UR6QW Audio Processor

UR6QW 8-band EQ v5
UR6QW 8-band EQ v5

Please read about how you can help UR6QW in Ukraine here

Edit: the setup which I use now is detailed in this post. Read on for the review…
Also: UR6QW EQ Version 7 is out – a full review coming soon!

I recently bought version 5 of the 8-band EQ from UR6QW in Ukraine. This is a high quality audio processor for your ham radio. I chose to purchase the IC-7300 version for my SSB voice comms. The device has an 8-band graphic equalizer, a low noise microphone preamplifier, an audio compressor, noise gate with variable level and attack/release time, and an echo processor (for those who might want to connect it to a CB radio 😉 !).

According to UR6QW, the device works with both electret/condenser type microphones and dynamic microphones. However, I did measure +5V electret bias voltage on pin 1 of the 8-pin microphone connector (which makes sense since this bias voltage is required to drive the stock ICOM HM-291 electret microphone) and I also measured the same voltage on the tip of the 3.5 mm external microphone jack.

Anyway, I want to use this socket for connecting a dynamic microphone so I installed a DC blocking capacitor in series with the tip connection of the 3.5 mm socket so that there is no DC bias supplied to the dynamic mic. Of course, this 3.5 mm socket will no longer drive electret microphones, but it gives me options. This 5V bias voltage is supplied through a high resistance (several kohms), so it’s incapable of sourcing much current, but I didn’t want it on the dynamic microphone coil at all, so, capacitor it was! I chose a 10 µF, 16 V electrolytic capacitor, connecting the positive side towards the bias voltage. There is no need to use non-polarized capacitors in this application. More information about adding a DC blocking capacitor here.

The device I bought is powered via the IC-7300 microphone connector, and requires no external power supply. It has an external 1/4 inch PTT switch jack on the rear, and a couple of 1/8th inch jacks for a headset (headphone/mic) on the front, as well as a connector for the Icom microphone. Up/Down buttons on the microphone still work when using this processor. For those interested, here is a link direct to UR6QW’s page.

In the past, I’ve given ESSB quite a hard time, and I’ve said that listening to people who use noise gates is tiring on the ears. It seems unnatural. So, here I am with my very own processor capable of producing ESSB with a noise gate. Is this a case of “if you can’t beat them, join them”? Maybe.  ESSB is somewhat difficult to achieve on the IC-7300 since its maximum transmit bandwidth is 2.8 kHz (filter range from 100-2900 Hz) so the deep lows and crisp highs are cut out of the audio whether you like it or not, via the radios internal software. However, it is important to remember that filters don’t just cut off with infinite dB of attenuation. I don’t know the filter profile of the transmit bandwidth filter, but adding 6-10 dB of boost outside of the limits of the transmit bandwidth filter should still yield some boost after the filter.

The UR6QW device is very easy to set up using the monitor function on your radio, but I chose to set it up initially while listening to myself on another radio. I further tweaked the settings over the air with the help of W5IFN and AG5DB.

For the stock HM-219 mic, the settings I eventually settled on for my IC-7300 and processor were as follows. Your optimal settings may be different.

IC-7300 Settings
CompressorOff
Mic Gain50
Bass0
Treble0
TXBW100-2900 Hz (wide)
UR6QW Processor Settings (numbers relate to the dots around the pots)
80 Hz+6 dB
160 Hz-1 dB
250 Hz-4.5 dB
500 Hz0 dB
900 Hz+3.5 dB
1500 Hz+2 dB
2500 Hz+6 dB
3200 Hz+6 dB
[Compressor] RATIO3:1
MIC [Gain]3.5
GATE [Threshold]12 (2nd dot from max)
[Gate] TIME switchNORM
ECHO, DELAY0 (off)
OUT [output level]7 (half way)
Image showing the HM-219 settings.

When using Behringer XM8500 microphone, the settings I initially settled on for my IC-7300 and processor were as follows.

IC-7300 Settings
CompressorOff
Mic Gain70
Bass0
Treble+3
TXBW100-2900 Hz (wide)
UR6QW Processor Settings (numbers relate to the dots around the pots)
80 Hz+6 dB
160 Hz-3.5 dB (9 o’clock)
250 Hz-3 dB
500 Hz0 dB (12 o’clock)
900 Hz+3.5 dB (3 o’clock)
1500 Hz+6 dB
2500 Hz+6 dB
3200 Hz+6 dB
[Compressor] RATIO3:1
MIC [Gain]5
GATE [Threshold]12 (2nd dot from max)
[Gate] TIME switchNORM
ECHO, DELAY0 (off)
OUT [output level]6
Image showing the XM8500 settings

Then – after a weekend of contesting, using Behringer XM8500 microphone, the settings I finally settled on for my IC-7300 and processor were as follows. I ended up using the compressor in the IC-7300 rather than the compressor in the UR6QW device, since it seemed to provide a much better average SSB power level.

The following are the settings which I settled on, and had used for almost six months. They were pretty good ragchew settings, but I ended up compromising between these settings and a more DX-friendly setting. See those settings here.

