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| Reviews Summary for Flex Radio SDR-1000 |
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Reviews: 56
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Average rating: 4.8/5
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MSRP: $1399.00 100w ver/ $925 1w ver
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Description: Software Defined Radio: RF section on three small boards. A Tayloe Detector/mixer converts the RF to two channels of audio 90deg out of phase. DSP, etc. is then done in the PC, using the soundcard.
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More info: http://www.flex-radio.com/
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write your own review of the Flex Radio SDR-1000.
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UT6EG
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 28, 2007 12:08
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UT6EG
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I been greatly impressed by the performance. I agree with the all previous review.None of the other radio have the operating enjoyment of the SDR. Fantastic opportunities. Magnificent work Nilolaj UT6EG.
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N7BUI
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 5, 2007 12:30
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Bored with ham radio? Try a Flex-Radio!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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If your bored with your current ham toys, you should spend the money for at least a used SDR-1000. This radio can really help put the fun back into ham radio. Mine gets a daily workout while the other radios (FT-847, FT-817's, etc) sit quietly on the desk awaiting their turn to be used. Never has one item in the realm of ham radio caught my attention like the Flex.
I've been pleasantly surprised at the support from the user community and the manufacturer. They are a fantastic bunch who are more than willing to lend a hand to the newbie or the experienced user.
The abilities of the radio are amazing. Everything from the real time spectrum analyzer, filters, and excellent receive and transmit audio all lend to a very rewarding experience that will help to respark that interest in radio that you had as a new ham operator.
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2E1RDX
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 7, 2007 05:34
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Just love it
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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the best receiver I have tried so far superb received audio I am using the Delta 44 soundcard and set up was straight forward I am using VCOM and VAC for Digimodes and it works great no problems
One thing to be aware of it will save a lot of time with your station set up I used a Heil HM-10 Microphone via the SDR front panel socket and had terrible problems with feedback after a whilr trying to research the problem Julius W2IHY supplied me with information regarding the Heil Mic with a Standard Yaesu cable is wired incorrectly it will work but with problems the fix I did was to purchase a Behringer XENYX 802 mixer and Behringer XM-1800S Microphone and feed this via the Delta 44 souncard rather than the SDR front panel now no problems and great audio reports I am using the 1 watt version of the SDR and I have a TOKYO HY_POWER HL-50B Amplifier which give 5 watts output for 1 watt input so i am having great fun working QRP
I have found that I am happiest using the Mouse to tune the radio via the scroll wheel and then fine tune with the keypad this works great for me after probably in excess of 40 different HF Radio's including the TS-950SDX 756-PROII TS-2000, TS-870 etc I have found a radio that is just more fun and the receiver is the best I love it tnx to all the guys who spend years developing this latest Software defined equipment
rgds Ian
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W8XR
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 9, 2007 15:22
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The Flex-Radio is my primary radio.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I had "dropped out" of ham radio for a number of years, but when I read Gerald Youngblood's article (somewhat after the fact) and then found that someone was manufacturing one of these radios, I got seriously re-interested. I can honestly say that the FlexRadio and the projects I've been involved with around it, have been the most fun I've had in amateur radio. I've been a computer professional all of my working career, and again, I can honestly say, this is the most fun I've had with a computer as well... I'm enjoying some of the "spin-off" technology as well (the SoftRock and DDS-60 work, HPSDR, Time Nuts and others) - it was FlexRadio users that hooked me up with these as well. It's technically a solid radio with incredible audio, astoundingly intuitive software (the operator console) and a truly great receiver. There are periodic challenges (when I upgrade my computer, sound cards, etc. there are compatability considerations that I didn't have before) but these are just part of working the leading edge. At every paradigm shift there are new challenges. Some folks hide from them, some love them. I'm definitely enjoying riding this new wave.
