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Connecting XLR 1/4 Inch Mic Cable to K3S

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Tony-3

Connecting XLR 1/4 Inch Mic Cable to K3S

All:

I'd like to connect an XLR mic cable that has a 1/4 inch TRS plug to my
K3S. It seems the only way to do that is wire a female 1/4 inch TRS to
an 8-pin mic connector.

It would be easier to use a 1/4 to 1/8th inch adapter and connect
through the rear mic input, but I don't believe it accommodates balanced
mics?

Thanks,

Tony

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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Connecting XLR 1/4 Inch Mic Cable to K3S

I just wired an XLR to the 8 pin MIC connector via a 2 conductor
shielded cable and be done with it. I hate adapters due to the high
likelyhood of intermittent connections.

XLR pin #1 to 8 pin #7 Shield

XLR pin #2 to 8 pin #1 mic hi

XLR pin #3 to 8 pin #8 mic lo

Be sure BIAS is turned off if using a dynamic mike.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 5/11/2020 4:32 PM, Tony wrote:

> All:
>
> I'd like to connect an XLR mic cable that has a 1/4 inch TRS plug to
> my K3S. It seems the only way to do that is wire a female 1/4 inch TRS
> to an 8-pin mic connector.
>
> It would be easier to use a 1/4 to 1/8th inch adapter and connect
> through the rear mic input, but I don't believe it accommodates
> balanced mics?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tony
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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>
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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Connecting XLR 1/4 Inch Mic Cable to K3S

In reply to this post by Tony-3

The standard XLR (3 pin) mic wiring is Mic+ to pin 2,
mic- to pin 3. Simply connect pin 2 to the tip of a
3.5mm plug and connect pin 3 to the sleeve of the 3.5mm
plug. Leave pin 1 (shield) float on the rig end (or
connect it to the chassis/ground lug - the sleeve of
the 3.5mm jack is not grounded!).

To connect an XLR (3 pin) mic to a Foster (8 pin) jack,
connect XLR pin 2 (Mic+) to pin 1 of the Foster,
connect XLR pin 3 (Mic-) to pin 7 of the Foster,
connect XLR pin 1 (Shield) to the *SHELL* of the Foster
plug (should be connected to chassis/case).

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2020-05-11 5:32 PM, Tony wrote:

> All:
>
> I'd like to connect an XLR mic cable that has a 1/4 inch TRS plug to my
> K3S. It seems the only way to do that is wire a female 1/4 inch TRS to
> an 8-pin mic connector.
>
> It would be easier to use a 1/4 to 1/8th inch adapter and connect
> through the rear mic input, but I don't believe it accommodates balanced
> mics?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tony
>

Nr4c

Re: Connecting XLR 1/4 Inch Mic Cable to K3S

In reply to this post by Tony-3

1/4 to 1/8 TRS and plug in rear mic jack.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On May 11, 2020, at 5:34 PM, Tony <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> All:
>
> I'd like to connect an XLR mic cable that has a 1/4 inch TRS plug to my K3S. It seems the only way to do that is wire a female 1/4 inch TRS to an 8-pin mic connector.
>
> It would be easier to use a 1/4 to 1/8th inch adapter and connect through the rear mic input, but I don't believe it accommodates balanced mics?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tony
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Connecting XLR 1/4 Inch Mic Cable to K3S

I don't find that either the front or rear MIC inputs are balanced
inputs.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 5/11/2020 9:02 PM, Nr4c wrote:

> 1/4 to 1/8 TRS and plug in rear mic jack.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ...nr4c. bill
>
>
>> On May 11, 2020, at 5:34 PM, Tony <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> All:
>>
>> I'd like to connect an XLR mic cable that has a 1/4 inch TRS plug to my K3S. It seems the only way to do that is wire a female 1/4 inch TRS to an 8-pin mic connector.
>>
>> It would be easier to use a 1/4 to 1/8th inch adapter and connect through the rear mic input, but I don't believe it accommodates balanced mics?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Tony
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Connecting XLR 1/4 Inch Mic Cable to K3S

In reply to this post by Nr4c

While the K3/K3S rear mic jack is physically TRS, it is connected
as if it is a mono (Tip, Sleeve) jack. A "balanced" 1/4" cable
through a 1/4 TRS to 3.5mm TRS adapter will not work properly as
one side of the microphone will be floating.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2020-05-11 10:02 PM, Nr4c wrote:

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: Connecting XLR 1/4 Inch Mic Cable to K3S

In reply to this post by Bob McGraw - K4TAX

They are not balanced inputs but a dynamic mic can be balanced
or unbalanced depending on how it is connected (to what it is
connected).

