[TenTec] RF Speech Processor

[GARY HUBER]

Thanks James,

I have never been one to subscribe to the all knobs to the right nor running 
every thing to the maximum. For great sounding transmit audio, a TenTec 705 
microphone, and enough mic gain to get an occasional ALC flicker from a 
CORSAIR-II is hard to beat... its all analog. You've got it right though, 
with your OMNI-VII, less is more for good audio. If the 715 is set correctly 
and its output gain is near or less than that of the microphone only, then 
the OMNI's DSP processor should not be overdriven.

We have a local Sunday morning 160 Meter AM net which started after WW-II on 
1815 kHz but was recently moved to 1915 kHz.  In the net are some real old 
timers who have their Johnson Valiants and D-104 microphones along with both 
tube receivers from the 60s and SDRs.  For that net I open the OMNI-VII up 
with a 200 Hz roll off,  3400 Hz BW, set the on-board (DSP) speech 
processing to 20%, connect the TT-705, run about 12 W AM to the Titan-425 
(120-150 W out) and get lots of complements on the audio. But the 
complements from others was not what I was after..... I wanted to know I had 
the sound and worked at it, transmitting into a dummy load, receiving with 
the FLEX-1500 and recording with Audacity and then using J-hooks to 
inductively couple the audio to the telecoils of my hearing aids.

Over the years operating the OMNI-II and the OMNI-VI+ before that at 100 W, 
I've found that when I'm calling DX (simplex) with no response and no 
competition and do not have the TT-715 on, simply by turning the processor 
on usually produces a QSO.  To get an occasional "great audio" comment when 
DXing or contesting is also rewarding.  But if my audio is bad, I want to 
know.... I'm going to stop, take a closer look at the panadapter, make a 
recording, listen to my audio, fix it, and move on.


73 ES DX,
Gary -- AB9M

-----Original Message----- 
From: Richards
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 5:57 PM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] RF Speech Processor

Personally, Gary, after reading your comments over the past couple of
years, and reviewing your setup procedure, I am confident you have
managed to ring the most out of the rig and processor, pushing it to the
max, while maintaining a narrow, clean, and intelligible signal.

In contrast, we all know most guys won't be as picky, careful, or
analytical, as you are, and those are the 8% of the net Bob says sound
bad using external processing aids.

My personal triumph was when the TT Sunday Net Control Operator said my
transmit audio was super clean, and was the best among 70 other guys
checking in - all the more meaningful, because no one sounded bad! I
have been running a TS-590s on another net, and received the same
compliment several times with that rig on that net.

I am constantly amazed at how well one can do with a Plain Jane ordinary
inexpensive microphone, FLAT EQ, and Default audio settings.
Occasionally I add a mere 30% on-board speech processor setting, and I
am repeatedly told how good I am sounding.

I am an odd duck.   I subscribe to the "less is more" design theory...
OK... only sometimes, but at least in this case:  I presume the
manufacturer knows more about how the rig should sound  than I do.  So,
I mostly use the default EQ and other settings.  My OMNI VII works
pretty well right out of the box.  About 30-35 % processor helps out in
a pinch.  Otherwise, stock audio all the way.

I also subscribe to the theory that every connector, every audio
circuit, every gadget in the line adds a bit of distortion and loss.
Consequently,  I try to keep it all to a minimum - assuming the addition
of a noise gate, studio compressor, feedback limiter, outboard EQ,
pre-amp, and etc., will add as much distortion and loss as it adds in
some other aspect.  It is just communications grade audio - what I say
should be more important that how good I sound saying it.

Nevertheless, I am confident you have done your homework and you have a
good on-air persona.

Happy days, OM.    That's just MY take...

---------------------- K8JHR  --------------------



On 6/14/2013 7:59 AM, GARY HUBER wrote:
> Jim,
>
> You've not heard my audio, nor seen it, but you already have an opinion.
> Why not look at my original comments as to how the combination was
> produced.
>
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