[Elecraft] Mics for the K-3

[David Yarnes]

Hi All,

Actually, it is more complicated than that.  First of all, you need to be 
sure you know exactly what kind of mike you have, as in electret or dynamic. 
Also, when referring to the "Pro-Set", you should be sure to distinguish 
between the Heil Pro-Set" with the HC4 or HC5 cartridges (no bias on those), 
and the Elecraft Pro-Set K2 (made by Heil, and it is the "IC" version) which 
does require bias.

There is some confusion about Heil microphone/headsets like the Heil 
Traveler.  That is also an electret, and should have bias.  however, the 
adapter for that microphone to mate with a Kenwood, has a dropping resistor 
of some kind (I measured 2.2K ohms) between pin 5 and pin 1, which is how 
you get bias I guess on a Kenwood radio--using pin 5.  But the Elecraft K3 
is shown as having 8 v. on pin 6, not pin 5.  There is, however, something 
like 2.8 volts showing on pin 5 of the K3 microphone connector (front 
panel).  I had some email exchanges with Don Wilhelm about using this mike 
(the Traveler), and he was concerned about how it seemed to be wired (via 
the "Kenwood" adapter).  Accordingly, I am not using it, and am using an 
Elecraft Pro Set K2.  I don't plan to use the Traveler until the confusion 
about the Traveler clears up.  I may be wrong, but it seems to me that you 
don't need any connection on pin 5 or pin 6 (on the microphone) since the 
bias is apparently applied to pin 1 by turning on bias with the menu.  So, 
maybe for Kenwood adapters, like the one the Traveler uses, one should maybe 
eliminate the pin 5 to pin 1 interconnection.  Alternatively, maybe you 
should just make up your own adapter.  Perhaps someone else can shed some 
light on this.

Dave W7AQK

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <K4IA at aol.com>
To: <aj9c at indy.rr.com>
Cc: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 11:56 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Mics for the K-3


> You can get the Kenwood cables for the Heil mics  and they will work
> (according to Chip @ Heil).  I bought one yesterday but  have not yet 
> installed it.
>
> HOWEVER, you must be sure to turn the bias OFF  in the mic selection menu 
> of
> the K3 if you are going to use a non-Elecraft  mic.  The MH2 from Elecraft
> uses the Heil Icom element and needs  bias.  The other Heil mics do not 
> use that
> element and bias voltage will  damage them.
>
> k4ia
> Craig "Buck"
> Fredericksburg, Virginia
> K3 #101
>
>
>
>
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