[Elecraft] KPA500 amplification and microphone

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

With that combination which I have, I suggest setting the CMP to a value 
of 15 to 17 so as to produce about 3 to 4 bars on the CMP scale.  Also, 
you will need to adjust the MIC gain value such that you get 4 to 5 bars 
on the ALC scale.

Yes, mike-to-mouth position is critical.  I'm not familiar with the the 
MC-60 and its pattern characteristics.  If you like that mike and you 
get good quality audio reports then I'd say it is OK.   Personally I use 
a dynamic mike such as the Shure SM-58 or other like mike.    With that, 
the "4 finger" rule, being mouth straight on axis with the mike and 4 
fingers distance from the face of the mike I find to produce the best 
result.   At the same time, the closer to the face of the mike, the more 
critical the mike-to-mouth position becomes.   And if one is too far 
from the mike, added mike gain is required and the room noise becomes 
noticeable.

Again, mike-to-mouth position and consistency is very important to good 
quality audio.  Perhaps that is why many use a headphone boom mike.  The 
mike stays constant with regard to ones mouth as they move around and 
look at different things in the room.

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 6/30/2018 8:29 AM, Michael Gillen via Elecraft wrote:
> Hello guys!
>
> I got my very first amp on Wednesday, a KPA500 and started using it along with the KAT500 I ordered and a K3S I purchased last month.
>
> Here is my question: I noticed that when I transmit, the power output varies significantly depending upon how close my mouth is to the Kenwood MC-60 microphone (no batteries in the mic). Is this normal? And how do I make this more consistent? Try to always put my mouth in the same relative position? Buy a different microphone?
>
> Thanks,
> Michael
> KK6RWK
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