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| Reviews Summary for JPS NIR-12 Dual DSP |
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write your own review of the JPS NIR-12 Dual DSP.
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TI2TL
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 22, 2007 15:30
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Very Good Performance
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After having a great dissapointment with the timewave 599 DSP I wanted to take a shot at this one. I had read many people stating it really helped in SSB, much more than the 599, and it was all true.
This is what I was looking for. A DSP that helps get modulation out of a lot of noise, make me understand the other person, and keeps a good, not robotic voice.
This DSP is as good as everyone says, if not better. I would recomend ANYONE to buy one, if you can find one, at any given price, it is worth every penny.
Construction..... MUCH MUCH better than the Timewave, looks and feels solid.
It is hard to find in the used market, NOW I KNOW WHY. A keeper.
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KK5IB
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Rating: 3/5
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Mar 21, 2007 16:23
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Previous reviews overrated
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Background: I have owned three MFJ-784Bs, three Radio Shack DSP-40s, a Timewave DSP-59Y, an Idiom Press SCAF-1, and a JPS NIR-12. Sold the first two 784Bs, still have the RS DSP-40s, sold the SCAF-1, and the JPS NIR-12. I sold the DSP-59Y with my Yaesu FT-990, mainly because the DSP-59Y didn't work well with my Yaesu FT-900CAT with 250 Hz CW filter, AGC mismatch. The SCAF-1 was good for SSB, but too wide for CW for my tastes. The NIR-12 has great reviews (many years ago) so I thought I would try one, which I did. Because of its slow processor, QSK CW is very difficult, side tone doesn't keep up with actual sending. On SSB it was OK, nothing special, particularily because the FT-900CAT doesn't need a lot of help. Also the NIR-12 ran rather warm. I bought the NIR-12, found it to be overrated, and sold it. Reason for the RS DSP-40s, they work well and match up to my Ten Tec Scout, which needs all the help it can get, but is still a fun radio.
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W6EIJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 16, 2003 13:44
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More useful on SSB than my 599zx.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently picked up a used NIR-12. I have been using a Timewave 599zx with the newest firmware, which I bought new a year and a half ago. I liked the performance of the 599 on CW and the control panel and LCD screen, but on SSB it was not very effective - so I was still looking (I have a slight hearing loss, and the background noise really hurts understandability). In fact, I was actually quite disappointed with the SSB performance (although oddly, sometimes, on certain signals, it does help - about 30% of the time). I am not an engineer or technician, but simply a ham operator with no interest in either company. Of course, these are my opinions, based upon owning and using both units - other people may come to different conclusions.
I could not believe the performance of the NIR-12 -it is terrific! When I push the DYN PEAK button the background noise completely disappears - I mean completely - THIS is what I had hoped DSP would do. Although the sound quality is like a cell phone (so don't bother with a Sweet Sounds speaker), it is much improved over the background noise on 17 meters that comes up from time-to-time. I use these DSP units with a Mark V, Drake R4-C and a Ten-Tec 509 (the Timewave has dual inputs). Interestingly, I feel that even the 599 is more effective than the built-in DSP functions of my Mark V. So let me give my opinion about the NIR-12 with some comparisons to the 599.
First, in my opinion, the comparison on the Timewave web site is meaningless (maybe that is why they call it “apples and oranges.”) For example, the MIPS of NIR-12 is only 10, compared to the 599's whopping 36.8. Yet the SSB performance (where one would expect more instructions per second would help) of the 599 is not very good compared to the NIR-12. Timewave also says that the “case construction” of the NIR-12 is “bent sheet metal.” In fact, it is steel, that is almost 1/8" thick - a very substantial case. Under “DATA” Timewave boasts that the 599 has 16 data filters, while the NIR-12 has none - this can only mean no “pre-programmed” filters, because the NIR-12's front panel is clearly marked for DATA, and it worked quite well. This kind of stuff really turns me off - Timewave should not be expected to champion JPS equipment, but the impression I got from the Timewave website, was that the NIR-12 was a cheaply made unit - simply not the case. In fact, the knobs and push-buttons on the NIR-12 have a much more solid feel than the 599.
