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Reviews For: International Radio (Inrad) Roofing Filters

Category: Filters, RF: bandpass, duplexer, lowpass, highpass, RFI/EMI

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Review Summary For : International Radio (Inrad) Roofing Filters
Reviews: 46MSRP: 175-200
Description:
Roofing filter mods for Yaesu FT-1000MP Series and FT-1000/D, Icom IC-756Pro/2/3, Icom IC-765/775/781, Ten-Tec Omni VI, Kenwood TS- 850/930/950 and other radios to improve close in dynamic range. Email: sales@inrad.net
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.inrad.net/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00464.8
MW0KIK Rating: 2004-12-27
Big Difference Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recieved mine from vine on xmas eve and fitted it that afternoon. It was easy to fit into my field, two small wires to solder and then its "plug and play". Noise from big signals close by is dramatically reduced.....worth the money and small effort to fit. Well done Inrad.
W5JON Rating: 2004-12-22
Impessive Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After hearing the raves about "Roofing Filters", I figured I would try one on my FT1000 MKV. It actually exceeded my expectations. Close by S9+ signals are dramatically reduced or gone making weak ones very readable.

I don't know about the numbers game, but for the past two weeks hearing is believing, as I can really hear the difference on my FT1000 MKV.

Well worth the price, and the wait....

73,

John W5JON
N4SL Rating: 2004-12-19
Get it!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I installed this mod and ran the CW and SSB Sweepstakes contests, then the 10m contest and the ARRL 160m contest.

There is a very noticeable difference in nearby loud signal handling - a big improvement, easily worth the cost. Especially in the SSB contests, but also very good in the CW tests.

The module has an RF amplifier in it to compensate for filter loss, giving a net gain of +2dB. I used the hidden menu to decrease the IF gain two steps and the previously objectionable audio hiss that is a characteristic of this radio is way reduced - an unexpected benefit.

Installation is easy.

For normal, non-contest uses, you'll hardly notice this mod is in place unless you have a neighboring ham who is LOUD. For contest uses, you'll be glad you got it.

They warn you, and it's true that since the 1st IF BW is now 4KHz, AM doesn't sound the same anymore. I now listed to WWV in USB mode instead of AM. If you AM with your radio, this mod is NOT for you!

Otherwise, get it and love it and write a review on it to help the guys on the fence.

73, Steve N4SL
NZ3O Rating: 2004-11-12
Worth The Price! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was one who hesitated about a $150+ upgrade to a somewhat aging Yaesu FT-1000MP, but when I lost part of the sub-receiver, I priced new radios. And took the plunge.

The Roofing Filter from INRAD makes this sound like a different radio. I tested listening to S9+20 signals on 75 meters. I moved 1 KHz down and could hear weak signals. I moved 2 KHz down and, although I could still hear minor QRM, I could work anyone who called.

AWESOME. Well worth it. And I gave up the 70 MHz amp option to put this in and I'm very pleased that I made the decision to repair the rig and upgrade to the INRAD roofing filter.

I just feel smarter today. 73, Byron
ON4ADZ Rating: 2004-11-02
great Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I installed this roofing filter in my Mark V and ran two contests with it : the JARTS Rtty and cq ww ssb.
During the cq ww ssb the receiver performance is tested to the limit.
My receiver holds stronger than ever during S9+++ signals on both sides. It gives me an advantages, I can dig in between contest battle stations.
Quality and delivering service !
My rig has only the standard IF filters.

DIRK
ON4ADZ

I would do it again.
KK9ZZ Rating: 2004-09-29
Great mod for FT 1000MP Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently recevied my 4 khz roofing filter mod for my FT 1000MP. I was very impressed with the quaility of construction of it. It took less than ten minutes to install in my FT 1000MP and it was plug and play.

So far so good. While my impression is subjective, the sensitivity is at least as good as it was before [it has an onboard amp that actually gives it some modest gain] and the audio quality for 2.4 khz sideband sounds the same. It does pinch AM audio quite a bit on the main receiver, but I don't use AM and AM works fine on the sub receiver. The receiver sounds "cleaner" for lack of better term and the difference between the main and sub recever is dramatic. The specs that Inrad has on their website lists independent measurements of close in dynamic range [5khz] as 89 for IMD and 130 ! for blocking range. The ARRL labs tested the Icom IC 7800 as having 89 for IMD and 115 for blocking range at 5khz which means that the FT 1000MP with this roofing filter has a receiver with at least as good dynamic range as the Icom IC 7800 and considerably higher blocking range. Not bad for $165 investment.

For the money I think it is a well worthwhile improvement that does NOT require the use of a soldering iron or modifying of ANYTHING inside the FT 1000MP and can be easily removed if need be, except for the plastic standoffs maybe. Inrad has a great article on the benefit of roofing filters on their website if you want more info. A filter of this type and quality for 70 mhz was simply not availabe when the FT 1000MP was first designed. Thanks to the folks at Inrad for a great, affordable, and easy retrofit upgrade for the FT 1000MP.