PRODUCT REVIEW
PR040
80 M
20 M
Dynamic range and intercept
values with preamp off.
Intercept values were determined
using -97 dBm reference
*
Blocking level exceeds the threshold
of ADC clipping.
Key:
-20
-70
,
TX
Transmit 9th-order IMD (dB)
-45
-20
-35
TX
,
Transmit 3rd-Order IMD (dB)
-30
-40 +35
,
2
2 kHz 3rd-Order Intercept (dBm)
26
-40
+35
,
20
20 kHz 3rd-Order Intercept (dBm)
28
29
50
110
,
2
2 kHz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (dB)
95
50
110
,
20
97
101
20 kHz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (dB)
70
140
112*
111*
2 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)
2
70
140
112*
111*
20 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)
20
FlexRadio Systems
FLEX-3000 Software Defined
HF/50 MHz Transceiver
Key Measurements
Summary
Reviewed by Steve Sant Andrea, AG1YK
Assistant Editor
The FLEX-3000 is a software defined
radio (SDR) that uses a minimum of hardware/
analog components to produce a working
HF/50 MHz, 100 W all mode transceiver. As
with previous FlexRadio offerings, the radio
is only a third of the actual system. It must be
combined with a computer and software.
The computer is a significant factor in
the purchase of a FLEX-3000, as the quality
of the computer greatly affects the overall
system performance. When considering the
FLEX-3000, check FlexRadio’s Web site for
information on computer requirements. For
this review, the ARRL purchased a Dell Inspiron 530 running an Intel Core 2 Quad CPU
at 2.83 GHz with 3 GB of RAM memory. The
operating system is Windows Vista 6.0.6001
SP1. An IEEE 1394 (FireWire) 400 MB/s interface connects the computer to the radio.
The software, FlexRadio Systems Power
SDR, is freely downloadable from FlexRadio’s
Web site. This is the same software used with
other FlexRadio transceivers we’ve reviewed.
It’s regularly updated to improve performance
and add features — one of the big attractions
of an SDR.
Sibling Rivalry
The FLEX-3000 is the little brother of
the FLEX-5000, which QST reviewed last
year.1 The ’3000 has been designed as an
entry-level SDR for those who are curious
about how these radios actually “play” but
may not want to spend the additional $1000
or so for the advanced capabilities of the
FLEX-5000. It’s also smaller and easier to
1
R. Lindquist, WW3DE, “FlexRadio Systems
FLEX-5000A HF/50 MHz Transceiver,” QST,
Jul 2008, pp 39-45. QST Product Reviews
are available on the Web at www.arrl.org/
members-only/prodrev/.
Figure 1 — Rear panel connections are straightforward — dc power, antenna, computer,
amplified speakers, TR and amplifier switching and FlexWire I/O for accessories.
Mark J. Wilson, K1RO
Product Review Editor
Bottom Line
The FLEX-3000 is a compact
software defined radio (SDR) in the
mid-range price class. It can be used
at home or paired with a notebook
computer for operation on the go.
Although it gives up some features
compared to the FLEX-5000A, it
doesn’t give up much performance.
k1ro@arrl.org
From October 2009 QST © ARRL
use for portable operation — a good match
for a notebook computer.
The FLEX-3000 lacks some of the fancier bells and whistles of its larger kin, and
the FlexRadio Web site has an extensive
chart comparing the features of the various
FlexRadio models. Many of the differences
between the two are in the areas of antenna and
transverter capabilities and input/output connections. The FLEX-5000 has three separate
RF antenna connectors that can be configured
for specific band/mode/antenna combinations.
It also has two BNC receive antenna inputs
that can be configured to allow insertion of
preamps, filters or preselectors into the receive
path. The FLEX-3000 has only one antenna
connection. The FLEX-3000 does have a builtin antenna tuner, an option on the ’5000.
The FLEX-5000 can accept an optional
second receiver and 2 meter transverter. It
also has several rear panel interfaces to allow
the insertion of external transverters via low
level connectors and manage their control
directly with software. The FLEX-3000
has neither provision. The FLEX-5000 also
has more extensive provisions for controlling external amplifiers. The ’5000 offers
cross-band/cross-mode capability and its
panadapter covers a wider frequency range.