The NIR-12, as I said will completely take away background noise - that is what I wanted. In fact, in all modes, I think it is much more effective than the 599zx. It is much easier to adjust the aggressiveness of the DSP filter - just turn a knob. With the 599, you have to push two buttons to get into a menu, then adjust the aggressiveness. On CW, you can open up the bandwidth very easily, on the 599, if you can, it would be by creating a user-created filter and saving that to memory. On the 599, I find myself going from CW, back to voice to get a wider bandwidth for scanning the band. So in general, I feel that in use, the NIR-12 is simpler to use.
With these two outboard DSP units, one must adjust the volume control of your rig so that the DSP unit does not overload and distort; not to low so it won’t process, but not too high either. I found that my NIR-12 unit has a much broader range, i.e., I don’t have to adjust the volume (AF gain) control as often - in fact, that was one of the first things I noticed.
What is an inconvenience, is the aggressiveness of the DYN PEAK is a three position switch on the back, although I can now easily do the switch. Another inconvenience is that the headphones must be unplugged to listen through the speaker - there should have been a switch (on the 599, one can have both headphones and speaker, or select either one by front-panel switch - very convenient). There is no front panel switch to bypass the DSP unit without turning it off, like the 599. All in all, I think the NIR-12 outperforms the 599 quite easily. Big negative though, is that they are no longer made, although as I discovered, they do come up on the market (I paid $ 150.00).
Other pluses with the NIR-12 are that it can be used to process transmit audio, and there is direct access (albeit, inside the case) to the DSP unit through a RS-232 port, where one can design and test other DSP algorithms.
The 599, has a very nice interface (front panel), with an LCD screen. I am only going to discuss my impression of its performance relative to the NIR-12, not a full blown discussion of the 599 itself (because it is so versatile, one must read the well-written manual). The downside is that one must go into menus. Part of the reason, is that it does much more than the NIR-12 - in addition to all modes, it has pre-programmed filters for all modes, it has special CW features (binaural CW - sort of “panning” the signals, and “CW spotlight” highlights weak signals). It can also be used with digital modes and RTTY, like a RigBlaster-type unit, but with DSP.
Finally, it has a morse code oscillator, and test instrument functions - audio milli-voltmeter, sine wave generator, and much more - it is a Swiss army knife of DSP stuff. The multiple use also makes the control names somewhat counterintuitive - the notch filter is accessed by pushing the “Tone” control.
The best thing about the 599, I think, is the AGC - this is really effective, and does quite a bit for my 509, will add about 15 db of gain to low signals. It has two channels, and can share one speaker with two rigs - so it can streamline your equipment profile. It has DIN plugs and an RS-232 connector on the back panel (which is inside the case on the NIR-12).
On CW it works great - very effective, and on SSB, I did not find it that useful, sort of watery sounding - the NIR-12 is much better to my ears. It has separate tunable high and low pass filters - the NIR-12 has one knob continuously variable from 300 to 3400 hz. It has multiple tunable notch filters - the NIR-12 has one - either on or off (but it is very effective).
Am I going to dump the 599? Absolutely not. I may use the internal RTTY modem, or its PSK-31 features. It is slightly more versatile on CW, and it has those test equipment functions. But bottom line, when all I want is very effective, straightforward DSP, the NIR-12 is my first choice, and only choice when I specifically want voice operation. Also, for Field Day, the NIR-12 has a much quicker learning curve - I was operating it within a few minutes.
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W4LGH
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 16, 2003 11:13
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EXCELLENT
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The JPS NIR-12 is the best DSP I have ever used, hands down, bar none. It goes way past any DSP built into any radio I have played with including my FT-847. I went thru many different models and brands before ending up with the NIR-12. It is worth EVERY PENNY you have to pay for it, if you can find one. A good 2nd choice is the NIR-10.
You can see on my website that the NIR-12 is still being used with my FT-847, and probably will be used with any new radio that come into my shack! http://www.w4lgh
73
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K3YD
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 13, 2003 11:28
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Great help
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Purchased one of these to help an IC-735, and TS-930, deal with AM carriers on 40 meters and to dig weak CW signals out of the noise on 40 & 80.
