With all the research I’ve been doing lately trying to decide what radio I plan to purchase, I started reading about filters. Currently I’m running an Icom 746 and found that Laurie’s (KB3SIK) Heathkit SB-301 has the edge on recieve. Having a look closer at the 746 configuration I found that I don’t have any add-on filters installed. Bummer!

So in an effort to breath additional life into the 746, I’m planning on the purchase of 2 narrow bandwidth SSB filters for both the 9 MHz and 455 khz sections of the IF. I’m also looking at a 250 khz CW filter for the 9MHz end of the RF chain for PSK operations.

With my frustration of Icom’s lack of clear documentation in the radio manual, I found an interesting document on the 746 operation and tweaking and placed it up on the server. Section 4 contains the information about filtering. Also has some interesting notes about setting the PBT, again something the manual hardly explains.

In addition to my upgrades to the reciever, I plan on purchasing a Ten-Tec Model 715 RF Speech Processor. I’m trying everything I possibly can to optimize my signal without plopping down a minimum of $750 on a linear amplifier. I’ve gotten great results processing my audio through VE3NEA’s Voice Shaper software via my Rigblaster Pro, although I’d like to accomplish this outboard and not worry about computer audio being accidently transmitted… Gotta abide by Part 97 you know.