[Elecraft] Now which mic can I use.

[Walter Underwood]

I agree, though the CM500 isn’t that bad for backpacking, and I go lightweight.

A KX3 with batteries is very close to one kilogram. A wire antenna adds another 100-150g. The CM500 is 300g. Some earbuds (haven’t weighed them) and an Elecraft MH3 (138g) are lighter, but the difference isn’t a back-breaker. Maybe 1300g vs 1400g, about a 3.5 oz. difference.

wunder
K6WRU
CM87wj
http://observer.wunderwood.org/

On Oct 27, 2014, at 8:59 PM, Jim Brown <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote:

> On 10/27/2014 1:05 PM, Michael Walker wrote:
>> I heard so much crap audio this weekend,
> 
> Didn't we all.
> 
>> that all I can recommend is that you use a Mic element purpose designed for the job of SSB QRP communications.
> 
> WRONG. The crap audio was almost universally due to cranking everything WAY past 11. K3 and KX3 will work fine with almost any decent mic that isn't "broke." :)  The only thing "purpose-designed" about mics sold for ham radio is the sales pitch and hype that goes with them to get you to spend three times what they are worth. :)
> 
> Also, the most important thing for any SSB station with a weak signal is to use about 10 dB of compression on peaks, use TXEQ to turn the three bottom octaves all the way down (-16 dB), turn the fourth octave down 3-6 dB).Some mics benefit from a 3 dB boost on the highest band (3.2 kHz). This advice is good for ALL competitive operation. And always be careful not to over drive the radio. Use just enough to get full modulation, and no more.
> 
> To set that 10 dB of compression, set the front panel display to show COMP in a bar graph when you're transmitting.
> 
> If you're operating from a fixed location (not backpacking, not mobile), it's hard to beat a Yamaha CM500. For mobile, you'll want something far less visible, and for backpacking, you'll want something a LOT smaller and lighter.
> 
> 73, Jim K9YC
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