Mark
W8XR
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W3IYQ
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Rating: 3/5
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Mar 9, 2007 12:23
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Expensive New Toy
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I hesitate to post less than a "5" since the Flexradio folks were exhorting the faithful to post only "5's" However, I still find the transmitter somewhat lacking on CW. On SSB, with MUCH fiddling with adjustments, you can get good audio quality.
Prospective new purchasers should be aware that prices are up from those shown in the description here, and the 1 watt model is no longer available. Also, it is NOT a viable 6 meter rig, as even the "100 watt" version only puts out 500mw on 6M.
Finally, You must have at LEAST a 1GHz Computer with 1GB memory. Even with a 3GHz computer, 1GB memory, you can not run the "PowerSDR" software and use, say Explorer without the audio on the SDR being chopped up. Also, if you HAVE a new computer, with MicroSoft's latest ripoff, Vista, forget it, as PowerSDR is set up to work with Win2000 or XP, ONLY. Hopefully someday they will come up with a Linux version, but not holding my breath.
Summary: If you want to feel "cutting edge" and be the first kid on the block with a new toy, however expensive, go for it. It is fun to play with.
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VE3CI
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 9, 2007 11:26
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The old and the new ... my latest Ham station.
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I love computers and computer controlled equipment ... such as the Ten Tec RX-320 and the Pegasus transceiver. However, when I read about the FlexRadio approach which goes beyond computer control to computer defined radio .... I was sold.
I ordered the 1 watt qrp version .... (I don't think it is now available) ... after all, nothing new in a HF amplifier and auto ant tuner. It is the special mixer, DDS VFO, and low noise front end I am interested in. I can deal with the after-burner myself. I already had an excellent (small form factor) computer with enough horsepower to do just about anything. I bought an M-audio sound card D-44 which comes with an external break out box. I also ordered the appropriate cable set to interface the SDR-1000 to the D-44 breakout box (highly recommended).
Now I favor the 3 main modes of operation almost equally .... SSB, CW, and Digial (PSK and RTTY). I thought the greatest challenge would be setting the radio up for Digital since the preferred method is to use (virtual comports and audio cables) to interface the Radio software (PowerSDR) and my digital/cw software (Mix-W).
I fired up the PowerSDR software and the SDR-1000 and quickly followed the setup instructions available online as a PDF file). My first experience was using the radio as a receiver ... (I am also an avid SWL). My first impression was that this was the absolute best SWL receiver I have ever used ... (I have used some very good receivers including Collins 51J3). I couldn't believe how easy it was to see large portions of the band on a panadapter and simply click on signals and there they were! Any splatter coming in could be easily rectified by shifting the receive bandpass with the mouse!
After getting used to the radio software I then started to install the virtual comports and virtual sound cables so as to provide an interface between the radio and my digital software (Mix-W).
No problem ... it wasn't long and I had that working just FB. However, I was now ready to make some contacts and I only had 1 watt to play with ... and actually made a number of contacts on PSK on 40 and 20 meters .... I have a nice dipole up 50' for these bands. Now I needed an afterburner.
I looked up on my shelves ... i have a number of options ... a small 30w solid state linear I built years ago and several old tube type transceivers ... I chose to start with my old Drake T4XC (spotless) .... which has been in retirement for at least 12-15 years. It still had the original power tubes (6JB6's and 12BY7 driver) ... and 2 brand new sets I had purchased and never got to use hi. So I did some minor modifications which isolate the final amplifier and allow it to operate as an external linear amplifier (120W PEP output) with approximately 20-30 milliwatts of drive power.
It works like gangbusters! It is just great ... I can work PSK stations with great ease ... I have full CAT control from MixW and it is so easy to pounce on stations .... during the RTTY contest I could watch for new stations and worked stations so fast I couldn't believe it (generally I am not a contester ... but from time to time i join the fray).
I next set up SSB and and started in on 40M transCanada nets (7055) and soon found myself again in the midst of the fray ... helping net controllers etc .... I set up the audio with an external pre-amplifier and a excellent quality dynamic mic (ex karaoke). Even the VOX works vy well (my main method is a foot PTT switch). I haven't had so much fun on SSB in a long time. Everyone coments on my strong 40M signal and the excellent audio quality.
