[Elecraft] K3 Microphone Choices

[David Gilbert]

You got it all backwards, Nate.  I said "stupid" in reference ONLY to 
the question I was asking because I honestly figured I must be missing 
some obvious reason why he would take the trouble to rework a 
microphone, potentially spending half the cost of a new computer mic 
buying a different connector/adapter for the old mic.  I even checked to 
see if his preference was a hand mic versus a desk mic, but since he 
spoke about one of each that didn't seem to be the issue.  And since a 
hand mic and a desk mic are clearly different, having a "mic we like on 
hand" didn't seem likely to be the issue either.  I have an Icom mic 
that I liked and it still works fine, but after seeing how easily the K3 
accepts a standard, inexpensive, universally available computer mic 
available in almost every imaginable configuration from desk mic to hand 
mic to lapel mic it would never occur to me to spend the effort to 
modify an old one that almost certainly wouldn't work any better.  But 
I'm not him, so I simply asked what to him might appear to be a stupid 
question, and I tried to let him know up front that I acknowledged the 
possibility of it being so.

Thanks for the advice on how to wordsmith my posts, though.

73,
Dave   AB7E


On 9/29/2010 5:08 AM, Nate Bargmann wrote:
> * On 2010 28 Sep 22:54 -0500, David Gilbert wrote:
>> This may be a stupid question, but why are you trying to make one of
>> those mics work?
> Because we already have a mic we like on hand?  That seems to me to be a
> reasonable reason.  (BTW, when the fifth word of a post is "stupid",
> however it is intended, it is difficult to put the rest of a post in
> the context of being helpful.  Better would be to write, "Perhaps I don't
> understand, ...")
>
>> Almost any inexpensive electret microphone will work
>> great with the K3.  I've tried four different computer headsets
>> (microphone and earphones) and each one has produced terrific audio
>> based upon literally dozens of on-the-air reports (both stateside and
>> DX), listening to the K3 internal monitor, and recording myself from a
>> secondary receiver in the shack.  The headset I'm using right now only
>> cost $10 and comes with a 3.5 mm connector that plugs directly into the
>> rear mic jack with no modifications necessary.
> Good for you.  I prefer a desk mic like my Yaesu MD-100A8X and am only
> interested in wearing a headset when I need it and then I have a Heil
> Proset Micro for those occasions.
>
>> The ONLY Elecraft purchase I've ever regretted buying was the MH-2 mic
>> ... it works fine but is totally unnecessary.
> As I already have a desk mic, I did not order the hand mic either.
> Should I decide to use the K3 of Field Day or some such, I'll probably
> consider a hand mic at that time.
>
> Technical advice is always welcome.  I think we should strive to avoid
> opining on the choices of others unless there is a clear rules violation
> or would lead to improper on the air operation.  Amateur radio is a free
> form hobby and there is room for all sorts of mic and filter choices.
>
> 73, de Nate>>
>