Jumping forward from 1977 Collins KWM-2A technology to current technology, here is a photo of the FlexRadio Systems Flex-6300 part of my northern Washington Island station:
K9ZW Flex-6300 Station on Washington Island
There is a lot going on in this little station, so first the hardware:
- Flex-6300 w/ATU Transceiver with USB digital codec dongle
- Windows 8.1 USB PC on a stick
- USB hub
- WiFi Extender – 1Gb
- 1Gb router
- FlexControl
- Powered Speaker
- Power supply is under bench
- wheel mouse
- keyboard
- 24in monitor
Now here is the important list – the software:
- SmartSDR v1.5.0 with Free Digital Voice and DStar plus-ins
- DDUTIL v3.0
- FlexMeter v1.3
- N1MM+ logger
The Flex-6300 station got great reports today using a SteppIR CrankIR portable antenna. Mostly CalifornyQSO party station but also worked some DX.
The PC on a stick was an experiment that has worked out fine, and I will leave it for the time being. When the 6300 is swapped for a 6700 I’ll put in a full PC.
I’m not happy with the included Flex hand microphone but forgot to bring a desk mic up this trip.
Once the permanent antennas are up it is going to be obvious that I will want a Flex-6700 here rather than the limited single SCU Flex-6300. The 6300 will go to my traveling radio setup at that time.
Made a interesting contrast to last weekends QSOs done with the Collins KWM-2A station on the same antenna.
73
Steve
K9ZW
With Varying Frequency - Amateur Radio Ponderings 