From October 2009 QST © ARRL
PRODUCT REVIEW
Mark J. Wilson, K1RO
Product Review Editor
k1ro@arrl.org
Bottom Line
Key Measurements
Summary
Reviewed by Steve Sant Andrea, AG1YK
Assistant Editor
The FLEX-3000 is a software defined
radio (SDR) that uses a minimum of hardware/
analog components to produce a working
HF/50 MHz, 100 W all mode transceiver. As
with previous FlexRadio offerings, the radio
is only a third of the actual system. It must be
combined with a computer and software.
The computer is a significant factor in
the purchase of a FLEX-3000, as the quality
of the computer greatly affects the overall
system performance. When considering the
FLEX-3000, check FlexRadio’s Web site for
information on computer requirements. For
this review, the ARRL purchased a Dell In-
spiron 530 running an Intel Core 2 Quad CPU
at 2.83 GHz with 3 GB of RAM memory. The
operating system is Windows Vista 6.0.6001
SP1. An IEEE 1394 (FireWire) 400 MB/s in-
terface connects the computer to the radio.
FlexRadio Systems
FLEX-3000 Software Defined
HF/50 MHz Transceiver
The software, FlexRadio Systems Power
SDR, is freely downloadable from FlexRadio’s
Web site. This is the same software used with
other FlexRadio transceivers we’ve reviewed.
It’s regularly updated to improve performance
and add features — one of the big attractions
of an SDR.
Sibling Rivalry
The FLEX-3000 is the little brother of
the FLEX-5000, which QST reviewed last
year.
1
The ’3000 has been designed as an
entry-level SDR for those who are curious
about how these radios actually “play” but
may not want to spend the additional $1000
or so for the advanced capabilities of the
FLEX-5000. It’s also smaller and easier to
The FLEX-3000 is a compact
software defined radio (SDR) in the
mid-range price class. It can be used
at home or paired with a notebook
computer for operation on the go.
Although it gives up some features
compared to the FLEX-5000A, it
doesn’t give up much performance.
1
R. Lindquist, WW3DE, “FlexRadio Systems
FLEX-5000A HF/50 MHz Transceiver,” QST,
Jul 2008, pp 39-45. QST Product Reviews
are available on the Web at www.arrl.org/
members-only/prodrev/.
PR040
80 M
20 M
Dynamic range and intercept
values with preamp off.
Intercept values were determined
using -97 dBm reference
*
Blocking level exceeds the threshold
of ADC clipping.
Key:
-20
-70
,
TX
Transmit 9th-order IMD (dB)
-45
-20
-35
TX
,
Transmit 3rd-Order IMD (dB)
-30
-40 +35
,
2
2 kHz 3rd-Order Intercept (dBm)
26
-40
+35
,
20
20 kHz 3rd-Order Intercept (dBm)
28
29
50
110
,
2
2 kHz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (dB)
95
50
110
,
20
97
101
20 kHz 3rd-Order Dynamic Range (dB)
70
140
112*
111*
2 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)
2
70
140
112*
111*
20 kHz Blocking Gain Compression (dB)
20
Figure 1 — Rear panel connections are straightforward — dc power, antenna, computer,
amplified speakers, TR and amplifier switching and FlexWire I/O for accessories.
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