Delta EC-1 Echo Box, have to crank it

[tchr01]

Any ideas why when I have my talkback on to test my echo I can hear it loud, clear and no problem... but a local contact that I give S5 to cant hear it unless I crank the box all the way up just about? Could I be pinching it off with the mic gain being too high or low? My meter reads consistent output and he can hear me fine otherwise it seems. thanks!

running stock mike
980SSB (LSB)
RM-Italy 203p
Echo box is "Delta EC1"

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

The only way to know what you sound like for sure, is to listen to your transmit signal. The talk back is just the mic amp.

If you have an extra radio, turn it on and listen to it with headphones and no antenna. Great for setting mic level and for trying out different microphones.

I have a Cobra 148gtl that I use as a dedicated station monitor. I would not run my station without it.

 

[Eldorado828]

Not familiar with that echo chamber but does it by chance have an internal gain control?

@Shadetree Mechanic , I think he's saying that those who receive him done hear his echo. If I'm understanding correctly.

 

[tchr01]

exactly right @Eldorado828 - Delta makes an in-radio echo baord too.. this one is just external.. it has a Delay and Echo knob (plus roger beep button). Im wondering too if the ALC inside the 980 is clipping it off,.... No internal gain afaik

 

[Eldorado828]

exactly right @Eldorado828 - Delta makes an in-radio echo baord too.. this one is just external.. it has a Delay and Echo knob (plus roger beep button). Im wondering too if the ALC inside the 980 is clipping it off,.... No internal gain afaik

I'm with shadetree on the monitor radio though. I don't know why the limiter would have an affect on the echo. I was referring to a gain control pot on the echo board itself.

I drive lots of highway so get to hear lots of radios both far and close. At times while having a conversations with a distant driver, I've noticed as they get closer that an echo becomes audible but when far I couldn't pick it up. I've noticed that it's been when echo wasn't cranked up to heavily reverberate if that makes sense. Then there's those guys who have so much echo and nothing changes no matter the distance because of how high they have it cranked up.

As shadetree mentioned, try listening through a monitor radio and see what you can hear yourself.

 

[tchr01]

Good idea guys thanks. I do have a little president radio here AM that I can test with! I bet its just distance.

 

[tchr01]

Ok sounds great on my little President Andy... and on talkback... so I bet this is a distance / local talk thing where i'm just far enough away that i'm losing the echo on the other end but my voice stays intact.

DX tho! Ill have to hop on 16lsb to find out! Thanks again.

 

[kc4eoe]

I have not opened one, but the microphone on your 980 may be a condenser mic element. The Delta EC-1 clearly states that it will not work with that. Let us know what you find. My Delta box works fantastic on a Cobra 29 LTD Classic using a Turner Plus Three B microphone. Mic gain on the radio at 12 o'clock, 9 o'clock on the mic and both settings on the box at level 3.

 

[dave457]

It's always a good practice to leave it off

 

[Wire Weasel]

Trust your local over the air reports. Talkback sucks

 

[Eldorado828]

You really need a monitor radio to let you hear the truth.

Talkback is only a reference and not accurate to what you're actually transmitting.

Over the air reports could or could not be accurate depending on too many variables.

You really need a monitor radio to let you hear the truth...... oh I had already said that!