FlexRadio FLEX-6700/6500 MicroSD Card Installation Guide
- June 5, 2024
- FlexRadio
Table of Contents
FLEX-6700/6500 MicroSD Card
Installation Guide
April 27, 2021
The following guide will provide the necessary step-by-step procedure for installing a MicroSD card in a FLEX-6700 or FLEX-6500.
Getting Started
Required Tools
- A number 2 (#2) Phillips Screwdriver
- A small flat blade screwdriver
- #8 TORX wrench
Materials needed for Service Procedure
- One (1) SmartSDR MicroSD Card
- One (1) piece of Kapton tape (attached to the antistatic bag)
Preparing to Install the MicroSD Card
Removing the Chassis Feet
Remove the four (4) feet from the chassis using a #2 Phillips screwdriver as
shown in the image below. Retain the chassis feet and screws for re-
installation later.
The image below shows all four (4) chassis feet removed. 
Removing the Bottom Cover
The bottom chassis cover for the FLEX-6000 must be removed before the MicroSD
card can be installed.
Using a #8 TORX wrench remove the three (3) short Bottom Cover Side screws
from the left side of the FLEX-6000.
Then remove the remaining three (3) short Bottom Cover Side screws from the
right side of the
FLEX-6000. Retain the Bottom Cover Side screws for re-installation. The image
below shows the removal of the left side bottom Cover Side screws. 
After removing the bottom cover side screws remove the six (6) stainless steel
(silver) Bottom Cover screws using a #8 TORX wrench. Retain the bottom Cover
screws for re-installation. The image below shows the removal of the Bottom
Cover screws.
Once the bottom cover retaining screws have been removed, gently pull the
Bottom Cover upwards to remove it from the FLEX-6000. The image below shows
the removal of the Bottom Cover.
Removing the Existing MicroSD Card
Once the bottom cover has been removed, the RF Isolation cover must be removed
to access the MicroSD card slot.
Locating the RF Isolation Cover
The RF Isolation cover is located at the bottom of the radio. It is a
rectangular silver cover with perforated holes in it. There are red or gold
warranty security seals installed to prevent the customer from opening the
enclosure. See the picture below.
Removing the RF Isolation Cover
Using a knife or flat blade screwdriver, cut or remove the security seals so
the RF isolation cover can be removed. See the image below of the RF Isolation
cover with the warranty security seals removed. Note some of the seal
adhesives will remain on the RF Isolation cover.
Take note of how the RF Isolation cover is seated in the shield housing’s
“teeth“(retaining tabs) for reassembly purposes.
Using a flat blade screwdriver, gently pry up the RF Isolation cover. It is
best to do this at several locations so that the cover does not twist and
separate the retaining tabs. This is shown below in the next two
images.
Lift and remove the cover.
Remove the MicroSD Card
The next step is to remove the MicroSD card from the FLEX-6000.
The MicroSD card is located adjacent to the FPGA processor/fan assembly. There
may be a piece of Kapton tape covering the top of the card retaining clip. If
so, carefully remove the Kapton tape.
Gently slide the silver MicroSD card retaining clip away from the FPGA
processor/fan assembly so that it releases and lifts as shown below.
Using a non-metallic object to lift the end of the card nearest to the FPGA processor/fan assembly, the MicroSD card should easily lift out of the card socket so it can be removed.
Installing the new MicroSD Card
Once the existing MicroSD card has been removed, install the new MicroSD card
that has been formatted and has the SmartSDR firmware installed. Installing an
unformatted MicroSD card without the SmartSDR firmware installed will result
in the radio not booting.
Installing the New MicroSD Card in the Card Socket
Make sure the silver retaining clip is in the unlocked and upright position.
Carefully place the new MicroSD card in the card socket. There is a plastic
“key” on the right-hand side of the MicroSD card that aligns up with a key
slot on the card socket. Make certain that the card is properly seated in the
card socket as shown below.
Carefully fold down the silver retaining clip so that it is flat
against the MicroSD card. Slide the silver retaining clip towards the FPGA
processor/fan assembly making sure that the MicroSD card does not slip or
move in the socket. This will lock the MicroSD card in the card socket as
shown below. Failure to seat the card properly will result in the card not
making proper contact with the card socket’s electrical contacts causing the
radio to fail to boot up.
Installing the Kapton Tape over the MicroSD Card Socket
To prevent the retaining clip from coming unlatched when the radio is shipped,
place a strip of Kapton tape over the top of the MicroSD card socket as shown
below.
Reinstall RF Isolation cover
Note: Before reinstalling the RF Isolation cover, you may want to boot
the radio to ensure that the new MicroSD card is installed properly. Be very
careful when booting the radio with the chassis and RF Isolation covers
removed. You can also clean the small CPU and FPGA cooling fans using
compressed air. Please use a non-metallic object line a wooden toothpick to
prevent the fans from turning while being cleaned. Over spinning the fans can
damage the bearings. Reinstall the RF Isolation cover. Make sure that the RF
Isolation cover is inserted properly in the RF shield housing’s retaining
tabs. It is best to insert the cover on the side of the housing underneath the
side of the chassis first and then gently press down on the side facing away
from the chassis. Starting at one corner ensure that the cover is between the
alternating rows of “teeth” is recommended to ensure the cover is aligned
properly. Once installed it should like the image below.
NOTE: If you experience difficulty getting the RF shield cover re-seated,
especially the side nearest to the side of the radio, it may be easier to
remove the side of the radio, install the RF shield cover and then replace
the side of the radio.
Reinstalling the Bottom Cover
Replace the bottom chassis cover on the FLEX-6000. Orient the cover so that
the row of vent holes on the bottom cover are on top of the side fans towards
the front of the FLEX-6000 as shown below.
After reinstalling the bottom cover install the six (6) stainless steel
(silver) Bottom Cover screws using the long portion of the #8 TORX wrench. The
image below shows the installation of the Bottom Cover screws.
Using the long portion of the #8 TORX wrench install the three (3) short
Bottom Cover Side screws on the left side of the FLEX-6000. Then install the
remaining three (3) short Bottom Cover Side screws on the right side of the
FLEX-6000. The image below shows the installation of the left-side bottom
Cover Side screws. 
Reinstalling the Chassis Feet
Reinstall the four (4) feet on the chassis using a #2 Phillips screwdriver as
shown in the image below. 
The finished re-installation of the bottom cover and chassis feet should look
like the image shown below. 
© 2022 FlexRadio, v1.0.3
Documents / Resources
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FlexRadio FLEX-6700/6500 MicroSD
Card
[pdf] Installation Guide
FLEX-6700, FLEX-6500, MicroSD Card, FLEX-6700 6500 MicroSD Card, FLEX-6700
MicroSD Card, FLEX-6500 MicroSD Card
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