I had a conversation with Nate, one of the sales reps for the new
FlexRadio "PowerGenius XL" solid state 2000W (ICAS) amplifier.
Unfortunately, I'm sorry to report that for CW operators such as myself,
the news is not very encouraging. The issues I inquired about
specifically were (1) T/R switching, (e.g., whether the amp used vacuum
relays or PIN diode switching); (2) Whether the 20 msec "warning" the
transceiver had to give the amplifier before sending RF to it was really
necessary. And (3) what the measured fan noise is and whether the fan(s)
used sleeve bearings (which to me normally means low reliability) or
high reliability ball bearings.
Nate tried to be helpful and did best he could, but couldn't provide
detailed answers on the spot. He promised to have one of the Flex
engineers call me, and I'll report back when I get the info. However, I
did learn that the amplifier uses non-vacuum, enclosed relays
manufactured by Finder, model 4052.9.012.0000, but I haven't been able
to track down the relay specs. The US distributor for Finder relays
appears to Platt Electric Co., an industrial electronics distributor
based in the western United States. Finder is a new name for me. The
company appears to make several small power plastic-encased relays
similar to other brands sold by Mouser, Digikey, Allied, etc.
Normally, one would want T/R switching time, including contact bounce to
be under roughly 10msec. Nate said that the amplifier is not designed
for QSK operation, which suggests that the T/R switching may not be as
quiet as many hams would like.
The PowerGenius XL was obviously designed to meet the needs of serious
SO2R contesters, but was evidently engineered without much input from
the (presumed much larger) pool of CW operators and contesters. To me
this problem is reminiscent of CW problems with some early Flex models.
Since then, Flex completely solved those problems with their 6000
Signature series of transceivers, which have superb CW capabilities. I
hope the CW issues with the new PowerGenius XL amplier can also be
addressed, because I've got my checkbook out and think it would sure
look swell on my operating desk next to my Flex 6300 and 6500 radios.
73,
Jim W8ZR
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