Like anything else, a person can ask whatever they want for something. eBay is no exception.
I looked at that auction and his asking price is way too much for that radio. But, it is HIS radio
and he can try to sell it for whatever he wants. Doesn't mean he'll get it. But, he can try.
No reason to complain about it though. Make an offer if you want it and see what happens.
But, unless you offer close to what he is wanting, I doubt you'll get it either.
If you are interested in the SDR-1000, then keep a watch on the different For Sale sections of
different Amateur Related forums, and you can find one much cheaper. Or even at some hamfests. I have seen them sold for as little as $400 for the 100Watt model. But, it is old technology and
won't work with newer operating systems and computers. (not without a LOT of work to get it to work) For the $1,050.00 that is his starting price, you can do much better)
james
WD5GWY

You are correct. But, the amp mentioned in this thread , HLA-300, from RM Italy does have low pass filtering. And they also make amps, that are just as you describe. But, it is rare to hear someone using one of the cheap CB amps on the Amateur bands. All of the manufacturer's of CB amps all claim that their amps are for Amateur use. But, that is to get around the restriction by the FCC for them being sold to their real intended users, CB operators. Very few hams use CB amps such as the cheap RM Italy amps or even amps like the Texas Star, which is advertised as an Amateur amplifier, but, is really intended for the CB crowd. Little to no filtering in those amps at all.
james
WD5GWY

Very nice post Don. I think that you are correct about getting the FCC involved would not really
help. Or for that matter, make much of a difference. Self-policing can help, if done in a positive
manner. I have mentioned to other hams in the past about problems I could see and hear from
their signals and most of the time, but not always, it has been received well and it actually helped the other person to adjust their radio properly and get the most out of their equipment.
But, I have also ran into people that turned completely nasty about it as well. But, that is not always the norm. (thankfully) And like you the problem really rears it's ugly head during a contest or
a lot of people trying to work a rare DX station. In the case of working rare DX, (especially if they
are working a huge split) it can really get out of hand, making it hard for someone with limited power and antenna (me in lots of cases! ) to be heard or to hear when the DX station comes back to them.
  I have mentioned this before and I'll say it again, local ham clubs could also help with the problem by offering either classes or just having guest speakers who give talks on proper set up of radios and amplifiers. There are a lot of well intentioned new hams, that have no real idea on how to properly set up their equipment for best results. And it does show. I have helped new hams with setup and most seem grateful for the help. I know that I appreciate it when someone tells me when I have a problem that I do not notice. Besides all that, I need to concentrate as much power into what little signal I have as it is!!!
james
WD5GWY
 

And I doubt you will find a 20 meter SSB signal on 10 meters. IMD splatter is usually found
within the band you are operating in, and not scattered up and down the HF spectrum. (although
it can happen) What Zenki is talking about is interference above and below a transmitted signal.
When you can hear a signal that sounds like someone talking into a sock 10KC or more away from the actual signal, and you have to keep tuning till you finally find the actual signal, that is one form
of IMD.  Some of the noise we hear on HF is associated with splatter from a dirty amp or transmitter. If you were to look at some of the signals on HF with a spectrum analyzer you can see
where the splatter is occurring from a given signal. What I think has happened over time, is people have become used to the interference from a transmitter and/or amplifier, that they either no longer notice it or just think it is a normal condition of HF. A LOT of the problem, in my opinion, is
improper setup of a person's radio. Over modulation etc. can create IMD problems itself. And coupled to a transmitter or amplifier with problems, it only makes matters worse.
While Zenki seems to be or to some is, over the top about his feelings about IMD and it's causes
and even it's cures, he does have some very valid points. And given the attention that most manufacturer's pay to receivers, and little to no attention paid to transmitters, I can understand
his rants on the subject. Radios today are not cheap at all. Especially the high end radios. And for them to not preform any better than they do, IMD wise, it really is a shame.
  There is not, in my opinion, any easy answer to the problem. The Amateur radio community is not that large compared to the big 3's main customers and for that reason, they will not focus on the problems that poor transmitter design are causing. And, when there are functions within most
modern receivers to limit the effects of IMD on the receive end, then they have little incentive to do so. Voting with our wallets might help, but, I'm inclined to believe that it really won't make a difference.
james
WD5GWY
   

