[Amps] Flex Power Genius XL 2KW amplifier

[Jim Garland]

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