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Reviews For: Timewave ANC-4/4+

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Review Summary For : Timewave ANC-4/4+
Reviews: 79MSRP: 199
Description:
Antenna Noise Canceller
Product is in production
More Info: http://old.timewave.com/support/ANC-4/anc4.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15794.3
VE3XQQ Rating: 2008-09-03
Electronic Fly Swatter Time Owned: more than 12 months.
In my residential lot of 35 by 120 I have every type of RFI radiation from plasma displays to lighting units. Rather than modifying the neighbours equipment and be blamed/liable for any subsequent failure I opted for the ANC-4.

Here is a link to my online demo:
http://www.magma.ca/~captnoah/4th_Deck/anc4/anc4.html

As you can see the buzzing noise is killed totally. This is done as instructed by Timewave, the critical point is adjusting the noise Gain.

I do this by:
1. Noting the noise level on the S-meter.
2. Setting my antenna switch to the grounded position (disables the main antenna)
3. Turn on the ANC-4 and set the noise gain on the to the same as step 1.
4. Set the antenna switch back to my antenna.
5. Set the phase control for best noise reduction.
6. Go back and forth between phase and noise gain get the best noise reduction.

My setup is an ICOM 746pro and a full wave 80m horizontal loop. The Timewave ANC-4 noise canceller fits between the rig and the antenna using pl-259 patch cables. The remote noise sense antenna is a piece of 18 gauge speaker wire strung out to the back yard, which is fed to the ANC-4 via a home brew attenuator.

Bottom line, take your time and it will work fine.
KQ4O Rating: 2007-08-24
Can Help at Times Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I'd like to give this device a 3.5, actually.
The two previous reviewers before me got it right, the ANC-4 can help AT TIMES, making signals usable but definitely with noticable insertion loss (better to lower the signal level and hear it than just listen to overriding noise). I'm using it with a 15' "noise antenna" and sometimes it helps after some knob fiddling. Once its set it doesn't wander, this is also true, until you make a drastic frequency change. If you can't kill the source this is the way to go. Adding an AC line filter to the mix for all equipment should cover the bases.
I tried the MFJ-1026 years ago but can't say I got any help with it like this one.
WE1X Rating: 2007-08-06
A Whole Lot Better Than Nuttin' Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Just a note per the previous review. The manual states 6 dB attenuation when the ANC-4 is kicked in. Also regardless of the device, be it the ANC-4, the MFJ, or even the DX Engineering unit....they all treat the symptoms, not the disease. Finding the noise source and correcting the problem is the answer. However, such is not always possible, and the ANC-4 allows you to make a intolerable situation tolerable.
K4GUN Rating: 2007-08-06
Decent but no substitute Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've been deluged by RFI at my house. I have a constant S7 to S9 noise floor on 20 meters. It makes the band almost unusable. I bought the ANC4 in hopes of being able to hear better. Well, it does reduce the noise. Its not even across the band, but I can get the bulk of 20 down to an S3 to S4 and the rest is S6.

The sounds great, right? Well, kind of. I swear it also attenuates the modulated signals I'm trying to hear. Those DX stations that are probably at an S6 drop to a level just above the noise with the machine on. I can hear them, but not very well. It wasn't until I installed a mobile rig in my truck that I even realized how much this was happening.

It is better than not having it. What would be best is to track down the actual source of the noise. Sometimes, after 2 in the morning, the noise just stops and I can hear the world without the ANC4. I'm sure it a powerline issue and I'm working to get the power company involved. If I can get it knocked out, there will be another ANC4 up for sale.
EB5ESX Rating: 2007-04-11
Radio or not radio. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Para mi el ANC-4 ha resuleto el problema por el cual estaba a punto de abandonar la radiaficion. Tengo una interferencia 9+ en todas las bandas de HF, por lo que me es imposible escuchar nada de nada. Con el ANC-4 dicha interferencia queda reducida a un normal QRM de seƱal 2. Poder o no poder usar la radio..esa ha sido la diferencia.
-------------------------------------
My ANC-4 has solved my big QRM problem.
I was thinking sell all the radios , but the ANC-4 lets me enjoy another time.
I have a s 9+ in all the HF bands.
With the ANC-4 it goes down to a s2 QRM.

Thank's to Timewave.
K4TB Rating: 2007-04-10
Good Against the Right Noise Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have about 3 different noise sources that can come and go and the ANC-4 will work against two of them, but not the third. I've tried several noise antennas but one noise source is a little far away and there's no way to get a noise antenna close enough to it to pick up an adequate noise signal. It seems to come from either a power line insulator or a device triggered by sunlight.

My main antenna is a Tennadyne 6 element log periodic array for 20-10 meters located about 50 feet from the house and my usual noise antenna is a Cushcraft MA-6V vertical attached to the house. The ANC-4 is most effective on some occassional AC line noise from my house or the neighbor's house as long as I adjust the ANC-4 carefully. Of the upper bands, it seems to work best on 20 meters. I don't really have a noise problem with my wire antennas on the lower frequencies, except atmospheric noise which is not what the ANC-4 is expected to handle.

It is interesting that moving up or down the band 50 KHz or so, or rotating the LP antenna several degrees will require some fine tuning of the ANC-4 phase control. Sometimes the ANC-4 will improve the S/N by 20 dB or more, and sometimes it will do nothing. Anyway, when it does cut the noise effectively it is a very satisfying feeling and certainly makes the difference between enjoying listening or being frustrated.

I think the ANC-4 is a useful accessory where you have certain noise problems. It may be a Godsend for some users and do nothing for others, simply depending on the characteristic noise they may have. I'd give the ANC-4 a 5 rating if they had just simply added a PTT mute connection to eliminate the relay chatter. I may add one myself. The relay is pretty quiet and smooth, but I feel that a PTT mute save wear and tear on the relay. If you have a man-made noise problem the ANC-4 is worth a try.
K1TWH Rating: 2006-10-31
Works well. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
. I've had my ANC-4 for a month now. Without it I'm not able to hear signals below S9+20. With the ANC-4 online and adjusted, signals above S2 are just fine. It's made a huge difference in a problem no ham deserves. Power Line Noise!
. My noise receive antenna is a remotely mounted active antenna based on the little Ten Tec active antenna kit. Its built into a 1" PVC pipe that's about 2 feet tall.
VK4APN Rating: 2006-10-31
You need to persevere - but you will be rewarded! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had mine for over 10 years - under JPS Brand. It does take some patience to obtain the very best results and you may need to try several noise antennas. It does eventually become intuitive. Most powerline noise can be 90% eliminated as well as appliance interference.
KI0Z Rating: 2006-10-30
Buy a pet rock it's cheaper! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Rcvd it from aes . looks very well built. tried it with several differant antennas with NO results. however it will overload and put a +20db over noise on your rcvr with too large a noise antenna.I only hoped for a reduction in my 240kv 3Phase power line noise ,not a cure. I think the type of noise you are trying to get rid makes a BIG differance, however all i got was a great looking paper weight. I do NOT recommend this Product even if it is a copy of an old collins ckt. I sent it back to aes and got my money back -15% Words cant discribe here what I think of this Product. GL 73
K1FPV Rating: 2006-08-23
Outstanding ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned my ANC-4 for over 3 years and it has performed well beyond my expectations. I use it primarily for SWLing, but in tough situations, have used it with my Amateur transceivers. It can take a 10dB over S9 noise signal and reduce it so that I can read an S2 signal below the noise. It is very effective from the BC band up to 30 MHz., but is also usable down to 150 kHz. though not as effective on VLF. I highly recommend it!