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Reviews For: NCS 3230 Multi-Rx

Category: Ham Shack Accessories

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Review Summary For : NCS 3230 Multi-Rx
Reviews: 5MSRP: $349.95
Description:
Provides selective listening of one to six radios. Radio audio can be switched to listen to one or all six radios at the same time. Also has provisions for manual or automatic control of an external audio tape recorder.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.ncsradio.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0055
N8YX Rating: 2019-11-06
Wish they were still available new Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought one of these units used (along with an NCS-3240 Multi-Switcher) and after plumbing it into the shack, immediately started looking for another. Doug (NCS founder) helped me with a problem encountered in the first unit; kudos to him for stellar customer support.

My current configuration has 5 receivers (4 trunking scanners and an R-7000) feeding into one unit and another 5 (2 R-7000s, 2 HF receivers and an HF transceiver) going into the second. Input Port #6 on each is connected to the outputs of two Denon DN-F450R digital audio recorders (one per -3230). The inputs of the Denons are fed by the Recorder Audio port of each Multi-RX.

Topping this off is a Timewave DSP-599ZX. The left Processing-Mixer Out channel of each -3230 is connected to the A and B inputs of the Timewave, and its A/B Line Out connections are run back to the corresponding Amp In ports. I can select which -3230 to filter via the Timewave (using stored config profiles).

Depending on how I set the -3230's Left or Right Channel input selectors, I can select individual receivers for filtering. I can also select Input Port #6, play recorded audio from the digital recorders through it, into the DSP unit then back into the Multi-RX's amplifier. Thus, I don't need another external amplifier for playback and can do dual-pass filtering when needed.

One of the -3230s is set to Mute All when any radio connected to the -3240 is keyed. The other is muted when the transceiver connected to it is keyed and I can manually mute everything if necessary.

A very useful device, and the way I've configured mine makes it doubly so. Really wish they were still made.
K3CN Rating: 2008-10-13
Great Device Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently purchased the Multi-Rx when I added a third rig to the shack. I got tired of all the small so called speakers around. I run two Sounds Sweet speakers with this unit and the audio is outstanding. Care has to be taken when adjusting the af gain or you will overdrive it into distortion. Properly set up and adjusted I get super sound and less clutter in the shack. I run 3 HF rigs a scanner and VHF/UHF all into the Multi-Rx. Life is now simple, control is easy and the sound incredible. I can now get rid of all these accessory speakers.
WM2P Rating: 2008-01-28
Just Great Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have two rigs, two scanners and a computer with TV, satellite radio and ITunes all hooked up to this useful device. I can now put on a set of headphones and listen to what I want;, how I want it. Nice to listen to music while you are also listening to a rag chew session on headphones without worrying about transmiting music on the air. I also watch and listen to my PC TV while I am on the radio.

Of course you can also just listen to one or two speakers instead of using headphones but then you have to worry about transmitting TV and Music if they are also coming through your speakers. You can have your HF rig in your left ear (speaker) and your VHF/UHF rig in your right ear (speaker). Each input in configurable for both channels or a single left/right channel. There is even a mode to allow you to spread out all the sources in a psuedo surround sound fashion. There are hookups for a recording device and a pre-amp input section where you can insert an equalizer or DSP noise reduction unit.

I find this product extremely useful but have two things I would like to see improved considering its hefty price.

1. It does have a distinct background noise level much higher than if you listened to each rig directly.

2. It would be great if instead of one master volume control there were individual volume controls for each input. This way you would not have to constantly go back to the individual devices to adjust their output for each situation. Sometimes I want my music barely audiable but at other times I want it nice and loud until I hear someone on frequency. Would be nice to just turn a knob and lower the music instead of having to go to the source and change it there.

It would also be great to release a version without the recording and surround sound stuff at a lower price. The hams I know using this simply use it to monitor several radios at one time and really do not need all the other bells and whistles.
AF4KK Rating: 2007-09-27
You gotta' get one!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The NCS-3230 is a real benefit in the HAM shack! If you have 3 or more radios (as I have), you should really get one of these to manage your sound output! It also makes recording the audio a breeze! I have the audio from 6 radios going through to only two speakers and I can control where the sound comes out from which radio. It also has a "spatial" mode which I haven't used too much. It really doesn't benefit too much in my mobile station I also have the recording output going not to a recoding device but to the "line input" of a GAP outboard DSP unit and the set-up works like a charm! The 3230 also has a very adequate amp in it to overcome any amibient noise floating about!
W3BUG Rating: 2007-09-25
Outstanding ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is one outstanding product. I now have 5 radios connected to it with 1 set of speakers for output. No need for multiple radio speakers any more. Route all your rigs audio to the 3230 and press a button for the audio. Great when listening to multiple scanners too. Great construction, packing and customer service. Oh yes, order the 5 patch cables and your ready to plug-and-play.

Scott - W3BUG