[Elecraft] My KX3 desk microphone project

[Gary K9GS]

Others have commented on the directivity problems with paralleling 
microphone elements.

Regarding the "gain" that you mentioned, any electret element is going 
to have a very high output.  Much more than the K3 needs.  The K3 can 
effectively handle just about any microphone.


On 1/23/2015 6:50 PM, Gary - NC3Z wrote:
> Provides more gain and improves the SNR.
>
> Gary Mitchelson
> NC3Z Davidsonville, MD FM18
> NC3Z/4 Pamlico County, NC FM15
> www.mitchelson.org
>
> On 1/23/2015 7:33 PM, Gary K9GS wrote:
>>
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Just curious...what is the point of paralleling 4 microphone elements?
>>>
>>>
>>> On 1/22/2015 10:44 AM, Gary - NC3Z wrote:
>>>> I wanted a desk mic to go along with my KX3 station. Wanted 
>>>> something more portable than the Heil boom and mic I use on my 
>>>> other radio. I have experimented with dynamic mics on the KX3 and 
>>>> didn't get the results I liked but did get very nice results with 
>>>> using 4 CUI electret condenser mic elements in parallel. I used the 
>>>> CUI CMA-4544PF-W from Digikey and used a small project circuit 
>>>> board to physically arrange them in a 2 x 2 config. Then I trimmed 
>>>> up the board.
>>>>
>>>> For the mic body I found a unused Shure 522 on ebay (some company 
>>>> had them for a conference table system and had a great price). The 
>>>> 522 has an adjustable neck height and a PTT (with lock). I gutted 
>>>> the body and fitted the new electret element assembly as well as 
>>>> used a 3' TRRS patch cable that I cut 1 end off for the mic cable, 
>>>> it also had 90 deg ends.
>>>>
>>>> I am pleased with the physical results as well as very good audio 
>>>> reports I am receiving from the regulars that know my signal, still 
>>>> not to the level of my FTDX5000MP but getting better with each 
>>>> tweak and DSP update (using 1.32 which has made a noticeable 
>>>> improvement). I am using a healthy level of compression and mic 
>>>> gain that shows a solid 5 bars.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> Gary K9GS
>>>
>>> Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
>>> Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com
>>> CW Ops #1032   http://www.cwops.org
>>>
>>> ************************************************
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> -- 
> 73,
>
> Gary K9GS
>
> Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
> Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com
> CW Ops #1032   http://www.cwops.org
>
> ************************************************