FlexRadio Signature FLEX-6000 Series User Manual (English)

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FLEX-6000 SIGNATURE SERIES

MAESTRO USER GUIDE

SmartSDR Version 3.7.3

February 19, 2024

Default Chapter2
- Table of Contents2
1 How to Request Technical Support and Assistance10
2 Key Contacts11
3 Getting to Know Your Maestro12
- Identifying Your Maestro Model12
- Front Panel Controls13
- Rear Panel Connectors14
  - Maestro "C" Rear Panel Layout14
  - Maestro "A" and "B" Rear Panel Layout15
4 Setting up Your Maestro16
- External DC Power Requirements16
  - Maestro "C" External Power Requirements16
  - Maestro "A" and "B" External Power Requirements16
- Battery Packs and Banks17
- Network Interface25
- Input Devices26
- Starting/Stopping the Maestro31
- Wifi Network Setup31
- Network Status34
5 Multiflex36
6 Connecting to a Radio38
7 How to Select Maestro and Radio Software40
- Selecting a Smartsdr Version and Installing It40
- Licensing Smartsdr Version 241
8 Smartlink43
- Smartlink Overview43
- Smartlink Setup44
- Using Smartlink50
9 Smartcontrol54
- Smartcontrol Brings the Best of both Worlds to Your Shack54
- Why Would You Want to Use Smartcontrol Instead of the Mouse in Smartsdr54
- Who will Find Smartcontrol Valuable54
- Getting Started - Activating Smartcontrol55
- Operating with Smartcontrol56
10 Maestro Overview62
- Theory of Operation62
- Key System Components62
11 How to Operate a Slice Receiver65
- How to Create and Delete a Slice Receiver65
- How to Tune a Slice Receiver65
- Making a Slice Receiver Active66
- How to Change the Demodulation Mode67
- How to Adjust the Speaker and Headphone Volume of a Slice Receiver67
- How to Change the RX Filter of a Slice Receiver67
- Recording and Playback of Slice Receiver Audio68
12 How to Operate the Panadapter / Waterfall69
- How to Create / Delete a Panadapter / Waterfall69
- How to Create / Delete a Slice Receiver in the Second Panadapter69
- How to Change the Panadapter Frequency (Tune)69
- How to Zoom a Panadapter69
- How to Change the Signal Magnitude Scale of a Panadapter71
- Adjusting the Panadapter and Waterfall Controls71
13 Noise Mitigation72
14 How to Configure Noise Mitigation73
- AGC Threshold73
- DSP Noise Mitigation Features74
- Wideband Noise Blanker (WNB)74
- Slice Specific Noise Blanker (NB)75
- Noise Reduction (NR)75
15 How to Use Tracking Notch Filters76
- Tracking Notch Filter Theory76
- Creating and Adjusting a Tracking Notch Filter76
- Turning All Tracking Notch Filters on or off78
- Automatic Notch Filter (ANF)79
16 How to Use Profiles80
- MIC Profiles80
- Transmit Profiles81
- Global Profiles82
- Saving and Deleting Profiles82
- Loading Profiles84
- Default Profiles84
- Comparing Profiles and Persistence84
17 How to Operate Maestro Audio88
- Playing Slice Audio Using the Default Playback Device88
- Transmitting Using a Connected Recording Device88
- Configuring the Audio Output Devices89
- PTT Override When Operating Via Maestro89
- Operating CW When Operating Via Maestro89
- Monitoring Remote Audio and Network Performance89
  - Network Health Indicator90
  - Network Diagnostics91
18 How to Operate Multiflex92
- Shared Resources92
19 How to Operate CW Mode95
- How to Operate CW in Split Mode96
- CW Transmitting97
  - Straight Key and Paddles97
- Using the Built-In Keyer99
- How to Operate QRQ (High Speed) CW with QSK100
- How to Connect an External Keyer Using the Fsk/Key Input on the Accessory Connector100
- Using CW with a Contest Logger100
20 How to Operate Single Sideband Mode (SSB)101
- How to Select the SSB RX Filter Bandwidth101
- Selecting RX Filter Favorites101
- How to Operate SSB in Split Mode102
- How to Configure the Audio Controls for Phone Modes103
- Monitoring Your Transmitted Audio107
- Recommended Audio Adjustment Steps for Phone Modes108
21 How to Operate am and SAM Modes109
22 How to Operate FM Mode110
- Operating FM Repeaters110
- Memory Channels111
