Seems like I read on one of the reflectors or their Facebook page, that there are people using other VHF/UHF transverters and not having any problems. And also, they did state in one of their posts (Flex rep) that the reason was because a critical part of the transverter was being discontinued by the manufacturer. And that they were unable to source a replacement. BUT, they said that they did have a decent stock of replacement parts for repairs and also, had a few transverters still available. ($1200 or so).
james
WD5GWY

Yep, it's just another radio to use in the pursuit of the Amateur Radio hobby. Some like it and others don't. And luckily, there are a lot of alternatives as far as transceivers are concerned. That, to me, makes it fun.
   I think the name calling is simply childish and uncalled for. It's time for some folks to grow up and get a real life. It's a HOBBY not a lifestyle!!
  I for one, value your opinions Stan and am glad you have posted your experiences here. It is appreciated.
james
WD5GWY
 

Yes, all three magnets need to be in full contact with a metal surface.
Anything less, will increase the chances that the antenna will fly off the vehicle
while in motion. (not a good thing) If you just cannot bring yourself to drill holes
in the metal for a side mount (rear fender quarter panel), or some other type of
mounting scheme that is much stronger, then the mag mount is your only choice.
Good luck.
james
WD5GWY

Hmmmm, was this directed at me?
I don't think I've trashed Flex like that at all. In fact, some here think
I am Flex Fanboy. I'm not, but, I do like the radios and what they do.
There are some here that do have something against Flex (the company)
and from reading their past experiences, I can see why they feel the way
they do. If you want a rah rah Flex forum, try one of their Yahoo groups.
I too get tired of some of the things here, but, at the same time, these people
do have a legitimate complaint. And if certain people's posts bother you, you
can always IGNORE them. There are still a lot of useful info that shows up here
concerning SDR radios. You just have to sift thru some stuff to get to the meat
sometimes!!
james
WD5GWY

Thank you! I read your other thread on the subject. I'm not locked into Win7 64 bit.
But, I do like it. (seems it works better with Photoshop and lots more memory)
  I also have Win7 32 bit as well. So, I could put that on a spare hard drive and
run that with PowerSDR and a Flex 1000. I might do some trading yet!!
james
WD5GWY

I guess they still have not got a working version of SmartSDR (the new software for
the 6000 Series) ready to show yet. Bummer, I was hoping that they would have
something to show by the time they get to HAMCOM in Plano, TX this coming Saturday.
 It sounds as though they won't. Too bad, I know a couple of guys that might pre-order
one if they could see an actual demo instead of mockup software running. Won't be me
though. I have just about decided that there is no advantage for me, to sink 4K - 7K
in an SDR radio. But, then again, who knows? I might win the lottery!
Then, I'll buy two!
james
WD5GWY

That may well be a good deal. Have you tried one out before?
Be sure that it is the FT-100D. The older FT-100 had some problems
that I have read about in the past. Yaesu builds nice radios.
The ONLY thing I have against their mobile HF radios, is the small
display size. My eyesight is not as good as it once was and the small
displays on all of their mobile HF rigs is too hard for me to see. Especially
if you have to make any real changes. Of course, most menu settings are
set and forget. And should be made while stationary anyway.
Try it out if you can. If you like it, then the price is reasonable. It is certainly
within the price range I have seen for those radios.
Only you can decide if it is a deal or not. Price alone is not the only thing to
go by. Ease of use is one of the biggest factors. If you don't enjoy using a radio,
then it doesn't matter how cheap it is.
james
WD5GWY

I use and have used, ICOM 706 MKIIG (great radio) ICOM 7000(another great radio)
as well as a Kenwood TS-50 (good radio, hard to see display) and the Alinco DX-70T
another decent radio for the money, but, again, hard to see display).

 

Antennas have always been the best investment. Without a decent antenna
it does not matter what kind of radio you have connected to it. While a high
performance radio will usually hear weaker signals better than lower performance
radio, it will not hear much, if any better, than the average radio does.
 Not everyone can have a tall tower and beam system due, to where they live,
spouse, (lucky mine just shakes her head and walks away) or finances. Or even
health. (I cannot climb a tower anymore) But, putting up the best you are able to
afford and can manage, is the key. Then, get the best performing radio that you
can afford. As with a lot of things, it depends on your level of expectations and
satisfaction. If the radio and antenna system does what you want, then that is
really all that matters.
  I think it is the same with SDR. If the radio you get does what you want and at
a price you are comfortable with, then that is good. I have fun with my Flex 1500.
As a geeky type person, I lust for the 6000 Series of SDR radios. But, really,
not a single person on the other end of a QSO with me has ever been able to tell
which of my several radios I am using. I say one of my old hybrid Kenwoods and
I hear, " ahhh great Kenwood audio". I get the same response "great audio" from
my ICOM 706 and my 7000.  I have asked people to guess what I was using. Not
a single correct answer. Proper setup has always been the key for good audio for
me. Now, when I had my drifty 250 going, everyone knew it was in use!! Just
chasing me up and down the band gave that away!! 
james
WD5GWY
 

Mind sharing what you did different with a Firewire card? I have passed up several
Flex 1000's because of that issue and the problems getting it to work in Win7 64bit.
james
WD5GWY