IC-7300 Settings
CompressorON (set to 5)
Mic Gain70
Bass+5
Treble+5
TXBW100-2900 Hz (wide)
UR6QW Processor Settings (numbers relate to the dots around the pots)
80 Hz+3.5 dB (3 o’clock)
160 Hz-6 dB (minimum)
250 Hz-6 dB (minimum)
500 Hz0 dB (12 o’clock)
900 Hz+3.5 dB (3 o’clock)
1500 Hz+6 dB
2500 Hz+6 dB
3200 Hz+6 dB
[Compressor] RATIO1:1 (OFF)
MIC [Gain]5
GATE [Threshold]12 (2nd dot from max)
[Gate] TIME switchNORM
ECHO, DELAY0 (off)
OUT [output level]6
Image showing the 2nd set of XM8500 settings

Overall I am very happy with my purchase. I received great audio reports over 9000 miles DX. This device packs a punch in your audio. The processor is of a very high quality. Shielding is good, shielded cables are used, and the housing is metal. The legend is silk-screened onto the housing in thick white paint. The knobs are of high quality and the potentiometers feel solid.

This processor is extremely competitively priced considering its high quality build, connector options, and its audio functionality and quality.

So far, I give this 10 out of 10!

5 10 votes
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AD5GG

AD5GG works in the real world as an RF design engineer. Occasionally, he posts articles on this very site. Sometimes they're even worth reading. Please feel free to comment on posts using the comment system at the end of each post, and use the discussion forum.

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wb5ulk
6 years ago

I would very much appreciate an A/B audio track of your mellifluous voice! Pre/Post, if you prefer. 😀

Gary Skaggs
Reply to  AD5GG
6 years ago

And “why” would we need captions, Gordo?

Gary Skaggs
6 years ago

Nicely tuned! It also knocks out almost all your background noise!

I’ll have to go look for this to see how many Rubles this costs and if it’ll work with a Heil mic…

Michael Beck
Michael Beck
4 years ago

EQ 8 band with compression. Hi. Sent an email before but no answer. I would like one of these for a Yaesu 450D and a Heil pro 6. Would it improve my audio? If so, how much would it cost. Thank you.

Matthew Cero
Matthew Cero
4 years ago

Are these only sold via PayPal? I’d like to buy one but not use PayPal. Any suggestions? Thank you.

Bob KW4CQ
Bob KW4CQ
4 years ago

Matthew,
I plan to order one to use with my Yaesu FTdx-5000.
For the $129.00 price I see he offers on eBay does that include the connecting cord for this radio?
I gather it does not have a 48vdc supply for studio condenser mics. Is that correct?
You mention a version number for the unit. I didn’t see anything about version numbers on his ad.
Finally, does he supply a schematic/parts list with the unit?
Thanks for your excellent review Matthew.
73 from Bob KW4CQ

Derek
Derek
4 years ago

I’m considering purchasing the ver 5 8 band EQ for the ICOM 7300.

How do I connect my Heil PR 781 microphone to the EQ?

Will the Heil 8 pin CC-I XLR adapter cable plug directly into the EQ for it to work correctly?

Rocky
Rocky
4 years ago

It would be interesting to also put the EQ parameters of the YAESU 8ft-991, tfdx3000, etc. radios on this home page, with different microphones.

Topglocks_1
Topglocks_1
3 years ago

Can UR6QW 8-band EQ v5 …be used with ic-7300 with the icom SM-30 mic
Thank you kindly for your time..Jim

Topglocks_1
Topglocks_1
Reply to  AD5GG
3 years ago

Thank you..

14 at 303 nicolas
14 at 303 nicolas
3 years ago

hello 73 qro ,news eq vr 7 ur6qw super cool hi ,73 nicolas 14 at 303 france
https://ur6qw.jimdofree.com/eq-v-7/

Jimmy Jones
Jimmy Jones
2 years ago

The echo is used for plating. Just a very small amount. No one will never know its there. It smooths the audio out.

Mark Kramer W7LB
Mark Kramer W7LB
2 years ago

Hello, can the unit be used with the Astatic D104 mic and an Elecraft K2 tranceiver?
Thank you.

Rick
Rick
1 year ago

Been using the v6 on my stryker655 for several months and love it. Works great. Sergey makes a great product. Thanks. Rick.

Terry
Terry
Reply to  Rick
1 year ago

Rick, what mic are you using a standard hand mic or a studio mic? I ordered one but not sure what cables I would need for the PTT. It’s somewhat confusing. Thanks for any help.

Mark (K4XJ)
Mark (K4XJ)
1 year ago

Where can I purchase the 8 band EQ from?. And I use a Heil ICM MIC with my 7300. Will I need any additional adapters?. Or is it just plugged up to the EQ like a Plug & Play thing?

Angelito Juliano
Angelito Juliano
6 months ago

I just bought a V.6 and I presently own a 7610 and Heil PRO7. what settings would you recommend?

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