[Icom] Heil Goldline & VOX

[Greg Ordy]

>>>Bill, W9NHQ, wrote:

>>>The choice of a microphone is subjective and highly dependent on the
>>>operator's voice.  That is why you see such disparate replies to these
>>>types of questions.


    In addition to this factor, it should be remembered that ICOM radios
are usually designed to prefer 'electret condenser' microphone elements. In general
electret condenser elements produce 5 to 20 dB more signal than
dynamic elements. When folks connect dynamic element microphones
to ICOM radios, they often are disappointed in the results, and
at the least, have to turn the microphone gain (way) past "12 o'clock".

    The SM-8, SM-20, HM-36, HM-103, and all of the ICOM microphones
I know about, have electret condenser elements. The Yaesu and most
of the Heil (but not all of the Heil) microphones use dynamic
elements. If you want to use a dynamic element with most ICOM
radios, be prepared to talk loud, turn the microphone gain all the way
up, or get a preamp. 

    For me, I prefer the ICOM approach since I believe that requiring a
stronger input signal makes the microphone cable less of an antenna (RF pickup),
and electret condenser elements have become standard on anything
which is connected to a computer.

    All of the microphones/headsets designed for recent 'Soundblaster cards'
work very well with ICOM radios. This includes the $5 unit at the
drug store to the $60 headset at the computer store. 
    

    Greg Ordy, W8WWV