Thank you. I stand corrected. The facts that I stated were from a friend that was at
Dayton. Not my own observations. Lucky for me, I will get to see the new Kenwood
and others this coming weekend at HAMCOM in Plano, Tx.  It will be interesting to
see all the new introductions first hand. I seriously doubt that I'll be able to afford
the 990, but, at least I can dream!
As for the new Flex radios, those will be interesting to see as well. Hopefully, they
will have a better demo running than what everyone says they had at Dayton.
Again, thank you for the correction. I do respect your opinions and facts.
james
WD5GWY

I'll gladly take the money and all of the Flex 5000 dinosaurs off their hands!!
 
james
WD5GWY

I didn't think I was being optimistic, just going by their statements of "Q4 2012".
Nothing more. Flex has never made any promises to "me" but, if others feel that
they have been promised things and they have not delivered, then who am I to
question them? 
  Did anyone notice that the demo that Flex had at Dayton was a Mockup of the
output of the 6000's SmartSDR? I'm hope that when they get to HAMCOM in
Plano, TX in June, that they'll be running the actual software and not a mockup.
  Then again, Kenwood's new TS-990 was a mockup and not an actual, working
radio. Does that make them a promise breaker like Flex? Even the Alinco SDR
radio display was a mockup. It appears to me, that all of the introductions at
Dayton were not yet ready for prime time.
  Anyway, I'll continue to use what I have and enjoy it. My Flex 1500 is fine for
qrp and my other rigs do their jobs just as well. I really don't understand all the
uproar over Flex, given that other manufacturers do the same thing.
 Look at COMDEX, and other electronic trade shows. Tons of new products shown.
And even working models. But, a lot never, ever get to the consumer.
james
WD5GWY
 

Hmmmmmm, got my 1500 new, on sale, for a little over $600 shipped
from FRS. For a 5 watt qrp rig, it is just fine. Adding $300 for an amp
to get around 100 watts out is still much cheaper than a used 3000.
I have only seen ONE used 3000 sell for $1000.00 and it sold fast.
On eBay, they sell for more, usually around $1200-$1400.  The 1500
used, currently sells for roughly $500 give or take a bit. Going the
Tokyo High Power route with the 45 watt amp that has been selling for
$300 plus doesn't gain anything.
  Building is an option, but, given the time I have to devote to such things,
I'd rather buy a new amp, or spend the time rebuilding some of my old
boatanchor radios. IF, I decide I want more power from a Flex SDR radio,
I will find a deal on a used 3000 or 5000. But, right now, even with the
announcement of the 6000 Series, the current line of Flex radios are still
selling at higher prices used. It will be AFTER the roll-out of the 6000 Series
and user reviews and people like Sherwood and the ARRL Labs reviews, that
prices on used 1500,3000, and 5000's will drop. IF the new radios are not
plagued with problems.
  Guess we will see for sure in 6 months or so!!
james
WD5GWY

Well, I guess I was not making myself clear. I was not saying that I wanted to drive
my 811H with the Flex 1500 connected to a RM Italy HLA300. I was saying I might
try driving the 811H directly with the 1500. Just to see what kind of output I'd get
with just 5 watts of drive.
  As for the person at the Flex booth at the hamfest, he was a Flex employee.
And one of their engineers. His point to me was that driving the HLA300 with only
5 watts would not have the IMD issues were it driven with a higher amount of drive.
And that it would not cause problems.
  I have not went out and bought an RM Italy amp and really have no intention of
doing so. I really do like using the 1500 as a qrp rig. IF I were to buy another SDR
radio, it would probably be a 3000 or 5000. (cannot justify tying up 4K to 7K for the
6000 Series) Both of those radios have much better ratings on the TX side than the 1500 and have enough drive for my 811H. (should I want to use it)
  I really do appreciate the fact that you don't want to see CB amps on the ham bands.
I don't either. I have heard people using the RM Italy HLA series of amps with the 1500 and the ICOM 703 etc. And could not hear any of the splatter you speak about. In fact,
I had they not told me what amp they were using, I'd not have know anything was different than any other 100watt or so rig. A lot of the splatter problems I have heard
in the past seems to come from people not setting their radios up properly. And that's with FCC approved radios and amps. And even some that were very high in the Sherwood ratings. I think a lot of the problems you are talking about are from people not knowing how to properly set up their equipment. Not from poor designs.
  One question I do have for you is, what is your background in radio and amplifier design? You speak as though you are an engineer, yet, you do not provide any solutions
or anything to qualify your statements. It would be interesting to hear about your background and experience.
james
WD5GWY

 If you like computers and radio, you'll like the Flex 1500. Especially if you like
qrp. I have really enjoyed using mine. Don't do much CW anymore, (my hearing
is such that certain sounds/pitches go unheard) but, on SSB, the 1500, even with
5 watts, works pretty good. Of course, what makes the 1500 or any of the other
Flex radios is the software. And the current version of PowerSDR, 2.3.5, works quite
well. And it is fun to use the Tracking Notch Filter. One group that i participate in
on 40 meters, seems to attract one particular "tuner'upper" and he seems to stay
right in one place. With the TNF, I can notch him right out and no matter how much
he tunes up, he is no longer there! None of my other radios can do that.
  Enjoy your new toy.
james
WD5GWY