[Elecraft] K3 Microphone Question

[Phil Wheeler]

Jim,

Nice run down!

Re this "If you want something more compact to 
carry up the trail with your KX2 or KX3, look at 
lightweight computer headsets, which plug into 
those radios directly, or with a simple adapter 
you can buy on amazon for $5." could you be more 
specific on the simple adapter at Amazon?  I have 
one somewhere but cannot find it, so need a 
replacement.

73, Phil W7OX

On 6/7/16 12:48 AM, Jim Brown wrote:
> On Mon,6/6/2016 5:28 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
>> We have some professional audio types on this 
>> list. I am not one of them. As
>> an ordinary Ham who cares about how my signal 
>> sounds on the air, IMHO more
>> than 90% of the differences in microphones used 
>> for communications are
>> strictly cosmetic and convenience.
>
> This pro audio guy agrees.
>
>> With today's advanced computer-controlled 
>> manufacturing processes the
>> electret element in such mics far exceeds the 
>> frequency range any quality
>> Ham rig will allow, so that is not an issue.
>
> Agreed.
>
>> You will want a housing with pop suppression, 
>> so your breath won't make an
>> objectionable pop when you exhale or say 
>> certain phonemes.
>
> I disagree with this. The correct advice is to 
> avoid microphone TYPES that are subject to 
> breath pops, and to use the mic you have so that 
> your voice doesn't generate pops. So -- 1) avoid 
> directional mics and noise-cancelling mics, both 
> of which are subject to breath pops; 2) position 
> the mic a few inches above and to the side of 
> your mouth. The boom mic of a headset makes this 
> VERY easy.  The Yamaha CM500 and Koss SB35 are 
> good choices. See the photo on page 5 of 
> http://k9yc.com/ContestAudio.pdf  for an example.
>
>>   You need to
>> decide between hand-held, desk or boom mount 
>> and a mic attached to a
>> headset. And you'll want a connector wired for 
>> the K3.
>
> I find a boom mic headset ideal for operating 
> SSB. The CM500 and SB45 plug straight into the 
> rear panel of the K3 and K3S. They are very 
> comfortable, and both mic and headphones sound 
> great.
>
>> Elecraft makes a nice set of mics that take all 
>> the hassle out of having the
>> right connector and of course the company 
>> stands behind them. (In "full
>> disclosure", I'm not an employee, but have been 
>> associated with Elecraft for
>> 16 years so far. That has given me the 
>> opportunity to use several of their
>> mics.)
> I love the guys at Elecraft, but I don't 
> recommend the mics they sell, which they buy 
> from third party vendors, and must sell at a 
> significant markup. Elecraft is in the RADIO 
> biz, and they're really good at it. Those Yamaha 
> and Koss boom mic headsets offer FAR more value 
> for the money. If you want something more 
> compact to carry up the trail with your KX2 or 
> KX3, look at lightweight computer headsets, 
> which plug into those radios directly, or with a 
> simple adapter you can buy on amazon for $5.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC