msecwith3-6%cpu.
Tospeedupyourcomputer,getanewSolid-StateHarddrive,andaGamersvideocard.
ToEnable/DisableWindowsServices:ClickontheStartbuttonandtype"services"inthesearchwindow.ClickonServices(local).
FINALLY:RightCLICKonthetaskbar(bottomofthescreen)andselect"StartTaskManager",thenclickonthe"showprocessesforallusers"downatthebottom.Itsgoodtoprintthisscreenoutforfuturereferencewhenyourcomputerstartsto"act"up.Killrogueprogramsthatarerunninginthebackground(likejavaupdatescheduler,ituneshelper,etc.).Also,checkthe"TaskScheduler"tomakesureWindowsorotherprogramsdontrunascheduletaskwhileyouroperating.
ProgramstoDownloadandInstallbesidesPowerSDR(Theseprogramsareexplainedfurtherdownbelow)
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AudioFolders(locationofREC/PLAY),MP3&PowerSDRDatabase
TheQuickAudiofilenamesnowcontainasequentialindexvalue+Mode+freq+date+timeoftherecordingEverytimeyouhittheRECbuttonafile"SDRQuickAudioXXX.wav"iscreatedinthefolder:%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\FlexRadioSystems\PowerSDRv2.8.0\QuickAudio\(RightClickonthePLAYbuttontoopenthisfolder)and(Wave->MP3folder)an"SDRQuickAudioXXX.MP3"iscreatedinthefolder:%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\FlexRadioSystems\PowerSDRv2.8.0\QuickAudioMP3\Clickonthe"Wave"buttonthen"MP3Folder"buttontoopentheMP3folderdirectly.Thefilelocationofthe"MEMORY"scheduledrecordings(MP3),andtheorignal"Wave"folderrecordingsis:%userprofile%\music\PowerSDR\
PowerSDR"MEMORY"data,andDXClusterdatafiles:%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\FlexRadioSystems\PowerSDRDatabasefiles(lookforyourradiosserialnumberinthefilename):(original)%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\FlexRadioSystems\PowerSDRv2.7.2\(newke9ns)%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\FlexRadioSystems\PowerSDRv2.8.0\
GriffinPowermateforfrequencytuning
GriffenPowerMateDriversarenowWrittendirectlyintoPowerSDRke9nsv2.8(setup->general->userinterface).IfyouarerunningPowerSDRke9nsv2.8thenskipthissection.ThissectionandthesefilesmaybeusefultootherSDRusersnotrunningPowerSDRke9nsv2.8
Iwrote3programs(below)thatForcetheGriffinPowermateKnobtosendFrequencychangecommandstoPowerSDRnomatterwhatyoudoingonyourcomputer:1)AutoFocusesthePowerSDRwindowandsendsKeyboardShortcutsANDalsoallowsRemoteKnobOperation(butwithouttheAutoFocus)2)SendsCATcommandstoaCOMportconnectedtoPowerSDR3)SameCATcommands,butwithaSignalStrengthMeteradded.
ThemeterimageismytributetotheTR7.
BelowisashortyoutubeiphonevideoItookshowingtheaboveke9nspowermatesoftwarerunning.
FireWireIEEE1394Interface(driverissues)andThunderboltoption
FireWire(IEEE1394):
IfyouarelookingforoptionstoaddFireWiretoanewermini-PCorlaptoporDesktop,scrolldownto"FireWireSolutionsformini-PCsandLaptops"forafewoptions.
(NOTE:FreezingisnotgenerallyrelatedtoFireWire,butmeanseitheryourPCisunderpoweredoryouhaveabaddriver.SearchDPCLatencyonthiswebsiteinstead)
IfyourFireWireiscrashing(causingaPFN_List_Fault)Bluescreenofdeath:
(1)Youcancheckonalltheitemslistedbelow,BUTfirstasatest,disableallVirusprotection(someprogramswillrequirefullyuninstalledinordertodisable).ThisincludesthebuiltinWindowsDefender:BydisablingtheWin10/11"Real-Timeprotection"andWin11"Memoryintegrity".IthasbeennotedthatWindowsdefender"msmpeng.exe"cancausealargenumberof"HardPagefaults"whilerunningPowerSDR.SeeifthePFNcrashinggoesawaywhenyouDisableReal-TimeprotectionviawindowsDefender
(2)MakesureyourWindows10/11PowerPlanissetto"HighPerformance"powerplan.ControlPanel->PowerPlan.Ifyoudontseea"highperformance"listedunderPowerPlan:Run"CommandPromt"rightclick"Runasadministrator"andcopy/pastethefollowingfor"Highperformance":powercfg-duplicatescheme8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635cThisisforUltimateperformance:copy/pastethefollowingfor"Ultimateperformance":powercfg-duplicateschemee9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61BoththesePowerPlansarenotforlaptopbatteryusageastheydisableallpowersavingfeaturesandkeepallCPUcoresrunning,butareneededforReal-TimeAudioDSP
(3)OpenCMDprompt(runasAdmin)bcdedit/setdisabledynamictickyesforreducepossibleDPClatency.
(4)OpenRegedit:Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\0cc5b647-c1df-4637-891a-dec35c318583andsetValueMaxandValueMinbothto0topreventwindowsfromshuttingdownanyCPUcores.Oryoucandownload"Parkcontrol"topreventCPUcoreparking.
(5)FireWirerequiresanIRQ(InterruptRequest)channel.ItsbestthattheIRQchannelselectedforyourFireWireCardisuniqueandhasnoIRQconfictswithotherdevicesonyourPCmotherboard.YourBIOSselectstheIRQforyou.NewerPCmotherboardsnowuseMSIandMSIx(Messagesignaledinteruppts)fortheironboaddevices,andsousuallyhaveplentyofopenIRQavailable.SomewhatoldermotherboardssupportMSIbutrelyheavilyonIRQfortheironboarddevices,andsomanyonboarddevicesshareandIRQ.YoumayormaynotbeabletorunPowerSDRsuccessfullywithasharedFireWireIRQ.
AlthoughwindowspermitsIRQsharing,your1394FireWirecardcannotbeallowedtoshareanIRQ.WindowsnolongerallowsforIRQmanualassignements.AndModernBIOSconfigurationswillusuallyNOTallowformanualIRQassignments.NOTE:AlteringyourBIOSisdangerousfortheinexperienced,andmaycauseWindowstobecomeinoperable.OlderBIOSconfigurationsmayhavea"PnPoperatingsystem"checkboxtodisable.ModernBIOSconfigurationsmayhaveaACPIcheckboxtodisable.Theotherpossibilityistosimplymovethe1394cardtoanotherPCIeSlot(Note:AnyPCIeslot,largeorsmallwillaccommodatethe1394PCIecard).Alsosometimessimplyusing"DeviceManager"todisableandthenRe-enable,maycauseWindowstoassignanewIRQ#.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thisprocedure(below)isalastresorttofreeupanIRQconflictonyourFireWireCard:
ThisprocedureinvolvesmovingPCdevicesfromstandardIRQtoMSI(MessageSignaledInterrupts).MSIdevicesarenotallowedtohaveconflictsandshowupasnegativeIRQvalues.ByFreeingupstandardIRQs,thismightremoveaFireWireCardIRQconflict.UsuallyNVIDIAgraphicscardscanbemovedtoMSI.AlongwithAudiodevices.SomedeviceslistedasMSIcapablewillnotworkproperlyunderMSIandcancauseyourWindowstonolongerboot.
NOTE:Thisisnotforthefaintofheart.ThisprocedurehasthepossibilityofbrickingyourWindowsPC.Alwaysmakesureyoucreateafresh"SystemRestore"point,alsogointoREGEDITandmakeabackupcopytoanaccessiblelocation(likeyourdesktop).MakeabsolutelysuretocreateaUSB"RecoveryDrive"beforeattemptinganyIRQMSIalterations.ThiswayyoushouldbeabletoboottheRecoveryDriveandrestoretoapreviousRestorepoint.IfyoudontseesomedevicesalreadylistedasMSI(nonegativeIRQdevices),thendonttrythisasyourPCistooold.
ThisinvolvesalteringyourRegistrytomovedevicesfromIRQtoMSI(youcanalsoincreaseprioritylevels)usingafreeprogramcalled"MSI_util_v3.exe"thatmustberuninADMINmode.ThisutilitymodifiesyourRegistry.
IdidthiseventhoughmyFireWirehadnoIRQconflict.
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IfyourWindowsisx64Itwilljustplacethedriversintothefolder:C:\ProgramFiles(x86)\1394OHCICompliantHostController(Legacy)ButifyourWindowsisx86thenthefolderwillbeC:\ProgramFiles\1394OHCICompliantHostController(Legacy)Gointoeitherx64orx86folder(basedonwhatversionofWindowsyourrunning)ThenrightclickovertheLegacy1394.inffileandselectInstallNowwhenyouopendevicemanagerandselect1394FireWire->updatedriver->Browsemycomputer->Letmepickfromalist,Legacyshouldnowbeinthelist
x64Win10/Win11PCsmayrequirea"Signed"driver,butthesewereneversigned.Youmayneedto"DisableDriversigning"onyouPCtoallowswitchingyour1394FireWirecardoverto"legacy"
NOTE:IfyouarehavingtroublesrunningaFlex-3000orFlex-5000at192ksamplerate,trytheLegacyDriver.AndchangethesamplerateonlyfromwithinPowerSDR:setup->Audio->Primary->SampleRate
DevicemanagerwilllistyourFireWirecardas:IEEE1394hostcontroller(EitherLSI,TI,orVIA1394).