Not defending RM Italy, but, that series of amplifiers is quite different
than the HLA series of amps that they manufacture. Little to no filtering
at all. And is really intended for the 11 meter crowd. IF, I HAD to choose
between that amplifier and the HLA-300V, I'd buy the HLA-300V. At least,
with it, you can keep the drive level low and it will not produce near as much
splatter as that amplifier does. That amp sells for half the price of the HLA-300V
and there is a reason for that.
james
WD5GWY

^^^^^ Well stated ! And using good test equipment helps a lot.
And I agree that ANY transceiver or amplifier can be over driven to
the point of causing splatter. A lot of problems on the bands can be
attributed to "pilot error". Wringing the last watt out of a radio or amp
does cause problems. For some reason, BIG Numbers on the S meter
seem to be more important than having a clean, intelligible, signal.
Pure power alone does not guarantee a good signal on the other end
of a QSO. Taking the time to do things right, seems to be lost on a lot
of people. It's not that hard and makes using the frequencies we have
available to us much nicer for everyone.
james
WD5GWY
 

That is good and what it's really all about! I have watched your
videos comparing the Anan with the 5K. And I appreciate you posting
them on YouTube. I have been leaning towards getting one of the Anan
radios sometime in the not so distant future. I wouldn't even mind having
an Anan 10, even though it is only 10 watts or so, output.
I too like the open source model of software. The only real danger with open
source, is if there is but a single developer of a software package, and he gets
sick, bored, or heaven forbid, dies............then it's very possible, that unless another
developer picks up on the software, that that will be the end of the software you're using.
BUT, I enjoy software development (VB and C#) and since the source code is available,
that gives me something to play with. And I'm sure there are others that can do the same
as well. And most likely, MUCH better than me!!!!
Oh, and even the latest version of PowerSDR 2.6.4(source code) is freely available from Flex Radio
simply by requesting it. There are parts of it that are closed source and cannot be used outside of
Flex (the Tracking Notch Filters for one example) But, most is freely reusable. (properly credited of course) All of that makes using radios like the Anans really a good thing..........unless you are an
appliance operator and do not like tinkering with software, and in some cases hardware too.
In that case, the upcoming Flex 6000 Series radios, with SmartSDR, will be ideal for a lot of people. But, you will have to pay for software (closed source) and there will only be a limited amount of tinkering you will be able to do. Flex has said they will publish an API to interface with the radio for outside developers to build applications for other devices. They have not said if that API will be freely available or not. Only time will tell on that one!
james
WD5GWY
 

What radio are you using it with mobile? Also, I have read that the HLA-300 is, (like the 500M)
very sensitive to SWR issues and will go into bypass mode easily. Do you find that to be true?
How much drive does it take for you to get 300 watts out on the HLA-300? Like WX7G stated,
it won't do the 550 Watts output on SSB, without driving pretty hard. But, then again, if driven
that hard, it too would be power hungry!
james
WD5GWY

I don't think the ALS-600 was designed for mobile use. Maybe, you are talking about
the 500M. That one is intended for mobile use. I have not used one, but, know a couple
of guys that do, and for the money, they are decent amplifiers. And the IMD specs are good
on them too. And, on the used market, they can be picked up in the $400-$500 range. And
a lot of times that includes the remote control head too.
  I have seen the HLA-300 at a couple of hamfests, (used) and have been tempted to buy one.
One even sold for under $300 at one hamfest. But, I have held off. I had been wanting an amp
for my Flex 1500, QRP rig. But, that radio has IMD issues (on 40 meters) that, at low output,
(5 Watts or less) do not create problems. But, using a higher powered amp with it, and one that
has known IMD problems, would only add to the problems and not correct them. So, instead of
buying an amp to go with the 1500, I have been saving for an SDR radio that runs 100 watts out
of the box.
   Good luck on your amp. If you keep the drive level low, you will still have reasonable output and
hopefully, not have issues with IMD.  I wish companies like RM Italy, would use better RF devices
and designs in their amps and have the guts to have them tested properly and post the results.
Of course, that would drive the cost of the amps up, putting them in the same price range as
the Ameritron ALS-500M and even the Tokyo High Power amps.
  james
WD5GWY
 
