^^^^^^^^

I found the perfect one size fits all rig.  It's called an Elecraft K3 

A quick web search will find LOTS of complaints on Flex radios. Software and RFI. Likely most RFI prone rig out there. Flex's biggest mistake was being to department on a external computer of unknown standards and a weak link by design.

Well Flex has more complaints than the big three combined. As far as ignorance there is nothing hi-tech about that case that it could not be easily dupped or subbed. Kenwood and Yaesu saw a massive loss of parts sources with Tsunami and many suppliers gone for good and you did not see them discontinue any rigs because of it.

Flex is trying to play with big boys and act like a high roller when they are far from it. They are real good at excuses and BS though. The had a lot a practice with 5000.

You believe everything Flex says when their claim and timelines are seldom true. Case is a poor excuse as they could of used another off shelf case and called it a 5100. As far as parts it is not that old. I would not say it was a good radio either because as many or more people hated them than loved them. I would like to see a rig with same amount of complaints. None come remotely close. 

Alinco reports their DX-SR9T will beready the ship in a couple of months.  This looks drastically different than what they were showing last year, and it appears to have become a hybrid oof sorts. Here's it's cut sheet
http://m9.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/TwoSevenRight/IMG_20130517_210058_663_zpsb8adcdc9.jpg.html?o=1&newest=1

That's a wee bit harsh isn't it? No one forced anyone to part with their money. The terms of
pre-ordering a 6000 Series radio were made up front and center. IF someone accepted those
terms, then that is on them. AND, as has already happened, people are free to ask for, and
receive a refund of any money they have paid in. Some have only paid a deposit and are waiting
for notice of shipment to make final payment. Others, paid in full. But, the fact that they can get
their money back, no questions asked, is ok in my book.
 I am looking forward to the time they are available just as the other Flex radios are. But, if I get the itch for a new SDR radio (besides my Flex 1500) , I might just spring for an Anan 100D.
I like the concept of open source and the availability of quicker fixes for bugs etc.
james
WD5GWY
 

It seems like there are a lot of cool things in the works for these radios, I know I am looking forward to mine.  Look for an interesting announcement at Dayton as well.

What's ironic in a way as just as Flex has moved the processing back to the radio, it looks like the possibilities of processing at the PC might up the Antne!

These are becoming exciting SDR times!

Lets see what unfolds!

NI0Z

IF people did drive an amp like the HLA 150 (like the one W8JI used in his tests) with lower drive
it would as he stated result in lower IMD products. If I remember correctly he said if output from the amp was kept to 90 watts or less, then results would be acceptable. The IMD products would still be there, but, much weaker and less noticeable to stations away from the main signal.
But, what some would respond by saying is, most users would drive the amp to full output.
For instance, my Flex 1500 (already noted to have poor IMD numbers on 40 meters, but, decent numbers on the rest of the HF bands, as tested by the ARRL) only puts out 5 watts max.  A lot of users would want to drive the amp with full output from the radio and that would drive it beyond
90 watts to something like 110 watts or so. At that point, problems might occur.
My point in the above statement, is, most, but not all Amateurs, would not drive an amp like the RM Italy at half power to avoid splatter. And for transceivers with problem numbers (even at 100 watts output) the same thing would happen. Most would tend to run it full out. Unless, they were driving an amp that did not require 100 watts to produce decent output. Otherwise, most people would be tempted to run it full bore.
I think it would be rare for someone to run a transmitter or amp at half power. Not that it does not happen, but, most would want to get all they can out of their equipment. ( listen to the 40 and 80 meter power houses sometimes.............full bore most of the time for the really strong stations)
There are some things that SDR developers can do in software to help reduce IMD on transmit. And as I understand it, the developers of the opensource software for the Anan radios are working on doing just that. And Flex Radio has mentioned on their reflectors that the same is being developed for the 6000 Series radios. So, there are ways to fix the problems.
  I am really leaning towards an Anan 100D or even the Anan 10 at some point in the not so distant future. Even the numbers that I have found on Apache Lab's website, seem to indicate
that the IMD numbers for their radios are pretty good. And with developers working on ways to reduce it even further, then that is a big step in the right direction.
Interesting discussion!!
james
WD5GWY

I think that giving us "worst case IMD" is a good thing. It does give us some yardstick to go by
when considering amplifiers etc.  Take a look at W8JI's website, he has some very interesting things to say about the methods the ARRL and others, use when testing IMD. The accepted use
of two tones makes sense, but, at the same time, the variances of the human voice do make
a difference in test results, and in real world results. My voice might be higher pitched than yours and yours could be much lower and those differences can effect IMD suppression in the same
transmitter or amplifier. W8JI says that a test that varies the tones between a selected high
point and low point would give a better indication of IMD generated in actual use.
Even Zenki has mentioned the same differences between using the two tone test and actual human voice effects on IMD products.  I know from some of the reading that I have done concerning IMD, that the use of two tones was to create a standard of measurement that can
be used between all types of transmitters and amplifiers. W8JI seems to be saying that his idea
could be implemented and give better, and possibly, more accurate results.
   I know that Zenki can be very frustrating at times with his caustic remarks, but, he does have some valid points. But, he rarely, ever, backs his points up with real statistics. And as I said earlier, he won't give any background, his name or anything like that, that would lend any level
of confidence to his statements. If he said I'm, Joe Smith and I'm an engineer with XYZ corp and have several patents in RF design etc. Then, I would be more inclined to agree with him.
But, when he jumps on products that he is almost certain not to own (Flex 6000 Series) then I have to question his statements.
   I will be very surprised if he comes back to this thread (if at all) and makes any positive, helpful comments on this subject. Much less, offers some background on himself and his qualifications to make those statements.
  Unlike W8JI, who is well known and respected in his field, we know nothing about Zenki other than he is a constant complainer.
james
WD5GWY
 

Whats to explain?  Do you know of any new development specifically targeted at new features for the 5K?  Unless the price is dropped significantly the 6500 will likely be the mid range radio.  The lower models have a different price point that will allow them still to be viable selling products for a little while longer.  Still though, I predict we will see more compettion coming soon that will make those less attractive.

As an SDR the Flex 5K has pretty much matured, it has the basic software covered and is end of marketing life.  Most Flex 5Ks sold now will be on the used market.

Of course this is merely my humble opinion and not based on any facts.

As a current active Flex 5K user I am not really expecting anything new for that radio.

I agree completely.  I am a member of a martial arts forum and there are plenty of similar nonsense debates that amount to nothing.  And I have some friends that insist that the only good trucks are made by GM.  They are actually insulted by Ford, or (gasp) Toyota owners.  Brand loyalty is an interesting thing.

I see both sides of some of the Flex debates.  Some are offended that anyone likes their Flex radio and some are offended that anyone would say anything critical about their Flex radio.  I do believe that comments about specs, operating the rig, and ones experiences with the manufacturer are fair game and should not lead to hurt feelings and arguments.

In the end, I'd like to see Flex succeed.  It's good for amateur radio to have as several viable radio manufacturers.