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Reviews For: DYC-817 Speech Compressor

Category: QRP Accessories

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Review Summary For : DYC-817 Speech Compressor
Reviews: 25MSRP: 45
Description:
External dynamic compressor kit for FT-817/857/897
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.box73.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00254.7
WB1AAT Rating: 2014-07-12
Does the job nicely Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got the 2.0 version of the DYC-8x7 model. Went together in 30 minutes or so. Only a handful of components to solder in. Awesome that all tiny SMD components were already mounted and soldered. Only one SMD capacitor to solder and it wasn't that bad to do. On the air with my FT817 is extremely noticeable. My external power meter indicates average power banging the top end of 5W where without it tends to bounce high and low with averages much lower. Listened in on another radio while talking and switching in and out was an obvious and dramatic improvement in "punch". Good audio reports on the air too. Wont turn a 5W radio into 100W but definitely makes the best of what you have. Ease of connection and built in tone generator are welcome bonuses. Its a shame the 817 didn't already have a processor as many QRP rigs like the KX3 do.
M6AIU Rating: 2012-10-08
Worth every penny! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Had mine for about 6 months now and its transformed my 817. I get great reports on 2.5 and 5 watts out and i wouldn't be without it!

It's a simple self build project (i am by no means the best soldering bod in the world) and took about an hour to complete - i recommend that novice solder jockeys take their time as i did and you should be able to do this yourself. Good quality materials throughout with easy to follow instructions. Highly recommended and good value for money too!!
G3XBM Rating: 2012-07-08
Superb addition to FT817 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The latest version of this kit comes with a ready built RJ45 cable/plugs assembly between the unit and radio, so there are no issues at all with wire stripping. Assembly of the kit took 30 mins and set-up was very simple indeed. Even though the instructions are in German, these are not really needed: just set one pot (with the processor off) to a sensible audio level and adjust the second pot for the level of compression needed. On-air results are quite remarkable: whereas I'd often struggle to be heard before, I am making QSOs with ease and good reports. At 34 euros delivered to the UK this represents a very good value kit.
N1EU Rating: 2012-04-24
Gem of a Processor Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This processor is once again being sold as the DYC-8x7 and I received it soon after placing my order. VAT was automatically discounted when I checked out. The kit was VERY easy to assemble. I used some online translation tools to help with the German but it was very straightforward. Only because I have an oscilloscope on hand, I adjusted P3 to make sure the SSM2165-1 chip was receiving about 20mV of audio at pin 4, to place my audio in the center of the active compression zone. It was probably an unnecessary step but I wanted to make sure the gain distribution was correct. I then adjusted my FT-817 mic gain for proper ALC action - it ended up at "6" because the DYC8x7 puts out a hefty audio signal. Monitoring on a second rig, the improvement in punchiness of the ssb signal from the FT-817 was remarkable.
VE7KKQ Rating: 2004-06-25
No more wire stripping!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Put an RJ-45 socket in where the wires go. You will have to remove the snap-in mounting pins though. Then super glue the bad boy on to the PCB. Put an RJ-45 plug on the other end of the provided cable, be sure to allign the wires first. The last thing is some surgery on the case, all done!

VIOLA!!! Major convienance!!
W9PMZ Rating: 2003-06-24
Nice piece of kit Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I order the unit via the web and it took about 3 weeks for delivery. Not so bad.

The PWB took about 1/2 hour to assemble, with the pigtail taking 1 hour and 3 tries, solder wick, 2 more wire ties and 1 burned finger.

Overall the unit works very nicely. Did note some RF feedback on a indoor antenna though. No feedback on the outside antenna.

If you have a FT-817 this is a worthwhile accessory.
WB9OQB Rating: 2003-02-08
Great product! This kit is fast, easy, and works great. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received the kit in about two weeks from the time I ordered it. It took me about 3 hours to put it together, of which one hour was spent messing with the ribbon cable. (Difficult but not impossible) The unit works great - I can see a significant increase on my field strength meter and every contact that I have made since has stated that the compressor gives a 1-2 s-unit increase to my signal. I also like the fact that I didn't have to tear into my microphone or radio which are still under warranty. All in all it is well worth the 29.00 dollars invested.
N3PN Rating: 2002-12-12
Works Great - when you get it! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got it- finally. The only confirmation (after the order was placed on the web) was an email that said there would be a delay of a couple weeks due to part availability. I did not get replies to follow up emails. I got a nice reply when I called Berlin by phone! It did arrive as they said about 3 weeks after the order.
Now for the circuit, aside from a couple English translation errors, the instructions are clear and simple. The parts are good quality. The unit works well. Signal reports are usually a full S unit higher with it on. I like the off switch for FM use.
That ribbon cable others mention deserves a comment. I am glad they put a piece in the kit for "training" as it states. I found the dimensions good but I did not strip the small wires by cutting but instead applied heat of the solder iron to the wire tip and let it shrink back. I got the cable in the first try after I tested this method. So it works great but a delay and silly cable are potential issues.
73 Nelson
VR2XMC Rating: 2002-12-02
Great product but customer services needed improvement Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered this kit on 13 September 2002 but heard nothing from the manufacturer since then. I faxed and emailed them many times but no response.

Surprisingly, the kit arrived yesterday after nearly 3 months. Airmail took 3 months from Germany to Hong Kong ??. I used 3 hours to complete the kit and the result is great. Both the PCB and the components quality are excellent.

I compared it with the One Big Punch of W4RT. They both used the simple speech processor IC and the performance is similar. The OBP is to be built inside the hand mic MH31 whereas this kit is an externally unit.

Depending on how handy you would prefer, the kit has the merit of adjustable mic gain and compression gain. The price is much cheaper than OBP but you have to wait soooo long.

I give it a 4 instead of 5 to reflect the lengthy waiting time.

73

Johnny VR2XMC
N6AF Rating: 2002-11-07
Anyone tried it with the FT-100D ? Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Has anybody tried using the DYC-817 with the
FT-100D ? This will be with the original FT-100D hand mic.
Thanks for any information.
73 N6AF Chas