FireWiresolutionsformini-PCsandLaptops.(ForthosenotrunningaDesktopPCwhichhasaPCIeslot):
Luckilyalmostalltheslotsfoundonnewerlaptops,andmini-PCsarePCIebasedslotswithjustsmallerformfactors.
m.2PCIeslot(usedinMiniPCs&newlaptops,forwifi/bluetooth):Itsa4channelPCIexpressslotinaverysmallformfactor.ItssmallerthantheoriginalminiPCIeslot,butmorecapable.Mini-PCsarefullblownWindows11PCsthesizeofaSandwich.IhaveaAerofaraTank56,Ryzen(12logicalcores),m.2SSD,andcapableofrunning3FHDmonitors.IhavetriedusingtheM.2slotfor1394FireWireanditworksgreat!
Youcanbuyadaptersthatconvertm.2PCIeslotstostandardPCIex1(whereyoucoulduseastandard1394FireWirecard).
OR
Convertam.2PCIeslottoaMiniPCIeslotandthenusean1394card(liketheStarTech.comLSIboardshownbelow):
------------------------------------------------MiniPCIeslot(usedinminiPCs,andlaptopsforwificard):
IfyouopenupyourlaptopandfindaminiPCIeslot(usuallyusedforwi-ficards),youcanbuya1394FireWirecardlikethisLSI1394miniPCIecardfromStarTech.com(PN#MPEX1394B3),andrunthecabletotheoutsideofyourlaptop.ThisLSI1394chiphasworkedwellacrossmultiplemachines.Ihaveyettofindabadone.
BelowshowingPowerSDRrunningaFlex-5000usingtheAboveLSIminiPCIe1394FireWirecardpluggedintoanewWindows11x64Touchscreen10.1"EmbeddedfanlessIndustrialPC.Note3mini-PCIeslots:1)msataSSD,2)LSI1394FireWirecard,3)IntelWiFi&Bluetoothcard.
-------------------------------------------ExpressCardSlot(usedinLaptops):IalsouseaStarTech.comEC13942A11394aFireWireExpressCard(formyWindowsLaptop).Itworksgreat.Aboveisan1394FireWireExpressCardforLaptopcomputerswithExpressCardslots(preferablyExpressCard2.0).ExpressCardisreallyjustPCIExpressinadifferentformat
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ThunderboltFireWire
AsaLASTLASTresort(seephotosabove).IfyousimplycannotgetFireWiretoworkproperlyonyourPC(besidestryinganotherPC),youmightconsiderusing"Thunderbolt"(whichisbackwardscompatiblewithDisplayPortandFireWire).Ithasbeenverifedthatthis"Thunderbolt"approachworks.First,checkifyourmotherboardalreadyhas"Thunderbolt",eitherasitsownThunderbolt2(mostlikelyifyouhaveamac)connector,orasaUSB-CThunderbolt3or4(USB-CdoesnotmeanitsThunderbolt.ItneedstostatethatitisThunderbolt3/4andUSB-Cisjustitsconnector).Ifyoudonothave"Thunderbolt"youcanpurchasea"PCIex4"cardwithThunderboltonit.Thatisthecardrequiresax4orlargerslot(notthex1slotthatmostFireWirecardsuse).TheyalsousuallyrequirePCIe3.0hardwareonyourmotherboard.NewcardswillmostlikelybeThunderbolt3or4(whichwillthenrequireanThunderbolt3to2cable.)ThishastheaddedbenefitinthatyougainhighspeedUSB-Cplug(s).UsedcardswillprobablyhaveThunderbolt2&DisplayPort&maybeThunderbolt3(USB-C)connectors.
2)PurchaseanAppleThunderbolt2toFirewireadapter.Windows10/11shouldfindthedriversforthisdevice.3)PurchaseanAppleThunderbolt3toThunderbolt2Cable(ifneeded)43)Purchasea1394bto1394aCable(tointerfacefromtheAppleFireWiretotheFlexradio)
NOTE:Thunderbolt3isnotopensourceandcanappearasaUSB4port.IfyourPChasaUSB4port,itmaybeThunderbolt3compatible,andsotheaboveThunderbolttoFireWiremayworkusingaUSB4port.ButVendorsofUSB4donotneedtobefullyThunderbolt3complient,soyourtalkingachance.
NOTE:Thunderbolt3isnowopensourceandcanappearasaUSB4port.IfyourPChasaUSB4port,itmaybeThunderbolt3compatible,andsotheaboveThunderbolttoFireWiremayworkusingaUSB4port.ButVendorsofUSB4donotneedtobefullyThunderbolt3complient,soyourtalkingachance.
FireWireChipRepairs
NOTES:
NOTE1:Legacy1394OHCIFireWiredriverscameaboutwithWin8whenFireWiredriverschangedtokernel-modedriverframework(KMDF).ThenewKMDF1394FireWireDriverssometimescausedissues,promptingthe"Legacy"driver(i.edriversmadebeforeKMDF).ButLegacydriversareslowerthanthecurrentstandarddriversbasedonKMDF.
NOTE2:MicrosoftWin10(Ver1803)putalimitationon1394FireWirerelatedtoDMA(DirectMemoryAccess).FireWireiscurrentlypreventedfromDMA(i.e.DMAisdisabled),inthehopesofpreventingthreatstoBitlocker.ThisWindowslimitationwasthenpassedalongtoallversionsofWin10(oldandnew),and11.Howeveritdoesappearthatcompatabilityissueshaveappearedduetothis"DMAlimitation"puton1394.ThereisreallynowaytoDisablethisMicrosoftLimitation(exceptaspecialkernaldebugmode).IbelievethisDMAdisablewaspoorlyexecutedandcausedFireWireissuesbeyondjustDMA.IdontbelievePowerSDRusesDMAmode,butthismaybesomeofthecausebehindFireWirecardscausingaPFNfailureandnotrelatedtoPowerSDRitself.
PowerSDRESCNoiseCancellingorSignalEnhancing
THESETUP:IfyouhaveaFlex5000awiththe2ndreceiveroption(RX2)andarerunningPowerSDR2.7.2or2.8.0youcanusetheESC"EnhancedSignalClarity"featuretoreducenoiseonthebandusinga2ndantenna(RX2).TheRX2antennaneedstopickupthenoiseasstrongorstrongerthanyourmainantenna(RX1).IuseaverticalforRX2andaYagiorG5RVformymainRX1antenna.MyVerticaltendstobeverynoisy,andmyhorizontalantennastendtobeveryquiet.
HOWITWORKS:ESC"EnhancedSignalClarity"worksbyallowingyoutosyncbothRX1andRX2receiverstogether,thenallowsyoutochangethephaserelationshipofRX2vsRX1.NoiseCancellinghappensbymovingtheREDtargetarounduntilthenoiseissubtractedfromtherealsignal.Itworksverysimilartoanoisecancellingheadphone:detectthenoiseandinjectthesameexactsignal180degreesoutofphasetocancelitoutoftheoriginalsignal(i.e.NullForming).AperfectsolutionwouldbeanRX2antennathatpicksupnothingbutnoisesinceitspossibletocancelouttherealsignalaswell.Theadditionalbenefitisthatyoucanimproveaweaksignalaswell,byaligningRX1andRX2signalstoadd,ratherthansubtract.
BelowisashortyoutubeiphonevideoItookshowinghowwellESCworksforNoiseCanellingusingaG5RVonRX1andaVerticalonRX2.
BelowisaNEWshortvideoshowingESCinactionusingmyRX1ANT3=G5RVandaRX2ANT1=tribandyagi:
PowerSDRremotelyfromanywhereusing:
Easy2-waybi-directionalaudioremotedesktopusingONLYAnyDeskAnyDesk(free)allowsforfullremotecontroldesktopofPowerSDR,and1-wayhi-fiaudio.ButdidyouknowthatonceyourloggedintoyourRadioPC,YoucanuseAnydeskonyourRadioPCtologbackintoyourRemotePC,andnowyouhave1-wayhi-fiaudiointheotherdirection(i.e.2-wayaudio).AnyDeskFullremotedesktopand2-way(bi-directional)audioExampleSetup:"RemoteLaptop(withPCheadset),andRadioPCconnectedtoaFlex-5000AnydeskneedstobeinstalledonbothRemoteLaptopandRadioPC.NOTE:IinstalledthefreeVoicemeeterbananaaudiodriversontheRadioPC(itisnotneededontheRemotelaptopside)NOTE:Thissetupwork100%ofthetime,BUT....AnychangesthataremadetoPCSOUND,ANYDESK,orPowerSDR,orplugginginanysounddevicestoyourPC,willusuallyrequireclosingANYDESK(andpossiblePowerSDRandyourPC)andrelaunchingit,forthistowork.
