http://w2ihy.com/audio/EQPlus_WV4RAudioTest.mp3
EQ Plus can be used as a stand-alone unit. If the onboard Dual-Band EQ meets your needs, put EQplus between your microphone and radio. If you find you’d like to have additional adjustability and control, you can always add a W2IHY 8-Band EQ later on.
Adjustable Low Noise Pre-Amp / InputGainControl: Convenient front panel control makes setting input gain quick and easy. LED Bar Gaph indicates proper setting. The wide-range adjustable low noise pre-amp handles both microphones and line-level audio sources.
Dual-Band Equalizer: If you already use a W2IHY 8-Band EQ or other makes of audio gear, you’ll appreciate the way this stage of equalization lets you fine-tune the final audio to the radio. These Bass and Treble controls are a refined update of our original Dual-Band EQ.
Compressor: In the quest for stronger signals, compressors have been used in radio communications for decades. The theory, which always looks great on paper, but is challenging in application: Increase average power by controlling instantaneous peaks. When we consider a 100-watt SSB transceiver might generate only 15 to 25 watts of average power, the advantage of even a modest amount of compression is obvious. Unfortunately, most amateur radio speech processors add distortion, processing artifacts and background noise. While adding audio components we don’t want, they also remove audio characteristics we do want. They restrict low frequencies (typically below 300 Hz), making previously smooth and balanced audio harsh and shrill. Amateurs interested in the best possible audio from their radio often conclude the speech processor does more harm than good and operate with it turned off.
Downward Expander: This advanced technology is used to eliminate or greatly reduce background noises picked up by the microphone. Optimum signal-to-noise is a must when the goal is a clean signal that’s a pleasure to hear. The increase in signal presence and effectiveness is a plus for every style of operation including ragchewing, dxing and contesting. This processing stage logically follows the Compressor because compression raises background noise. Speech processors built-into radios do nothing to control noise, but EQplus does. Simply advance the DE control until noise disappears. Downward expansion is preferred in professional audio where faster, more transparent noise reduction is required. It works wonders in ham shacks, too!
Limiter: The pre set Limiter provides consistent output level when onboard levels reach the limiting threshold (indicated on the LED Bar Graph). Use the Limiter in conjunction with the Output Level Control for absolute management of audio signal level going to your transmitter. And there is more to the Limiter in EQplus: Its harmonious relationship with the Compressor gives your audio a commanding presence.
Another plus of the EQplus Compressor/Limiter combination: Instantaneous peaks from an unmanaged voice signal can overshoot transmitter ALC causing momentary overdrive, distortion and splatter. With EQplus, the audio going to your transmitter is leveled for precise control. Result? A cleaner transmitted signal.
Effects Processor: We think of this feature as creative icing on the cake. After all other processing functions are set up, a slight amount of acoustic enhancement can add a finishing touch of top-end brightness, smoothness and presence. Two tasty flavors are included with user-adjustable delay and level.
Adjustable Audio Output Amplifier: Gives you precision control of signal level going to your radio. At low output, a mic-level signal is sent to the radio’s mic jack. Or increase output to achieve up to a line-level signal for “rear panel” feed to your radio’s balanced modulator or DSP input. With front panel control it’s easy to set the level that’s just right for your radio.
MICROPHONE Note:
not necessary to spend a lot of money for a microphone. It is important to insure your microphone is matched to your voice. Full range (20-20khz) dynamic microphones with a cardioid or unidirectional pattern work the best. Microphones designed for Public Address (100-6khz) are a compromise. Most amateur radio microphones are spec'd around 300-3khz. Typical telephone audio is 300-3khz.Results will vary greatly depending on microphone used. It is HEADPHONE
Note:
properly set up the equalizer. Frequency response, Impedance matching, feedback
isolation are very important issues. Be advised there are many qualities of headphones
but very few really good ones.If you can't hear what you are doing, you will not be able to
properly drive your rig, with a minimal ALC reading, to get the desired output
talk power. Start with too much mic. gain and gradually reduce it until the
output R.F. power starts to fall off Gain on the rig again.
