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No power out from new 8400ATU

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I've opened a ticket on this, but in the meantime, perhaps someone can point out my folly. I'm probably omitting something painfully obvious, but I am getting no power output from a new, out of the box 8400ATU which I just bought from FlexRadio as a “previously loved” factory reconditioned unit.

Because this is not my first Flex, SmartSDR 4.2.20 was already on my computer. When I hooked up the new 8400, the first thing it asked for was to update the radio from the previous version (which I presume was 4.2.18). So I updated the radio before doing anything else.

I'm connected to a dummy load (I've actually tried 2 different dummies). When I click on tune, the TUNE and MOX buttons light and the panadapter waterfall stops, but there is no indication on the TX meter, even if I slide the tune power up to 100%. This is consistent on all bands. I've performed a full reset (twice), but there is no change.

I plugged in the microphone, and the Level and Compression indicators dance in keeping with my voice, but there is no indication of power output in the TX window, even with the power slider at 100%. TX filters are set with Low Cut at 100 and High Cut at 3000. And yes, I am in band.

Answers

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator
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    Hi Mark, can you post a screenshot of SmartSDR?

  • Mark K0JM
    Mark K0JM Member ✭✭
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    Screenshot 2026-06-13 20.13.39.jpg

    Here's a screenshot while the TUNE is on but the RF is not indicating.

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator
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    Hi Mark, Can you check your TX Band Settings to be sure that PTT Inhibit is not checked for 80m meters?

  • Mark K0JM
    Mark K0JM Member ✭✭
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    In the TX Band Settings there are no boxes checked of any kind on any band.

  • johnn1jm
    johnn1jm Member ✭✭✭
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    What about Radio Setup-TX-Max Power?

  • Mark K0JM
    Mark K0JM Member ✭✭
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    Screenshot 2026-06-14 06.32.50.jpg

    Everything is just as it was from the reset/reboot.

  • johnn1jm
    johnn1jm Member ✭✭✭
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    Nice call sign, by the way. :-)

    73, John N1JM

  • VE2YI
    VE2YI Member
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    Hi Mark,

    I sure hope you got your 8400 up and running.
    I just received mine a week ago. Got it up and running, all good, except it had no Tx power out.
    Checked everything, got support to help out, and still no go. So back it's gone back to Flex for a checkup and repair. Perhaps they'll replace it. Anyway, I had much the same, if not exactly the same problem as you have (or had). Strange! I've owned a Flex 3000, 5000, and a 6400 and never had an issue. I guess there's always a first time.
    73 de
    Claude - VE2YI
  • Mark K0JM
    Mark K0JM Member ✭✭
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    Mine was repaired and sent back. All good now. They said that a wiring harness had been installed incorrectly. I would have thought that would show up in testing before the radio was shipped to me the first time, but apparently quality control is a little hit and miss these days.

  • John KB4DU
    John KB4DU Member ✭✭✭✭
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    Seems like Flex doesn't really understand testing, either software or hardware.

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