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

[Walter Underwood]

The MIC SEL menu item chooses between the front panel and rear panel mic jacks. I'd review the settings for that.

wunder
K6WRU

On Oct 29, 2013, at 7:32 AM, Alan Ibbetson <alan at g3xaq.net> wrote:

> 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
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--
Walter Underwood
wunder at wunderwood.org