Yes, the VE2BWV modification really works. I built it "on air" around the audio IC U1.
Sidetone got very weak, however.
I suggest to? the following:
-remove R253. This cuts even the rest of the weak sidetone.
-solder a wire from R252/253:s junction to R75. Now the sidetone goes to unused half of U1.
-take the amplified sidetone out on the other side of U1 pin 3 (C72).
-route the amplified sidetone directly to the speaker (pin 7 /brown wire) on ANALOG jack of motherboard.
You might want to put some serial resistance to the wire, but in my case the sidetone volume is just right.
KEEP IT SIMPLE!
