[Elecraft] kenwood MC-60A

[Don Wilhelm]

  Eric,

Go to http://homepage.ntlworld.com/rg4wpw/mc60a.html.  G4WPW has done a 
great job of documenting many, many microphone pinouts and transceiver 
pinouts.

What I observe with the Kenwood MC-60A is that pin 6 is unused, so it 
should not be a difficult task to change the mic plug - just move the 
wire from pin 5 to pin 6 and you have it wired for the Elecraft pinout.

The schematic did not show a provision for batteries, but if it does not 
include a disconnect for mic plug pin 5 when the batteries are used, it 
may cause problems for the K3 - just guessing based on a lack of proper 
information.

The best way to set up the gain for any mic is to do it as instructed in 
the Elecraft K3 manual rather than just copying someone else's 
settings;  You can use TX TEST.
Turn the compression to zero
Watch the K3 ALC meter while speaking into the mic and adjusting the mic 
gain.  When you have 5 to 7 bars illuminated that is the correct 
setting.  If the range is high, and the mic gain number is low, try the 
low setting to obtain a less "touchy" adjustment range.  Once set, just 
leave it that and forget it for that mic.
After setting the mic level, bring up the compression to whatever level 
you want - 10 dB is normally suggested for general use.

Try the above setup steps for all the different settings on your 
microphone, and select the one that works/sounds the best.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/19/2010 8:28 PM, Eric Lanzl wrote:
> I have just received a new Kenwood MC 60A desk microphone and I need some help
> setting it up.I am using it with the K3. I understand that two of the pins are
> different for the power to the preamp. How necessary is the preamp and should
> one change the plug from pin 5 to 6 on the mic? If one does not will using the
> batteries enable the preamp?
>
>
> What settings have users found good in terms of gain and compression on the k3
> and eq settings with and without the preamp for the MC60A?
>
> I found that without installing the batteries while listening through headphones
> in the test mode turning on the switch to the preamp seemed to boost the audio.
> I do not understand what is happening without changing the wiring on the mic and
> not installing the batteries.
>
> Also, is it best to use the high or low gain setting on the k3. and which
> setting are best with or without the preamp.
>
>
> I have the bias off on the K3 and the impedance set to low on the MC60A.
>