My last setup task was CW ... here I must say that I seldom send cw with a keyer ... I prefer to send computer generated CW (from MixW) as I feel I owe the operator on the other end of a decent 'fist' ... however, I enjoy receiving by ear.
It is now a general all mode modern transceiver working with a high quality old style amp. I keep the pristine looking Drake T4XC up on the desk and the SDR-1000 underneath hi hi...
the next project is to look into a quality 6m transveter and antenna ... with the sunspot cycle on the upswing 6m dx should be in the offing.
In summary .... the SDR-1000 transceiver provides the best performance (transmit and receive signals) I have ever experienced. It provides very flexible adaptation to different operating interests (FlexRadio). However, even though it is a 'black box' it is not 'plug and play' which is ideal for me. It is the best kilobuck I have ever spent on a radio.
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KF9WV
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 9, 2007 09:45
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Great!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I was very reluctent to buy the FlexRadio but after reading the reviews and the reflector at length I gave it a go.I was only disappointed that I did not buy it sooner.
The guys at Flex are first class in their help with newbies like me.
It is not plug and play but if I can do it a caveman can.Accolades to Flex on a great product that will continue to get better.
Retired the old TS-850 that served me well for many years but this technology is the future of amateur radio.
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KE5DLQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 9, 2007 04:12
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Set-Up Problems?
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I’m concerned about the reviews I’ve read here that cite the complexity of the SDR set-up. When I purchased mine I had only been a ham for a few months and really didn’t know much about radios- and I still don’t. My primary rig at the time was a 706 MK II.
Agreed, the SDR is not a plug and play and anyone used to just plugging it in a flipping a switch will be disappointed because they are going to have to do some work to set up the sound system. However, it isn’t a major challenge. The support that is available from other users and the team at Flex Radio is unbelievable.
When there is a problem a call to Flex or a query to the reflector is all you’ll ever need. I didn’t just buy a great radio; I’ve got a whole stable full of Elmers. You aren’t just buying a radio, you are joining a unique community of enthusiastic fellow users who sincerely want you to enjoy and benefit from the radio as much as they do. I don’t think you’ll find that with any other system in ham radio.
Richard- KE5DLQ
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WO0Z
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 8, 2007 19:52
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The future keeps arriving!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had the radio for about two years now.
Without working at it directly, I have worked about 190 DXCC countries. I also did a from scratch 80 meter DXCC, with a lot of it barefoot, in only a couple of months (see Feb 07 CQ for particulars). That wasn't all the SDR to be sure, but having a hot receiver sure didn't hurt on 80!
The software setup does take some initial effort, but the support from the user community and the company is outstanding if you need it. Once you've adjusted to the SDR way of doing radio, you don't want to ever turn back!
The software keeps improving. Since it replaces not a small amount of what would have been fixed circuitry, knobs, and switches, the radio's function, ease of use, and performance all keep getting better.
I would count there as having been about three major revisions over time and each one increased my capabilities and enjoyment. If you're adventurous, you can try out new improvements more often.
I'm an HFer, but my VHF friends like it just as much.
Some say that this is the future of radio and I agree. In fact, in my QTH, not only is it the future, but thanks to the improvements in software, the future keeps arriving.
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WA4CM
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 8, 2007 18:42
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Surprisingly good
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have to admit I did not buy the rig. I won it at a hamfest. I was a bit skeptical at first but after getting it set up and using it, now for about 4 weeks, I have to admit it blows me away performance wise. I have been able to work stations I could not even hear on my IC R75 receiver and can even hear the DX station in the middle of a pile up, which on the R75 sounded mostly like noise. Would I go out and buy one now ??? Well let me say this, for the ham shack, definitely. For the road or portable use, probably not, but would miss it.
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