Heil Handi Mic

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Heil Handi Mic

Van W1WCG
Greetings, all

I recently acquired a Heil Handi-Mic with the HC-5 element, intending to use
it with a new K2 radio (#5510).  I used straight-across wiring for the
configuration connector in the front panel since the Handi-Mic is equipped
with a cable wired for Kenwood mikes.  No resistor from pin 1 to pin 6 since
the element is dynamic.  The mike does work, but the output seems low -- the
ALC indication barely lights the top bar, and the RF output barely shows on
the louder peaks.  A MH-2 mike shows a little more output, though not that
much more.  The over-all feeling is that the Handi-Mic has a relatively low
output level and may need a preamp to work properly with the K2.  The mike
works about the same with either K2 here.  I've noted the diagram for a mike
preamp for the K2, but before I build up something like that, I'm just
wondering if anybody else has tried the Handi-Mic, and what any experience
has been with respect to driving the K2 with that mike.  Comments, anyone? ?
?

TIA,

Van W1WCG
K2 #2634, 5510
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Re: Heil Handi Mic

Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy-2
Van,

The Heil HC-5 and HC-4 mic elements do produce less output than many other
types of mic element, and you will find a number of Posts to the List
discussing this issue. Unless these mic elements are quite close to one's
mouth it does seem that a preamp is required with the K2.  I use a Heil
Proset Plus headset which has a boom assembly containing a HC-5 and a HC-4
which means that the mic is about 2 or 3 inches from my mouth, and I do not
need a preamp to drive my K2/100 to full specified output, in fact on 40m I
have to move the mic a little to avoid the ALC becoming too active. FWIW my
wife says that I have a 'quiet' voice.

73,
Geoff
GM4ESD


Frank Van Cleef W1WCG <[hidden email]> wrote:


Greetings, all

I recently acquired a Heil Handi-Mic with the HC-5 element, intending to use
it with a new K2 radio (#5510).  I used straight-across wiring for the
configuration connector in the front panel since the Handi-Mic is equipped
with a cable wired for Kenwood mikes.  No resistor from pin 1 to pin 6 since
the element is dynamic.  The mike does work, but the output seems low -- the
ALC indication barely lights the top bar, and the RF output barely shows on
the louder peaks.  A MH-2 mike shows a little more output, though not that
much more.  The over-all feeling is that the Handi-Mic has a relatively low
output level and may need a preamp to work properly with the K2.  The mike
works about the same with either K2 here.  I've noted the diagram for a mike
preamp for the K2, but before I build up something like that, I'm just
wondering if anybody else has tried the Handi-Mic, and what any experience
has been with respect to driving the K2 with that mike.  Comments, anyone? ?





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RE: Heil Handi Mic

Ron D'Eau Claire-2
In reply to this post by Van W1WCG
I don't have personal experience with the Heil mic, but you are describing a
K2 making full power output if I understand your comments correctly.

When the first (right hand) ALC bar just flickers, that means the mic is
providing *more* audio than the K2 needs for full RF output and the ALC is
turning down the overall transmit gain. So, if you have the POWER set for a
K2 to produce 10 watts or a K2/100 to produce 100 watts, and one ALC bar
flickers, more audio from the mic will do no good at all.

It's important to check that at full RF power. As you turn down the power
you'll see more and more ALC bars light as the level control reduces the
output to match the POWER control setting. (The K2 should not be run above
10 watts on SSB to avoid unnecessary distortion, although running the power
"wide open" on CW is FB).

You also need to have whatever maximum level of compression you want to use
switched On and do the test on the band where the K2 has the *least*
transmit gain. That's always been 10 meters on all the K2's I've heard about
and seen.

If you get an ALC bar flickering under those conditions, more mic gain does
nothing for you. If not, then perhaps a preamp will help.