Equalizer On/ Bypass (off) switch S3 ON setup/adjust the EQ -8 (while
talking into the mic.) to equalize "EQ" your voice. While talking into the mic.
turn on and bypass the Equalizer using switch (S3). If equalized audio is
louder than bypass audio , decrease/cut all slider levels, the same amount in
2-6 dB increments, until bypassed loudness is the same loudness as
equalized loudness. If equalized audio is weaker than bypass audio ,
increase/boost all slider levels, the same amount, in 2-6 dB increments, until
bypassed loudness is the same loudness as Equalized loudness.
- Equalizer on/off (S3) = OFF
- Comp/ Downward Expander on/off (S2) = OFF
- Effects Processor (S4) = OFF
- Audio Input Impedance Switch = 600
- Mic Power Switch (S6) on/off= OFF
- Effects Processor (S4) 1/off/2 = OFF
Plug your mic. directly into your rig, Adjust the radios Mic. Gain to. Once adjusted, do not touch the Mic.Plug stereo headphones into the 8 Band Equlaizer (EQ-8). With the EQ-8EQplus INITIAL Setup :EQplus Power-UP:First, connect power to EQplus POWER INPUT JACK using the supplied
power cube/power cables. Next, plug Power Cube into Wall Outlet.
Preliminary Setup: Connect your microphone into the 8 Pin Mic, connector on the EQplus. Turn
the mic select switch for the manufacturer of the Mic. If you are using a Yaesu
mic then select Y. If you are using an ICOM Mic. then select I etc.
Power up your EQplus SYSTEM. Talk into Mic. while adjusting EQplus
Audio Input Gain Control (R12). Look for 2 or 3 Green LED's on the bar graph
light up.
Adjust the EQplus controls to the "Ball Park" settings shown below:
EQUALIZER Setup: Plug Monitor Level Control (R22) to adjust the headphone audio level.
COMP/DE is OFF.stereo headsets into the EQplus. Listen to output of EQplus usingAdjust EQplusEQUALIZER Bass/Treble to suit. Turn controls clockwise to increase/boost.
Turn the controls counter-clockwise to decrease/cut. EQplus EQUALIZER
should only be a minor adjustment. Switch EQplus EQUALIZER On/Off.
Set Audio Input Gain Control (R12) for 3 or 4 Green LED's on the Bar
Graph. With COMP/DE OFF the Bar Graph is a Level Indicator. The Bar
Graph is strictly a level indication so you might occasionally see Amber LED's
but never set it to see RED
COMPRESSOR Setup: Turn COMPRESSOR/DOWNWARD EXPANDER ON and turn the DE fully counterclockwise(OFF). The EQplus compressor makes transmit audio
significantly louder without degrading audio fidelity/clarity. Note compression
level ( step6) is an effective general setting. Turning the COMPRESSOR
CONTROL clockwise increases compression. Turning the COMPRESSION
CONTROL counterclockwise reduces compression.DELAY LEVEL
EFFECTS PROC
BASS TREBLE
EQUALIZER
COMP DE LEVEL
COMP / DE
LEVELOUTPUT
DOWNWARD EXPANDER Setup: With the Compressor / Downward Expander On/Off Switch ON:, while
listening in the headsets, turn the Downward Expander (DE) clockwise
until the Audio sounds Muted/Scratchy. (Talk into Mic.). Turn the DE Control
counterclockwise until audio passes thru with no distortion.The DE Level is affected by any adjustments to AUDIO INPUT
GAIN, AUDIO EQUALIZER or COMPRESSOR Controls.Step 9: EFFECTS PROCESSOR Setup:The primary use of EFFECTS is to optimize audible top end clarity/articulation
not to create " Breaker one nine Good Buddy" audio echos. The goal here is
transparency, to brighten the audio not to sound like you are in an echo
chamber. Program #1 / UP simulates an endless dampening loop/multiple
dampening reflections. Program #2 / DOWN simulates single audio loop/single
reflection. The DELAY CONTROL sets audio time-delay before MIX. The
LEVEL CONTROL sets the amplitude of the delayed audio mix. Have fun
adjusting the Effects Processor DELAY and LEVEL Controls.
key here is clarity/articulation, not overdone "echo".Remember the
OUTPUT LEVEL Setup: Adjust the EQplus OUTPUT LEVEL CONTROL to properly drive your Rig with minimal ALC reading to get desired output talk power. Start with too
much EQplus Output Level gain. Gradually reduce until output R.F. power starts to fall off.