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Reviews For: Datong FL3

Category: Filters, Audio: (DSP and others)

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Review Summary For : Datong FL3
Reviews: 20MSRP: £64.95 (GBP)
Description:
Variable High Pass/Low Pass/Notch Filter
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15205
N0PL Rating: 2008-05-01
Superb Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had placed the unit on the shelf some years ago when I moved and had forgotten about it. I recently pulled it out and hooked it up to my Kenwood R1000 receiver. The R1000 sensitivity is OK but selectivity is lacking. After putting the FL3 in line, it was like using a "new receiver". It is absolutely amazing. I have an outboard SCAF filter and the FL3 is superb over the SCAF. I did a search on the web and found another FL3 and I bought it. I have an outboard DSP unit and I prefer the FL3 over the DSP unit (audio is cleaner/clearer). If you get a chance to try one, I'll bet you will buy it.
K9XT Rating: 2005-08-17
A superb audio filter and a true classic! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I recently was able to purchase a new in box Datong FL-3 Multi-mode filter, after having sold an FL-2 many years ago. I had forgotten about the quality of the Datong products and just how well the FL-2 and FL-3 filters work.

I encourage anyone looking for an audio filter to search for a Datong FL-2 or FL-3 and buy it immediately! If you see one at a hamfest, don't walk by it thinking it will still be on the table in an hour!

Its a shame that the Datong multimode filters are no longer readily available. This is a true classic of amateur radio.
KC8HXO Rating: 2004-09-13
Top dog! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Outstanding. Superb quality and engineering. I don't need DSP with this. My older rig with filters, and this in the audio chain, I bet I can hear as much as any new-fangled (Read EXPENSIVE) DSP rig. And the audio is still pleasant to listen to. If you find one, I suggest you try it out. I've owned the FL-1, and FL-2 also. They are all GREAT!
W9CW Rating: 2003-11-29
Excellent Filter Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned the FL3 for several years. I've directly compared it "in real time" with my JPS NIR-10 and NIR-12 DSP-based units. The FL3 is superior to the NIR-10 in all respects. The Dual-DSP NIR-12's "Dynamic Peaking" feature is superior to the FL3's SSB bandpass filters. However, the FL3 excels over the NIR-12 in the CW narrow-band filter modes, plus it tunes much more smoothly than the NIR-12. Additionally, the Auto Notch's depth on the FL3 is superior to the NIR-12. The NIR-12 can reject up to 4 hetrodyne tones at one time, whereas the FL3 can only reject 1. But, the total depth of the null is greater on the FL3 than the NIR-12. I was surprised, but that's what I found, and on a repeatable basis. I prefer the FL3 over the NIR-12: much smoother tuning for CW operation and, of course, no digital artifacts or constant worry of overdriving the A to D converter. Overall, an excellent addition to the shack for CW operation, and for instant hetrodyne removal on SSB.
9VTTW Rating: 2003-02-16
Works like a charm Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Been out of SWL for over 10 years. Recently dug up my average-performing Icom R72 receiver and connected the Datong FL3. Had never used the FL3 before but the results were amazing. The steep bandpass filters and the FL3 internal amp. made my Icom a whole new radio. The auto-het. notch is so accurate and deep that I hardly touch the manual notch. Only trouble now, the FL3 has got me hankering to go out and buy those fancy new DSP noise reduction stuff :-)
M5ABS Rating: 2002-11-16
excellent item Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
i have just aquired this little beauty and though i dont have a user manual for it,i am surprized at its capability.on 40m it stopped a cw station causing qrm to my qso with a weaker station.i use it on rx only and believe that it can be used on the tx uadio too.has anyone done this.can someone perhaps help me with a scanned copy of the user manual please.
I1-12919 Rating: 2002-10-12
A winner Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.

The FL3 is *better* than a DSP.
And a lot more cute.
K1TWH Rating: 2002-07-02
Top Notch Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used SCAF, DSP and basic op amp AF filters. Of all the units I've had, this is the top of the line. Excellent manual, and accurate automatic notch filters. High Pass and Low Pass filtering have excellent shape factors (like a tunable 5 or 6 element crystal filter would have). If you can find one, try it out, you may find as I have, that when all else changes, the FL3 remains on the desk. Regardless of age, its worth every penny.
WB1FPA Tom
MW3MCD Rating: 2002-04-20
JUST BRILLIANT!!. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I was fortunate to be able to purchase the FL3 at last years Longleat Rally for £25.00 , it was unused. Well , the perfomance is incredible. I run it along with my Kenwood TS-570DG , and it knocks spots off the DSP in the 570!!. In 18 years of Ham Radio this unit , without doubt , is the best ever purchase.
N2EXU Rating: 2002-03-17
Still the Best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own radios with ADSP, DSP, SCAF and this wonderful little box that sits on top of the Corsair II beats them all.

I got it new in the 80's and didn't do any radio work for a while. Recently, I've become active again and this filter is just great! No digital artifacts, no ringing, and no noise of its own. Select a mode, twist the knobs and enjoy the sound. It has a really fast auto-notch (switchable), a manual notch, hi and lo cuts and bandwidth and band center settings for CW.

I wish they were stilll available, I'd buy two more.