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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
VE6SZR Rating: 2002-10-09
Great product...not aware of current shipping problems. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I too obtained one of these compressors....albeit about 4 months ago. Therefore, I'm not aware of some of the current shipping problems (as expressed in comments below).

Taking this into consideration....if you do happen to get you hands on one of these items, it will perform remarkably well!!!! A big improvement in the "punchiness" of the audio signal.

As far as kit building goes....this was the first kit I ever put together....it was very simple......EXCEPT when it came to soldering the flat 8 conductor cable which connects the RJ-45 connection to the PC board (as someone mentioned below). This can prove very frustrating.......extreme patience is required here.
M5TAW Rating: 2002-09-29
Transformed the 817 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered this kit after reading an article on eham.net about it. It arrived within days and I put it together in about 1 hour? Soldering the cable connections to the main PCB was the most difficult part. I am no expert kit builder and I was pleasantly surprised that this worked first time (there is little to do wrong!).
My 817 audio is transformed! I use Heil inserts hc-4 & hc-5 which do not appear to have a very high output. Previously my output on average was about 1 watt, it is now approx 4 watts. Listening on my second receiver, I simply disappear when the processor is turned off. This has got to be the most cost effective addition to the 817, I use my 817 so much more now that I am heard! I receive good audio reports and people are surprised that I am QRP into a dipole. Recommended!!
WF8X Rating: 2002-09-21
Is it good? Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I will never know if the DYC-817 is any good. Construction of the kit goes good up until installing the 8 wires for the RF45 cable. The stranded wires are very stiff, hard to strip, and very difficult to get into the small holes on the circuit board. I tried three times, re-cutting the cable each time, but by then had damaged the circuit board solder pads. The board, already stuffed with components, was no good. I threw the whole works in the trash and counted the $29 as a bad expenditure. I am not a novice kit builder by any means, but I have no interest in even trying to build another DYC-817.
N1KSN Rating: 2002-08-19
I get good audio reports Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Based on the first review of this unit I ordered one and received it quickly from Germany. Unfortunately, I fried it after constuction because I applied power with the wrong polarity to test it. Duh! I ordered a second unit and avoided my stupid mistake. By the way, the kit was no problem, although soldering the connection wires is a bit delicate and patience is needed. Of course, I had practice the second time around.

I made the suggested mods to reduce the minimum level of processing and any susceptibility to stray RF (I work portable a lot). I kept the pots at their center settings. I put my FT-817 on an OHR wattmeter to look at the difference between on and off for the processing. Running at the 5 watt power setting with the stock Yaesu mike in position #1 and the processing off the peaks were around 2 watts. With the processing turned on the peaks moved up to 4 watts, about the same as my Heil 817 Traveler's boom mike.

I then used the unit for several QRP phone contacts and got at least a couple of unsolicited complements on my audio, plus other favorable comments after asking. I am very satisfied and think this is a definite must-have for the FT-817 owner. And the price can't be beat.

Andy, N1KSN
KL7AC Rating: 2002-07-26
An FT-817's best friend Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Knut, DG0ZB has put together a really nice external processor for Yaesu's already classic FT-817. Based on Phil's (AD5X) design he has improved upon it and offered it as a very affordable kit.

The kit comes in a small plastic bag. All components including a very nice silk screened board were present. It took about an hour and a half to construct the kit. The most difficult part you will find is attaching the 8 wire RJ-45 type cable to the board. The SMD IC's are already installed so no worries about having to break out the magnifying glass.

The unit has an on and off switch on the side of the enclosure to take the unit out of circuit when on the VHF bands running FM. My favorite extra feature is the tone generator, key the mike and press the DWN button on your mike. With your other hand tap the TUNE on your Z-11 and you are ready to go! It in no way impairs any of the microphone's functions.

Performance has been wonderfull with all stations commenting on how much punchier the audio sounds. Much easier for them to hear the small QRP 5W signal. All in all just about the best bang for the buck I have EVER spent on a radio accessory! At 22 dollars a steal, oops add 7 bucks for shipping.

73,
Andre KL7AC