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Elecraft K2 Microphones?

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Fred (FL)

Elecraft K2 Microphones?

With Elecraft marketing a K2 w/SSB option - why would
they drop all desk & mobile MICROPHONES for this rig?
Doesn't make sense - am I missing something? Should
I not buy the SSB Option for my K2 # 5422?

I'm mostly concerned about the electrical physical
connector and interface to my K2. I even have one
of those mini- Flat Hand Mikes from Icon days, but
not the foggiest idea of what it takes to interface
it to a K2? Are there instructions anywhere?

Thanks to all that are giving me some much help,
in the K2 #5422 build!
73's
Fred Osborne N3CSY
FL

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Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: Elecraft K2 Microphones?

Administrator

Hi Fred,

The manufacturer of the MH2 microphone discontinued that model and we
have been looking for a replacement. We are in discussions with another
manufacturer now for a replacement hand mic, but it will be a couple of
months before we can get it in.

Fortunately we designed the K2 and KSB2 to use just about any of the
current microphones from Yaesu/Icom/Kenwood. Our 8 pin microphone
connector is the industry standard for most rigs and we provide a jumper
block on the K2 front panel PCB to jumper the pin out of this connector
to match each microphone. Check out the KSB2 manual on out manual
download page for a description of how to set the jumpers. See:
http://www.elecraft.com/manual/KSB2%20manual%20rev%20E.pdf

73, Eric WA6HHQ
Elecraft

_..._

Fred (FL) wrote:

> With Elecraft marketing a K2 w/SSB option - why would
> they drop all desk & mobile MICROPHONES for this rig?
> Doesn't make sense - am I missing something? Should
> I not buy the SSB Option for my K2 # 5422?
>
> I'm mostly concerned about the electrical physical
> connector and interface to my K2. I even have one
> of those mini- Flat Hand Mikes from Icon days, but
> not the foggiest idea of what it takes to interface
> it to a K2? Are there instructions anywhere?
>
> Thanks to all that are giving me some much help,
> in the K2 #5422 build!
> 73's
> Fred Osborne N3CSY
> FL
>
> __________________________________________________
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Don Wilhelm-3

RE: Elecraft K2 Microphones?

In reply to this post by Fred (FL)

Fred,

As Eric indicated, the K2 microphone configuration header can be
plugged/wired to work with most any microphone having an 8 pin mic plug.

Obtaining a microphone is easy - if you want to go the inexpensive route,
pick up a CB microphone, they are plentiful and if it doesn't come with an 8
pin plug, get one of those too - Radio Shack used to have them and the first
page of a Google search for '8 pin microphone plug' yielded over 4 sources
at various prices.
If you must rewire the mic plug, you can choose whichever pinout that you
wish and plug the mic configuration header accordingly (I recommend the
Elecraft 'straight across' jumpering with or without the resistor on the mic
jack).

Speaking of the resistor the mic jack, it is needed for those mics
containing an electret type mic element - if the mic element is dynamic, you
should not install it.

One inexpensive method of getting a good working mic is to find a
non-functioning mic and install an electret mic element in the mic head - I
have obtained mic elements from Marlin P Jones & Associates in the past
www.mpja.com
I have re-furbished several mics in that manner - I have a collection of
dynamics and electret types that I use to test the K2s that I build - I can
plug in the one that most closely matches the configuration my client wants
installed - they all work just fine and most of them are from salvaged mic
heads I have acquired inexpensively in various places.

If you do not fancy doing your own microphone from a hamfest 'grabbox'
collection, some folks have found the Ten-Tec mike to work fine, you can
order a mic from Heil wired for Kenwood (similar to Elecraft wiring), or
order a new mic for most any other transceiver on the amateur market - the
KSB2 instructions will indicate how to wire the configuration header.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> With Elecraft marketing a K2 w/SSB option - why would
> they drop all desk & mobile MICROPHONES for this rig?
> Doesn't make sense - am I missing something? Should
> I not buy the SSB Option for my K2 # 5422?
>
> I'm mostly concerned about the electrical physical
> connector and interface to my K2. I even have one
> of those mini- Flat Hand Mikes from Icon days, but
> not the foggiest idea of what it takes to interface
> it to a K2? Are there instructions anywhere?
>
> Thanks to all that are giving me some much help,
> in the K2 #5422 build!
> 73's
> Fred Osborne N3CSY
> FL
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com
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>
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Peter Zenker

AW: Elecraft K2 Microphones?

In reply to this post by Fred (FL)

Fred,
After lots of testing QRPproject is selling the Kenwood MC 43 as best choice
together with the K2. It generates an excellent SSB signal, it´s size meets
the K2 look and it can be 1:1 connected at the K2 Microphon port.

