[Elecraft] No SSB output - microphone or something else?

[Don Wilhelm]

Kristinn,

You may have trouble with the MC-80 microphone because it is an 
amplified microphone which expects +8 volts on pin 5 of the mic jack - 
Elecraft has +8 volts on pin 6.  Note that the K2 microphone jack can be 
wired to accommodate a wide variety of microphone pinouts, so the fact 
that it works with the K2 may not be relevant.

The plain dynamic microphone *should* work.  Set the MIC SEL menu item 
to FP H -- (no bias).

Set the K3 up while in TX TEST mode so you do not transmit RF and bother 
other hams.
First set the compression to zero, then adjust the mic gain to peak at 6 
to 7 bars on the ALC meter.  After that, bring the compression up to 
your desired level.  Exit TX TEST and try it on the air.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/28/2011 12:33 AM, TF3KX wrote:
> Hi:
>
> I am helping a friend, TF3SA, with his K3 (S/N 1113).  He operates mostly
> CW, but has so far not been successful in getting any SSB signal out of the
> rig.  We have used two microphones, the Kenwood MC-80 and an old handheld
> "Dynamic 600 Ohm" microphone that came originally from Kenwood with my
> TS-440S.  That dynamic mike works fine with my K2, but not with the K3.
>
> Both microphones have the same effect - the PTT works as expected, but there
> seem to be no response to the audio when blowing or whistling into the mike.
> We only manage to get some output when the K3 compression level is set to
> maximum and the K3 mike level is at least half way up -and then we only get
> constant noise output which is independent of the audio entering the mike.
>
> Are there any suggestions?  Are we just using the wrong mike types, and can
> we make any adjustments or wiring to accommodate these specific mikes?  Or
> can we run some other tests to verify if it is actually the mike rather than
> something else?
>
> 73 - Kristinn, TF3KX
>
>