[Elecraft] Hot Mic when VOX selected

[Don Wilhelm]

Chris,

Think about that for a moment -- If you have to activate PTT in order to 
have VOX, you might as well turn VOX off and operate strictly with PTT.
The "hot mic" is necessary for VOX operation, and one does not have to 
touch the PTT to initiate transmit.

Yes, VOX is not good in a situation where there are random noises in the 
shack, but for those in a quiet shack setting it works quite well - just 
talk and you will transmit.

There are VOX noise gate adjustments that work in association with VOX 
and do work to provide some protection for room noises.

This comment is reminiscent of the years ago SSB contacts where 
operators would make an AHHH sound during pauses just to keep the VOX 
open and not drop out of transmit.

VOX has improved over the years, but is not perfect due to 
considerations beyond the control of the electrons.  I prefer to use PTT 
and not VOX, but VOX can be useful in a quiet shack, especially when 
using a headset with a close talking microphone.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/5/2017 11:35 PM, Chris Hallinan wrote:
> Greetings,
> 
> I wired my spare Yaesu MD-100 desk mic to my K3 - getting good audio
> reports.  A very nice desk mic.
> 
> However, the way this mic is wired, PTT does not break the mic circuit, so
> it's always hot, regardless of position of PTT switch.  My old Shure 444
> routed the mic circuit through a pair of contacts on the PTT switch, which
> was convenient.  A switch on the bottom opened PTT to enable VOX.
> 
> Setting the VOX gain to a suitable level leaves the mic quite sensitive to
> false transmits from random desk noises, etc.
> 
> Is there a firmware setting or equivalent that will disable K3 VOX when the
> PTT circuit is open, and enable VOX when PTT is closed?  That would be
> quite useful.