Get a W2IHY 8 Band Audio Equalizer and Noise gate ... and get ready for compliments!

Introduction

Finally, professional audio processing technology is applied to the unique requirements of amateur radio operators! The W2IHY 8 Band Audio Equalizer and Noise Gate is an easy-to-use, sophisticated unit loaded with high-performance features. This thoughtfully-designed, quality- constructed station accessory performs three important functions, all in one good looking, low- profile package:

Continue on to find out more about the transmit audio accessory that is delighting audio-conscious hams everywhere. Not responsible for drool on keyboards. But we are responsible for some of the most outstanding SSB, AM and FM audio on the amateur radio bands worldwide!

Connecting to Microphones and Radios 

This switch lets you plug and play Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu 8-pin microphones.  Optional adapters are available for all other 8-pin and 4-pin microphones.

The W2IHY 8 Band Audio Equalizer and Noise Gate interfaces between your microphone and your transmitter. And it does this intelligently. A 3 position switch on the rear panel lets you choose between Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu microphones. Simply plug in your microphone and set the rear panel switch. Now your microphone audio output is reaching the system's input stage. And at the same time,  your microphone's push to talk control is passing through and will appear on the output. Adapters are available for all other 8 pin and 4 pin microphones. What if you like to use many different types of microphones? Then you'll appreciate the Universal Microphone and Radio matching capabilities. The system will accommodate 200 ohm, 600 ohm and high-impedance microphones. So you can use anything from a professional $10,000 Neumann studio microphone to a $10 crystal mic you found at a hamfest! There are a total of 3 microphone input jacks on the rear panel including 8-pin, XLR and RCA phono. W2IHY even provides the 5 volt power requirements for models such as HM12 and SM6 electrets and other microphones requiring phantom power. Another thoughtful touch: Some microphones, especially professional studio models, do not include push to talk capability. W2IHY gives you a rear panel push to talk (PTT) jack. Use this to connect a foot switch or other control. The PTT control circuit will now reach the radio via the cable described below. The dual output side of the system consists of two 5-pin DIN jacks to hook up two radios at once, if you choose. Switching from one radio to another is very convenient. A rear panel switch lets you choose between output "a" and output "b". To connect the output to your radio, you will need the correct cable for your radio. These are available for $30.00 each. Be sure to specify radio make and model when ordering. Classic rig owners, we didn't forget about you! If your transmitter microphone input calls for high impedance, no problem. A high impedance wiring option appears on the output jacks. It's a new day with your old rig, because now you are not limited to using just high impedance microphones.  Simply set the W2IHY system input for any type of microphone you want to use.  Yes, it is likely you'll have that transmitter sounding better than it did when it was new!

Adjusting Input and Output Audio Levels

With your microphone connected to the W2IHY 8 Band Audio Equalizer and Noise Gate and the correct cable connected to your radio, you are now ready to adjust system input and output levels for optimum performance. Start by referring to the operating manual for input impedance options and select the appropriate impedance for your microphone. (Units are shipped in the 600 ohm input configuration). While speaking into the microphone adjust the MIC IN GAIN control on the bottom panel until the red MIC LED on the front panel just barely lights up. This control has a wide range to accommodate microphones with high or low signal output. Microphones that didn't properly drive your radio before will now!

Similarly, the MIC OUT LEVEL control on the bottom panel lets you adjust the audio signal level sent to your radio's microphone jack. Use this to provide your radio with the ideal microphone signal level. Now you have optimum performance of mic gain, alc and compression controls. This not only makes for better sounding transmit audio but often improves VOX operation. Already, you have improved operating performance of your microphone and your radio. And you haven't even started on the high-quality Equalization and Noise Gate features!

Equalization Overview

Everyone is familiar with the simple tone control on broadcast receivers and stereo equipment. As consumer electronics technology advanced, the general public was introduced to a more sophisticated tone control, the graphic equalizer. It is called a graphic equalizer because the physical position of the slide pots gives a graphical view of what is happening electrically. You will be using the W2IHY graphic equalizer to increase (boost) or decrease (cut) the signal level at various frequency values (or bands). Boosts or cuts are made to suite personal tastes of the user. 

Broadcast engineers and recording studio technicians consider equalization (called EQ for short) to be one of the most important tools in ac