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FLEX-6000 Signature Series - SmartSDR for Windows Software User’s Guide

Page 141

34 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 (or more) Slice Receivers are using separate physically isolated

antennas. Since at least two receivers are used, two or more frequencies 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 receivers 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. If 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 if the receiver’s receiving antenna is different from the transmit

antenna.

34.1 FDX REQUIREMENTS

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.

34.2 FDX APPLICATIONS

There are two immediate applications of FDX mode:

• FLEX-6600/M and 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.

With SmartSDR v1.5 and greater, SO2R operation is only possible on the FLEX-6700 and FLEX-6600/M.

FlexRadio Systems FLEX-6000 Signature Series User Manual

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