23 How to Operate Diversity Reception (FLEX-6600(M) and 6700 Only)113
24 How to Operate the ATU115
- Modes of Operation115
- ATU Match Frequency Range115
- Manual Mode116
- Memory Mode116
25 How to Configure Antennas118
- Getting Started118
- Selecting the Transmit Antenna for a Slice Receiver118
- Antenna Options for PIN Diode QSK Operation118
- Using a Common Receive Antenna with Separate Transmit Antennas119
- Using Two Transceive Antennas on the FLEX-6700120
- Using a Dedicated Receive Antenna121
- Receive-Only Antenna Operation121
- Antenna Selection for Transverter Operation122
- Using the Receiver RF Gain/Preamplifiers123
- Setting the RF Gain/Preamplifiers124
- Antenna Configuration Basic Terms and Rules125
26 Displaying Spots in Smartsdr for Maestro127
27 How to Configure Transverters130
- Using a Transverter132
- Multiple Copies of a Band133
- Transverter Power Settings133
- Transmitting on a Transverter134
- Weak Signal Considerations134
28 Using the Flexradio Power Genius XL Amplifier135
29 How to Connect an External Amplifier137
30 USB Cables138
- USB Cables Overview138
- Cable Management139
31 How to Operate in Digital Modes146
- PTT Override When Operating Digital Modes146
- RTTY Mode147
- DIGI Mode Audio Offsets148
32 How to Operate in Full Duplex (FDX) Mode149
- FDX Requirements149
- FDX Applications149
- FDX Capabilities by Radio Model150
  - FLEX-6600(M) and FLEX-6700 SO2R Operation150
  - FLEX-6300 and FLEX-6500 Full Duplex151
- SCU Overload Fundamentals151
- Full Duplex Antenna Isolation Requirements153
33 Main Menu154
- Introduction154
- Maestro Tab154
- Radio Tab155
- Function F1-F6 Tab157
- Network Tab158
- Audio Tab161
- Transmit Tab162
- TX Band Settings Tab164
- Phone/Cw Tab166
  - Straight Key and Paddles167
- XVTR Tab168
- Profiles Tab168
- Memory Tab168
- USB Cables Tab168
- Spots Tab169
- Multiflex Tab169
- GPS Tab170
34 Slice Receiver172
- Definition172
- Carrier Frequency172
- Receive Filter172
- Dynamic Filter Depth173
35 Front Panel Display174
- Introduction174
- Display Upper Bar174
- Display Panadapters180
36 Front Panel Knobs and Buttons187
- Slice Receiver Activation Buttons187
- Slice Receiver Tuning Knobs and Buttons189
- Slice Receiver Audio Knobs190
- Slice Receiver Bandwidth Knobs191
- Transmitter Knobs and Buttons192
- TX Menu193
  - Audio Modes Transmitter Menu193
  - CW Mode Transmitter Control Panel195
- Function Buttons196
37 Restoring to Factory Defaults197
38 Error and Status Messages198
- Thermal over Temperature198
- Reverse RF Power Detected198
- Interlock Is Preventing Transmission198
- Transmit Slice Has Not Been Selected198
- Max Power Set too Low for ATU198
39 Troubleshooting Tips199
- FLEX-6000 Does Not Show up in the Radio Chooser199
- Maestro Becomes Unresponsive200
- Radio will Not BOOT, or Smartsdr-Win will Not Completely Load200
- FLEX-6000 Not Performing Well after an Upgrade to New Firmware200
- RF Spectrum Not Displayed Properly after Selecting a FLEX-6000 or Audio Stuttering200
- Amber Front Panel Light Stuck on201
- Maestro Starts up in Portrait Mode201
- I Purchased a License, but It Doesn't Show up on the Radio201
- Smartlink Troubleshooting201
40 Legal Notice204
41 Copyright Information206
- User Guide Copyright206
- Software Copyrights206
42 Software Licence Agreements207
- Flexradio Software License207
- GPL Information217

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FlexRadio Signature FLEX-6000 Series Specifications

General

Type	Software Defined Radio (SDR) Transceiver
ADC Resolution	16-bit
DAC Resolution	16-bit
Frequency Range	30 kHz – 54 MHz (Transmit); 30 kHz – 72 MHz (Receive)
Operating Modes	SSB, CW, AM, FM, RTTY, Digital
Output Power	100W (adjustable)
Audio Output	Stereo audio output
Connectivity	Ethernet, USB
Software	SmartSDR (Windows)
Receiver Architecture	Direct Sampling
Master Oscillator Stability	±0.5 ppm (TCXO)
Dimensions	Varies by model
Weight	Varies by model
Power Supply	13.8 VDC