Using an iPad Mini for Remote HF | Flex 8000 Series | Flex 8600 | Flex using a RF2K-S Amplifier

[@dekcap503]

Always interesting, informative and well-produced videos Capt. Darren. Thanks for being out there!

[@k0mo.]

Darren, thanks for the great video! I'm happy to see that I inspired you to remote with the iPad mini. It's a very nice light and portable setup for the Flex 8000 series. 73, Manny K0MO

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Muchas Gracias! 73

[@cqarizona4461]

Great demo Darren...will be looking for add'l as you get your new system fine tuned. Thanks

[@DarrenN4VFR]

I wanted to create a video on how to update you SmartSDR to V3.8.20 however, it will require me to do a hard reboot/reset of the 8600. I'll have to wait another day to create that video. Additionally, I need to setup my 8600 for, "Rem On" so I can turn on my 8600 in the event of a power failure in the house. 73

[@VP2EIHonAnguillaIsland]

Heyy 👋Capt. Darren, Glad to see that you got the remote going.. #AwaitingMyflex 🤩73🎙Ira

[@PrecisionGroupYT]

Enjoy your remote operation on your new Flex 8600!! I know it must be nice to be able to play HF while you are traveling! At some point I will get my Flex 6400M up and running remotely on my iPad! Thanks for the videos! 73 K4BBC

[@gregrosler565]

Can't wait to hear how you compare this to the anon after a couple months operating. Thanks for the great video.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

For now, I use the Flex strictly for Remote Ops which beats using my Icom IC7610. My Anan G2 and 200d are used for operations when I'm home in the shack. I will plan to compare them both in future videos.

[@KD0RC]

Hi Darren, another nice video! I can hear the powerline noise that you have at your home QTH. If you haven't already, try moving the WNB slider up to around 80 or 90 to see if it helps reduce it some. I had a problem here ant it reduced it nearly 10 dB. They must have fixed whatever it was, so I don't really have that issue anymore. Also check your AGC-T control. Flex defaults it to waaay to big a number if you have a noisy environment. I find that on the upper bands it needs to be around 33 and on the lower bands it needs to be somewhere around 24. You will have to see what it needs to be at your place depending on time of day, band, solar or atmospheric conditions, etc etc. 73, Len, KD0RC

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Len, I adjusted the WNB to around 89. Still have the powerline noise, didn't bring it down. Is there a way to enable the AGC-T for the iPad IOS SmartSDR? I've looked everywhere and didn't see that adjustment. Maybe only on the Windows version.

[@KD0RC]

@@DarrenN4VFR On your video at 8:31, the pop-up shows MED and a slider. That is the AGC-T. As I suspected, it is all the way up and needs to be reduced until there is a noticeable drop in the noise. I hope that helps! 73, Len

[@DarrenN4VFR]

@@KD0RC Len, yes... That's the AGC-Medium. You are right, when I move the slider to the Left, it tightens up the gain so I only can pick up stronger signals.

[@thuff3207]

Thank you for showing the flex setup with an iPad mini. You mentioned the power line noise. I wonder if you have a common mode choke in line with the radio antenna inputs.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Yes, I have a CMC in line. I just need to move to a new location. It would be a waste because I'm almost done with my tower.

[@stolf2nd]

Thinking about a Flex. Is it possible to pair a bluetooth device to the ipad to use as a vox mic?

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Yeah, it works. I've tested with my DJI Mic 2.

[@ccgg3913]

many thanks for your great videos... hesitating between a 8600 or a icon 7610/7760, any thoughts ? 73

[@DarrenN4VFR]

What are your plans? Me, I'm a pilot and can connect to the Flex 8600 remotely. Therefore, I need the Flex SDR for this. If you like good sounding studio audio and operate at 4K for rag chews, I'd go for an Anan G2 or Hermes Light operating Thetis software. If you like clean transmission, good CW rig, the 7610 fits the bill. If you don't have room on the desk for a full size HF XCVR, get the 7760, Icom's new Flagship. Flex can sound good too with a good quality studio microphone and using it's built in EQ. Good luck!

[@ccgg3913]

Thanks Darren, leaning towards the 8600 also given the space saving maestro, a bit worried that you need to be a computer geek to operate the software (so I am told but is it true ?) but it feels the part 73

[@MikeStammer]

PLEASE tell me you are using a vpn into your home network and/or a password at least on that vnc connection? if not, let me know and lets talk about how you can securely access your stuff remotely without security issues

[@DarrenN4VFR]

I used to use NordVPN. You can send me an email look me up QRZ.

[@davefugleberg5113]

Have you tried operating CW remotely with this setup? Just wondering if there is a way to connect a key or paddles via the iPad app… looks like a perfect setup for traveling ! 73 de W0ZF

[@DarrenN4VFR]

I haven't tried CW. I'm not sure. Ask the Flex Enthusiast Group on Facebook.

[@82Lineman]

Darren i know you have owned an IC-7610. Curious how you would compare it with the new Flex 8600? I had the 6500 and a few 6400’s, then went to the 7610 after several issues with Flex. Curious of your thoughts of the 2. Noise abatement? I run mostly remote and have used SmartSDR iOS and now SDRControl with the icom. Has the 8600 got any new features in the app over the 6000 series?

[@DarrenN4VFR]

This is my 1st time owning a FLEX and I went for the top of the line, 8600. I won't be using it to it's maximum capacity only using it for Remote HF Operations. So far it's Superior to the Icom IC7610 in Remote Operations. There's been 1 hotel where the Smart Link was dropping offline. I believed it to be the Hotel's ISP and not Smart Links issue. I have a strong powerline RFI in my neighborhood and it's really hard to tell which one has better noise reductions. While I'm at home, I switch to the Anan G2 which has better Noise Reduction and Pure Signal where I'm clean on transmission. The Flex is already clean when transmitting also. I ask my fellow hams whom I rag chew with and they see me transmitting clean. Additionally, I like running 4K wide and the Flex does that where the Icom is limited to 3K. The iPad Mini that I use to run SmartSDR also has excellent mic audio. I hope that helps you out. Sorry if you had back luck on previous Flex.

[@mikegianfrancesco9431]

Still waiting for my radio

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Ah, okay.

[@peterg2yt]

Me too! Very interested to see how it compares with the 6400