This looks pretty cool too, and while its not directly an SDR it looks really interesting.  I am thinking of adding this to my station somewhere up the road. 

http://www.telepostinc.com/LP-500.html

Meanwhile I will be installing the Wave Node Wattmeter this weekend to see how well that metering system works.

BTW, I am not affiliated with any of these companies or products I post here, I am a bit of a techno enthusiast and so the gear is part of my jamming fun!

Anyone out there actually using one of these as a Reciever/second Reciever?

Somewhat expensive as an SDR and seems more aimed at SWR enuthiasts rather than hams.

Just thought I would see what the experienced hams are doing for replacement tubes!

What are the better options for replacements and places to get them.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Looks like WoodBoxRadio Radio has some cool new stuff they are working on.  A new retro interface that works off PSDR, Studio 1, wondering what SDRs it will work with other than Perseus and their own SDR, and a few other items.  Power SDR is not my favorite, so in terms of integration the studio 1 suite and the retro overlay look to have some promise.  I realize there is not a lot in the way of new functionality with this stuff, however, it's cool to see more people developing solutions!

http://woodboxradio.com/F4line.html
http://woodboxradio.com/studio1.html
http://www.woodboxradio.com/fdm-s1.html



What other new stuff are you guys seeing, maybe this can be the new stuff thread.

Well, this is turning out to be an interesting problem.  I usually tune using FM.  I did some troubleshooting and it seems that tuning with FM is my issue, using CW or Tune on the radio everything works just fine. 

I have a nice wattmeter coming early next week, I think that will help me see what my situation is.  I am not convinced that my power hasn't dropped some, perhaps a tube going or something else.  I did update the firmware and software I use on my SDR, and I can't help but wonder if it changed my FM output. 

More later after I sort through it over the next week or so.

See, I personally think raising the issues was a great deed on your part, things don't get better unless we get them out in the open.  So my thanks to you for taking the pain for all us new owners!

I think SDR has a long ways to go, I often wish I were a programmer with time, there are lots of things I would add to PSDR.  Some of which I am augmenting with several software packages and now some add on hardware.  All that though fortunately is fun for me where as I know its a nightmare for others!

Thanks for the comment on the photography and I look forward to a lot of great conversations here in these forums!

I get that, and that's part of what a nice matrix would represent, risk, benefit, ect.  I guess at present I am more curious than I am hot on the trail of making any particular mods.  Some of the older 811's might be more likely candidates than the newer ones.  That's the beauty of gathering info and keeping it updated.

Last but not least, keep in mind, I am very new to the ham world, so I am sure that what I ask and say will reflect that at times.  I am coming from a very curious vantage point on all this. 

Thanks for the feedback thus far!

That's a fair question, and to some extent, I don't have the answer since I am not aware of where to find a list of mods for the 811amps.  They appear in pieces here and there.  Since I own an HD I already have the overload protection, however, others that don't have it might be interested in it but not feel comfortable installing it themselves.

What would be nice is a matrix of mods for the 811 and other AL series amps so you could see at a glance what's available.  Such said service could over the QSK options, overload option, ect as well as those mods that have originated from the user community.

Ones I have seen so far are improved airflow (cutting out a window on the other side of the amp and installing a screen and better fan).  Adding various circuitry to improve stability or minimize arcing.  Changing the front panel switches for a higher grade hardware.  I suppose there are numerous other possibilities as well such as proactively upgrading various
parts.  For all I know one could even add digital displays, ect.

It would just be cool if there were an advertised service out there for those that wanted it.  A grid of amps down the left and mods across the top with costs for that amp would be really cool.

Hi Stan,

Perhaps there is a bit of truth to both ways of thinking.  Maybe you were an early adopter and as such the risk you took as an early adopter didn't pan out.  The thing is, if many respected hams consulted with you and you bought it and it didn't pan out, whose really to blame?  Is it the respected hams for over hyping the radio, flex for their hype, or the buyer for believing both groups?  If you had gotten a 1 off lemon radio, then Flex would definitely be accountable.  If what they advertised was clearly false, then they could be liable for it.  I do respect that you just don't think the radios are all that great, and for your own usage just not what you were looking for.

That's really what I am getting at and I know you are not alone in not respecting the flex Riggs and I personally am cool with it because personal preference and choice is what makes this past time so great!

Oh, and on the KX3, I no longer believe its an SDR at all.  I cancelled it, reordered it, but since the wait is so long, I will just see where I am at when they confirm it's ready to ship later this summer.  There are some base station mods I am making that are taking up this years hobby funds, so the KX3 may just get cancelled again.

By the way, I think you have a lot of interesting views and points, so hopefully we won't get sideways on all this.

Yes, this works, I actually found it before I saw it posted here, however, I am still wanting something local to my own computer that I can do this as well as other functions.

Thanks for replying!
Mark

Anyone know of any commercial services offering Amp mods for Ameritron Amps?

Yea, I called my local shack here and they didn't have it, not even in the Bag of Diodes.  I did find them at an electronics store down town though, have to make the journey to get them.  Guess I will just pick up a few extras.

Ameritron phone support confirmed I look at D16 first, then the 1.5 & .6 resistors behind the meters, then the tubes.

I'll report back with what I find for the next persons benefit.

Thanks, I will check this tonight, and the D16 replacement from Radio Shack is?

Also, is there any service out there offering Amp mods?  It might be nice to have all the known failure points taken care of for a fee, better switches, ect...

From one day to next the amp responds differently.  Part one tuning, I get the 75 on the plate current with no drive.  Applying even 10 watts drive in causes both the plate meter to jump on keying and fall where both the plate and grid needles wobble near the bottom end.  All bands, more drive same exact issue.  Changed cables, no change.  Reseated tubes, same behavior afterwards.  I will try removing 1 tube at a time tomorrow night, but all tubes are lighting up.  Amp is only 6-7 months old.

The amp as I said starting doing this from one session to the next.  In fact, I never even changed bands, tuning or anything.

Thoughts?

Anyone know of software that can import your log and generate a map of your QSO's, and generates stats like number of countries contact, band usage, mode usage, ect?