Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Autek Research QF-1

Category: Filters, Audio: (DSP and others)

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Autek Research QF-1
Reviews: 15MSRP: 79.95
Description:
Audio Filter
Product is not in production
More Info:
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00154.3
W7EKB Rating: 2019-08-24
Good unit Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I was given two of these units by a friend who is now SK. I recently plugged one into my Yaesu FT-890 and although I find it very useful, it does have a couple of easily fixed issues. For one thing, it uses an old two-wire power cord, so, at least with mine, the plug must be rotated in the AC socket so that hum at the headphones is minimized. I intend to replace that power cord with a modern 3-wire unit asap. Secondly, thoroughly "grounding" the QF-1 by a clip-lead from the case of the QF-1 to the FT-890 eliminated further noise. Then, there are two 0.01 mfd capacitors connected from each side of the AC line to the chassis. These should be replaced with the modern types which are designed for such service and will not fail shorted. I intend to also add a fuse at the AC input.

I thoroughly enjoy the use of this unit and find it extremely helpful to pick out a weak one from the pack.
N0XE Rating: 2012-07-28
Great filter period Time Owned: more than 12 months.

Have had many of these filters off and on for years, never once a break down and can't comment on customer service as never needed to contact them but all in all for the money you can't beat adding this filter to your station especially if you own a vintage radio, Learn how to adjust it and if you do it right it will amaze you on what a difference it can make, I know of modern EME stations who still use this old filter, must be a reason considering what is now availalbe in the modern DSP world, the filter has no delay and no funny sounding artifacts like so many others. 73 Jim N0XE
VE3CUI Rating: 2011-11-29
In A Word: EXCELLENT! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my QF-1 brand new some 34 years ago now...it's been a wonderful adjunct to my low band CW station in pursuit of elusive weak-signal DX.
KM5Q Rating: 2008-01-12
30 years, still works great! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I got one in 1977 and built it into a speaker enclosure for my Ten Tec Triton IV. I've been ham-active only about 5% of the time since then, but it still works perfectly. I leave it on almost all the time, CW and SSB. Wouldn't be without it for a vintage rig. I added a on/off-bypass switch so it's in/out smoothly.
W3NRL Rating: 2007-08-02
Neat Little Gizmo Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I found this little gizmo on ebay ( cheap ) and i was taken back by the station that i could not normally make contact with that this QF-1A just bring them to the surface.
W2RDD Rating: 2007-08-02
Nice outboard filter Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought mine used, god knows where or when, but it was years ago. I continue to use it with nice results. Right now with my FT-817ND. I have a cw filter in the little Yaesu but find the QF-1 peak and notch controls very handy in my all-QRP CW operating. So far the components haven't broken down and I, too, gave it a good contact spraying. I give it a 4 rating only because the filter cannot be bypassed. You turn it off, dead air. It must be disconnected from the rig in order to bypass. Not a problem for me as my phones are always plugged in with the filter controls in a sort of neutral position.

If you find one at a reasonable price, take a chance.
K4SAR Rating: 2007-07-29
Nice filter Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently picked up a QF1 from an estate sale, and after applying a touch of contact cleaner to the controls was amazed at how well it works. Very weak signals in crowded band conditions are much, much more readable. Notch and low pass work very well.
AB7JK Rating: 2007-01-22
Too old - bad xformers Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
These filters can be found cheap on Ebay. Trouble is they are so old they break down quickly and the transformer is usually the first thing to go. Otherwise the transistors break into to self oscillation. Both result in a loud buzz. Save your hard earned money.
W0NBP Rating: 2006-05-05
Excellent CW Tool Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is one of the best audio filters for pulling CW out of the mud I have ever seen. It also cleans up SSB very well too. I have used the DSP by r/shak and this Autek filter is twice the device the DSP is. When QSB is really bad you can notch this down so narrow you don't hear nothing but the beat.
K7JBQ Rating: 2006-02-14
$15 at a swapmeet Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Dirty, and the noise when I powered it up almost blew the cans out. A little spray and cleanup later, and copying the weak ones on CW became much easier.

I have the narrow CW filter in the Yaesu FT-890; this little unit adds another dimension, particularly for peaking weak signals. Find one, do a little cleanup work (after all, these things are 30+ years old), and enjoy!