[Elecraft] Microphones for K2

[Don Nesbitt]

Hi Jim - I use my old D-104 with the original crystal cartridge all the time 
with my K2 and get great reports.  No need for a preamp, etc. as the crystal 
cartridge has output to burn!

The problem with using a nonamplified D-104 with the K2 is that the D-104 is 
a very high impedance mic and the K2 requires a low impedance mic.  An 
amplified D-104 takes care of this by using the amp in the bottom of the mic 
stand to do the impedance matching - just be sure to take care in adjusting 
the "volume" pot in the base so you don't overdrive the audio input in the 
K2.

If you don't have an amplified stand, just running the D-104 straight into 
the K2 will result in lots of drive but the audio will be very narrow and 
"tinny" - sort of like talking through a couple of cups with a tight string 
between them!

The "secret" to using an unamplified D-104 into a low impedance is to put a 
resistor in series with the D-104 mic output (can be done inside the base of 
the stand) - something between 300K and 500K usually will allow the lower 
frequencies produced by the D-104 crystal cartridge to actually show up 
while decreasing the output to an acceptable level.

A lot of us "old timers" put a 1 meg pot in series with the audio output 
from the D-104 cartridge (mount inside the base of the stand) and then 
adjust it for the best balance between "tone" and output while listening to 
the audio in a separate receiver.  Do this and enjoy your veteran D-104! 
Have fun.  73 es gud dxing -- Don N4HH