If you have a large station with multiple
antennas, or if you do a lot of contesting or
DX work on the low bands and/or the VHF/
UHF arena, then the FLEX-5000 is probably
the better choice. For hams with more limited
operating interests and capabilities, the FLEX3000 will be a good fit. Its performance is excellent for transceivers in this price range, and
its range of standard features is impressive.
The Hardware Part
The ’3000 is a very small radio measuring
1 foot square and standing about 2 inches
tall. The left and right sides are perforated
for ventilation to allow sufficient air flow on
both sides of the radio.
The front panel has only a power switch,
1
⁄4 inch jacks for CW key and headphones and
an RJ-45 microphone jack wired to match the
Yaesu MH-31 microphone pinout. Optional
microphone cables, headsets and accessories
are available.
The rear panel (Figure 1) is a little busier,
but not much. It has a Molex connector for
dc power, a ground screw, BNC antenna connector, FireWire interface and external PTT
connection for a foot pedal or hand switch.
A keying line is also provided for control of
a power amplifier or other external equipment. A line level audio output is included
for connecting to powered speakers. Finally,
the rear panel has a FlexWire I/O interface
for use with FlexRadio accessories.
For the basic configuration all you need
is power, ground, antenna, FireWire cable,
speakers or headphones and a microphone.
Hardware connections are minimal; hookup
From October 2009 QST © ARRL
Table 1
FlexRadio FLEX-3000, serial number 1709-0037
Manufacturer’s Specifications Measured in the ARRL Lab
Frequency coverage: Receive, 0.03-65 MHz; Receive and transmit, as specified.
transmit, 1.8-2.0, 3.5-4, 5.3305, 5.3465,
5.3665, 5.3715, 5.4035, 7-7.3, 10.1-10.15,
14-14.35, 18.068-18.168, 21-21.45,
24.89-24.99, 28-29.7, 50-54 MHz.
Power requirement: 13.8 ± 10% V dc; receive, 13.8 V dc; receive 2.8 A (max audio);
3.5 A (max audio); transmit, transmit, 18 A typical (100 W out).
23 A (100 W out).
Modes of operation: SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY, As specified.
Packet.
Receiver Receiver Dynamic Testing
SSB/CW sensitivity: 500 Hz bandwidth, Noise Floor (MDS), 500 Hz filter:
14 MHz MDS, preamp off/on: Preamp off Preamp on
–123/–133 dBm. 0.137 MHz –123 dBm N/A
0.505 MHz –126 dBm N/A
1.0 MHz –125 dBm N/A
3.5 MHz –118 dBm –122 dBm
14 MHz –120 dBm –135 dBm
50 MHz –114 dBm –137 dBm
Noise figure: Not specified. 14 MHz, preamp off/on: 27/12 dB
AM sensitivity: Not specified. 10 dB (S+N)/N, 1 kHz, 30% modulation:
Preamp off Preamp on
1.0 MHz 3.63 µV N/A
3.8 MHz 7.15 µV 4.36 µV
50 MHz 12.6 µV 0.72 µV
FM sensitivity: Not specified. For 12 dB SINAD:
Preamp off Preamp on
29 MHz 3.63 µV 0.23 µV
52 MHz 6.38 µV 0.32 µV
Spectral display sensitivity, preamp off/on: –125/–140 dBm.
Not specified.