Operation(SittinginfrontofyourRemoteLaptop):1)RemoteLaptop:AnydeskLogintoyourRadioPC.2)LaunchPowerSDRonyourRadioPCandActivateVAC1.YoushouldbeabletoseePowerSDRandhearPowerSDRaudioonyourRemoteLaptop.3)ViewingyourRADIOPCDesktop,RunanewinstanceofAnydeskfromyourRADIOPC,andLogintoyourRemoteLaptop.4)ClickAcceptbuttonoftheAnydeskChatwindowthatpopsuponyourRemoteLaptop.YoucanminimizethisChatwindow.5)ViewingyourRADIOPCDesktop,youwillnowseeasmallwindowappearshowingyourRemoteLaptop.Minimizethissmallwindow(BUTDONOTCLOSEORENDIT).6)ClickonthePowerSDRMUXbutton.YoushouldnowhaveMicaudiobacktoPowerSDR.Setup->General->HardwareConfig->SpaceBarLatchON/OFF.ThiswillallowyoutousetheSpacebartoPTTtheradio.
WhatifeverytingissetupcorrectlybutyoucannothearAudiooryourMICisnotworking:Ifyoucannothearorthemicdoesnotfunction,youmayneedtoclosebothAnydeskconnectionsandreboot1orbothcomputers.Also,YoumayneedtoopenwindowsSOUNDandgointothedefaultRecordingdevice->Levelstab(onbothcomputers)andmakesuretheMICisnotmutedinternally(ifyouseearedcirclewithalinethroughitoverthespeakericon).AndalwaysrechecktheAnyDeskShieldtomakesure"TransmitAudio"ischeckedON
PowerSDRVAC1&VAC2(VirtualAudioCable)
VAC1andVAC2allowyoutoconnectPowerSDRAudioIn/OuttoyourPCwithoutusingrealanalogcables.IfyouwanttouseyourPCasaMICandSpeakerforyourFlexRadio,selectVAC1asfollows:Driver:DirectSoundDriver(youcansetthebufferlatencydownto90mseconafastPC)Input:PrimarySoundCaptureDriverOutput:PrimarySoundDriverTheninWindowsControlPanel->Sound,MakesurethePlaybackandRecordingdevicesmatchyourSpeakerandMicandmakesuretheSampleRatesmatch
IfyouwanttoconnectDigitalModeprogramsonyourPCtoPowerSDR(likeFLDIGI,MIXW,WSJT-X,MMSSTV,NAVTEX,"DREAM",MULTIPSK,SIGMIRA,"SORCERER",PC-ALE,FREEDV,YADD,CWSkimmer,RMSExpress,PC-HFDL),Downloadandinstall"VoiceMeeterBanana".ItincludesdriversforMME,DirectSound,andWDM-KS.YoudontneedtorunVoiceMeeterBanana,justinstallittogetthedrivers.ThinkofavirtualaudiochannelasasingleRCAcable,oneendistheInput,theotherendistheoutput.AndtheAUXcableisasecondRCAcable.VoiceMeeterBananaDriversinstallintoyourPCSOUNDPlaybackandRecordingdevicesasfollows:PLAYBACK"VoiceMeeterInputVAIO""VoiceMeeterAuxInputVAIO"andRECORDING"VoiceMeeterOutputVAIO""VoiceMeeterAUXOutputVAIO"
TheseVMdevicesworklikeaphysicalAudioCablewith2ends(butaudioonlygoesinInputend):VoiceMeeterOutput<-VoiceMeeterInputVoiceMeeterAuxOutput<-VoiceMeeterAuxInput-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SO...Belowyoucanseemysetup:PowerSDRIN="VoiceMeeterOutputVAIO"PowerSDROUT="VoiceMeeterAuxInputVAIO"ForyourPCDigitalModeProgram(likeWSJT-X)youwouldselectthereverse:WSJT-XIN="VoiceMeeterAuxOutputVAIO"WSJT-XOUT="VoiceMeeterInputVAIO"
USINGVAC:BecauseofSampleRate(SR)up&downconversionbetweentheRadioitselfandVAC1,itsbestifyouuse48khzSRforVAC1&2.Thisisbecauseitsaperfectmultipleof192and96khzSR.YoumustalsosettheSRforyourVirtualaudiocablesto2channel16bit48khz(forbothPlaybackandRecordingVACcables(seeWindows->ControlPanel->Sound).
Iuse48000SampleRate,butsomePCprogrampreferothervalues.MakesureControlPanel->Sounds(PlaybackandRecording)havematchingSampleRates.
WSJT-X:ThisamatchingsetuptomyPowerSDRandDDUtil(note:yourCOMportpairnumberswillprobablybedifferentfrommysetup)
AUDIOMIXER:IfyouwanttobeabletoMIXPCaudiowithyourRadioMicrophoneaudio,Uncheckthe"AllowPTTtooverride"boxandCheckthe"MixVAC1andMicaudio"boxThenrightclickonthewindowsSpeakerIcon(inthetray)->OpenSoundSettings,andsetthePlaybackdeviceto"VoiceMeeterInput"Now:whenyouPTTyourRadio,youcanTalkandplayPCaudioouttheFlexRadio
CWSkimmer:ChecktheDirectI/QBOX,whenusingCWSkimmer,sinceitrequiresI/QaudioandbesuretouseonlyDIGIUmode
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WDM-KSDrivers(WindowsDriverMode-KernalStreaming)
Windows"WDM-KS"(WindowsDriverMode-KernalStreaming).WDM-KSallowsforaverylowaudioLatency.Aslowas15to20mSec(similartoASIO).IfyoucannotfindasuitableWDM-KSDriver,downloadthefree"VoiceMeeterBanana"program.YoudonotneedtousetheAudioPCprogram,installitjustforthedrivers.
WARNING:WDM-KSdriversarecancausecrashissues(DirectSoundisthesaferalternative).WithWDM-KSonly1devicecanuseaWDM-KSdeviceat1time,soIfyouaccidentlytrytoopena2ndPCprogramusingaWDM-KSdriver,thedriverwillcrash,forcingyoutorebootyourPC.AlsothewindowsControlpanel->SounddoesnotshowWDM-KSdrivers.ButyoucanseewhichdeviceshaveWDM-KSdriversinPowerSDRwhenyouselectWDM-KSasthedriverandcheckINPUTandOUTPUTdevices.
CAT&VirtualCOM(serial)Port
PCprogramscancommunicatewiththeFLEXviaCATcommands(whichisjustaserialCOMport).SincethereisnoCOMportontheFlexradio,youmustuseVirtualCOMports.ThinkofavirtualCAT/COMportpairasbothendsofasingleRS232Cable(eachendofthecableneedstohaveitsownCOMport#)For32bitx86installations:1)FreeDownloadandinstallSetupVSPE.msi(Eterlogic)2)RuntheVSPEprogram3)ClickDEVICE->CREATE->PAIR->NEXT4)Letitcreatethepairusingthenext2availableCOMports5)MinimizetheVSPEprogram(tothetaskbar)
For64bitx64installations:DownloadVspMgrbyk5FR(see"OtherSoftware"linkonmypagetodownload)orCOM0COM
(NOTE:forVspMgrrunonlyinADMINandXPSP3compatibilitymode)
NoticeIcreatedavirtualpairCOM6<->COM7(usedjustforolderPCprogramsthatneedaseperatePTTCOMport).Iadviseagainstitsinceonly1PCprogramcanuseitatatime.COM8<>COM9forFLDIGI,COM18<>COM19forWSJT-X.COM14<>COM15formyloggingprogram.YoucanuseanyCOMnumbersaslongastheydonoconflictwithbuiltinCOMportnumbers.
BelowisashortyoutubeiphonevideoItookshowinghowtocreatemultipleVirtualCOMPortpairs:
AntennaRotorControl:
IfyouhaveaHygaincompatiblerotorcontrol,youcannowusePowerSDRitselftocontrolyourrotor.
ForallotherrotorcontrolsyoumustuseDDUtilasthemddleman.Thisismyexamplesetup:
IhavearealCOM1onmyPCIhaveabunchofvirtualpairsasfollows:COM4<>COM5COM6<>COM7COM8<>COM9COM10<>COM11COM12<>COM13COM14<>COM15COM16<>COM17COM18<>COM19
-----------------------------------------------------PSDR->setup->Catcontrol->CATportCOM4PSDR->setup->CatControl->RotorportCOM16
----------------------------------------------------------ThisjustsetsupthestandardCATlinktoPowerSDR
DDUTIL->setup->Features->Legacy->COM5DDUTIL->setup->ports->RCP1->COM9DDUTIL->setup->ports->RCP2->COM11
--------------------------------------------------------------DDUTIL->setup->AntRtr->checkbox:ModelHygainforRotor1SetRotortoCOM1andthecorrectBaudforyourrotorCheckEnable(whichopensuparotordirectionpanel)totest,youshouldnowbeabletoenteranangleintothisrotorpanel,andmoveyourrotor.