72/3 de Peter, DL2FI
www.qrpproject.de

>

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David Pratt

Re: AW: Elecraft K2 Microphones?

Peter Zenker writes
>After lots of testing QRPproject is selling the Kenwood MC 43 as best choice
>together with the K2. It generates an excellent SSB signal, it´s size meets
>the K2 look and it can be 1:1 connected at the K2 Microphon port.

I agree with you, Peter. I have both the Elecraft MH2 and a Kenwood
MC43. On-the-air reports tell me that the MC43 is to be preferred.
Also, it has a more flexible curly cable. The only thing against the
MC43 is that it does not have an Elecraft label on the back, but I can
live with that.

73 de David G4DMP

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N8CEP

Re: AW: Elecraft K2 Microphones?

In reply to this post by Peter Zenker

What are the P1 connections for the MC-43S microphone?

Keith Hamilton, W8GX

Peter Zenker wrote:

> Fred,
>After lots of testing QRPproject is selling the Kenwood MC 43 as best choice
>together with the K2. It generates an excellent SSB signal, it´s size meets
>the K2 look and it can be 1:1 connected at the K2 Microphon port.
>
>72/3 de Peter, DL2FI
>www.qrpproject.de
>
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Post to: [hidden email]
>You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
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>
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Darrell Bellerive

Re: AW: Elecraft K2 Microphones?

In reply to this post by David Pratt

I sold my MH2 a while back as it seemed totally out of character with the K2
even with the Elecraft label. It was way too large, had PTT switch that took
a lot of pressure to operate, and had too stiff a coiled cord.

The K2 also allows for function buttons on the mic to switch VFOs. It would be
nice to have a mic from Elecraft that exploited these functions and where the
function buttons were correctly labeled.

Darrell VA7TO K2#5093

On April 12, 2006 10:10 am, David Pratt wrote:
> I agree with you, Peter. I have both the Elecraft MH2 and a Kenwood
> MC43. On-the-air reports tell me that the MC43 is to be preferred.
> Also, it has a more flexible curly cable. The only thing against the
> MC43 is that it does not have an Elecraft label on the back, but I can
> live with that.
>
> 73 de David G4DMP

--
Darrell Bellerive
Amateur Radio Stations VA7TO and VE7CLA
Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada
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Joseph Reed-2

Re: AW: Elecraft K2 Microphones?

In reply to this post by N8CEP

I picked up the MC-43S because because they jumper straight across, I used computer jumpers and didn't connect the 5 volt.

It was easier than trying to come up with some header so I could use my Yaesu microphones.

Joe N9JR

Keith Hamilton <[hidden email]> wrote:
What are the P1 connections for the MC-43S microphone?

Keith Hamilton, W8GX

Peter Zenker wrote:

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Peter Zenker

AW: AW: Elecraft K2 Microphones?

In reply to this post by N8CEP

Keith,
Ist late in teh evening in Germany and I dont have the papers here at home,
But you find the MC43 in the ssb Option manual. If you use it as it is, the
jumpers on the jumperbank are stright forward, you may use the 2pin computer
jumpers for the pins directly. The up and down keys of the microfon no can
be used to switch VFO A/B.
Nut as I said, this is all described in the elecraft SSB manual

72 de Peter, DL2FI
www.qrpproject.de

> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: Keith Hamilton [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Gesendet: Mittwoch, 12. April 2006 19:48
> An: Peter Zenker
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Betreff: Re: AW: [Elecraft] Elecraft K2 Microphones?
>
> What are the P1 connections for the MC-43S microphone?
>
> Keith Hamilton, W8GX
>
>
>
>
> Peter Zenker wrote:
>
> > Fred,
> >After lots of testing QRPproject is selling the Kenwood MC
> 43 as best
> >choice together with the K2. It generates an excellent SSB
> signal, it´s
> >size meets the K2 look and it can be 1:1 connected at the K2
> Microphon port.
> >
> >72/3 de Peter, DL2FI
> >www.qrpproject.de
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >Elecraft mailing list
> >Post to: [hidden email]
> >You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> >Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >
> >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> >Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
> >
> >
> >__________ NOD32 1.1485 (20060412) Information __________
> >
> >This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
> >http://www.eset.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

Peter Zenker

AW: AW: Elecraft K2 Microphones?

In reply to this post by David Pratt

Thats correct, David. We should ask Eric if it´s possible to provide us with
an elecraft label to glue it on the MC43 :-)
Lots of people would like it. It´s the same with the famous HexKey: I like
it because it´s execellent, actually I changed my Schurr Professionals
against it, but I know a couple of people who bought the HexKey because it´s
Elecraft label allthough they did their last CW QSO during the lis
examination.

