Building a DSP unit into the Yaesu FT-817

Netherlands,

Building a DSP unit in my FT-817
My Yaesu non-ND FT-817 did not have a DSP built-in. Even though this rig is a great little performer, it could do with a little DSP to make reception just that bit more comfortable. I happened to stumble across BH-Instrumentation (UK) and noticed they had a DSP unit out small enough that it could be fitted into the FT-817.

The NEDSP1061 pcb module is a small versatile solution for adding noise cancellation into a wide variety of applications. Connections are on a 0.1” (2.54mm) pitch which allows the module to be easily integrated into almost any system. DSP operation can be preset or remotely controlled from the PCB connections. Small size 28mm x 36mm.

Features :

Fully adaptive noise cancelling
Minimum distortion to audio signal
Noise cancellation 9-35dB
Wide audio bandwidth for natural sound
Input and output sensitivity control
Preset or remotely set DSP level

The instructions that BHI provides proved sufficient to successfully build this little board in my FT-817. The picture below shows the end result. Note that I also have the optional CW filter installed which I bought at HRO during a trip to the US.

The DSP unit has a little sub-board with an LED and a little pushbutton. With this pushbutton you can switch the DSP off, or select DSP levels 1-4. The LED shows the DSP status. The only space left to to really mount this sub-board and have the pushbutton accessible from the outside, is the rig's top cover, just before the speaker. So out came the drill, drilled the 2 required holes, and used some hot-melt glue to keep the unit in place. The next picture shows the end result :