------------------------------------------------------------------NowThisistheRotorsetuplinkbacktoPowerSDR:
DDUTIL->setup->ports->RCP1->RotorPort->COM17(samerowasRCP1COM9fromabove)
Nowwhenyouclickonthe"angle"partofalineintheDXspotterscreenPowerSDRwillsendanhygaincommandfromCOM16toCOM17
DDUTILwillrelaytheAntennadirectioncommandfromCOM17toCOM1
N1MM+CWusingCOMports:
YoudontneedVirtualaudiocables,butVirtualCOMportsforCWoperationfromN1MM+
Belowisthe"Set"forCOM10:
ThisconfigallowsN1MMtotransmitCW.PowerSDRmustbeinCWmode.
RightClickontheSpectrumandselectSpectrumsourceasthelocalIPaddressandPortyouselectedinPowerSDR,andsaveit.
Flex5000StationSetup(clicktoenlarge)
NOTE1:ThissetuppermitsANT3usetheLinearAMP,andRX2caneithertapthesameANT3oradifferentANT1Note2:TheG5RVhasgroundradialsunderitandsocanbeconfiguredfor160mbyamodifiedRCS-4coaxswitchbox(seeAntennassectionofmywebsite)Note3:SO2R:SingleOperatorand2Receiversswitchboxallowsanyconfigurationofupto6antennasbetweenthe2Receivers.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Below:"ANT3"isRX1andgoestotheAmplifier,thatwayRX2canbeeither"ANT1"or"RX1Tap""RX1in/out"isfortheAMBroadcastfilter(aluminumboxdownandrightside)"BalancedLine"inputfortheStudioMichasbeenconvertedtoaComboXLR/TRSconnector."PTTIN"goestoaHandHeldPushButtononthedeskwhenusingtheStudioMic"PWR-SPKR"goestoapoweredStereospeakers(withSub-Woofer)andDeskVolumecontrol"TX3"jackisusedtokeytheAmplifier(notshown)"FireWire"cabledirectlytothePCwithmultipleferritesonbothendsof6'cable(notshown)Alsonotshownisafullcoaxchoke(withferrites)betweentheAmplifierandtheExtAntTuner,andanothercoaxchokebetweentheFlexAnt3andtheAmplifier.
GeneralPowerSDRSettingsformaxoperation
PowerSDR.exeappGointoPowerSDRappandclickon"Setup".1)General->OptionssettingsProcessPriorityto"HIGH"or"REALTIME"(ifyouhaveareallyfastcomputer).REALTIMEcansometimescausestrangebehaviorifyourcomputerdoesnthavethehorsepower.
2)General->Filters:resetfiltersfor9999hz
3)Audio:PrimaryBuffer(lowestpossible,butwithnosoundoutputissues)1024works,butNRandANFdontworkwell.Setto20484)SampleRate:192000(betteraudioandlargerPanadapterwindow)MicBoost=ON,becauseweneedtoturntheMIXERMICinputdownhalfway.(thisarrangementseemstoworkbetter)
5)Audio:VACusefordigitalmodes,orremoteoperationmodes.TheimageisVAC1usingVoicemeeterBananasoftware(Free).VAC1isusedfordigitalmodes.VAC2isusedforremotelistening.
7)Display:UpdatePeriod:20-30ms(keepsyourwaterfulluptodatequicklywhenyouchangefrequencies,buthigherCPUusage8)Display:LowLevel-HighLevel:adjustperantennaandbandforaslightbluecolorinthebackgroundwithnosignal.
12)ForAMTransmit:SearchdownbelowforAMModeOperation(properSetup).ThisincludesdisablingtheALCandenablingtheCPDR.
13)MIXER:whateverMICinputyouuse,movethesliderdownaroundhalfway.ButyouneedtoenabletheMICBOOSTfromStep4)
14)MIC:settheMICgainhalfway(around32)15)YoucanusetheCPDRhalfway(around4)16)YoumayneedtoenableMICBOOST(backonitem4)Settings->Primary->Audio
17)MakesuretheTXMICoutputmeterdoesnotgoover0db18)MakesuretheTXALCoutputmeterdoesnotgoover0db
Flex5000AUDIOeSSB/AMSetup
MIC2200:MICBALANCEDIN->BALANCEDOUTTODEQ2496SetGaintoget-20dboutlevel
DEQ2496:MIC2200BALANCEDRIGHTIN->BALANCEDRIGHTOUTEX3200PEQ:Settingfor3-6khzwideSSBAudio
EX3200:DEQ2496BALANCEDLEFTIN->TRSLEFTOUT->INVERTWires->TRSRIGHTIN->BALANCEDRIGHTOUTLEFT:OUT,2,OUT,IN,3,3.3,FullEXCITER,3,IN(soloOUT),SurroundIN,2RIGHT:OUT,2,OUT,IN,6,4.5,FullENHANCER,3,IN(soloOUT)
DSP1000P:EX3200BALANCEDLEFTIN->BALANCEDLEFTOUTPowerSDRPlateLevel2
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eSSBModeOperation(propersetup)
AMModeOperation(propersetup)
100%modulationwouldbewhentotalPEPis4timesthecarrier.YoucangoalittlehigherifthelistenerisusingSAMinsteadofAMmode.
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ADDINGANXLR/TRSComboConnector
BelowyoucanseewheretheXLR/TRSComboBalancedlineconnectorgoes.IaddedshieldingovertheconnectorwhenIwasdone.YoucantquitegettheXLR/TRSComboconnectorcloseenoughtotheoriginalTRShole,sothereisasmallgapbetweentheXLRandpanelinthetoprightoftheabovepicture.
FlexPowerAmplifier(PA)andSWRCalibration
ThisisaHiddenmenufunctionandrequiresanArraySolutions,Inc.PowerMaster1CalibratedSWR/Wattmeter.FocusonthePowerSDRwindowandpressthefollowingkeys:
"PowerMaster1"emulation:PowerSDRsendsaspecialstringofhexbytes:0x020x440x330x030x310x330x13toforcethePowerMastertotransmitoveritsCOMserialportat384008N1thefollowingstring(repeatedasfastasyoucanandforever):0x02+"D,29.5,0.6,1.32,0;0;0;0;0"+0x03+"BE"Where(inthisexample)29.5isthewattsfwd,0.6wattsref,and1.32istheSWR.The(5)0'sarenotunusedandthe"BE"isaASCIIrepresentationofthehexCRC8byte.However,PowerSDRlooksforthefollowingstring(fromtheCOMportrepeatedasfastasyoucanandforever):0x02+"D,00123.4E"+0x13+0x0awith00123.4beingthewattsdetectedbyyourexternalwattmeter(PowerSDRgrabsthethe3rdthrough10thbytesonly).AndassumingyourexternalWattmeterneedsnocorrection,thepowermaster.txtfilecorrectionvaluesshouldbesetto0watts.
YourReadytostartCalibrations:11)ClickBiasbuttonwilladjusttheDriverandFinalBiasvaluesforspecificTransmitIdleAmpvalues.Noexternalequipmentneeded.12)ClicktheNullBridgebuttonandamVscalewillpopupnexttotheVerifybutton,thenmanualyadjusttheC45varCaponthepowerboardinsidetheFlex-5000forlowestmVvalue.TheFlexwilltransmitaround40wto60wthroughANT113)ClickontheABORTbuttonwhenyouhavethelowestmVreadingpossible.14)ClickonClearAllbutton15)Clickononly1bandtocalibrate(anunimportantbandtostartwith)16)ClickonRunPACalbutton.TheFlexwillcalibratefor1w,2w,5w,10w,20w,etc.to100wonANT117)TheFlexwillthenswitchinANT1andANT2tocalibratetheSWRfora2:1ratio18)Whenfinished,thePowerSDRwillsavenewEEPROMdatatotheFlex(whethertheCalsucceededorfailed)19)IbelievethatiftheRunPACalturnsYellowafterthecalibrationof1Band;itpassed.Greenwouldbeifallbandspassed.Redmeanssomethingfailed.
TheVerifybuttonwilltryandoutput100wontheselectedbandsasapass/fail(Ibelievea4wattdeviationisallowedtopass).ItdoesntneedtobedoneonbandsyoujustdidaRunPACalon.
Warning:ThePowerbutton(belowtheRunPACalbutton)causesPowerSDRtocrash,donttouchit.Youmaylosetransmitcapabilityonthebandyoujustattempttocalibrateifthecalibrationfailedtofinishproperly.Youwillneedtoshutdownandstartover.Ifthecalibrationcrashes,youwilllosetransmitonthebandyouwerecalibrating.Youwillneedtoshutdowntheflexandstartover.Ifthepowermasterlosescommunicationwiththeflex,youwillneedtoshutdowntheflexandstartover.ifyouseeaNaNforSWR,thentheSWRcalibrationfailed.Tryagain.Ifthe100wPAcalibrationfails,theSWRcalibrationwilllikelyfail.Ibelievethisisasoftwareglitch.iftheSWRfails,youcanmanuallyclicktheSWRbuttontorunjusttheSWRtestoveragain.Thecalibrationmaynotbeabletoproperlycalibrateaparticularbandto100watts.Thismaybetheduetoincorrectgain/losscorrectionvaluesinyourpowermaster.txtfile,orsomethingwrongwiththeradio.IftheRunPACalroutinefinishedyouwillstillbeabletotransmit,youjustwillnotbeabletomake100wattsatfullpower.Themaxwattsoutwillbewhatevertheroutinetoppedoutat.
