[Elecraft] Microphone connections for K3 #1540

[Don Wilhelm]

Lance,

Those jumpers and the resistor that you received with your Elecraft 
ProSet K2 are to be used with the *K2*, not with the K3!  No 
modificaions are needed for your K3 - just the proper menu settings.

For the K3, take your pick of plugging the mic and headphone plugs into 
the rear panel connectors or use the 8 pin adapter and plug into the K3 
front panel.
Whichever you use (front panel or rear panel) enter the K3 menu and set 
the MIC SEL to either FP or RP, set the level to Low, and set the bias 
ON.  Adjust the mic gain to somewhere between 35 and 40 and give it a 
try - you may have to adjust the mic gain a bit, but it should work just 
fine.

I don't know how the equalizers and other equipment interface - that is 
something for you to take up with the manufacturer of each piece of 
equipment - if they support the K3 and the Elecraft ProSet K2.

Notice that referring to that mic and headset as a *Heil* will lead to 
confusion.  The ProSet K2 has an electret element and needs a bias 
supply, the Heil ProSet (not the K2) uses a dynamic element and should 
not have bias applied (it sounds 'funny' if bias is turned on).  The 
similarity of the names coupled with the fact that the Elecraft ProSet 
K2 also has the Heil name on it usually leads to much confusion when 
questions are asked about a "ProSet" without clarifying which one it is.

73,
Don W3FPR

LANCE COLLISTER wrote:
> Hello K3 gurus!
>
> I received my factory built K3 this past week, and yesterday received my K2 Heil 
> Pro-set and some Anderson Powerpole connectors...  Last night I wired up a serial 
> line splitter so I could connect my K3's serial port to the same serial cable that 
> goes to my sequencer (that will switch any of my XMTRS into XMIT)and CIV level 
> converter (for my IC746).  So it looks like I am getting close to being able to make 
> some noise with it ;-)
>
> Currently, I run my Heil #5 boom mic (along with the LINE OUTPUT from my computer) 
> through a W2IHY Audio Equalizer and Noise Gate (and then through interrupt relays) 
> before they go to the Mic input of the IC746.  With the K2 Pro-set from Elecraft, I 
> received a resistor and a bunch of jumper connectors with an instruction sheet on 
> modifications I need to make to the K3 so it will be able to work with the K2 Pro-set.
>
> My question is this:  If I use the current microphone/audio in arrangement, do I 
> still have to modify the K3 for the K2?  If I install all the jumpers and resistor 
> into the K3, will I be prevented from using the W2IHY Audio Equalizer and Noise Gate 
> in front of the K3?  Will I harm anything by just trying different setups the way the 
> K3 came from the factory?
>
> MNI TNX for any guidance or suggestions you may be able to provide.  VY 73, Lance
>   
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