[Elecraft] k3 Mic Suggestions

[Dave G4AON]

Couple of points Bob, on our UK Elecraft net there has been the
occasional poor K3 microphone, but it's always been the microphone
and/or adjustment that's been the issue with all of them sounding good
and some sounding excellent.

I can't comment on the HC5 you have, but I have one mounted on a cheap
"computer" headset with a sponge breath filter and it sounds better than
any other microphone insert I have with my K3. Settings are no EQ, CMP
20, MIC gain 25. I use the front mic socket with FP.H set and obviously
no bias. The HC5 is relatively low in sensitivity and mine is used very
close to my lips. Beware that in the Goldline mic the HC5 insert is
mounted in a very strong magnetic field from the wide insert, I had one
where the HC5 produced very weak and distorted audio until the wide
insert was thrown in the bin and the HC5 mounted on its own.

Your best bet is to record your own transmissions into a dummy load,
using another radio, while making careful adjustments to hear what
others hear. Even $1 electret headsets can sound excellent, have you
tried a basic computer headset plugged into the rear panel? Another low
cost choice is the Kenwood MC-43S (as used on a TS-570) and is still
available new from Kenwood dealers - here in the they UK at Waters and
Stanton they are £19.95 including tax, these plug straight into the
front of a K3 and is one of the cheapest dynamic mics around and sounds
really good.

73 Dave, G4AON
K3/100 #80
----------------
I have been using a couple of HC5 mics and have been getting criticism
on my audio quality
<SNIP>
Bob W6TR