BelowisashortyoutubeiphonevideoItookshowinghowdothePACalibration.
ClassAorClassABmodes(ThisisforFlex-5000only)Press
!!!!!!!!!!!!WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!ThiswaskepthiddenbecauseClassAwillgetthefinalsveryhot.Limityouroutputtobelow30wattsonly.TheTOPnumberistheDrivertransistorBiaslevelmultiplier.(DefaultClassAB=1)TheBottomnumberistheFinaltransistorBiasmultiplier.(DefaultClassAB=2)For"ClassAB"operation:Driver=1,Final=2,nowclickthe"Bias"button,tore-adjustPABiasforClassAB.
For"ClassA"operation:Driver=2,Final=4,nowclickthe"Bias"buttontore-adjustPABiasforClassA.
ThePAoftheFlex-5000isaPUSH-PULLMOSFETcircuit,designedforClassABoperationwhere1MOSFETisBiasedtooperatemostlyinthePositiveregionoftheACsignal(>180deg),andtheotherMOSFETisBiasedtooperatemostlyintheNegativeregionoftheACsignal(>180deg).Togethertheycoverthe360degofACsignal.Thisconfigurationincreasesefficiencyandreducesheat,buthasasmallamountofcrossoverdistortion.ButduetocomputercontrolledBiasingcalibrations,thisdistortionisverylimitedandonlybecomesnoticablewhentheoutputisappliedtoahighoutputexternalAmplifier.
!!!!!!!!!!!!WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!InClassA,theFlex-5000PUSH-PULLMOSTFETcircuitisBiasedsoBothMosfetsoperateinfull360degofyourACsignal,(conductingallthetime).TheadvantageisthatClassAeliminatesthecrossoverdistortionandsupplyrippledistortionsthatcouldleadtoHarmonicsonyoursignalwhenusingClassABThemajordownsideofthishighBiasisthemaximumefficiencyis50%.Thismeansthat50%oftheinputpowerturnsintoHEAT.Drivercurrentisalmost1.8Awithnosignal(Finalis4Awithnosignal)Limityouroutputtobelow30wattsonly.
FlexReceiver/TransmitterCalibration
CALIBRATIONOFTHETRX(TransmitterandRX1)
!!!!!!!!!!!!WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DONOTtouchanythingonthispageunlessyouarewillingtobrickyourradioifyoumessup.DONOTtouchtheInput/Ouputsideofthiswindow.CalibrationswillnotworkcorrectlyunlessyouareatFactoryDefaults.VERYIMPORTANT:TurnOFFSetup->Display->Hi-ResPanaFall,turnoffAutoWtr/Pan.SetSpectrummax=-19,min=-140,andMakesuretheAVGisOFF,removetheke9ns8.datfilefromthedatabasefolder,andMakesuretoleavetheconsolescreensizeassmallaspossible(donotmaximizetheconsolescreen).Otherwisetestsmayfail.
CALIBRATIONOFTHERX2
!!!!!!!!!!!!WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DONOTtouchanythingonthispageunlessyouarewillingtobrickyourradioifyoumessup.CalibrationswillnotworkcorrectlyunlessyouareatFactoryDefaults.
OtherHiddenMenus
FlexwireI2C.
ZZFYCATcommandcanbeusedtosendaI2Ccommand(addressand2bytesofdata).ThiscanbeusedtoprogramanyI2CIC
TheHEROpreselectormenubuttonsendsaaddress=0x40with2bytesofdatarepresentingtheBandandAntselectedfromthatHEROpanel.
CNTL+ALT+Usendsaddress0x4c+datatotriggerexternalrelays.ButitsforuseonlywiththeXVTRscreen
DEBUGSCREEN
!!!!!!!!!!!!WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!DONOTtouchanythingonthispageunlessyouarewillingtobrickyourradioifyoumessup.
Test=Gen=Sig=Fan=PAfanon/offBias=IbelievethesevaluesaresetwhenyourunthePABiascalibrationstatedupabove.Thissectionallowsyoutooverridethem.CarrierNull:IbelievethesevaluesaresetwhenyouruntheTRXcalibrationstateupabove.Thissectionallowsyoutooverridethem.Impulse=IbelievethesevaluesaresetwhenyouruntheTRXcalibrationstateupabove.Thissectionallowsyoutooverridethem.XVTXEN=QSD=QuadratureSamplingDetector(receiveron/off)QSE=QuadratureSamplingEncoder(on/off)RCATX1,2,3,=keyTX1,2,3Off=FPLED=CTS=ExternalRef=10mhzGPSrefIntSpeaker=thereisnoneonthe5000a,althoughIseeaprovisiononthePCBforanaudiospeakeramp.Headphone=
UpdateyourRadio'sTURFRegion:
PowerSDR2.7.2GPL&2.8.0sourcecode
Thismodprojectwasstarted1/1/2016byme,DarrinKE9NSandisbasedupontheGPLOpenSourcePowerSDR2.7.2codeprovidedbyFlexRadioSystems,Inc.WithgeneroushelpprovidedbyFlexRadioSystems,Inc.(ThankYou!)
ThisSourcecodeincludes5projectunderthePowerSDRumbrella:DttSPwritteninC,PowerMatewritteninC++,PowerSDRwritteninC#,InnoSetupCompiler(tocreatetheFullInstaller),andAdvancedInstaller14.5(tocreatetheincrementalinstaller)
CurrentlycompilingunderVisualStudio2022(VS2022)andNET4.5.2AfteryoudownloadandinstallVS2022,youmustthendownloadandinstallanyVS2022updates.WhenyouloadthePowerSDRprojectinforthefirsttime,VS2022willattemptconfigureitwithNET8.ButyouthenmustopenPowerSDR"Properties"andselectorinstall.NET4.5.2beforeattemptingtocompile.Newerversionsof.NETwillcompilebutwillnotrunproperlyoncomputersconfiguredtouseacommadelimiter.
YoucanrunthebuildfromwithinVSordirectlyfromtheVSprojectreleaseordebugfolders.
PowerSDR.exeandPoweSDR.config.exearetheonlyfilesneededinthePowerSDRbuild.DttSP.dllistheonlyfileneededintheDttSPbuild.PowerMate.dllistheonlyfileneededinthePowerMatebuild.ALSO:vcruntime140.dllneedstobecopiedontothetargetcomputer(PSDRprogramfilesfolder,ordownloadthefreeC++VC2015runtimeinstaller)
Also,Ihave2installers:1)aFullinstallerusing"INNOSetup",and2)AnIncrementalinstallerusing"AdvancedInstaller"
DoafullrebuildthefirsttimeyouopentheprojectinVS,beforedoinganythingelse.
The"//ke9nsadd"callsigncommenttoindicatecodeIaddedThe"//ke9nsmod"callsigncommenttoindicatemodificationstooriginal2.7.2sourcecode
PowerSDRopensourcecodeprovidedbyFlexRadioSystems,Inc.iscoveredunderGNUGPLVer2Thisrequiresanyonewhodistributesthiscodetonoteitsauthors.
IfyouwishtoaddtothisPowerSDRke9nsproject,asopposedtostartingwiththeFlex2.7.2version,pleasecontactmeDarrinKohnke9ns@ke9ns.com
73Darrinke9ns.com
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PowerSDRKE9NSv2.8Featureexplanation"SWLList"Keywordsearch:ALE:AutomaticLinkEstablishment(DecodeusingPC-ALE)WWV,Time:Timesignals(BothVoiceanddigital.DecodeusingWWVHFcheckboxandTimeSyncbutton)VOLMET:WeatherinformationforAircraftinFlight(Voice)HFDL:HFDataLinkforAircraftlocation(DecodeusingPC-HFDL)Digital:DRMRadiostations(DecodeusingDREAMdecoder)Stanag:UN/Militarydigital(DecodeusingSigmiraorSorcerer)Fax:Weathercharts(DecodeusingFldigi)DSC:DigitalSelectiveCallingforMarineshipsreportingpositionoremergency(DecodeusingYadd)Navy:Naveltrafic(Voice)Navtex:DigitalMarineWeather(DecodeusingNavtex)Mobile:MobileMarineRadioMaritime:voiceMaritimetrafficBeacon:NCDXF/IARUBeacons(seencdxf.orgfordetails).
HowtoconfigureyouFlexwhenusinganAMPLIFIERwithitsownexternalTunerandstilluseRX2.Withan2x6antennaswitch
BelowisashortyoutubeiphonevideoItookshowingSO2R(SingleOperator2Radiosor2Receivers)operation.
Below:RX1needstobeonANT3becauseRX2cannot.PlusyoucanalsoswitchRX2overtoRX1tap(tosharethesameantenna).NotetheUseRX1OuttoRX1inLoopisfortheExternalAMbroadcastfilter.
