FLEX-6000 Signature Series – Maestro User Guide
Page 122
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29 HOW TO OPERATE IN FULL DUPLEX (FDX) MODE
All FLEX-6000 Signature Series Transceivers are inherently capable of full duplex operation. In normal
simplex operation, all Slice Receivers are muted when transmitting. When Full Duplex (FDX) is
enabled, the transmitting Slice Receiver is muted along with all other Slice Receivers on the same
antenna. Receivers located on different antennas from the transmitter are not muted during
transmission.
FDX is only possible if the two Slice Receivers are using separate physically isolated antennas. Since
two receivers are used, two signals may be heard simultaneously when in receive. When the radio
is switched to transmit, the transmitting Slice Receiver will no longer emit receive audio, but the
other receiver will continue to receive.
The transmitting Slice Receiver is muted primarily because it contains a delayed version of the radio’s
transmit signal. This delayed transmit signal results in operator confusion if heard at the same time
transmit audio is being produced. In the event that hearing this signal is the desired goal, another
Slice Receiver may be placed on the same frequency as the transmit Slice. This receiver will not be
muted and delayed transmit audio can be heard provided that the receiver’s receiving antenna is
different from the transmit antenna.
Select Full Duplex mode by tapping the FDX button in a Slice Receiver Menu.
29.1 FDX REQUIREMENTS
In order to use FDX mode, the following requirements must be met:
• The transmitting antenna and receive antenna must be different
• The transmitting Slice Receiver and receiving Slice Receivers must be different (two or more
receivers must be used)
• The radio must be placed into FDX mode
• The signal level of the received transmit signal coming into the receive antenna must be
below the overload threshold of the Spectral Capture Unit (SCU, details below)
The first three steps involve setting up the radio properly, but the fourth step requires understanding
your antenna system and signal level environment in detail by performing the necessary calculations
to ensure proper operation. A detailed explanation of this and working examples are provided below.
29.2 FDX APPLICATIONS
There are two initial applications of FDX mode:
• FLEX-6700 Single Operator Two Radio (SO2R) operation
• Full Duplex amateur satellite operation using appropriate transverters
SO2R mode is used by single operator contesters to boost scores by listening on two bands
simultaneously and alternating the transmit band, interleaving listening and transmitting tasks. As
always, consult the contest rules for any requirements or restrictions on operating in this manner.
Presently, SO2R operation is only possible on the FLEX-6600M and FLEX-6700.