[Elecraft] K3 and Heil Microphones

[Bruce McLaughlin]

I suppose it is very subjective but I have so far used both a Heil Proset and a Gold line with my K3.  I have consistently received good audio reports with both.  Both also sound very good in the monitor.  I use no transmit EQ.  I also have a Heil PR 40 which I plan to try with the K3 after I obtain the required cable.  That mike sounds great on my Orion II which uses a balanced to unbalanced Yaesu cable.  The K3 will need a balanced to unbalanced Kenwood cable.  I will say that the "narrow" mode on the Goldline sounds awful on almost any radio and I never use it.  But the wide position is quite decent.

Of course, if you have found the Turner mike does it for you than that is the one to use.  Another option might be to use an external equalizer which might have greater adjustability than the inbuilt K3 equalizer.

Bruce - W8FU

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary Gregory
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 5:26 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 and Heil Microphones

Hello All,

I would caution all who listen to the advice from Heil. My experience with
them has been less than satisfactory to date.

Recently I spoke with them and discussed several options and I was advised
to purchase the Goldline dual element mic, holder, adapter and base. I
repeatedly asked would this meet my requirements and I was given an
assurance that they would.

Well, the items arrived and the short answer is that they did not listen to
what I required at all, but instead, shipped the items with no regard for
what I requested. I also sent them an e-mail with the request for a latching
PTT button fitted to the base.

Heil shipped a Goldline with dual elements fitted and their rather cheap
plastic mic holder attached to a poorly made, overweighted base with a
momentary push button and two cables to be connected between the base and
the pig tail off the adapter for the connection to the K3.

It is messy to say the least, the cables are so long that they get in the
way and l have difficulty trying to conceal the excess cable.

I contacted Heil after they arrived and asked why the button on the base was
momentary, not latching, and I was told that the FCC discourage the use of
this type of setup for the fear we may leave the room with the transceiver
"keyed".

I have run audio tests with other stations and interestingly, with a Spec An
and to my surprise all reports appear to favour the Turner +2 for natural
sound. As the K3 has an inbuilt equaliser for TX audio, no amount of
adjustment is able to make the Heil Mic produce that same natural timbre to
my voice. (Yeah, my voice is pretty ordinary, but it is not adjustable Hi
Hi)

I do not question Heil Sounds quality in microphones, but I do question the
quality of audio produced from the Goldline Mics when connected to the K3.I
did try both elements of course. Perhaps they have a better mic for use with
the K3..?????

I would be interested to know if anyone has tried other Heil mics and
discovered a better match for the K3.

Speakers are always subjective of course, but to date I have tried several
different speakers I have here and not yet settled on one. I looked at the
Palstar (ugly speaker) and the Sounds Sweet also (even more ugly?) but no
availability here in Australia so my search continues.

Cheers,
Gary S/N 679 K3/100
-- 
Stokers...we get ya goin'
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