Watching your RF output, the bar associated with the maximum power should
just lightly flicker unless you are using a lot of compression. Human voice
has  a huge average-to-peak amplitude ratio, and the peaks are very brief
and infrequent compared to the rest of the spectrum. The RF bargraph display
is a "peak reading" display so it fairly accurately indicates the very brief
and infrequent voice peaks.

One very simple change in the K2 that makes a large difference for mics with
marginal output is to change resistor R14 on the SSB module board from the
original value of 1k ohms to something between 5.6k and 10k. That resistor
is across the mic input. Increasing its value raises the audio level
presented to the speech compressor.

Ron AC7AC


-----Original Message-----
Greetings, all

I recently acquired a Heil Handi-Mic with the HC-5 element, intending to use

it with a new K2 radio (#5510).  I used straight-across wiring for the
configuration connector in the front panel since the Handi-Mic is equipped
with a cable wired for Kenwood mikes.  No resistor from pin 1 to pin 6 since

the element is dynamic.  The mike does work, but the output seems low -- the

ALC indication barely lights the top bar, and the RF output barely shows on
the louder peaks.  A MH-2 mike shows a little more output, though not that
much more.  The over-all feeling is that the Handi-Mic has a relatively low
output level and may need a preamp to work properly with the K2.  The mike
works about the same with either K2 here.  I've noted the diagram for a mike

preamp for the K2, but before I build up something like that, I'm just
wondering if anybody else has tried the Handi-Mic, and what any experience
has been with respect to driving the K2 with that mike.  Comments, anyone? ?

?

TIA,

Van W1WCG
K2 #2634, 5510

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RE: Heil Handi Mic

Don Wilhelm-3
In reply to this post by Van W1WCG
Frank,

Unfortunately the Heil HC-4 and HC-5 elements have lower output than typical
mics.  There is one in the Handi-Mic set that should work well with the K2 -
and that is the one for the Icom (Heil number HM-iC)  perhaps you could
arrange an exchange.

In general the Icom mics use an electret element with high output level -
the audio input needs of the K2 and the Icom are similar.

If you do wish to retain the HC-5 element, then your best choice is to use a
pre-amp.  There are work-arounds such as changing the value of KSB2 R14, but
IMHO, the best all-around solution is to use a pre-amp and set the pre-amp
gain to provide the output needed by the K2.  If I recall correctly, the
proper output level is -40 dBm.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> I recently acquired a Heil Handi-Mic with the HC-5 element,
> intending to use
> it with a new K2 radio (#5510).  I used straight-across wiring for the
> configuration connector in the front panel since the Handi-Mic is
> equipped
> with a cable wired for Kenwood mikes.  No resistor from pin 1 to
> pin 6 since
> the element is dynamic.  The mike does work, but the output seems
> low -- the
> ALC indication barely lights the top bar, and the RF output
> barely shows on
> the louder peaks.  A MH-2 mike shows a little more output, though
> not that
> much more.  The over-all feeling is that the Handi-Mic has a
> relatively low
> output level and may need a preamp to work properly with the K2.
>
--
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Checked by AVG Free Edition.
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7:18 AM

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RE: Heil Handi Mic

Mike Short
 I am using the Heil HM-5, and the audio is just fine according to reports.
I didn't have to do anything special. I set SSb A menu to 2, and SSbB menu
to 3-1,
And it works well for my voice.
Just another option.

Mike
AI4NS

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 12:57 PM
To: Frank Van Cleef W1WCG; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Heil Handi Mic

Frank,

Unfortunately the Heil HC-4 and HC-5 elements have lower output than typical
mics.  There is one in the Handi-Mic set that should work well with the K2 -
and that is the one for the Icom (Heil number HM-iC)  perhaps you could
arrange an exchange.

In general the Icom mics use an electret element with high output level -
the audio input needs of the K2 and the Icom are similar.

