[Elecraft] For Sale - Misc From a Station Build

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

On 2026-04-12 2:59 PM, Bob McGraw via Elecraft wrote:

> I seem to come back to my Shure SM-58 ($99 new) or my Behringer
> XMB-8500  ($29 new) for the best audio reports.
I can't find response curves for the XM8500 (Behringer's web site
is down for maintenance) though all the reviews (and sales blurbs)
say it has a "mid frequency presence rise".  In any case for $19.20
at Sweetwater one can hardly go wrong compared to Heil or Inrad <G>.

Put the XM8500 on a short (desk) stand or a boom and go to town -
the desk stand or boom will cost more than the mic!

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 2026-04-12 2:59 PM, Bob McGraw via Elecraft wrote:
> With meaning no disrespect to anyone, I recall the QSO where I was 
> trying to assist an operator with his audio.   We had tried several 
> adjustments with little success.  I inquired if he had a different 
> mike.  He indicated that he did.   I suggested that he try that mike. 
> The results was really great sounding audio and much improvement over 
> what he has previously been using.  I passed along my observation and 
> complements.  He responded "thanks, but I don't like the way this mike 
> looks".     To this day, I've not figured out how to "see" his mike but 
> I can dang sure hear it.
> 
> I've tried some of my multi thousand dollar studio mikes on the three 
> radios which I use daily.   I seem to come back to my Shure SM-58 ($99 
> new) or my Behringer XMB-8500  ($29 new) for the best audio reports. 
>   I've determined the key is proper mike for the application, proper 
> mike technique, and proper radio set-up, for in the end, none of us have 
> the pipes of Don Pardo.   And no amount of EQ will attain that result. 
>   If one insists on using EQ, then always attenuate first an boost last.
> 
> 73
> 
> Bob, K4TAX
> 
> On 4/12/2026 11:00 AM, elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net wrote:
>> Message: 1
>> Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:22:45 +0000 (UTC)
>> From: Al Lorona<alorona at sbcglobal.net>
>> To:"elecraft at mailman.qth.net" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] For Sale - Misc From a Station Build
>> Message-ID:<432943485.1252352.1775928165954 at mail.yahoo.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>>
>> Using professional broadcasting and recording microphones
>> is embarrassing overkill for ham radio. On the air, these
>> mics are indistinguishable from much cheaper ones, if
>> everything's adjusted properly. A ham who feels that he
>> or she needs to spend gobs on a mic to sound good is
>> misinformed.
>>
>> However, one factor at play here may be the pride of
>> sitting in front of a big name mic as you transmit. I'm
>> not going to take that away from any ham who wants that
>> experience. Just don't claim that it makes you*sound* any better. It 
>> doesn't.
>>
>> R,
>>
>> Al? W6LX