It did all this very well. Like most DSP, outboard and internal, there is a bit of a learning curve, but the effort is worth it.
The unit is more helpful for DXing than for contesting because of the time necessary to extract weak signals from the noise.
Unfortunately a fall thunderstorm a couple years ago laid waste to much of my shack--including the NIR-12, and I no longer have it.
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AE4HL
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 13, 2003 10:32
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Still useful in 2003!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I've now used the NIR-12 on 3 different radios: Patcomm, Kenwood TS-520SE and an Alinco DX77T. It is a helpful accessory for CW and SSB. Recently I was experiencing static and traced it to the speaker input jacks ground connection. I took the unit and circuit board out to repair this and was surprised to find 5 leads of various components that were not soldered to the bottom side of the two sided board. Maybe my unit was made on a Saturday night? I fixed the speaker in jack and soldered the missed leads and the unit is working great once again. I recommend this unit to all who do not have the latest transceiver with good DSP.
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WA2MGB
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 22, 2002 14:28
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DSP: Perfection in a little black box
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently aquired the NIR-12 from Ebay in near mint condition. After much fiddling with the adjustments I have found it to be a superb outboard DSP/Noise Reduction unit. Once you have the adjustments down where your ears are comfortable it is very easy to operate. I use it on everything from my Drakes to Swans to my Ten Tec Corsair. Remarkable. A shame they are no longer made. If you can find the NIR-12, go for it. It made my W9GR DSP look like a Model T.
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KU4QD
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 14, 2000 12:38
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Very effective and easy to use.
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I use my JPS NIR-12 with an Icom IC-735 and also an NCG 7/21/50. Neither of these rigs have a narrow SSB filter, and the NIR-12 makes up for this shortcoming admirably. The Dynamic Peak feature is great for eliminating atmospheric noise, and can really help pull the weak ones out. The notch filter also works well. All in all, I am very satisfied.
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WA0UDX
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 5, 1999 09:21
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Very effective unit
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Time owned: unknown months
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I use the NIR-12 with my older Kenwood TS-940, and they make a very good pair. The NIR-12 makes the TS940 more on par with the newer DSP rigs. I am mainly a CW operator, and I find it very useful and worth the money. I bought it used for $175, but I would say it's worth the full retail price, if that's what you have to pay. You will find that you don't have to strain to tell if it is helping or not.
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AC5AA
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 19, 1999 14:23
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The best DSP implementation
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Time owned: unknown months
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I have owned or evaluated a number of DSP units including the Timewave models, JPS, and W9GR families. I have found the NIR-12 to be the best single unit to cover many different noise types within the limitations of any audio DSP unit. In head-to-head measurement, the only other DSP which came close was the Timewave DSP-599ZX, and we had not even engaged the NIR function on the NIR-12 yet. This design has two processors, one which attacks in what I call the "frequency domain" and the other in the "time domain". NIR mode is what I call "time domain" and, as such, introduces some time delay. This makes it useless in QSK CW mode, and if you monitor your CW or SSB signal, you'll want to either disable it during transmit or use the bypass feature to disable it. I used the "dynamic peaking" processor, the "frequency domain" all of the time. It is equivalent to the Timewave and W9GR standard operating mode, but does a better job than either. Combine this with the passband controls (center freq and width) and you have a very strong combination against noise. When these were not quite enough, I would add in some of the NIR processing to gain a little more. Too much NIR will result in the strange artifacts that many people who don't like DSP complain about, but the ability to vary the aggressiveness of the NIR allows one to choose as conditions warrant. The "Notch" filter works extremely well on multiple heterodynes. It will remove RTTY or CW signals completely. The control arrangement, size and weight of the unit make it one of the easiest to adjust quickly. I have not used my NIR-12 for the last year as my new Omni VI+ has excellent on-board DSP, but the NIR-12 still tops my list as the best outboard unit that can be purchased. By the way, if you like to experiment with DSP, there is an add-on kit available to allow you to write your own processing algorithms and view the output on your PC. Although JPS appears to not have a web site up any more, there is information available at:
http://www.radiowise.com/prod/jps/jpsspec/nir12txt.rtf.htm
73, Duane AC5AA@juno.com
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