(FDX)FullDuplexOperationor(SO2R)Singleoperatorwith2receivers
BecauseRX1andRX2areseperateandindependantmodulesinsidetheFlex5000,itseasytodocross-bandFDXorSO2R.
BelowisashortyoutubeiphonevideoItookshowingFullDuplexOperation.DoNOTtryFullDuplexonthesameband.Becarefultotestoutyoursetupfirstatlowpowertomakesureyouhavegoodisolationwhentransmitting.Whenyouaresurethatyour2ndreceiverisnotpickingupyourTransmitter,thenstartraisingthepower.
Ihavetestedthisout,anditspossibletoreceiveon20musingRX2(VFOb)usingaYagitri-bander,whiletransmitting100wattson80musingVFOaandaG5RVant.Bothantennasarearound100'apart.Ifoundnochangeinthenoisefloorwhentransmitting.Ibelievethiswouldworkonanybandcombinationaslongasyouuse2differentantennasandtheyarespacedfarenoughapart.Iwasalsoabletoreceiveon40m(usingaR7vertical)whiletransmittingon80musingtheG5RV.Bothantennasarearound100'apart.Butyouneedtomakesurenottooverloadthe2ndRXifyourunanypower.YoudontneedtheSO2Rswitch(describedabove)tomakethiswork.TheSO2Rswitchisonlyneededwhenyouhavemorethan2antennasand/oryouhaveanamplifier.YousimplytogotheSetupMenuandsettheproperswitches.Connect2antennastotheFlexandsettheantennaswtichmenuupproperlyforyourconfiguration.!!!Receiver2musthaveitsownantennaforFDX!!!
GotoSettings->General->RX2:1)Uncheck"AutoMuteRX2onVFOAonTX"2)Uncheck"DisconnectRX2RFInputonTX"3)ifyouplanonTransmittingonVFOb(SO2Roperation),thenUncheck"AutoMuteRX1onVFOBTX"aswell!!!!Makeabsolutelysuretoputbacktheswitchesonthismenuwhenyourdone!!!
4)NowselectonebandforVFOaandadifferentbandforVFOb5)TestitoutatlowpowertomakesureyoudontoverloadRX2(orRX1iftransmittingonVFObforSO2Roperation)6)YoumayseethenoisefloorgoupifyourTXandRXfrequenciesareclose
IhavenottriedFDXonthesameband(Flexsaysitspossibleonthe6000series)
IamnotsurehowtoconfigureloggingsoftwareforSO2R(Flexhasaprocedureforthe6700)
!!!Makeabsolutelysuretoputbacktheswitchesonthismenuwhenyourdone!!!
Listen,orRecordandplaybackyourTransmitAudio
ThereareacoupleofwaystohearyourselfthrutheReceiverdirectly,forTXAudiochecks:(JustrememberthePowerSDR[REC]/[PLAY]recordsonlyRX1)First,The[MON]buttonwillletyoulistentoyourself,butwithaslightdigitaldelay,soitsnotreallyusable.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1)Youcanuse[WAVE]and[RECORD]youraudio(POSTaudioasitisappliedtothePA).[MON]doesNOTneedtobeon.Iwouldkeepitofftopreventanyechosintherecording.a)TurnthePoweroutputto0,andPTTtheFlex.b)Hitthe[RECORD]buttoninthe[WAVE]menu,andtalk(makeyourrecording)c)Hitthe[RECORD]buttonagaintoendtherecording.d)The%userprofile%\Music\PowerSDR\foldercontainsalltherecordingsmadeusingthe[WAVE]button.e)YoucanthentakethefileyoujustcreatedandrenameitSDRQuickAudio.wavandsaveitinthe%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\FlexRadioSystems\PowerSDRv2.7.2folder(whichiswherethe[REC]/[PLAY]buttonswork.f)NowyoucanPTTtheFlexandhitthe[PLAY]buttontoplaybackyourclip.
note:ifyouhitthe[REC]button,youraudioclipwillbeoverwritten.
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2)orYoucanLeavetheReceiverRX1orRX2onwhileyoutransmit(explainedbelow)
WARNING:DONOToverloadRX2.
HearYourselfusingRX2(the2ndreceiver):
GotoSettings->General->RX2:1)UncheckAutoMuteRX2onVFOAonTX2)DONTUncheckDisconnectRX2RFinputonTX(thiswillallowyoutonotworryabouttheDRIVElevelontransmit).3)YourTXantshouldbeaDummyLoad.4)PluginHeadsettotheFlexbecausetheRX2willnotshutoffwhenyoutransmit
IdontbelieveyoucanusethebuiltinrecordertorecordRX2IuseVAC2tosendtheaudiotothePCandrecorditusingSpectraPlus
FlexWireI2CorIICBus
8bitaddress(not7bit)listforFlexWireoutput:0x40HERO'spreselector0x42BandselectoroutputforPCA9534(1st)8bitI2cchip(2200m=1-20m=128)0x44BandselectoroutputforPCA9534(2nd)8bitI2Cchip(17m-6m)0x46BandselectoroutputforMCP2301716bitI2cchip(2200m-6m)0x48Notused0x4ALDMOSAmpFilterboardselectorPCA9534(w6pqlcurrentdesign)0x4ELDMOSAmpFilterboardselectorPCA9534(w6qplolddesign)0x4CUCB(UniversalControlboard)Relayselector.PCA9555D(partoftheXvtrpanel)
FlexwireI/OconnectorisaDB-9femaleserialtypeconnectorwtihpin3blockedsoyoudonttrytoplugaserialbusintoit.
DB-9connectorviewfrombackofradio:(6-7-8-9)(1-2-3-4-5)1:Ground2:LineIn3:Blocked4:/INT15:Ground6:IICCLOCK(SCL)7:IICDATA(SDA)8:+13.8vdcout(1Amax)9:LineOut
IICbususespin5,6,7lowspeed(100khz)bi-directionalsynchronousdatabus.IICbusallowsmultipledevicesonthesamebuswhereeachdevicehasanaddress8bitslong.ImportantNOTE:example:8bitaddress0x46=0,1,0,0,A2,A1,A0,0=(01000110)(bit0determinesRead/Writebutitsstillpartoftheaddressbyte)
Uponbandchange,PowerSDRwillsend2IICcommandstrings:(ForPCS9534I2Cportreplacementchip)1)8bitAddress0x42Register0x01Value=
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(ForPCA9534I2Cportreplacementchip)1)8bitAddress0x44Register0x01Value=
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(ForMPC23017I2C16bitportreplacementchip):8bitaddress0x46,register0&1to0(alloutputonPortA&B)8bitaddress0x46,register0x12
UCB(FlexWireButton)usingPCA9555DIC
OpenonXVTRpage,youwillfindaFlexWirebuttonOR
Seepage:k3tuf.com/FW.html,forinfoonFlexWireandUCB
ThisisusedinconjunctionwiththeXVTRsmenuandtheVHF+buttononthemainPowerSDRscreenOntheXVTRmenuenableaitemandgiveitaUCBLineNumber.Thiscorrespondstotheabovescreen.YouthenselectwhichrelaysactivateforeachUCBlinenumber.TheVHF+buttononthemainscreenishowyouaccessthisnewband.
UCBtransmitsviaIICbusthefollowing4setsof3bytes(PCA9555D):0x4c,0x06,0x000x4c,0x07,0x000x4c,0x02,(low8bitsvalueofline#)0x4c,0x03,(high8bitsvalueofcurrentline#)
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TheHEROpreselectormenubuttonsendsaaddress=0x40with2bytesofdatarepresentingtheBandandAntselectedfromthatHEROpanel.CurrentHEROPreselectorshaveaUSBconnectiontoCATandnolongerneedtheI2Coutput.
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KE9NSAmplifiercontrolusingIICActivatethefeaturefrom:Setup->General->Options->UseIICFlexWireforExternalAMPControl,andSetup->General->Options->IICFlexWireAMPON/OFFcheckboxes.
UponBandChangesthefollowing6bytesofdataaretransmittedviaIICbusOlderW6PQLLDMOSRFFilterDesign(address0x4E)0x4E,0x01,0x4E,0x03,0x00
CurrentW6PQLLDMOSRFFilterDesign(address0x4A)0x4A,0x01,0x4A,0x03,0x00
:1=Selectbands:L/MW,160m,120m(norelayneededwithW6PQLdesignfilterboard)2=Selectbands:90m,80m,61m,60m,49m4=Selectbands:41m,40m,31m,30m
8=Selectbands:25m,22m,20m,17m,16m,15m,14m(Address0x4Eonly)16=Selectbands:13m,12m,11m,10m(Address0x4Eonly)and8=Selectbands:25m,22m,20m,17m,16m(Address0x4Aonly)16=Selectbands:15m,14m13m,12m,11m,10m(Address0x4Aonly)
32=Selectbands:6m64=RemoteON/OFF(usedN.C.contact...64relayon=remotecontrol)128=Selectedbands:VHF/UHF(bit7isturnedOFF)
bit6(64)isSETonlyifIICAMPON/OFFcheckboxissetandonanHF/6mband
DigitalDecoders(withfurtherdetailinthenextsection)AlldecoderstestedwiththeFlexunlessstatedotherwiseAudiostreamviaVAC(VirtualAudioCable)andFirewireconnection(noaudiocablesrequired)
SatelliteWork:(GPREDICTsatellitepredictionandpointing):Flex-5000(withtheVU5Kmodule)orexternaltransvertersfor2m/70cm:
1)Gpredict.exe2)Hamlib-w6(rigctld.exe)(example:rigctld.exe-vv-m2048-rCOM12-s57600).Makesurerigctld.exeisrunning,thenminimizeitswindow.
