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[KA7NIQ]

What are some radios that will get rid of noise while still allowing you to understand people ?
I currently have an ICOM 746 Pro with adjustable DSP noise reduction, but when you adjust it enough to be effective, you can barely understand what people are saying.

[W1VT]

A lot of times noise is just too random and signals too weak for DSP reduction to be effective.
What I've found to be most effective is a collection of antennas scattered all over my yard and antenna switches to choose the best one!

Quite often a noise source has a very limited range, so moving the receive antenna away 50 or 100 feet can make a big difference.

[KA2DDX]

w1vt makes a good point -

also, I want to add that the Yaesu ftdx5000 has superb noise reduction, many times irregardless of the source and intensity of the noise. It's the best I've used in this regard.

Larry
KA2DDX

[K7JQ]

I read complaints from hams, even with the newest radios, that are dissatisfied with the DNR performance of them. As you increase the level of NR to decrease the noise, they still reduce volume, muffle/distort the audio, and introduce “watery” artifacts.

Many folks have said the DNR in the IC-7300 is “pretty good” as compared with others they have used. I thought so too, but decided to add the West Mountain Radio CLRdsp to it, and was pleasantly surprised with its effectiveness. As you increase the NR level control, even to 95% clockwise rotation, it will reduce the noise up to 90%, with no loss of audio volume nor intelligibility, and no watery artifacts. In certain conditions, combining it with the radio’s NR at a low level #2, can be more effective.

Just my experience…YMMV.

[WA3SKN]

ALL noise blanker/noise reduction circuitry affect audio quality.  Just how much varies.  AND this is not just DSP!

-Mike.

[KA7NIQ]

I worked a Ham on the air the other day who told me he has "The Best Radio" for Ham Radio that money can buy! He had a Yaesu FT 101-D. When I asked him WHY he thought it was the best radio, he said "Because Rob Sherwood tests all the radios, and the FT 101 tested to be the best".
I tried  to remind him that Rob Sherwood rates radios by Blocking Dynamic Range.
IMHO, this is just one parameter of a radio.
Personally, I am more interested in the radio with the best noise eliminating/reduction feature.

[W1VT]

Noise blankers were more successful in the past because noise floors were lower and there were fewer noise sources.
It was possible to design noise blankers for particular noises, like ignition noise or the Woodpecker.
These days it is more likely that you will have multiple sources, particularly if you have an antenna close to an occupied building.

[N5XJT]

I read complaints from hams, even with the newest radios, that are dissatisfied with the DNR performance of them. As you increase the level of NR to decrease the noise, they still reduce volume, muffle/distort the audio, and introduce “watery” artifacts.

Many folks have said the DNR in the IC-7300 is “pretty good” as compared with others they have used. I thought so too, but decided to add the West Mountain Radio CLRdsp to it, and was pleasantly surprised with its effectiveness. As you increase the NR level control, even to 95% clockwise rotation, it will reduce the noise up to 90%, with no loss of audio volume nor intelligibility, and no watery artifacts. In certain conditions, combining it with the radio’s NR at a low level #2, can be more effective.

Just my experience…YMMV.

Also - if you can find one the original Amcom Clear Speech audio filter is still great.  One switch, on or off but immediately cures many problems.  Works equally well with my FT-950, Mark V or my old TS-530.  West Mountain still performs repairs & maintenance.

[K7JQ]

I read complaints from hams, even with the newest radios, that are dissatisfied with the DNR performance of them. As you increase the level of NR to decrease the noise, they still reduce volume, muffle/distort the audio, and introduce “watery” artifacts.

Many folks have said the DNR in the IC-7300 is “pretty good” as compared with others they have used. I thought so too, but decided to add the West Mountain Radio CLRdsp to it, and was pleasantly surprised with its effectiveness. As you increase the NR level control, even to 95% clockwise rotation, it will reduce the noise up to 90%, with no loss of audio volume nor intelligibility, and no watery artifacts. In certain conditions, combining it with the radio’s NR at a low level #2, can be more effective.

Just my experience…YMMV.

Also - if you can find one the original Amcom Clear Speech audio filter is still great.  One switch, on or off but immediately cures many problems.  Works equally well with my FT-950, Mark V or my old TS-530.  West Mountain still performs repairs & maintenance.

That's the reason I bought the WMR CLRdsp (actually two) in my above post for my two 7300's. Years ago, I had the AmCom speaker in my  mobile installation, and was astounded how the voices just popped out with no discernible distortion and virtually eliminated the noise.

WMR improved upon the AmCom algorithm, and added a 10W audio amp and tone control. It works for me with my noise levels. Again YMMV, as some Eham reviews don't share my opinion/experience .

[KA7NIQ]

What about the Timewave DSP 9+ Units ?
I saw a cool looking DSP Filter, but it was from China!

[KD7RDZI2]

I think that radio has still to be produced. I mean a radio that uses two or more antennas and does the noise cancelling as the MFJ1026 or Chinese and Russian designs do. You can also buy an FT1010 MkVI but if this does not have noise cancelling devices, a Tecsun receiver with a noise cancelling unit may run circles around any FT1010 MkVI.

[KA7NIQ]

Tomorrow  Morning, on 75 Meters, I plan to try the DSP Noise Reduction in my ICOM 746 Pro again, but this time, I plan to use the IF Shift Control as well with the noise reduction, as was suggested to me by a friend.
From my limited studies, it seems that the YAESU Noise Reduction beats the ICOM Noise Reduction, from what I have read.
There are a couple of YAESU FT 991A's for sale close to me pretty cheap too!

LOL, so many options!

[KD7RDZI2]

Tomorrow  Morning, on 75 Meters, I plan to try the DSP Noise Reduction in my ICOM 746 Pro again, but this time, I plan to use the IF Shift Control as well with the noise reduction, as was suggested to me by a friend.
From my limited studies, it seems that the YAESU Noise Reduction beats the ICOM Noise Reduction, from what I have read.
There are a couple of YAESU FT 991A's for sale close to me pretty cheap too!

LOL, so many options!

DSP noise reduction is very limited compared to analog noise cancelling. In any case I too use the IF shift to have a more high pitch and DSP noise reduction. Yes, it works, but it's pin nuts.

[NI0C]

DSP noise reduction can be effective, at least on CW. (I'm 100 pct. CW these days).

I was always impressed with the NR implementation in the old Ten Tec Omni 6, option 1. A single button, no adjustments-- just on / off. It worked so well that I just left the NR on all the time.

The Elecraft K-3 / K-3S has lots of NR settings to try, many of which involve a mix of the unfiltered and filtered signals. After much trial and error, I found the "M5-3" setting works for me, and I leave that one on all the time.

Years ago, I had an MFJ-784B outboard DSP audio filter. It had an adjustable NR function, which I liked for SSB.

[KA7NIQ]

More concerned with SSB Noise Reduction. I have been considering the MFJ 784B vs buying another radio.