[Elecraft] K3 and Kenwood MC-50 mike

[Nate Bargmann]

* On 2022 08 Apr 16:59 -0500, David Christ wrote:
> Digging around I find I have an older Kenwood MC-50 mike in its
> original box. Anyone have experience with this? 
> 
> Is it reasonable to use this with my K3.  It is dynamic so no bias.  I
> think the 600 ohm setting is what I am supposed to use.  Do I need to
> change my equalization from what I use with my condenser mikes. 
> 
> Also I need to find a 4 pin jack to make an adaptor.  I don't see
> anyone listing such a thing for sale. I will probably plug it into the
> back if I use it.
 
Hi David.

I have an MC-50 connected via a four pin to eight pin adapter I probably
picked up off ebay.  The idea at the time was swapping the mic between
the K3 and the TS-520SE I have.  I also have a
CM-500 headset connected to the back panel which needs bias.  The mic
menu makes switching then rather easy.

I do have different mic gain and compression settings between the two
stored in the K3 utility.

I do have the K3 set for high impedance for the MC-50 (tap 1 in the mic
selection menu) and then I switch to low impedance for the CM-500.  I
tried low impedance with the MC-50 (yes I positioned the cable on the back
of the mic correctly) and have settled on high impedance as it seemed to
drive the K3 better when it is also set for high impedance.

I've gotten unsolicited good audio reports on both microphones.  It's a
setup that works for me.

> Or should I just try to sell it at the next hamfest?

The choice is yours.  I've found the MC-50 to be one of the best
microphones ever made for modern radios.

73, Nate, N0NB

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