3)InGpredict,Edit->preferences->Interfaces->Addnew->Host=Localhost,Port=4532,RadioType=DuplexTRX,PTTStatus=None,VFOUp/Down=B/A,LOdown=0,LOup=0
4)InGpredict,Edit->preferences->GroundStations.Putyourlocationin.TLEUpdate=Daily
5)InGpredict,clickonthesmalldownarrowintheupperrightcorner,selectconfigure.NowcreateaGroup(i.e.SSBorFM)andaddsatellitesforthatgroup.
6)InPowerSDR,turnonRX2,ClickontheVFOBTXbutton,thenRightClickonitagain,tolockitintoTX
7)InGpredict,Clickonthesmalldownarrow(upperrightcorner),then"RadioControl"thenselectthesatelliteandmodeyouwanttouse.ThentheTrackandEngagebuttons8)InPowerSDR,forSSBsatellites(onceGpredictisupandrunningandEngaged)youwillneedtothenturnonRITandsetto-1300forRS-44.AllSSBlinearsatellitedifferbasedonthespinandangle.
ThenselectTools->ConnectTNC(withSoundModemrunning,andVAC1ontheFlexconnecttoSoundModem),youcannowtransmit(makesureVOXisonandsetforFasttrip,longhold).NowyoucanselectToolsforSendPosition,SendMessage,Sendemail,SendBulletin,Sendmessageviawinlink,etc.
AmateurEmail(WinlinkExpress)
Email:RMS(RadioMessageServer)Expressisafreeprogramforsending/receivingdigitalmessages(ie.email).Downloadandinstall"Winlink"and"VARAHF"and/or"VARAFM"(forVHFwinlinkandAPRS)asthemodem.
Winlinkdemovideo:
AmateurFT8(usingwsjt-x)
WSJT-XSPLIToperation:
Example:ForFT8withJapan,VFOA=1908,VFOB=1840,TX=VFOB,ClickVFOLockbuttonuntilitreads"VFOA/BLoc"ThensetupWSJT-X,TS-2000,SPLIT=NONE
WSJT-Xmulti-instanceoperation:(ForthoseFlex-5000and2ndreceiverRX2option)
ThisisthenormalWSJT-XDesktopICONProperty:C:\WSJT\wsjtx\bin\wsjtx.exeTocreatethe2ndWSJT-Xicon(thatcanrunsimultaneouslywithyourcurrentWSJT-XIcon):1)Openfilelocation:C:\WSJT\wsjtx\bin2)RightclickontheWSJT-Xandsendto->CreateDesktopshortcut3)findthenextWSJT-Xshortcuticononyourdesktop,RightclicktorenameWSJT-X24)RightclickandselectPropertiesandchangeC:\WSJT\wsjtx\bin\wsjtx.exetosay:C:\WSJT\wsjtx\bin\wsjtx.exe--rig-name=Flex5000RX2
WSJT-XonRX2VFOB(oneinstance):(ForthoseFlex-5000and2ndreceiverRX2option)
CWSkimmer
FLDIGI.EXE(multiuse):CW,CONTESTIA,DOMINOEX,HELL,MFSK,MT63,Olivia,PSK,QPSK,PSKR,RTTY,THOR,THROB,WEFAX,NAVTEX-SITOR5,WWV(Easytouse,TX&RX)
SIGMIRA(multiuse):FSK,PSK31,SITOR-B,CW,HFDL,STANAG4285,JSM(Easytouse,workswell,TX&RX)(Butrequiresafeature.datdateexpiringfile,whichyoucanoverideifyoubackdateyourPC).Also,SigmirawillonlyseesignalsfromtheDEFAULTwindowsrecordingdevice.IselectedmyvirtualLine1asmyoutput,thensetitasdefaultinwindows.
MIXW2(multiuse):CW,BPSK31,QPSK31,FSK31,RTTY,PACKET,PACTOR,AMTOR,MFSK,THROB,MT63,HELL,FAX,SSTV(Difficulttodecodeinmanymodes,TX&RX)
MULTIPSK(multiuse):Decodesjustabouteverything,butverydifficulttouse,doesntworkverywell.
CLOCK(fromthecreatorofMULTIPSK):DecodesallthetimesignalsonHF
EASYPAL(images):DRMdigitalphotos,Waterfallpictures(Easytouse,greatwaterfall,TXandRX)
DIGIPAN(HamTexting):BPSK31,BPSK63,QPSK31,FSK31,PACTOR(RXonly)(Easytouse,multipleconversationsatthesametime,TX&RX)
ALE(AutomaticLinkEstablishmentmessagesystem):MIL-STD-188-141B,MIL-STD-188-110A,B(MARS-ALEdifficulttocontrolFlex,PC-ALEOK)RMSExpress(RadioMessageServerforemail/messagesystem):TELNET,PACKET,PACTOR,ROBUSTPR,WINMOR(allasWL2KorP2P)(Easytouse,RXandTX)
WSPR(weaksignalcontacts):(requiresPCclocktimesynced)WSJTX(weaksignalcontacts):JTmodes(requiresPCclocktimesynced)WSJT(Version10):JTmodes+ISCATmodes+FSK441(ISCATBandFSK441modesusedon6m50.24850.246)
PC-HFDL:Airplanetracking(easytouse)
SORCERER(multiuse):FSK,STANAG,RTTY,CW,(somewhatdifficulttouse)
MSCANMETEO(weather):RTTY,NAVTEX,FAX,Voice(installed,butnottested)
NAVTEX(weather):(installedbutnottested)
MMVARI(multiuse):RTTY,FSK,PSK,GMSK(installed,butnottested)
FREEDV(DigitalAudio):(lowqualityaudio,requiresstrongsignal,TX&RX)WINDRM(DigitalAudio):(installed,butnottested)FDMDV(DigitalAudio):(installed,butnottested)
HAMSCOPE(multiuse):RTTY,PSK,FSK(installed,butnottested)
WINWARBLER:CW,PSK,RTTY(installed,butnottestedyet)
YaDD:DSC(DigitalSelectiveCalling)forMaritimeMobile&Navtex
SDCx64CWSkimmer
Usage:DecoderforCW,RTTY,BPSK
PowerSDRsettings:
NOTE:ForRX2toworkproperlyyoumusttreatRX2justlikeVFOAandLetPowerSDR"Setup->CATControl->RX2VFOB"reroutetoVFOBofyourFlex-5000.ThisisbecausemostHamPCprogramsthathaveaPowersdrorPowersdrRX2rigcontroldontworkproperly.NOTE:DuetoaGlitchinSDC,theSKMCWSkimmermayforcePowerSDRtothewrongbandwhenyouStarttheSkimmer.YouwillneedtogotoPowerSDRtoputtheRX1andRX2backonthecorrectbandsifSDCaccidentlychangesthem.NOTE:SDCUsesIQaudioandneedstoknowtheoffsetHZoftheIQaudio.TheFlex-3000/5000defaultoffsetis9000hzand3800hzontheFlex-1500.ButifyourunCWmodewithSDC,youalsoneedtoincludetheCWpitchoffset(whichis600hzasadefault).IdontseeaplaceinSDCtoincludetheCWPitchoffset(liketherealCWSkimmerdoes)Note:IuseTS-2000CATastheRadio,sincePowerSDRCATiscompatiblewithTS-2000.MostHAMprogramsthathavePowerSDRrigcapabilitydonotproperlycommunicatewithPowerSDRusingCATPowerSDR(notsurewhy).
NOTE:IfyouwishtouseSDCtotransmitCW,youwillwanttomakesurePowerSDRisinCWmodeandnotinDIGIorSSBmodes.
Below:VAC1setupusingfreeVB-CabledriversforRX2
NOTE:ForRX2toworkproperlyyoumusttreatRX2justlikeVFOAandLetPowerSDR"CATRX2VFOB"reroutetoVFOBofyourFlex-5000
CommercialBroadcastDRM
(LEFT:DREAMDRMprogramshowingtheradioStation.MakesuretoadjustthePowerSDRaudioRXoutputlevelsonoREDappearsintheverticalGreenbar)(RIGHT:9kwideDRMsignal.NotetheAMbroadcastdirectlytotherightistheexactsamebroadcastinAnalogAM)
AmateurDRM
AmateurTV(SSTV)
AmateurDigitalAudioDV
IdontuseCAT,justaCOMportpair(COM6<>COM7)asthePTT,butyoucoulduseVOX.
