SDR as first HF radio?

[WA2CWA]

That's good to know, and is new info to me! I did buy and then sell an SDR-1000 (older Flex rig) but I don't think they had this policy then, or if they did, I didn't know about it.

Ah well, I had it about 90 days (not 30) anyway.

Ah, another test. I like challenges.
From Internet archive, December 12, 2004, FlexRadio site, SDR-1000:
"Product may be returned for full credit within 30 days from shipment if it is returned in new condition and in the original packing materials."

Pete, wa2cwa

[N0AZZ]

If you would care to do any research on radios you will find not one Contester or top DXer use a SDR and most of all the Flex and there is a reason. They do not compare to a half way decent analog radio for the serious user.

I have the top rated radio a FTDX-5000 but I use a SRD with it tied to the IF out on the radio and use it for a panadapter. What I use is an SDRIQ unit receiver and software from 2 programmers it works great. But stick with a regular radio to start with later on if you decide you want a full SDR then but one at least with a standard radio you can operate on 12v and no computer not with a SDR.

[KD5SPX]

Any electronics that is dependent on an external computer running software is not only unacceptable, unreliable and sure not for me!

[WB2WIK]

Any electronics that is dependent on an external computer running software is not only unacceptable, unreliable and sure not for me!

I get that.

Although if you have any "modern" (recently manufactured) multi-mode HF transceiver, it already is a computer and radio in one chassis, with lots of stuff software defined (although it's likely to be firmware, in programmable devices).

Not a lot of difference, although RISCs aren't as burdened as CPUs running multiple applications, nor as expensive.

Then, the power of multi-core high-speed CPUs is quite something and not found in common rigs. Hyundai vs. Ferrari, in some ways...

[N9ZP]

If you would care to do any research on radios you will find not one Contester or top DXer use a SDR and most of all the Flex and there is a reason. They do not compare to a half way decent analog radio for the serious user.

I have the top rated radio a FTDX-5000 but I use a SRD with it tied to the IF out on the radio and use it for a panadapter. What I use is an SDRIQ unit receiver and software from 2 programmers it works great. But stick with a regular radio to start with later on if you decide you want a full SDR then but one at least with a standard radio you can operate on 12v and no computer not with a SDR.

He never stated that he was looking for a contest rig Fred (fifty nine).

I'm not sure why every thread dealing with radios you feel the need to mention your #1 top rated(by one engineering firm) FTDX 5000. Who cares?

I'll take a Flex 5000A SDR all day long over that yakimo rice box.

Yaesu really needed to step up there game with the 5000 after the FT-2000 and 9000. Now the Flex 6500/6700 series and potentially the new kenwood will more then likely push Yaesu and Icom to the back if the bus again.

[KJ6VWX]

As a newly licensed General, I will throw in my two cents for what it's worth. I don't have near the expertise of most everyone on here, but my thought: Why not go to a ham flea market and pick up a nice, used HF rig (Yaesu, Kenwood, ICOM, etc) for a few hundred dollars and play around with it on the bands for a while. You can pick up some rigs that were pretty much state-of-the-art in their day, perform very well and will only set you back $300 or $400. Once you've had some fun, then you can go out and spend mega bucks on an SDR.

[N8CSU]

I think you would have a lot more fun with an Icom R-71A used from ebay, or ham fest, they are quality radios at a low price and come with many features.

[WA9SVD]

I think you would have a lot more fun with an Icom R-71A used from ebay, or ham fest, they are quality radios at a low price and come with many features.

And the transmit capability of the R-71A is...?