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Reviews For: The Y-BOX by N6TV

Category: Interfaces, Radio to computer, amp, rotor, coax switch, internet

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Review Summary For : The Y-BOX by N6TV
Reviews: 20MSRP: 139
Description:
A 4-Way Splitter and Breakout Box for the accessory port of
Elecraft K3 and Elecraft K3S transceivers
Product is in production
More Info: http://bit.ly/Y-BOX
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00205
K0MD Rating: 2022-08-07
An awesome tool and aid to any ham station Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have bought two Y-boxes to match my K4D rigs to the Array solutions-Hamation Shackaster 8, Filtermax IV peripherals and to various amplifiers in my station such as the KPA 1500. Additionally, I have used it to provide keying for RTTY when using my MK2R+ so2r device.

The Y-box solution is the BEST solution I have ever used for connecting multiple devices to a rig that need band decoding data and other information. There are no drops or CI-V collisions (that I encountered constantly when using an Icom system) and the bandpass filters follow the frequency seamlessly thanks to this box.

Bob Wilson builds a military spec system, provides the appropriate cables and a wiring diagram that is clear, concise and simple to follow. Furthermore, Bob provides customer service like non-other in the industry as he will do telephone and/or Team Viewer support for challenging issues. He even provides the screws for mounting to a wood or metallic surface. Wow! Bob thinks of almost everything for his customers.

The box is a bargain at the price he sells them at. They are well built, sturdy and the packing material is extremely protective. His shipping is fast and typically ahead of predicted arrival times.

Every device is customized for the unique needs of the customer/ham operator. Wow!

This is the perfect box for any rig that needs a multiple interface connection with other components in the modern, state of the art ham station. It is built by an active ham for hams who want a well designed and thought through system engineered to a very high standard.

Thank you N6TV for your dedication to excellence and making a device that is affordable and exceeds expectations.
NG7M Rating: 2021-10-19
A must have for an Elecraft K3/K3S or K4 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After dealing with multiple HD 15 pin Y splitter cables and the mess that causes, the Y-Box is something you would have a hard living without if you own a K3/K3S. After receiving my Elecraft K4D the Y-Box was plug and play and made swapping out my K3S to the K4 as simple as unhooking the HD cable and hooking it up to the K4.

Bob's (N6TV) website is thorough and gives several examples of all the different things you can do with the Y-Box. Plus, Bob seems to be super human when it comes to knowing something about every transceiver out there and pretty much any combination of station automation you might have.

Take a peek at any of the more complicated Elecraft oriented stations around and you are bound to find one or more Y-Boxes as part of the installation.

Plus the Y-Box remains as relevant as ever with the new Elecraft K4. A smooth upgrade and switch from the K3 line to a K4. Max NG7M
K7NNV Rating: 2020-07-06
Another great product by N6TV Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The YBox is specifically designed to provide additional Aux ports from the Elecraft K3 and K3S. I wanted to expand the capabilities of my remote station (RemoteHams) to include being able to control an antenna switch. This turned out to be a bigger chore than I had planned. I had previously purchased an SBox from N6TV so I looked at his site and he had just the thing to get me on my way, the YBox.
Now I can rant and rave about N6TV's products but I did that is a previous review of the SBox.
What I do want to rant and rave about is Bob N6TV's customer support/help. Bob has jumped through hoops to help me understand just what I needed and walked me through everything I needed to know. I cannot stress enough how important his help has been. I'm not the brightest light bulb in the pack when it comes interfacing components within amateur radio equipment but with Bob's help and guidance it made it much easier for me.
K0AV Rating: 2019-08-31
You get much more than the Y-Box Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I use 2 K3's in SO2R along with a Low Band Systems 2x6 switch / controller.

- N6TV created a printed plan for all connections - and included my intended future plans.
- He provides great ideas for an effective setup.
- the Y Boxes and cables arrived promptly & in great shape;
- Everything is working as it should;
- and I am still in awe of how attentive he was to all my details - and how he even coordinated with Low Band Systems (RA6LBS) !
- You get so much more than just the hardware.

73, Alan K0AV
WD8NPL Rating: 2019-07-24
Great Addition Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I run a K3 with a KPA1500 and Top Ten ban decoder. Bob's little box was the answer to interfacing everything into the K3 which has only one accessory point. Bob's shipment was same day. Had the box hooked up and running in about 5 minutes..
N5ZC Rating: 2019-06-14
K3S / Antenna Genius ++ Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I needed a Y-Box that would interface my Elecraft K3S with a KPA-1500 and a 4O3A Antenna Genius 2x8 antenna switch.

Bob asked a few questions then custom built the box which included a 12v input and pull-up resistors to send BCD data to the 4O3A Antenna Genius.

It works perfectly. The KPA-1500 and Antenna Genius track right along as I make band changes.

Thanks Bob.

Rich - N5ZC
N8VZ Rating: 2019-03-17
Good Box, Great Support Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have both a Y-Box and an S-Box in service at the moment. I recently purchased a new rig that I wanted connected. Bob N6TV gave me very detailed directions and answered every question that I had as I changed the setup to interface my K3 with a KPA500, KAT500 and SteppIR Controller. The same cables worked for this setup as for setups with my other radios.

Bob responds very quickly to your email questions. On the fly, he wrote new diagrams and sent them to me with detailed instructions.

When I first wired up things to my K3, I had a problem. Bob gave me further instructions about things to check out and troubleshoot the problem, and within a matter of 15 minutes I was able to find the problem and fix it. I had left an RCA cable in place between the KPA500 and KAT500 that was no longer needed once the Y-Box was in place.

Bob's products are well designed and his customer service is first-rate. I highly recommend them.
W2JAZ Rating: 2019-01-08
Convenient & Well Made Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently exchanged a series of emails with Bob who makes thes wonderful accessories for the Elecraft K3(s). I needed an easy, fool proof way of forcing the radio out of the TxIh setting. I'm an EME operator and this was an essential final safety assurance controlled by a sequencer. Bob not only understood and explained what needed to be done, he created a schematic and case labeling to show this configuration. This is a very well made accessory which makes things more convenient for K3(s) owners who need multiple ways to access the ACC radio jack.
VA7GI Rating: 2018-12-01
Great Product, Amazing Service Time Owned: N.A.
The Y-Box is well designed and built. But Bob's technical support is extraordinary! Not only does he make sure you have the hardware and cables that you need, he also provides diagrams on how to connect all your equipment to the Y-Box. In my case he worked out how connect the OK2ZI band decoder to the K3, and provided color coded diagrams. This is personal, detailed, technical help beyond the call of duty. In this way, Bob N6TV is boosts the ham radio hobby into the ionosphere!
KU2C Rating: 2018-05-04
Perfect Solution Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
In the process of setting up a remote operation between two K3s including a KPA500, switched bandpass filters and antenna switches it became apparent there was a need to replicate the 15 Pin Accessory output from the K3.

Bob's knowledge and support was critical and his responsiveness much appreciated. Shipping was super quick and the "Y Box" and cables were very well packaged with sealed bags and bubble wrap. And of course it all worked first time with no questions or issues!