[Elecraft] K3 using Kenwood mics

[Linda and Bob]

Can you use any 8-pin Kenwood mic with the K3 without any modification (e.g. MC-42S, MC-60A, MC-50 etc.)? I believe the K3 uses the Kenwood protocol for the wiring of their mics. I have a MC-60A desk mic and MC-42S hand mic. I was thinking of selling them for the Heil PSE HC-6 (see below).

I may buy and use a Heil Pro Set Elite with the HC-6 element for hands free operation with VOX. Since I have three ( ICOM 756 PROII, IC-820H and IC-7800) radios at the QTH, I imagine it would be best to order the "iC" version instead of the regular HC-6. In that way I could use the mic with both the ICOM and K3 knowing that I must turn on the bias voltage and also buy a Kenwood 8-pin Heil adapter if I plug it in to the front panel. If I don't use the front panel, I believe that I can plug the PSE HC-6 in to the rear panel of the K3 and then active the bias voltage. If used with the ICOM rigs, I would need to buy the Heil ICOM 8-pin adapter, hence, two adapters will be needed.

I ordered my K3 on Sunday. I am looking forward to its arrival by Wed. or Thurs. in time for the Labor Day holiday. Thanks again for everyone's help on the Reflector.

73
Bob Wilderman, K3SRO
dlrwild1 at comcast.net