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Reviews For: Ten-Tec 715 RF Speech Processor

Category: Audio Accessories for Transmitter & Receiver

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Review Summary For : Ten-Tec 715 RF Speech Processor
Reviews: 31MSRP: 249.00
Description:
Model 715 RF Speech Processor is a high performance true RF-type speech processor designed to operate with most modern HF Amateur Radio transceivers. RF speech processing is a superior system to the traditional AF clipping, AF compression, or RF compression found in a typical HF transceiver for achieving the highest ratio of average-to-peak power from an SSB transmitter.
Product is in production
More Info: http://radio.tentec.com/accessories/715
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00314.5
K4TAX Rating: 2009-08-06
Good results, works as expected and advertised. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Having had the unit for a couple of weeks now, using it on several bands from "rag chew" QSO's to busting DX pileups, it does a very good and effective job. The external station watt meter clearly confirms that it raises the average SSB power and on-air reports state that it gives "punch" to the audio. With the easy to read and understand manual, it is easy to adjust and get operational in just a few minutes using the Tentec supplied cables. Once done, the operator can switch the processor IN and OUT without need to make any adjustments on the radio. IN/OUT switching is done by relay. No issues with RFI have been observed while operating with near legal limit power on any HF band. It is a nice addition to any station and well worth the money. Cosmetically it is typical of the high quality cabinet and silkscreen finish of Tentec equipment.
N3LCW Rating: 2009-06-01
Works great, better than anticipated. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
TenTec has done an excellent job with this processor. Using this with my Yaesu FT-847 it did indeed boost average power at least 6db. On air reports have been nothing but positive. It has made all the difference in being able to cut through high background noise levels. Very easy to adjust using rigs' built in monitor and then final adjustments made with on-air reports. Reports have favored the TT-715 over the built in processor. Being able to adjust audio bandwidth really helps tailor to the individual's voice characteristics. Very highly recommended.
N6QPU Rating: 2009-05-16
Poor mans amplifier Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The 715 gets me through when I can't make it with my 100 watts. Making contacts with the 715 a 708 mike on my Omni VI make a huge difference. I recommend this unit to anyone who wants more power with out using an amplifier. Best $250 I have spent in ham radio. Great job Ten-Tec.
N2TU Rating: 2009-05-15
Good...but... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
At the risk of being 'overly critical' here are a few of my observations of the Ten Tec RF Speech Processor. Every operator is different and has a differing set of needs and 'likes and dislikes'. Here are my observations based on a very limited ownership time frame. Most of these revolve around preliminary set-up and some (limited) on air experience

1. The fit and finish of the unit is excellent. Ten Tec does a great job of this.

2. The User's Manual is a bit sparse but adequate.

3. The unit schematic is awful. It is very, very tiny and appears to be a 'detached' schematic, that is, leads go off the page and are continued on another page. This is fine, however, in this schematic the designators don't say where they are going. Also, there are no designators for some circuit components. For instance, R58 is a potentiometer but which one? Same for R56, R49 etc.

4. There is no parts list.

5. The front panel has no indicator as to the status of the unit. (On or Off). A simple LED or an on/off switch would suffice. There is a In/Out switch but apparently this does not switch the voltage off within the unit. Some of us would like to shut our equipment 'Off' when not in use rather than continuing to have the equipment powered up. It would be nice to know if the unit is powered up; a rather simple concept.

6. The supplied cord from the unit to the transceiver is fairly short, around 18 inches so the unit must be located close to the transceiver. Alternatively, the user can make up an extension cord.

7. The MIC input is in the front of the unit. Personally, I would prefer cords to be entering and exiting my equipment from the rear, especially cords that are rarely connected/ disconnected. Does your transceiver have an AC cord in the front? Not likely,

8. The Processor Level control is inconveniently located in the rear of the unit. Again, a personal preference is to have all variable, user controls located in the front where you can easily adjust them. It like having your transceiver's Mic Gain or VFO control located in the rear and having to reach around behind your rig. Why does the unit have the Mic Input in the front and a user control (Proc Level) in the rear?

The RF Processor appears to be to do as advertised, which is to boost an SSB signal. It remains to be seen if this is a 'pile-up' buster.

Again, my review is based on limited operating experience, however, I've been an operator for a long time and know what I like versus what I don't. There are times in pile-ups or contests where you have to make adjustments 'on the fly' and having controls in the rear of equipment just don't cut it for me.

You be the judge if the above review is in line with your own operating tendencies.

N5JBD Rating: 2009-03-13
5.0 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Once again Ten Tec has hit a home run. Just ask your friends on the net for an audio report, sit back, and wait for "the best you've ever sounded" to come through the speaker.

I had it up and running in 10 min. Instructions were easy and accurate. Quality was up to Ten Tec standards and it worked as advertised.

If you want that added boost for any radio this product is money well spent. This is a pileup buster.

Terry
N5JBD
W7CAR Rating: 2009-03-11
GR8 Product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just received my new Model 715 in the mail Monday, yet did'nt try it out till today. At first I had to call Ten-Tec for a Dumb Moment I had but I figured it out. Their Tech Gary was a wonderful help, and is no wonder Ten-Tec's Service is second to None! I am using it on my Yaesu FT-950 & the MD-100 desk mic. I found all worked great after I switched OFF the Filter & High emphasis switches on the bottom of the mic. Had several glowing Audio reports on 20 meters most of the afternoon. Thank You Ten-Tec for another Technical Home Run!
K4YRK Rating: 2009-02-26
A great add-on to help bust the DX pileups! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This device will really boost your signal 3 to 6db and really help on DXing.

Well worth the cost. Not for use all the time but just when you need that extra boost for your signal when the going gets tough.

Ten Tec, Great job on this and you should sell a "boat load" of these!
K1FPV Rating: 2009-02-24
Very effective for rigs without a speach processor. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Ten-Tec has a winner with this accessory! I shut off the processors on my Orion II and my FT-2000, and found that this was just as effective as the on board processors for each radio. An added bonus is it gives you the ability to adjust the bandpass on the front panel without having to go into menus.

Next, I hooked it up to my Ten-Tec 526(6N2) that doesn't have a processor. The reports I get are super! With one distant station on 6 meters, I hooked up with him and needed to run an amplifier to get decent copy on his end. When I turned the processor on, I was able to shut the amp off and still was readable.

Nice job Ten-Tec! Still making them in the good old USA, the way they should!
N0YG Rating: 2009-02-17
Works beyond as advertised, This will blow you away Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The unit works great, TenTec has another home run with this as with all their equipment. This processor works with most brands of radio. I did have some problems understanding the instructions. While the instructions are good to a point, I feel that they are not complete enough for the inexperienced operator. I was able to call on Billy AA4NU who also has a review posted here, for some help. He got me up and running in just a few minutes, Thanks Again To AA4NU for his great help. Maybe TenTec will review the instructions and make them clear from A to Z.
KB1ODO Rating: 2009-02-14
Does the job Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Needed a little more help to break through those DX pile ups,and this did the trick.Good instructions make this unit easy to set up.Note that unit is wired for Ten Tec mics so you will have to rewire your favorite mic,instruction manual has diagram.I use the Heil Proset which plugs into the 1/8" mono jack on the Processor.