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2020-05-11 10:11 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:

> I don't find that either the front or rear MIC inputs are balanced
> inputs.
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
> On 5/11/2020 9:02 PM, Nr4c wrote:
>> 1/4 to 1/8 TRS and plug in rear mic jack.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> ...nr4c. bill
>>
>>
>>> On May 11, 2020, at 5:34 PM, Tony <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> All:
>>>
>>> I'd like to connect an XLR mic cable that has a 1/4 inch TRS plug to
>>> my K3S. It seems the only way to do that is wire a female 1/4 inch
>>> TRS to an 8-pin mic connector.
>>>
>>> It would be easier to use a 1/4 to 1/8th inch adapter and connect
>>> through the rear mic input, but I don't believe it accommodates
>>> balanced mics?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Tony
>>>

Nr4c

Re: Connecting XLR 1/4 Inch Mic Cable to K3S

In reply to this post by Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Agreed, they are not balanced.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

> On May 11, 2020, at 10:14 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I don't find that either the front or rear MIC inputs are balanced inputs.
>
> 73
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>> On 5/11/2020 9:02 PM, Nr4c wrote:
>> 1/4 to 1/8 TRS and plug in rear mic jack.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> ...nr4c. bill
>>
>>
>>>> On May 11, 2020, at 5:34 PM, Tony <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> All:
>>>
>>> I'd like to connect an XLR mic cable that has a 1/4 inch TRS plug to my K3S. It seems the only way to do that is wire a female 1/4 inch TRS to an 8-pin mic connector.
>>>
>>> It would be easier to use a 1/4 to 1/8th inch adapter and connect through the rear mic input, but I don't believe it accommodates balanced mics?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Tony
>>>
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>>
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
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Jim Rhodes-2

Re: Connecting XLR 1/4 Inch Mic Cable to K3S

If you are terribly concerned about connecting a balanced mic to an
unbalanced input there are plenty of commercial adapters out ther, some of
them even cost more than $10.

On Mon, May 11, 2020 at 10:31 PM Nr4c <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Agreed, they are not balanced.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ...nr4c. bill
>
>
> > On May 11, 2020, at 10:14 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> >
> > I don't find that either the front or rear MIC inputs are balanced
> inputs.
> >
> > 73
> >
> > Bob, K4TAX
> >
> >> On 5/11/2020 9:02 PM, Nr4c wrote:
> >> 1/4 to 1/8 TRS and plug in rear mic jack.
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPhone
> >> ...nr4c. bill
> >>
> >>
> >>>> On May 11, 2020, at 5:34 PM, Tony <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> All:
> >>>
> >>> I'd like to connect an XLR mic cable that has a 1/4 inch TRS plug to
> my K3S. It seems the only way to do that is wire a female 1/4 inch TRS to
> an 8-pin mic connector.
> >>>
> >>> It would be easier to use a 1/4 to 1/8th inch adapter and connect
> through the rear mic input, but I don't believe it accommodates balanced
> mics?
> >>>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>>
> >>> Tony
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> ______________________________________________________________
> >>> Elecraft mailing list
> >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> >>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >>>
> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> Elecraft mailing list
> >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> >> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >>
> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > Message delivered to [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
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--
Jim K0XU
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Jim Brown-10

Re: Connecting XLR 1/4 Inch Mic Cable to K3S

On 5/11/2020 8:41 PM, Jim Rhodes wrote:
> If you are terribly concerned about connecting a balanced mic to an
> unbalanced input there are plenty of commercial adapters out ther, some of
> them even cost more than $10.

There is NO problem connecting a pro dynamic mic, which is balanced, to
an unbalanced input. All it takes is a simple adapter, XL-female to
1/8-in TRS plug. Connect pin 2 to the TRS tip, pins 1 and 3 to the TRS
sleeve. Make sure that Bias is OFF -- dynamic mics don't like DC.

There is no easy way to connect a pro balanced ELECTRET mic to an
unbalanced input.

73, Jim K9YC
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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Connecting XLR 1/4 Inch Mic Cable to K3S

In reply to this post by Jim Rhodes-2

For years the pro audio industry has connected balanced mikes to
unbalanced inputs with excellent results. No adapters, transformers,
matching units, or unique grounding schemes are required. Just correct
wiring as I described earlier. It is just two connectors, one XLR for
the mike and one 8 pin Foster connector for the radio and a length of 2
conductor shielded mike cable.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 5/11/2020 10:41 PM, Jim Rhodes wrote:

> If you are terribly concerned about connecting a balanced mic to an
> unbalanced input there are plenty of commercial adapters out ther,
> some of them even cost more than $10.
>
>
> On Mon, May 11, 2020 at 10:31 PM Nr4c <[hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
>
> Agreed, they are not balanced.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ...nr4c. bill
>
>
> > On May 11, 2020, at 10:14 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX
> <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
> >
> > I don't find that either the front or rear MIC inputs are
> balanced inputs.
> >
> > 73
> >
> > Bob, K4TAX
> >
> >> On 5/11/2020 9:02 PM, Nr4c wrote:
> >> 1/4 to 1/8 TRS and plug in rear mic jack.
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPhone
> >> ...nr4c. bill
> >>
> >>
> >>>> On May 11, 2020, at 5:34 PM, Tony <[hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> All:
> >>>
> >>> I'd like to connect an XLR mic cable that has a 1/4 inch TRS
> plug to my K3S. It seems the only way to do that is wire a female
> 1/4 inch TRS to an 8-pin mic connector.
> >>>
> >>> It would be easier to use a 1/4 to 1/8th inch adapter and
> connect through the rear mic input, but I don't believe it
> accommodates balanced mics?
> >>>
> >>> Thanks,
> >>>
> >>> Tony
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> ______________________________________________________________
> >>> Elecraft mailing list
> >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> >>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]>
> >>>
> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> >>> Please help support this email list:
> http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]>
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> Elecraft mailing list
> >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> >> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]>
> >>
> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> >> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]>
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
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> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> <mailto:[hidden email]>
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
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>
>
>
> --
> Jim K0XU
> [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]>