FLEXRADIO 8600 Unboxing and comparison to Flex 6300

[@chrishu7062]

Excellent video and comments. The video clarifies many aspects I had doubts about, and I agree with you that this is the future, at least for the next 10 years.73 and many DXs

[@Homer19521]

Happy for you. Friend of mine went from the 6400 to 8400. He said the same as far as the receiver is concerned. But he sounds better on SSB with the 8400. His 6400 always had an edge/distortion & his 8400 does not. Thanx for the compare. Have fun.

[@KD0RC]

Congratulations on your new radio! I am sure that you will love it. One thing - when putting a simple T to connect the radios, do it on the RX antenna ports, not ANT1 or ANT2. That way, you have no chance of transmitting into one of the radios. 73, Len, KD0RC

[@VP2EIHonAnguillaIsland]

Congrats on ya new rig 👋🏻73 🎙 Ira😊

[@markgriffin2285]

I understand that the 8000 series boots up faster than previous models. I understand the noise filtering will be better and that is coming next year at least that's what they have said. Mark KB3Z

[@markgriffin2285]

You would need to experiment with the AGC-T on both receivers. That should give you a look as to how each receiver works on low to noise level signals.

[@ch716]

The 6300/6700 is such a better form factor. Such a large, clunky case and nonstandard rackmount height. I would pay more for a smaller case. A nice radio nonetheless.

[@G0ogs]

I have to agree with you on that, It would be a lot more practical to have it a 2U size.

[@ch716]

@ absolutely! They did it before, why not now?

[@williamarquett5948]

I just received mine today 11/12/24 It is number 267 on the bottom with the signatures. I ordered mine in Dayton on Friday morning 5/17 at 9:30 AM just curious as to what yours number is. The first thing I did when I took it out of the box was to turn it upside down. I haven't turned it on yet.

[@ibtm]

When did you order yours? I ordered mine inn Sept---should get it in December.

[@DoctorOhm]

May 17, 10 minutes after the announcement email arrived in my inbox!

[@AJ9FE]

you missed showing us that it has the signature plate on bottom.

[@MrOverclocked92]

And the unit number (signature plate was only on the first 100)... it flashed when you unboxed it so we know it is there.....

[@DoctorOhm]

Yes! Why didn't you guys yell at me while I was unboxing it? HA! I did not see it until yesterday. I never looked at the bottom of it until I saw a picture of someone else's bottom! (or their radio!) Now I've got stuff on top and it's hard to get to. I'll get a picture of it eventually.

[@W3VOC]

Sweet

[@stargazer7644]

"Future proof" Good luck getting the software for this to work on anything in 20 years.

[@DoctorOhm]

But for the next 10 years or more I'll have a state of the art SDR!

[@stargazer7644]

@@DoctorOhm 10 years? Hardly. Maybe for 6-12 months. Until the Flex 8800 comes out.

[@DoctorOhm]

@@stargazer7644 You haven't followed FlexRadio for long have you? The 6400/6600/6700 came out 10+ years ago. I don't expect the next generation in less than 5 years.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

enjoy great rig 73 from kb2uew

[@anthonym0vdo132]

i will take the collins line up over that over hyped Flex , thanks for the video and your honest review Tony M0VDO

[@DoctorOhm]

I have a KWM-2A also but I'll use the Flex for serious DXing or Digital contacts. The Collins is nice for just a relaxed QSO on 75 phone.

[@peterg2yt]

Try using the Collins remote…😂. Sure the Collins is a fabulous old radio and a lot of pleasure to use, but you need to the right tools for the right job!

[@DoctorOhm]

What are the new 8000 series only features that are coming? Go to the 27 minute point in this video from FlexRadio: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGHYmXiKrK5latk&ab_channel=RayWaldemar

[@Chris_In_Texas]

Its cool, but because it can't operate standalone it will become obsolete much quicker than a traditional radio that doesn't depend on software / PC. I have seen it happen on other tech, one recent one that comes to mind, the Fisker Ocean SUV. When the company goes under with your software defined car. You will need to keep a 2020's PC around for its life as well and make sure you constantly download the software to make sure you have a full install copy in-case they go under or stop making it / supporting it. Floppy discs, CDROM drive anyone? Nice radio today for sure although I think I might like the M series with the displays for a longer term investment.

[@DoctorOhm]

My Flex 6300 is 10 years old last month. I've gone from Windows XP to 11 with the software. Plus the iOS app works great too on my iPhone and iPad. Some app works with the 8600 too. They update the Flex software to keep up with Windows so I'm sure 20 years from now I'll have some s/w I can use. But then again, I expect I'll be using a 10000 series Flex by then! With embedded AI or something.

[@raykirkland555]

Not for 5k wtf i can do all that with half my rigs!

[@jpcgpc]

It’s still not a anan

[@DoctorOhm]

And that's a good thing....

[@RobB_VK6ES]

@@DoctorOhm That rather depends. Anan has had Pure signal and better noise reduction for years while Flex just promise. In fact they went through a full product cycle with the same unkept promises. Flex do all Flex's software on the radio and operate with a thin client so good for remote shacks Anan runs open source Thetis as a thick client on the PC meaning you are not dependant on radio manuf. to update software. Downside, it's not so convenient to run remotely.

[@MrFreddarama]

Exactly. The Anan beats Flex on Rx and Tx and was half the cost. Also Anan is easily available for questions and support. I contacted Flex for buying commercial HF radios for a multi billionaire client that wants some for his bunkers and they never answered our inquiries.

[@jasonmirabile5184]

Pretty cool how you can pull up all those bands simultaneously. Use the new Flex in good health. 73 kd2lrx