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Reviews For: Autek Research QF-1A

Category: Filters, Audio: (DSP and others)

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Review Summary For : Autek Research QF-1A
Reviews: 34MSRP: No longer in production
Description:
SSB/CW/AM Audio & Notch Filter
Product is not in production
More Info:
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15344.9
N0XE Rating: 2007-01-08
Works Well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had several of these filters over the years and once you learn how to properly adjust them, they can make a big difference. Using them on older Tube gear especially and I think CW is where they shine the most. I rarely ever used mine on SSB. The last one I had was used on my Hallicrafters SX 111 and that old rig is still pretty decent for it's era. The QF1 (mine was the earlier model) brought out CW signals I would never have been able to copy with out it. How it might work on more modern rigs I can not say as I have only used it mostly on the older tube gear, did use it on my TS 520 a few times and pretty much got the same results. I have seen posts on some of the EME reflectors and many have mentioned using this filter as well so it must be doing something for those guys to still want it in line, For $25 to $40, hard to beat. 73 Jim N0XE
K9RX Rating: 2007-01-08
It DOES work! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It is not magic, it is not going to be night and day - but without a doubt my QF1 has provided me with contacts on 80 CW that were without it not workable. Maybe from 30% copy (where one SHOULD NOT CALL) to 65-70% where you can be pretty certain they're calling you and your not inconveniencing anyone). It DOES increase noise - or at least perceived noise - but at the same time it increases the signal more and thus the S/N ratio which is all one is looking for. Note however I have not used it on anything other than CW using the peak filter. The Notch and LP are not something I would use as these functions are much better on my ProIII. The peak however works well for signals that are in the noise. I do recommend it even if using this one function only.
K5YY Rating: 2007-01-08
works as intended Time Owned: more than 12 months.
You have to read the manual and know how to get an improved S/N ratio or better QRM free signal reception. There is a learning curve but no moreso than with the new DSP filters. What some forget is that sometimes you sacrifice signal strength for intelligibility improvement, as with IF narrow filters or DSP pre or post AGC filtering. For $60-80 used prices, the QF1A is a VERY good accessory to any receiver or transceiver that needs QRM and heterodyne fighting assistance. Most DSP units are just as "complicated" and require knowing what the knobs and controls actually do. Signal strength of a "processed" received signal usually does go down BUT you can copy better. A lot cheaper than straight skirted roofing filters or multiple IF mechanical or crystal filters..
My QF1A does about what my Timewave 59+ does, just different mechanism of action...

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K5YY on 2005-06-23

Have used one of these for a long time and like about as well as my Timewave 59+! Does things differently but gets the job done if you are willing to read the instructions and understand what the controls mean.. This is not a "plug and play" device, you gotta know about LP and HP filtering and notch function, etc... It does a GREAT job of coping with QRM of all kinds and for an average used price of about $75, much less than the DSP units out there..
AB7JK Rating: 2007-01-08
Smoke and Mirrors Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I owned a QF-1A a few months but then sold it. When first purchased used I was excited and thought it really made a difference but as time went on I felt less so. Problem is the notch setting used to knock out background noise also reduces the signal. If you peak the signal it increases the background noise. The result - a wash. At no time did the filter ever improve what I was listening to.

Then I began to realize I was spending way too much time fiddling with the knobs and not enough time transmitting/receiving so I stopped using it (I was trying to improve the quality of the signal which was not possible).

The filter is basically a curiosity not worth the cost.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by AB7JK on 2005-06-23

I bought this filter to use with an FT-747GX for SW and MW DX. Now my radio sounds like one of those fancy-schmancy $1200 receivers. It allows peak, notch, high pass, low pass and all permutations. I find it works best fed to quality computer speakers with headphones. I tested it once with a barely audible CW signal, found the right settings and the signal popped out and I had to pull the headphones off to save my hearing. I owned a few DSP rigs a few years ago (IC-718, R75), but their audio quality was inferior compared to the Autek QF-1A. A top notch piece of equipment I can recommend to anyone to improve receiver performance.
K9MQ Rating: 2006-11-04
Enhances Rigs with DSP Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had my Autek QF-1A for about 5 years. I picked up for a good price at a hamfest originally to use with my Kenwood TS-830S. I primarily use the Peak function on it and it has really helped me bring out stations out of the noise. About a year ago, I finally upgraded to a Yaesu FT1000MP Field that has DSP filtering in it. I find that I use the Autek more than the DSP in the rig (though both do different things and help in different ways). Recently I have added a 1.8khz SSB filter and found that in some cases that the audio pitch is to high for me and I am able to adjust it a more suitable level with the Autek.
WA4053SWL Rating: 2006-09-16
Amazing Filter Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have two filter, the Autek QF-1A and TimeWave-9, and the two are fantastic, but the QF-1A no is DSP, is almost a DSP, as it removes the tones en the amateur bands is amazing, and as it eliminates QRM's.
I SWL and my general personal setting to SW and HAM bands is:

AC ON.

AUX.NOTCH FREQ = SW 1100 HZ AND HAM 11000 TO 9 O'CLOCK.

PEAK-NOTCH-LOWPASS-HP = LOWPASS.

SELECTIVITY = AMONG "LP"

FREQUENCY = 2500 HZ TO 9 O'CLOCK [TO AVOID QRM]

AF8X Rating: 2005-12-26
Very good Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I previously owned the QF-1A and don't remember why I got rid of it. I guess because of the newer technology (DSP) But just bought another one. The only reason I didn't rate it as a 5 is because it is powered by 120vac. I converted mine to 12vdc so that I could use it portable. I am very pleased with its performance.
WA2JJH Rating: 2004-05-04
A RX improvement bargain Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is handy for any radio. I first tried it on my Drake TR-7. Love the radio. However the TR-7 does not have notch and the PBT is not as good as the twin dual slope pbt on my Kenwood TS-850.

This jewel makes up for that. The notch is sharp. The large control makes it essy to use.
I use either the low pass or high pass with the drakes PBT to emulate the PBT on the TS-850.
I can get rid of QRM from both sides of the passband.

You must get as good as loud speaker in your rig. There is a learning curve to get the best results out of it. I have also found to turn the unit off while tuning my vfo. If you do not turn off the autek to bypass, SSB tuning becomes difficult.

So tune in the weak station, and peak him out of the mix, or notch out QRM.

For $40 used on ebay, you cannot go wrong!
If you like to build your own direct conversion receivers, the autek will save on much building.
A local oscillator/mixer, the autek becomes the last stage that will make your own designs sound like an off the shelf RX.
The fact that IT IS NOT DSP does not mean anything. It is on par with audio DSP's.

A nifty hamburger helper for cheap RX's too!
K4JQL Rating: 2004-02-02
Very effective filter Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned one for over 18 years. It has a full time Notch filter and a selectable second filter, (High Pass, Low Pass, Notch or Peak). I wouldn't part with mine. Pulls out the weak cw signals and it works very effectively on voice.
KB4ZYJ Rating: 2003-07-24
It Works Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Looking For another Filter Like The Autek QF-1A Is There Anyone Out Here Who Wants To Part With It I Have A Friend That Needs One Real Bad Of The Noise Level He Has At His QTH You Can Email Him At dechols@cfl.rr.com Thanks KB4ZYJ