AmateurOlivia
AmateurContestia
AmateurBPSK
WWVorCHUTime/DateDecode
NoaaWeatherFax
NATOSTANAG4285
ALE(AutomaticLinkEstablishment)
SETUP:PCALE.EXEhasaFLEXRADIORigtoallowcontrolofyourFlexviaCATcommands.Youmayneedtousethe"Default"playbackandRecordingdevicesinsteadofVB-AudioCables.PCALEappearstobeverybuggy,anddoesntappeartoproperlydoSPLITRX/TXoperation.
DSC(DigitalSelectiveCalling)&Navtex
AMandHDAMbroadcastSignals
(LEFTIMAGE:Center:ClearChannel20khzwideAMbroadcast.NotetheHDradiosignalrepresentedas[2]5khzsidebanddigitalsignals.Rightsideisatraditional12khzAMbroadcast)(RIGHTIMAGE:Center:AMbroadcastwiththeLSBremovedorSSBAM)
Belowis(Free)HDAMradio(iBiquity)asitappearsinmycar(MKZ)fromthe0.670khzsignalabove(theHDcircuitrydecodingthe[2]5khzdigitalOFDMsidebandsignals).Thedigitalsignaliscompressedusingaproprietaryversionofmpeg-4-ACC,specificallytomakesurenobodycanlegallywritesoftwaretodecodeit.Dependingonhowmanysub-channels,theDigitalsoundqualitycanbeverygood.MostFMHDstationshave1or2sub-channelsinadditiontotheHDversionoftheanalogsignal.HDRadioisFree,butunfortunatelynotfreetodecode.TheonlydecoderIhaveisbuiltintomycar.FMHDisalmostuseless(unlessyourclosetothetransmitter)becausetheFCClimitsthedigitalsignalto1to4%oftheAnalogsignalpoweroutput.TheHDRadioisdesignedtofallbacktoAnalogifthedigitalislost.TheAnalogandDigitalsignalsaresynchronizedperfectly,soitsseamlessgoingback/forth.Howeversub-channelshavenofallback.
UnknownorUndecodable(byme)Signals
DECODER:ProprietaryMODE:48khzWBHF,OQPSKFREQ:Varies.6.889mhzoraroundthislocationVeryconsistantinstrengthandappearance.
USAGE:DECODER:MODE:8khzwideRadarFREQ:12.040mhzSOUND:
Filtersfor(BCB)AMBroadcastBandInterference
EventhoughtheFlex-5000has11setsof11thorder(LP)LowPassbandfilters(1setforeveryAmateurband),ItdoesnthaveaAMBroadcastbandFilter(BCBpreselector).AMBCBInterferenceshowsuponyourFlexradioasanincreasednoisefloor,oryoumayhearAMbroadcaststationsonHambandsandseecarrierspikesaswell.Flex-5000:Youcanplaceanexternal"RXonly"filterinline.GetyourselfanAMbroadcastnotchfilterifyouwanttohearMarineandtheLF/MFhambands,ORandAMbroadcastHPF(easiertofind)ifyoudontcaretohearanythingintheMF/LFbands.PlacethefilterintheRX1In-OutLoopBNCjacks.Flex-1500/Flex-3000:YoucanplaceanexternalTX/RX(100wattcapable)filterdirectlyinlinewiththeAntennaoutputaseitheraAMbroadcastNotchfilterorAMbroadcastHPF(thisiseasiertofind)Ilive5milesawayfromalargeclear-channelAMtransmitter.Certaintimesofnightitshowsupacross160mthru60m.MyCliftonLabsBCnotchtypefiltercompletelynotchesouttheAMBroadcastband(S9+40dbsignalsreducedto-120db)
(Shown:CliftonLabsZ10020Bisatruenotchfilter540khzthru1700khz)TheBisthe160moptionDXEngineeringnowsellstheZ10020
Cliftonnolongermakesmybox,buttheydomakeaseperateboard/boxcombo(below):
Amateur630mBand(472khzto479khz)
TheFlex-3000willoutput100watts(actually130wattsbutIwouldlimityourselfto100watts)on630m,andtheSWR/Powermetersappeartofunctioncorrectly,butthecalibrationiswayoffthisfarbelow160m,sotheDRIVElevelwillbewayoffinrelationtoactualoutput.Andyouwillneedanexternal630mLPFthatcanhandle100watts.TheFlex-5000doesnotappeartobeabletotransmitmorethanawatton630m(inExtendedmode).Powertappersoffasyoudipbelow160m,sothereisnothingremainingbythetimeyoureachtheAMBCband.
FILTERS:TheFlex-1500,3000,5000havenofilteringbelowthe160mband(RXorTX).The160mLPFisselectedwhenbelow2mhz.ThismeansyouwillnormallyseemanyoverloadsignalsfromtheAMbroadcastand160mbands.IMPORTANT:YouwillneedtoaddaLPFfilterdesignedforthe630mbandforbothRX/TX(100wattcapable).ThiswillnotonlyfilteryourTransmitharmonics,butalsotheAMbroadcastand160msignaloverloadthatendsupfloodingthePanadapter.IMPORTANT:Whentransmittingon630myouwillwanttotrimyourTXprofilelowfreqandhighfreqasnarrowaspossibletoavoidtransmitissues.(Example:low=600hz,high=2200hz)Youwillalsoneedtoberunningin"Extended"mode.
1/14/22:Homemade630mLPFforRXandTXoperation(usingpartsIhadaroundandvk6ysfforref):(2)~16uH(16turnsof14awgtransformerwirearounda502T3003E2Atoriod),and562(5600pf)1kvcaps(2inparallelforthecenter,and1oneachendtoground):Youcanseeits44dbdownat1.6mhz.SowhencombinedwithmyAMBCNotchFilter,thebuiltin160mLPFintheFlexradioitself,andmy630MLPF,thisshouldcleanuptheRXandTXYouwouldbeadvisedtomakeaLPFthatistighterwithacut-offattheAMBroadcastband.
BucketVariometerloadingcoilformyG5RVinGMVconfiguration:5galpaintbucket(29turnsof14awgaboveandbelowthe1"PVCformax600uHwith4tapsonthelowerportionevery3turns),(25turnsaboveandbelowthecenterofa3"PVCpipefor96uHofinductivebuck).Icanvarytheinductancefrom~200uHto~600uH.472khz.orgsaysIshouldneedaround400uHasaloadingcoilatthebaseofmyG5RVconvertedtoaTwithgroundradials.
(below)AttachedtheBucketVariometertomyG5RV(shortingthePL259asitconnectstotheladderline).AndutilizingthegroundradialsandgroundrodsIalreadyhadinplaceundertheG5RVformy160mswitch.AttachedtheNanoVNAtothecoaxthatwouldconnecttomyRadio.EasytoadjusttheinductancebyturningtheendofthePVCpipe.WiththeLPFinline,IcantuneSWRfor2:1on630m.
Typicallyyouwillhear"WSPR"and"FTS4-60sec"signalsaround474.2khz(+800hzto+1400hz).Downloadwsjt-xtodecodeandtransmit.TheFTS4-60signalappearsslightlywiderthantheWSPRsignal.WSPRappearsalmostasastraightline.
Since630mrequiresalongantenna,youwilltypicallyneedaverylargeloadingcoilatthebaseoftheantennatotunetheSWRflat(search630mvariometeringoogle)andkeepthelossesdown.Note:Thesecoilscangeneratelethalvoltageswithonlyafewwattsontransmit.
ReceiverBirdies(PanadapterBridies)
ThePowerSDRPanadapterexposesawholesetofnewissuestodealwithinradio.WhenyouopenupthePanfallto192khz,andadjustthewaterfallcolorlevels,youwillseemanysignalsacrossallpartsoftheHFband.Sometimesissuescropupandyoustarttoseethingsthatdontaddup.AllRadio'shavetheirBirdies,itsjustonthatontheFlex(withitsgreatsensitivity)itsdisconsertingtoseethemallat1time.
1)Youseespikesappearanddontmoveasyouscrollfrequencies.ThiscouldbeasoftwareissueinPowerSDR,oryourPCorFirewireconnectionslowingdowncausingDSPconversionissues.CheckPCservicesrunninginthebackground.Resetthesoftwareoryourentirecomputer.OrthiscouldbeabirdiecausebytheDSPhardware/software2)YouseesignalsacrossthePanadapter,butuponinspectiondeterminethattheyarerealsignalsbutrepeatingatintervalsacrossthespectrum.Thisisfrontendoverload.YoumayneedtoaddaBroadcastbandfiltertoRX1ThiscanalsobeSwitchmodeorIFhashcomingfromsourcesalloveryourhouse(seebelow)3)Youseethewaterfallnoiselevelchangesorjumps.Thiscouldbewhenyouswitchbetweenbands,andbecauseyourantennaisdesignedforcertainbands,itsefficiencyonanybandwillchange.WhenyouleaveaHambandforaGeneralShortwaveband,youdonthavethesamehardwarefiltering.orthePowerSDRorPChasissuesandyoumayneedtoreset.
ChangingyourFlexRadioTURF(Region)&MARS
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MARS/SHARESoperation(Extendedoperation)
TheFlex-5000alinkstoaWindowsPCviaa400Mb/sIEEE1394FireWirecable