On my particular rig when I enable noise reduction (NR) I tend to get a fair amount of ringing in the filter, an artifact of the older DSP technology. In addition to that Icom’s PBT (PassBand Tuning) only goes so far. My 1900hz filter in the rig could clean up the IF stage of the receiver, but I needed something more to make QRM filled receive audio more tolerable. I also started thinking about the possibilities with RTTY and PSK31.

After listening to Idiom Press’ audio samples on SSB phone and CW, I was sold. I decided to go with the kit form to save a few bucks and experience the challenge of building a kit. Since my last kit (D-Star hotspot) was a success, I was up for the challenge. $90 and 3 days later the kit arrived.

The included instructions were very clear and very consise and the kit assembled exactly like they had stated. One issue I encountered was wrong resistor (miscount). Where I required a 3rd 10k ohm, I had a 100 ohm. No biggie, nothing that I can’t get at my local Radio Shack. Thankfully mine still sells common electronic components. The other issue was trying to figure out the pin ID on the DPDT switch. Unfortunately I soldered mine backwards and the switch is keyed to install in only one direction. All this really means is the UP position is OFF and DOWN is ON. Again, no big deal.

I had most of the kit assembled in the course of 3 hours while I was carrying participating in my usual 8PM net on 1900khz. Today I was able to pickup the remaining resistors and also some audio cables to interface it into my rig setup. I decided to place it between the AF output of the radio (accessory audio output) and the rig audio input of my Rigblaster. This way I could utilize it for digital modes on the computer, which is a direct feed to my monitor speakers. The filter has 2 audio outputs, one for headphones and external speaker audio. The kit gives you the luxury of choosing which size jack 1/4 or 1/8 inch you wish for either function as well as if you want stereo or mono. Since it’s ham radio and the most audio bandwidth I’ll ever hear (from a properly tuned transmitter) is 6khz (on AM), I decided to go mono for both.

Upon powering up the filter for the first time, I was happy to hear the exact results I had heard on their website as well as nothing blowing up (reverse polarity electrolytic capacitors become missiles). The instructions call for you to adjust the internal potentiometer, but I had found the audio to be consistent with it set to the middle.

Check out the photos below and also take a look at the audio spectrum I had captured with the filter in line as well as out.

So far I’m happy with the results and look forward to using it during contests and busy digital waterfalls.

Initially I started off the contest in a field very close to my QTH with my Icom 706 and an Arrow dual-band satellite antenna. I needed to fabricate a mount where I could easily rotate the yagi as well as adjust azimuth and elevation. I ended up cutting a 1 inch piece of SCH40 PVC at 15 inches long and a piece of SCH40 1 1/4 inch PVC at 6 inches long. I used a hose clamp to secure it down to a photography light stand adapter, as I didn’t have access to a tripod. As you can see in the photos, it seemed to workout just fine for the contest.

Since I was operating the 2nd day of the contest from home, I needed to change the polarity of my Cubex 2m quad antenna to be horizontally polarized. Granted I’ve only made 20 contacts in my first VHF contest, but I ended up having a blast and learning alot.

Assateague is a desirable operating location for 2 reasons. The first, it’s an IOTA (island on the air), NA-139 is it’s identification. Secondly, it’s in grid square FM-28 which will be a demanded locator if the 6 meter band opens up.

Eric, WG3J has spent countless hours/days working to acquire the necessary permits for operation on the site. Most of that time was spent working with the Park Service for authorization to operate. We plan to be located approximately 100 yards North of the Virginia / Maryland border along the shore.

The website for the operation is finally online. Check it out here!

Here’s Mike’s website.

Needless to say after the many purchases I have made with AES over the course of the last 11 years, I will no longer be giving them any further business.

By Saturday night the radio was installed and powered. Sunday would be the installation of the temporary hamstick mount, screwdriver antenna wiring and station grounding. One of my biggest findings was the inability to run radio audio through the car’s sound system. As soon as I would key up the audio amplifier would freak out with this extremely loud “white noise”.

I’m choosing to go back and try the KISS (keep it simple stupid) approach, buy running the radio audio through 2 separate communications speakers. Hopefully I’ll find some at the upcoming Timonium hamfest.

Photos on the way.