If you do wish to retain the HC-5 element, then your best choice is to use a
pre-amp.  There are work-arounds such as changing the value of KSB2 R14, but
IMHO, the best all-around solution is to use a pre-amp and set the pre-amp
gain to provide the output needed by the K2.  If I recall correctly, the
proper output level is -40 dBm.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> I recently acquired a Heil Handi-Mic with the HC-5 element,
> intending to use
> it with a new K2 radio (#5510).  I used straight-across wiring for the
> configuration connector in the front panel since the Handi-Mic is
> equipped
> with a cable wired for Kenwood mikes.  No resistor from pin 1 to
> pin 6 since
> the element is dynamic.  The mike does work, but the output seems
> low -- the
> ALC indication barely lights the top bar, and the RF output
> barely shows on
> the louder peaks.  A MH-2 mike shows a little more output, though
> not that
> much more.  The over-all feeling is that the Handi-Mic has a
> relatively low
> output level and may need a preamp to work properly with the K2.
>
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.6/567 - Release Date: 12/4/2006
7:18 AM

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RE: Heil Handi Mic

Ron D'Eau Claire-2
Mike AI4NS wrote:

 I am using the Heil HM-5, and the audio is just fine according to reports.
I didn't have to do anything special. I set SSb A menu to 2, and SSbB menu
to 3-1, And it works well for my voice.
Just another option.

---------------------

Excellent point Mike! The SSb A menu will switch in about 10 dB of
attenuation if it's set to 1! That's useful when an external mic preamp to
over-driving the K2 but will keep many mics from properly driving the rig
when connected without a preamp.

Even so, I've noticed that several mics won't drive the K2 properly on 10
meters (where the TX gain is lowest) especially if I use any compression.
That seems to be the experience of a great many operators. I use an electret
element that has an output of about -64 dB. It works FB once I changed R14
to 5.6K.

I considered an external preamp, but it seemed to me more efficient to
reduce the unnecessary loss at the mic input rather than add external active
components to make up for it.

Ron AC7AC  


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RE: Heil Handi Mic

Gene Langendorff
In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-3
While at Pacificon this fall I purchased a Heil Handi-Mic for my K2 #0261.
I've read this list for a long time now and know about the K2's need for a
mic with higher-than-normal output.  Researching the Handi-Mic on-line I
expected the model HM-iC (for Icom) would be the right choice.  So before
making the purchase I went to the Elecraft booth and asked THE MAN, Eric
Schwartz, and he said that's the one to get.  Well, I haven't found out for
sure yet because I still need to build my KSB2 but I have no doubt that I
got the right info from the right man.  Don's response (below) seems to
agree.

I also purchased the Heil CH-1K (Kenwood) cable to go with it, the plug
matches the K2 and Eric said I can then use the default setting on the KSB2
header.  It should be a nice setup.

73,
Gene K6TTM

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
> Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 10:57 AM
> To: Frank Van Cleef W1WCG; [hidden email]
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Heil Handi Mic
>
>
> Frank,
>
> Unfortunately the Heil HC-4 and HC-5 elements have lower
> output than typical
> mics.  There is one in the Handi-Mic set that should work
> well with the K2 -
> and that is the one for the Icom (Heil number HM-iC)  perhaps
> you could
> arrange an exchange.
>
> In general the Icom mics use an electret element with high
> output level -
> the audio input needs of the K2 and the Icom are similar.
>
> If you do wish to retain the HC-5 element, then your best
> choice is to use a
> pre-amp.  There are work-arounds such as changing the value
> of KSB2 R14, but
> IMHO, the best all-around solution is to use a pre-amp and
> set the pre-amp
> gain to provide the output needed by the K2.  If I recall
> correctly, the
> proper output level is -40 dBm.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> >
> > I recently acquired a Heil Handi-Mic with the HC-5 element,
> > intending to use
> > it with a new K2 radio (#5510).  I used straight-across
> wiring for the
> > configuration connector in the front panel since the Handi-Mic is
> > equipped
> > with a cable wired for Kenwood mikes.  No resistor from pin 1 to
> > pin 6 since
> > the element is dynamic.  The mike does work, but the output seems
> > low -- the
> > ALC indication barely lights the top bar, and the RF output
> > barely shows on
> > the louder peaks.  A MH-2 mike shows a little more output, though
> > not that
> > much more.  The over-all feeling is that the Handi-Mic has a
> > relatively low
> > output level and may need a preamp to work properly with the K2.
> >
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.430 / Virus Database: 268.15.6/567 - Release
> Date: 12/4/2006
> 7:18 AM
>
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>
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> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>

