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Reviews For: GAP HEAR IT Inline Module

Category: Filters, Audio: (DSP and others)

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Review Summary For : GAP HEAR IT Inline Module
Reviews: 26MSRP: 180
Description:
Stand alone audio DSP unit with variable audio and DSP level control.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.gapantenna.com/hearit.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00264.5
W8EZI Rating: 2010-09-17
works so well I don't want to work HF without it. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I could only repeat the raves this equipment has received. To be completely candid, the plugs don't fit very well. This was complained of by another user. It is easy to forget this because the thing works so damn well. However, the plugs are PCB mounted and not easily changed. The manufacturer would have a perfect product if they could just get decent connectors.

I have a loop antenna on 75 meters on a city lot right in town. This device makes my ragchews sound like FM. Once you use this on SSB, you get spoiled very quickly. I only use SSB so I cannot comment on other modes.

The only other criticism I have is that the output audio could have been made a little higher wattage and you must use a different 12 volt power supply than that used for your transceiver. Otherwise you get audio noise back from your lousdpeaker while transmitting. Figure on getting a good wall transformer to run this thing.

The bottom line is that the basic design is so good that I am willing to accept these shortcomings and would buy another.

Michael
KC2SCY Rating: 2009-09-19
Works as advertise Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I brought my unit at this years hamfest in Ohio. I could not wait to get home and try it out. First I must say it does work. However the craftsmanship is very poor, connection come lose, the speaker fitting is horrible. If I uses my amp with unit in line I now get feed back through my speaker which I never had before.

otherwise it does as advertise
W4KVW Rating: 2009-01-27
GOODBYE NOISE! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well it's just as I suspected it would be.The GAP "HEAR IT" IN LINE MODULE is just as GREAT as the GAP "HEAR IT" SPEAKER.The floor noise or white noise is NO LONGER a problem when using EITHER the IN LINE MODULE or the DSP speaker.You can even open the squelch on FM & NOT be blown out of the shack from the noise.THANKS AGAIN "GAP" for making 2 meter WEAK SIGNAL operations "FUN" as it should be with your GREAT DSP products!You make my old ICOM 271A "HEAR IT" WITHOUT the noise! }:>)

Clayton
W4KVW
EM80
KG4EKC Rating: 2008-04-10
Excellent addition for FT 857D Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I really love this device. It makes it so I can hear even weak signals. It has really helped me enjoy HF mobile. It is like listening to FM on HF. I use this module all the time. It really adds to the dsp filters in the 857D. I use this device with a moto speaker and there is volume strength loss but it is quite usable. I'm sure in the higher end radios it would be a waste of money but in this radio it is great.
N2WUX Rating: 2008-04-04
A very good performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased the unit at the Dayton Hamfest about 3-4 years ago and it works great.It is the perfect partner for my noisy Icom 706MK IIG whose own built-in DSP is very poor.Lately however,the unit was cutting in/out which I attributed to loose/worn connections but it turned out to be the 9.2 Kohm input potentiometer which I was always adjusting.I took the unit apart by removing the 4 rubber feet (the screws are underneath)and replaced the worn pot with 8.2 Kohm and 1Kohm fixed resistors and it worked perfectly.Now I control the input level by simply adjusting the volume control of the radio.I would reccommend this unit to anyone with a " NOISY " radio like my mobil unit !!
WB9FMC Rating: 2007-12-06
Okay: YMMV Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The bottom line is that it helps some of lower end digital receivers eliminate noise that the radio *may* be exacerbating (see Rob Sherwoods presentation here: http://www.sherweng.com/documents/Dayton2007w.ppt).

These observations are on CW.

When I was using my Yeasu FT-757, it made a very noticeable difference, making copy much easier. But, when I use the Elecraft KX-1 or the Drake R-4C, the amount of signal required (as in audio S/N ratio) to "drive" the processor is at the point where it's already a comfortable copy. And, if you set it to copy a weak signal (at the edge of its capabilities), and that signal fades a bit, the DSP looses it altogether. If you bypass the unit, you'll still hear the signal enough to copy. I'm not sure why this is. It may be a general audio DSP issue.

So, I conclude that while it can help some radios, your millage may vary (YMMV).

kurtt, WB9FMC
N4VNV Rating: 2007-06-13
POOR QUALITY Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I found the GAP DNR module to be poor quality material. The plastic fuse holder body, broke into pieces in my hand when I took it out of the box. It's really an inferior grade of plastic. And the plug-in cables fit very poorly and won't maintain connection. Contact is broken by the least vibration, i.e. people walking by the rig.
WHEN it's working, it does a good job!
W4CAS Rating: 2007-01-25
What a great accessory! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have had my GAP inline module for about 4 months and my only question is, why didn't I buy one sooner? This unit works at least as well as advertised, maybe better! Depending on band conditions and noise levels, I never have to use a noise reduction setting above 3 or 4. Anything above 4 gives the audio a "watery" sound like you are listening through a hydrophone on the ocean bottom - but I'm sure there might be some conditions that warrent the use of higher processing levels. The only things I could find fault with are the smallish knobs (but I'm ham-handed...no pun intended!) and the somewhat awkward layout of the module. Seems like they could have designed a box with all the controls on the front and all the inputs, outputs and power connections on the back - but maybe I'm being too picky! And maybe a future model could include an automatic notch filter. But beyond my overly critical comments, this is truly a fantastic accessory!
KG6R Rating: 2006-09-16
Terrific Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have used the gap "Hear It" inline module for six months with my ft-840 and ft-897d. The noise reduction is terrific and I use it more often than not. Once I purchased the ft-897d (with DSP), I thought that I would not use the GAP module except with the ft-840. Wellllll I was wrong. With the GAP and the dsp in the ft-897d turned on, the difference is amazing. I highly recommend this product wether you plan on using it with boat anchors or improving the noise reduction with a radio equipped with dsp.
WB4VET Rating: 2006-09-09
Better than advertised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Simply put, it is better than advertised. It works with almost every radio and definitely gets rid of all types of noise. Congratulations to GAP for a piece of equipment that does what it is supposed to.