[NLRS] InRad filter group buy

[Jon Platt]

Hi John.   Regarding CW filters, I hesitate to suggest one because its
really a personal preference thing.  Some like the really narrow filters.
I find the 125 and 250 Hz filter too narrow and prefer a 400 Hz filter.
The issue with the really narrow filters is that they do have increased
injection loss and I can actually hear a weak signal better when there is a
little noise in the bandpass .... it also allows you to hear a little bit
around you which is good for contesting.

500 Hz may be a bit to wide, but its certainly better than any SSB filter
for serious CW work, especially during a contest and/or on the low bands.

A CW filter is nearly mandatory .... my recommendation is the 400 Hz crystal
filter as it has superior side skirts compared to the mechanical filter and
its not to narrow nor to wide.  If you can go with two CW filters than I
would suggest the 400 Hz and the 250 Hz.

73, Jon
W0ZQ


> Ed A. Jacobson (WB0VHF) wrote:
> >
> > A group is forming to purchase filters from International Radio
> > (InRad). At this time, it looks like we will be able to obtain
> > a 20% discount for the purchase.
>
> Hi, Ed.  I am interested.  The reason I'm writing to the whole list
> is that I am looking for some advice from the group on which filters
> are the best choice(s) for my FT-847.  I've seen quite a few opinions
> that seem unanimous in saying that the stock filters are no match
> at all for the Inrad ones, and that any serious FT-847 user should
> upgrade to Inrad filters.
>
> The Inrad web site says they have instructions for installing one
> or two of their crystal filters.  But the FT-847 has three filter
> slots, one for SSB receive, one for SSB transmit, and one for CW
> receive/transmit.  I also believe that the Inrad crystal filters
> are too large to fit into the original spots, so they fabricate an
> arrangement with a plug that goes into the original socket, with
> attached coax to the filter, which is remotely mounted.  Maybe that
> is why they imply only two of their crystal filters will fit.
>
> Since I want to keep the radio usable for general-purpose rag-chewing
> as well as contesting, I think I do not want the narrowest (1.8 KHz)
> SSB filter, but would be happier with either the 2.1 or 2.8 KHz for
> SSB receive.  Does anyone on the list have an opinion on the 2.1 KHz
> filter in the receive position?  Is it also too narrow for my mixed
> usages of the radio?
>
> Then there is the matter of a CW filter.  Since I have such limited
> experience at CW (I know, I'm only shortchanging myself, but heck,
> right now my life is so busy I'm lucky to get enough time to eat and
> sleep, much less practice perfecting my CW skills... Someday!), I
> don't really know if the narrowest 125 Hz filter would be too narrow
> for typical usage, and if so, should I go for the 250 Hz, 400 Hz,
> 500 Hz, or 1000 Hz?  I guess I understand the general principle, that
> the narrower the filter, the clearer will be the one signal I am
> interested in, and the easier it will be to work the station I am
> tuned in on, so 125 Hz would be the best choice there.  But is it
> so narrow that I will have a hard time tuning in a station, or finding
> another station when I'm in search & pounce mode, etc?
>
> Words of wisdom from someone more knowledgeable than me would be welcome
> here.
>
> Also, as long as I'm bending all your ears (or more precisely, clogging
> your bandwidth), I might as well ask if someone has an opinion on the
> value of buying a Collins Mechanical filter for the SSB transmit slot,
> which (I assume) can fit in the original slot, if I bought the two
> crystal filters discussed above.  Or is the original filter "good
> enough" on SSB transmit?  Once again, I don't think I want the most
> narrow  (2.0 KHz) transmit filter, since I mostly use the radio in
> non-contesting situations, so I guess I'd be considering the 2.6 KHz
> Collins if I ought to replace the transmit filter also.
>
> Thanks in advance to all who will share an informed opinion.
>
> I hope I can afford the opinions I get, even at 20% off!  :)
> 73 de W0JT
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