 

  I know that it's not sold as a CB Amp.  I was quoting another member,,,,who hasn't posted
here...........yet. But, that same person has provided proof that the HLA-300 from RM Italy
has a lot of problems with 3rd order and higher, IMD products, which produce splatter.
There have been a ton of posts regarding this amp and it's little brother, the HLA-150.
There are plenty on them in this forum. (Amplifiers)  On W8JI's website there is some test
data for the HLA-150. And, as long as the drive level is kept low,(for about 90 watts output) then IMD products are not too bad. The same for the HLA-300.......keep the drive level low, and IMD will not be so bad. But, as that other poster pointed out, not many hams will keep drive levels low
in order to reduce splatter. (IMD) And at 450Watts on the HLA-300, you are proving his point.
Look at the output from the amp on a spectrum scope and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Anyone listening to you "on frequency" will not notice any problems. But, those up and down the
band from your signal may very well do so. I have heard people using the HLA-300 on the air. On frequency, they seemed good. But, I could tune up and down from them and hear the splatter.
And when I have asked about output and drive levels, it's been the same. Full bore.......
   I agree that for the money, you get an amp that produces a lot of output, but, it is not a clean
amp by any stretch of the imagination.
  As another poster here mentioned, the Band Pass Filters are fine for out of band IMD products. But,they are next to useless for in band IMD products. Do some reading on IMD and what causes it and I think you will understand what I'm talking about.
In my first post, it was simply a bit of jest as the previous two posters were doing, because we all were pretty sure that Zenki would be along shortly with his opinion of the RM Italy HLA amps.
He hasn't posted as of now, but, don't be surprised when he does. And it will probably be pretty caustic too, as he is very strong in his opinions of the RM Italy amps.
james
WD5GWY
   

Who cares? Maybe the people up and down the band you are splattering all over care!
james
WD5GWY

Zenki must be asleep!!!
(it's CB crap!)
there, I said it!!
james
WD5GWY

Yep, all radios eventually get discontinued. Just like computers, cars and a ton of other stuff.
We live in a throw away world.
 It will be interesting to see what Flex replaces their older radios with. Something in the price range of the 3000 would be nice. Or even a qrp rig like the 1500.
james
WD5GWY

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
 

I really wasn't trying to be negative about the upcoming release of the 6000 Series Radios.
And I did do a Google Search for: " Flex 6700" and there were some 20+ pages of hits.
Of those, the only specific hits that I found were from Steve's Blog, which contained a link
to the un-boxing by one person. Who, as I mentioned earlier, was an Alpha Tester and the
person who got Flex Radio to come to the Vaselia DX event.
But, I never found another post from anyone else, who claims to have received their production
Flex 6500 or 6700. Not a single one. Not in Flex Radio's Yahoo forums either. Steve is the first
person to post an update from Flex Radio that says anything about shipping. Other than six
weeks AFTER Dayton. Now, who will be getting a radio six weeks after Dayton is anyone's guess.
It could be the expanded beta group or actual early buyers.
I'm 99% certain that had anyone else besides the guy mentioned, received their new radio,
they would have posted it on the Yahoo Forums or Flex's Facebook page. (not there either)
  I don't think that Steve is advertising for Flex, I think he is just getting excited about the
possibility of getting his new radio. And I don't blame him for that one bit.
I just think it is still a bit premature to start celebrating the arrival of the radios as there has
only been ONE radio confirmed shipped. The rest are MIA.
james
WD5GWY