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Reviews For: Flex Control Knob

Category: Third-party Equipment

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Review Summary For : Flex Control Knob
Reviews: 4MSRP: 99.95
Description:
A FlexControl is the ultimate VFO and radio control accessory for all FlexRadio Systems' software defined radios. Its not just a USB connected tuning knob. It is much more.

Developed by serious contesters, but applicable for all types of operators, the ergonomically designed FlexControl provides the ability to tune multiple VFOs, RIT and XIT with a simple turn and/or press of the weighted, smooth action tuning knob.

In addition to the multi-function tuning knob, there are three, multi-state programmable push buttons that you can assign a multitude of radio control actions, such as changing the tune step, RX filters or CW speed just to name a few.

Unlike other tuning knobs, the FlexControl is not another "mouse" like device and will continue to control PowerSDR and your SDR even if the active Windows program isn't PowerSDR. This is know as the "focus problem" and the FlexControl solves it; allowing you to have your logging program, or any other program for that matter active while interactively operating the radio with the FlexControl.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.flex-radio.com/Products.aspx?topic=F5K_accessories
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0044.5
N4LQ Rating: 2021-07-13
Great addition Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The 3 buttons can be programmed for most any function including af gain, rit, keyer speed, etc.
Mash the main knob and you go back to VFO control.
During a contest for SP I park it to the left of my keyboard and with my little finger just reach over and tune the knob to the next station. It would be nice to have about 20 buttons on it but 3 is sufficient for most things.
My control is programmed for slice af gain, cw speed and RIT. A double tap on the RIT button clears it back to zero.
I've never experienced any drop outs or hickups.

The main advantage to this vs a midi controller is that the FC knob operates independent of mouse focus. There's no need to have the mouse focused on SmartSDR.
K4FX Rating: 2018-04-03
Great Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is one of those things you use and wonder how you ever got by without it. I have used this on a Flex 3000 and a Flex 6300. Perfect operation. Makes a huge difference in my contesting. Never once failed me in any way.
K9SO Rating: 2016-12-18
OK accessory when it works Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My problem with this device is that it just keeps crashing. I then have to pull out the USB plug and reinsert. The issue makes it impossible to rely on.

It does this on more than one computer and with every version of the supporting FlexRadio software. Well thought out in its functionality but not executed reliably.
W0ZS Rating: 2013-03-09
Wonderful ham shack accessory Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have tried using a Griffin Power-mate knob for a tuning knob for N4PY Pegasus Plus software. It was unreliable and you needed to be in the Pegasus Plus software window in order for it to work (focus). I decided to purchase the knob as it was highly recommended in the N4PY instruction manual. It was originally intended for using with flex radios for people who really need a knob. Well, it works great for the Pegasus software as well. It addresses the focus issue mentioned above, as well as added a host of other features. There are four buttons (includes the pushing the knob in as the fourth button). By single clicking, double clicking or holding down the buttons it will provide you with many other functions. The default settings work well for me. They include setting up splits, switching from VFO A to B, etc. I wish I would have bought this first before buying the Griffin Power-Mate.