[Elecraft] Using a PC headset with K3, connections reverse at rear MIC jack?

[Alan Ibbetson]

Hi All,

I'm a new K3 owner so please be gentle.

I'm not a great SSB user so I want to use my cheap PC gaming/Skype 
headset on the odd occasions I use sideband. It has separate 3.5mm plugs 
for headphones and microphone so the K3's rear panel jacks seem the 
obvious place for connection.

The Headset is a Plantronics 380. Although undocumented, I'd be 
astonished if the mic is anything other than an electret condenser element.

The headset works fine on my IBM T60 laptop but doesn't work with the 
K3. And yes, I have switched on the bias.

Poking about with a voltmeter and an unused stereo jack plug I find that 
the bias on my laptop is +5V ring to sleeve. On the K3 it is +7.5V tip 
to sleeve. I assume the audio is on the tip on the laptop and the ring 
on the K3. I've not seen any other comments about this on the reflector, 
but perhaps I have not looked carefully enough.

Why would Elecraft do it this way, so these gaming headsets don't work 
without an ugly crossover adapter? Is there any non-soldering way to 
change the connections on the rear panel Mic jack?

Thanks,

Alan G3XAQ
-- 

Alan Ibbetson
alan at g3xaq.net