Speech Compressor - unleash your DX potential
***apparent improvement can be up to 6dB!***
The FT-817 FT-818 is a great radio but the SSB speech power does lack "punch". This great little external AF dynamic compressor from Box 73 in Germany will aid readability and maximise the performance of your radio (essential when using QRP). Speech Compressors work by raising the average level of your audio signal, giving greater "talk power".
Plug and Play! Connects between the radio and microphone (lead included). The compressor function can be switched in or out, the module draws its power directly from the transceiver (approx. 10mA). The compression level is adjustable. Modifications to the microphone or transceiver are not required.
Click here for instructions. The speech compressors that we sell are fully built and ready to use, so the construction part of the instructions can be ignored, but there are some operating instructions near the end of the document. The potentiometers inside the compressor may need a bit of adjustment to suit you and your radio (page 10 of instructions).
The compressor is also suitable for use with the FT-900, FT-857, FT-897 and FT-450 (all versions). For more modern Yaesu radios, they may already have similar functionality built-in (look for 'speech processor' in the manual), so an external compressor might not be necessary in that case.
Note: if using an external speech compressor, any internal speech compression in the transceiver should be turned off. Otherwise there will be too much compression, resulting in distorted audio.
Video: demonstration of how speech compression works
FAQ
Modes
Speech compression is not recommended for use on FM.
Microphone cable
Occasionally people have problems plugging their microphone into the compressor. This is because the Yaesu microphones are fitted with an oversized rubber boot that shrouds the RJ45 connector. If the RJ45 connector does not click firmly into the body of the speech compressor, gently retract the rubber boot a few millimetres and the connector will engage properly (100% success rate!).
Video: how to fix a microphone cable that does not plug in properly
Also available from our international agent(s):
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56 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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SB Speech compressor for Yaesu FT8*7
Makes one HUGE difference. Used mine in the CQWW SSB contest, and worked some nice DX (for a QRP SSB station) Well worth the money, and highly recommended. Also used a Sotabeam linked dipole......what a combo....
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FT-817 Speech Compressor Kit
Easy to assemble and worked fine without tweaking the pots from their 50% setting. Comments received on 2m SSB were that, while audio is sweeter without it, the difference in signal level is dramatic.
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Gives your FT-81x the missing "punch" on SSB
Apart from a lot of advantages that made the FT-81x transceivers one of the classic QRP rigs, the lack of power on SSB is well known. This compressor makes SSB workable and gives the FT-81x the punch it needs.
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Speech Compressor for FT-817ND/FT-818ND
I had a 590 set-up with just a patch lead connected to it. A simple test but boy does it MAKE a difference transmitting on the 818ND with the processor on and off, a great deal of difference! It also feels as if the TX bandwidth is narrower with the processor in switched on.
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speech compressor
Works as specified, a good product at a reasonable cost.
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Speech Compressor FT 817
I received the kit very quickly and the construction went well. When tried on test equipment the FT817 showed a reasonable increase in average power.. I am happy with the unit and will go with me on a trip to NZ.
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Speech Compressor
I got my speech compressor for ft817nd this morning over the moon with it thanks 2e0erl
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FT-817ND Speed Compressor
The compressor seems to working well. I would suggest better guidelines/help for the interactive adjustment with mic gain in the 817, mic level in the compressor and compression level. There must be better guideline available for a standard step by step procedure. The case would be improved with two small holes suitable for a jewllers screwdriver for pot adjustment without splitting ithe case. The plastic taps on the RJ-45 plugs on the interconnect cable are very susceptible to damage and should be protected, they are a weak link in the design. Other than that, first reports are good and I am optomistic.
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Sotabeams speech compressor
Brilliant little gizmo makes my 5 watts seem more
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necessary
it is nessesary if you don’t want to keep your voice ...loud...it is useful ..