72/3 de Peter, DL2FI
www.qrpproject.de

> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] Im Auftrag von David Pratt
> Gesendet: Mittwoch, 12. April 2006 19:10
> An: Peter Zenker
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Betreff: Re: AW: [Elecraft] Elecraft K2 Microphones?
>
> Peter Zenker writes
> >After lots of testing QRPproject is selling the Kenwood MC
> 43 as best
> >choice together with the K2. It generates an excellent SSB
> signal, it´s
> >size meets the K2 look and it can be 1:1 connected at the K2
> Microphon port.
>
> I agree with you, Peter. I have both the Elecraft MH2 and a
> Kenwood MC43. On-the-air reports tell me that the MC43 is to
> be preferred.
> Also, it has a more flexible curly cable. The only thing against the
> MC43 is that it does not have an Elecraft label on the back,
> but I can live with that.
>
> 73 de David G4DMP
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>

oe9fwv

Re: Elecraft K2 Microphones?

In reply to this post by Fred (FL)

hi Fred,

I did a lot of testing with different microphones on my K2 #5203.
The best reports I got with the Kenwood MC43S microphone, and the same
good reports I also got with the Heil Headset and HC-4 element, but not with
the Heil IC element. I also tested the Icom SM-8 and a Icom handheld
microphone, the Yaesu MD-100 and a Yeasu Handheld microphone.

I have to add that I did all the SSB modifications which are described on the
very good comprehensive text at
http://www.qrpproject.de/Media/pdf/ZusammenfassungMods.pdf

For testing different microphones I found the use of microphone headers (c)
by Tom N0SS very useful. They are described here:
http://home.earthlink.net/~n0ss/download.html

I use a QRP - K2, maybe results with a 100 W type may differ, because the
higher power might compensate the worse penetration of a wider
modulation. In my situation readability was prior to natural sound.

73! de Werner
OE9FWV

--
"Das, wobei unsere Berechnungen versagen, nennen wir Zufall."
Albert Einstein

PGP-Key: <http://www.qsl.net/oe9fwv/furlan.asc>
Fone +43 5522 75013
Fax +43 820 555 85 2621
Mobile +43 664 6340014
K2 #5203
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Don Wilhelm-3

RE: Elecraft K2 Microphones?

Werner and all,

It is obvious to me that microphones differ. I have looked at the info from
Bob Heil on the 'best' amplitude vs. frequency response curves for my source
of what would work best for communications with reasonable voice quality.
My best recollection is that there must be content in the 300 to 600 Hz
range and that there should also be significant content in the 1700 to 1900
Hz range to provide good 'voice quality recognition'.

I also know that not only the element, but the housing that it is contained
in will make a difference, and can contribute to the difference between
'working' and 'working well'.

If you need a microphone and do not have one, I might suggest first getting
one that works (inexpensively of course) and then refining your search to
find the one that works best with your voice. What works best for someone
else may not be the best choice for you.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> I did a lot of testing with different microphones on my K2 #5203.
> The best reports I got with the Kenwood MC43S microphone, and the same
> good reports I also got with the Heil Headset and HC-4 element,
> but not with
> the Heil IC element. I also tested the Icom SM-8 and a Icom handheld
> microphone, the Yaesu MD-100 and a Yeasu Handheld microphone.
>
> I have to add that I did all the SSB modifications which are
> described on the
> very good comprehensive text at
> http://www.qrpproject.de/Media/pdf/ZusammenfassungMods.pdf
>
> For testing different microphones I found the use of microphone
> headers (c)
> by Tom N0SS very useful. They are described here:
> http://home.earthlink.net/~n0ss/download.html
>
> I use a QRP - K2, maybe results with a 100 W type may differ,
> because the
> higher power might compensate the worse penetration of a wider
> modulation. In my situation readability was prior to natural sound.
>
> 73! de Werner
> OE9FWV
>
> --
> "Das, wobei unsere Berechnungen versagen, nennen wir Zufall."
> Albert Einstein
>
>
>
> PGP-Key: <http://www.qsl.net/oe9fwv/furlan.asc>
> Fone +43 5522 75013
> Fax +43 820 555 85 2621
> Mobile +43 664 6340014
> K2 #5203
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
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>
>
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> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.1/310 - Release Date: 4/12/2006
>
>

w6jd

Re: AW: Elecraft K2 Microphones?

In reply to this post by Fred (FL)

For the small amount of SSB I operate I use the Kenwood MC-60
desk mic. Always get good audio reports.

Doug
W6JD
K2/100 #1626

-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Peter Zenker" <[hidden email]>

> Fred,
> After lots of testing QRPproject is selling the Kenwood MC 43 as best choice
> together with the K2. It generates an excellent SSB signal, it´s size meets
> the K2 look and it can be 1:1 connected at the K2 Microphon port.
>
> 72/3 de Peter, DL2FI
> www.qrpproject.de
>
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com