Studying for exams and new feature alert!

One of the most intriguing features of FlexRadio Systems' SDR is their ability to calibrate themselves using BITE (built-in test equipment). There are a series of calibrations tests that the radio can run on itself to optimize various operating parameters or check the operation of the hardware. Some examples of these tests include checking the integrity the RX/TX filter banks, calibrating the S-meter so that -73 dBm is S9 on all bands and suppressing the opposite side band for single sideband modes.

Adding the BITE functionality into PowerSDR for a new radio is not a trivial task, but it is a foundational aspect of hardware integration that must be done right first off. These are the activities that have been going on for the past several days and why the blog entries have not been as numerous. The FLEX-1500 is studying hard to pass his tests. It is also a fairly slow time for the beta testers. The developers work all day to add a new hardware calibration test and the testers wring it out in 15 minutes. It isn't very exciting for the testers, but it is a critical path process that will lead to getting other features working like CW and optimizing phone modes.

There is a new feature to talk about that has never been publicly stated. You will be able to connect a receive only antenna to the FLEX-1500. That is right. You can select the transverter XVRX port or the transverter XVTX/C as a receive only port with the PA (5 watt output) port in addition to being able to the the PA port as a transceiver port. This is controlled by an antenna form similar to the one for the FLEX-5000. Like the FLEX-5000, there is an expert antenna mode where you can define the RX and TX antenna on a per band basis. It is a really nifty feature, especially for a low-end QRP rig.