Now that the 5000A is discontinued, it might be a good time for Flex to update their web site. It still has pictures of the 5000A front and rear panels with the caption

Front-panel view of the new FLEX-5000A full duplex 160M through 6M 100W all mode transceiver.

I think that "new" is no longer applicable here!   

IMO, the thin-pipe approach is where Flex should have started, not the thick-pipe used in the current models. Using an operating system not designed for real-time processing to process time sensitive data is just a bad idea. It's what lead to the lag issues with CW and the stuttering issues some people have seen with the Flex-5000.

The other big issue is that Flex has no control over the hardware used on the PC end. There are all sorts of bizarre combinations of hardware/software out there that are not conducive to smooth operation of what essentially is a real-time system, plus you have people who don't know what they're doing playing around with configuration parameters and driver settings with no idea of what they're trying to accomplish, or why.

Keeping as much of the core signal processing in the box and off the PC is a good thing.

Decoupling my criticism of how Flex handles product announcements from the product itself, I think the Flex-6x00 is actually a very interesting design with lots of potential. They just need to moderate their promises and deliver on the ones they do make.

I am sure its going to be quite the SDR, I have little doubt about that. 

Of course, SDR is all about Software.  .....

All that said though, when done it should be a very nice transciever if the software is stable.

Steve, read the same thing on the Flex Yahoo Group. Also, noted that it is part of an
"extended" beta group. Don't know if that is the extent of the shipping or not. If not,
then there will be a lot of early buy in's that will be disappointed. I have read a couple
of posts from people that bought in at Dayton last year and have not received any notification
of shipment or final payment request from Flex. Some have already paid out and are only
awaiting notice of shipment. Lots of folks on edge about this one. I do hope that Flex
starts shipping to more than just a select few "beta testers". Otherwise, they will take a pounding
on all the forums and user groups. (even more than they already get)
 One thing I noticed from the previous newsletter that was posted to the public on the Yahoo Group, is the radio's slice sizes have been upped dramatically!! From a max of 384Khz each to several Mhz in a single slice!
 That seems to have been lost in all the other talk. How useful that might be is open to debate.
Without a very broad banded antenna, it might not be that useful. But, an interesting development all the same. Having played around with the 6700 at Belton, just made me want one more! But, it's not going to happen for me anytime soon. (work in the oilfield in my area has fell WAY off!)
But, maybe by the time things pick up, I'll be able to afford one!
james
WD5GWY
 

You know, no wonder the anti-Flex crowd dislike you guys so much.  You are JUST AS GUILTY of jumping on anyone who says something negative about their experience with Flex Radios.  Unless it is a glowing, over the top review of Flex's stuff, you guys all come out of the woodwork on attack.   I don't know which side is worse, but right now I am leaning towards the pro-Flex group as being the worse here.

-robert

Seems like the only one shouting or belittling here is you.  I posted my experiences with my Flex 5000 and you jumped right in here accusing me of a lot of things.  This is not Amateur Radio like gentlemanly conduct on your part.

-robert