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Reviews For: Ten-Tec 717 Microphone Equalizer/Audio Interface

Category: Audio Accessories for Transmitter & Receiver

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Review Summary For : Ten-Tec 717 Microphone Equalizer/Audio Interface
Reviews: 1MSRP: 119.00
Description:
The Model 717 Microphone Equalizer / Audio Interface provides a convenient
means of shaping your transmit audio as well as interfacing your radio to line
level signals and external PTT switch, such as a footswitch. This device was
designed so that older TEN-TEC transceivers and many other older
transceivers could be used or modified to be used with the newer style
Dynamic microphones on the market today.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.tentec.com/products/MODEL-717--MICROPHONE-EQUALIZER--%252d--AUDIO-INTERFACE.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0015
WB1AAL Rating: 2012-11-03
Broadcast Quality Audio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered a TenTec 717 mic preamp/EQ to replace my aging and tired Heathkit HD-1986 Microlizer. The Microlizer did a nice job, but it ran through 9-volt batteries rather quickly and offered no significant mic gain--just equalization.

Judging from the schematic, the 717 draws its heritage from the Heathkit Microlizer. The audio circuits have been updated, it operates from 12-volts (power supply included) and offers 27 db of audio gain--more than sufficient for low level dynamic microphones.

The 717 arrived in the mail this morning. I took it out of the box and connected it to my Kenwood TS-430S. I made up an 8-pin mic cable to attach the Kenwood MC-50 microphone to the 717. I put the TS-430S on the dummy load and adjusted the audio levels on the rig and the 717 so that the ALC seemed to be registering properly. I then added just a bit of bass of treble boost--not a lot just a notch or two.

I switched back to the 40-meter dipole and started tuning around. I heard a station who was kindly helping another ham with his audio. I waited for them to finish and then gave him a call. He is located in Kentucky, fairly close to me, so we had a decent ground wave connection.

When I asked him for a signal report and to help me adjust my audio gain and EQ, this is what he said, "You are 20 over 9 here. Great signal! In terms of the audio, don't touch a thing! Your audio is broadcast quality. If you were sitting in my shack and hearing what I am hearing from your audio, you would be well pleased."

I am well pleased. My only gripes are that the supplied schematic is rather hard to read. Ten-Tec could have done a better job reproducing it. After all, if they want us to have a copy of the schematic they could at least make it completely readable.

Additionally, included in the cost is a cable to go from the 717 to your rig. You specify the cable when you order the 717. However, you must provide your own 8-pin mic cable to the 717. Ten-Tec could have supplied the required pinouts for the mic connector instead of simply passing it off as "Ten-Tec and Yaesu pinouts." That caused me the extra work of finding these pinouts on the Net. (Mic hot to pin 8, mic ground to pin 7--in case you are interested.)

Still, all-in-all I am very happy with the 717 and especially pleased by the audio reports that I have received on SSB.