[HCRA] Flex-5000 at W1AW

[Steve Rodowicz]

[Flexradio] Update from W1aw/W5gi
John john at flex-radio.com
Tue Dec 9 10:20:41 EST 2008

Just a quick note to report on my activities at the ARRL.

At 1800 UTC I was joined at W1AW by about 15 employees of the ARRL,
including Dave Summer. I officially handed over a FLEX-5000 (an upgraded
beta unit) for use at their station. Following the official presentation, I
spent about 90 minutes demonstrating the radio and discussing the world of
software defined radio. I was then invited to take a tour of the ARRL
complex, which was very interesting.

I returned to the station at 2000hrs UTC to begin operating ( a hour later
than promised). I experienced high SWR problems, which turned out to be a
bad coax cable run from the antenna box to the F5K operating position. I
began operating as soon as the problem was repaired but had to cease
operation at 2047 UTC so that the regular broadcast could begin.

I worked about 50 stations in about 30 minutes despite terrible band
conditions. The F5K performed flawlessly and was fun to use with their
monster antenna system. I worked several FLEXERS but Dudley, WA5QPZ had, by
a large measure, the strongest signal of any station worked.

The 5000 is now a permanent part of W1AW/ARRL and available to anyone to use
when visiting there.

I recommend a visit to the ARRL-it's like a Smithsonian museum for amateur
radio.
73

John P. Basilotto
W5GI
VP Amateur Division (NA)