[Elecraft] [KX3] Using a Sound Card for Mic (Multiple) Input(s)

[Joel Black]

Thanks, Don. That’s what I needed to hear.

73,
Joel - W4JBB

> On May 28, 2016, at 15:52, Don Wilhelm <donwilh at embarqmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Joel,
> 
> Ham and consumer "condenser" microphones should not be subjected to 48 volt phantom power.  That is for professional microphones which need that power.
> The ham and consumer "condenser" microphones are normally referred to as "electret" microphones rather than as condenser microphones.  Those need a 5 to 8 volt source applied to the AF lead through a resistor (usually 5K to 10k).
> 
> I would recommend using a switch rather than a mixer.  You do not want an open mic when operating digital modes, nor do you usually want the soundcard connected when using voice signals.
> With a hard-wired switch, you can turn the bias on in the MIC SEL menu when operating voice.  If you want to leave bias turned on even though you are working digital modes, add a series capacitor in the AF line to the soundcard output.
> 
> If you want to use the mixer, I would suggest an audio pro microphone.  If that mic needs phantom power, then turn it on.
> 
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
> 
> On 5/28/2016 8:45 AM, Joel Black wrote:
>> I am not a professional sound engineer by any stretch of the imagination. I am usually more surprised than anyone else when I get something working. I do, however, have my sound card working for AFSK modes with the KX3. At one point, I thought I wanted a mixer and asked such of this group. I may still go that way but in an effort to keep my station as "minimalist" as possible, I was thinking of a sound card with multiple inputs.
>> 
>> I currently have a Focusrite 2i2 I bought after my E-MU 0204 stopped working in OS X 10.11. It has two inputs and two outputs. Experimenting the other day, I tried using my MH3 mic on the input to the sound card with the sound card output going to the MIC IN on the KX3. It didn’t work. I then realized that the MH3 is a condenser mic and needs to be powered. The 2i2 has a “48 V phantom power” switch, but I am a little nervous of turning that on. I don’t want to let all the “magic smoke” out of my mic.
>> 
>> After all of that, I began remembering an issue I had with a Genesis G59 SDR I built several years ago - the delay in the route from audio in to the sound card, the sound card input being processed by the computer, the computer outputting that data to the transmitter. It was quite reminiscent of my days operating the HEO satellites. The delay is unnerving and I have never been able to compensate for it other than turning off MON. I’m supposing I’ll have the same delay if I incorporate a sound card for multiple inputs.
>> 
>> Would I be better off just adding a mixer?
>> 
>> 73,
>> Joel - W4JBB
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