Blocking gain compression: Not specified. Gain compression, 500 Hz bandwidth*:
20 kHz offset 5/2 kHz offset
Preamp off/on Preamp off
3.5 MHz 111/107 dB 111/111 dB
14 MHz 112/105 dB 112/112 dB
50 MHz 109/104 dB 109/109 dB
Reciprocal Mixing (500 Hz BW): Not specified. 20/5/2 kHz offset: better than 114 dBc.**
ARRL Lab Two-Tone IMD Testing
Measured Measured Calculated
Band/Preamp Spacing Input Level IMD Level IMD DR IP3
3.5 MHz/Off 20 kHz –17 dBm –118 dBm 101 dB +34 dBm
–13 dBm –97 dBm +29 dBm
14 MHz/Off 20 kHz –23 dBm –120 dBm 97 dB +26 dBm
–14 dBm –97 dBm +28 dBm
0 dBm†† –13 dBm +7 dBm
14 MHz/On 20 kHz –40 dBm –135 dBm 95 dB +8 dBm
–37 dBm –97 dBm –7 dBm
14 MHz/Off 5 kHz –24 dBm –120 dBm 96 dB +24 dBm
–15 dBm –97 dBm +26 dBm
0 dBm†† –13 dBm +7 dBm
14 MHz/Off 2 kHz –25 dBm –120 dBm 95 dB +23 dBm
–15 dBm –97 dBm +26 dBm
0 dBm†† –13 dBm +7 dBm
50 MHz/Off 20 kHz –22 dBm –114 dBm 92 dB +24 dBm
–13 dBm –97 dBm +29 dBm
is the usual, plug this here, plug that there.
No big deal. As tempting as it may be, don’t
power up the FLEX-3000 until you complete
the software installation, though.
The Software Part
To put the ’3000 on the air, first you have
to get PowerSDR (PSDR) properly installed.
†
When we received the ’3000, version 1.18.0
was current. As is common today, FlexRadio
provides a hardcopy Quick Start Guide. The
QSG separates the installation process into
four parts: hardware hookup, IEEE 1394
FireWire driver installation, PowerSDR instal-
lation and driver/PowerSDR configuration.
To install PSDR v1.18.0, we also needed
Manufacturer’s Specifications Measured in the ARRL Lab
Second-order dynamic range: Not specified. Preamp off/on: 14 MHz, +98/+78 dB;
52 MHz, +107/+93 dB.
DSP noise reduction: Not specified. Variable, 10 dB maximum.
Notch filter depth: Not specified. Auto notch: 60 dB, attack time: 300 ms.
FM two-tone, third-order IMD dynamic range: 20 kHz offset, preamp on:
Not specified. 29 MHz, 62 dB; 52 MHz, 55 dB.
10 MHz channel spacing: 52 MHz, 85 dB.
S-meter sensitivity: Not specified. S9 signal at 14.2 MHz: preamp off,
49.7 µV; preamp on, 49.7 µV.
Squelch sensitivity: Not specified. At threshold, preamp on: SSB, 0.11 µV;
FM, 29 MHz, 0.11 µV; 52 MHz, 0.35 µV.
Receiver audio output: –10 dBV at 600 Ω As specified (fixed level on rear jack;
uses external amplified speakers).
IF/audio response: Not specified. Range at –6 dB points, (bandwidth)‡:
CW (500 Hz): 266-795 Hz (529 Hz).
USB: (2.4 kHz): 112-2611 Hz (2499 Hz).
LSB: (2.4 kHz): 108-2613 Hz (2505 Hz).
AM: (6 kHz ): 35-3003 Hz (5936 Hz).
Image rejection: >70 dB (160-6 m amateur bands) 14 MHz, 96 dB; 50 MHz, 71 dB.
Transmitter Transmitter Dynamic Testing
Power output: 1-100 W PEP CW, SSB; HF: CW, SSB, RTTY, packet, typically
AM, 1-25 W. 0-104 W, FM, 0-42 W, AM, 0-37 W.
50 MHz: CW, SSB, RTTY, packet,
0-100 W, FM, 0-42 W, AM, 0-35 W.
Spurious-signal and harmonic suppression: HF, 54 dB; 50 MHz, 60 dB.
>55 dB on HF,>65 dB on 50 MHz. Meets FCC requirements.
SSB carrier suppression: 55 dB. >70 dB.
Undesired sideband suppression: 55 dB. 65 dB.
Third-order intermodulation distortion (IMD) 3rd/5th/7th/9th order (worst case):
products: >33 dB below PEP at 14.2 MHz HF, –31/–36/–43/–48 dB PEP;
50 MHz, –30/–44/–44/–48 dB PEP.
CW keyer speed range: Not specified. 1 to 54 WPM.
CW keying characteristics: Not specified. See Figure 3.
Transmit-receive turnaround time (PTT release S9 signal, 66 ms.
to 50% audio output): Not specified.
Receive-transmit turnaround time (tx delay): SSB, 48 ms; FM, 44 ms.
Composite transmitted noise: Not specified. See Figures 4 and 5.
Size (height, width, depth): 1.8 × 12.3 × 12.3 inches; weight, 7.3 pounds.
Price: $1599
*Blocking level exceeds the threshold of ADC clipping.
**No reciprocal mixing occurred up to the threshold of ADC clipping.
†
ARRL Product Review testing now includes Two-Tone IMD results at several signal levels. Two-
Tone, 3rd-Order Dynamic Range figures comparable to previous reviews are shown on the first
line in each group. The “IP3” column is the calculated Third-Order Intercept Point. Second-order
intercept points were determined using a –97 dBm reference.
††
IMD level exceeds the threshold of ADC clipping.
‡
Default values; adjustable with DSP.
to install the ’3000 firmware, the Windows
FireWire device driver, Microsoft .Net 1.1
and Microsoft .Net 1.1 SP1. The installation
did provide some “challenging” moments but
we were able to get the ’3000 up and running
with a few hours work and some downloads
from FlexRadio. In particular make sure you
download and install the .Net software, if you
Equivalent Rectangular BW: 516 Hz.
don’t already have it, before attempting the
installation. (FlexRadio includes the appropriate .NET libraries on the installation CD with
radios that are currently shipping.)
The FireWire driver and PDSR have
mutual settings that need to match for optimum performance. Follow the instructions
and configure them as indicated. Finally, be
‡
sure to configure the Audio Mixer, which
controls the audio inputs and outputs to the
FLEX-3000.
The Inevitable Upgrade
During the course of this review, Flex
Radio made available the next release of
PowerSDR — version 1.18.2. This upgrade
adds no new features to version 1.18.0 and
consists mostly of bug fixes and some performance enhancements.
To upgrade to v1.18.2, you must first
install Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP 1,
then the FLEX FireWire driver, v3.4.0.5254
and finally firmware 1.2.5.5 before installing
PowerSDR v1.18.2. Okay, you ask, where do
I get all this stuff? Starting at the FlexRadio
home page you will see a box titled CURRENT
VERSIONS OF SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION. Click on the POWERSDR REL
NOTES 1.18.2 link. This will take you to the
release notes for a description of the changes
in the new release. There you will find a list of
the additional software that is required.
To download .NET Framework 3.5 you
need to go to the Microsoft Web site.2 For the
FireWire driver and firmware upgrades, click
on the DOWNLOADS button at the top of the
FlexRadio page. This will bring you to a list
of available downloads that includes the ones
needed for the upgrade. Download the appropriate installers and then stop right there.
It is a wise computer user who, before
installing new software or upgrades, runs
a backup, sets a restore point and starts the
Add New Software tool resident in Windows.
Done? Okay, now you can start the upgrade.
Front Console and Spectrum Display
Opening PSDR displays the Front Console (FC, see Figure 2) in an inactive state.
Clicking the START button at the upper left
will get the action going. The FC is a busy
window composed of buttons, text boxes,
sliders and numerical controls all grouped
around the main display in the center. Frequency controls are along the top. Metering,
band, mode and filter controls are along the
right side. On the left side are audio, AGC,
squelch, transmit control and date/time
functions. Along the bottom are VFO, DSP,
display and mode specific controls.
On the display area in the center of the
screen, real time signal information can
be viewed in nine different formats. The
parameters of the various formats are all
configurable.
The Panadapter format shows signal ac-
tivity across the IF passband (see Figure 2).
The selected main receive and transmit filters
may be superimposed on this broad display of
band activity. The red line running down the
2
Go to www.microsoft.com/net and click
on DOWNLOADS then navigate to the .NET
Framework 3.5 page.
From October 2009 QST © ARRL
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