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Re: Heil Handi Mic

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ
Administrator
Sounds like that will work perfectly. :-) Make sure you add the
microphone bias resistor to the K2 for  this mic.

73, Eric Swartz   WA6HHQ
http://www.elecraft.com

Gene Langendorff wrote:

> While at Pacificon this fall I purchased a Heil Handi-Mic for my K2 #0261.
> I've read this list for a long time now and know about the K2's need for a
> mic with higher-than-normal output.  Researching the Handi-Mic on-line I
> expected the model HM-iC (for Icom) would be the right choice.  So before
> making the purchase I went to the Elecraft booth and asked THE MAN, Eric
> Schwartz, and he said that's the one to get.  Well, I haven't found out for
> sure yet because I still need to build my KSB2 but I have no doubt that I
> got the right info from the right man.  Don's response (below) seems to
> agree.
>
> I also purchased the Heil CH-1K (Kenwood) cable to go with it, the plug
> matches the K2 and Eric said I can then use the default setting on the KSB2
> header.  It should be a nice setup.
>
> 73,
> Gene K6TTM
>
>  
>
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RE: Heil Handi Mic

Solosko, Robert B (Bob)
In reply to this post by Ron D'Eau Claire-2
Hello All,

        There seems to be differing opinions about whether the Heil HM-4
and HM-5 provide enough output to properly drive the K2. Looking through
the HRO catalog, I found that Heil now has several electret mikes
(HM-iC, iCM, etc.) which they say gives higher output, but they also say
these work only for ICOM radios... Does anyone have experience with
these mikes? Do they solve the low drive problem for the K2?... And why
are they "only for ICOM radios"? And one final question: are they likely
to work better than the mike that I'm using that I put together using a
$3 Radio Shack electret replacement element (plenty of drive, but
mediocre audio reports)?

        Thanks.

Bob W1SRB

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ron D'Eau Claire
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 6:54 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Heil Handi Mic

Mike AI4NS wrote:

 I am using the Heil HM-5, and the audio is just fine according to
reports.
I didn't have to do anything special. I set SSb A menu to 2, and SSbB
menu to 3-1, And it works well for my voice.
Just another option.

---------------------

Excellent point Mike! The SSb A menu will switch in about 10 dB of
attenuation if it's set to 1! That's useful when an external mic preamp
to over-driving the K2 but will keep many mics from properly driving the
rig when connected without a preamp.

Even so, I've noticed that several mics won't drive the K2 properly on
10 meters (where the TX gain is lowest) especially if I use any
compression.
That seems to be the experience of a great many operators. I use an
electret element that has an output of about -64 dB. It works FB once I
changed R14 to 5.6K.

I considered an external preamp, but it seemed to me more efficient to
reduce the unnecessary loss at the mic input rather than add external
active components to make up for it.

Ron AC7AC  


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RE: Heil Handi Mic

Don Wilhelm-3
Bob,

Unlike other radios (Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu, etc) that have their own method
of wiring the mic jack and make it inconenient to impossible for the user to
change it, the K2 has a microphone configuration header so you can rearrange
the mic jack wiring to suit any 8 pin microphone configuration.  The
information for the wiring required is in the KSB2 manual.

Yes, an Icom mic can be used on the K2 - connect the microphone
configuration header for the Icom wiring and in the case of the the electret
type mic elements, add a resistor from the AF mic pin to +5 volts.  Most
mics suggest a 10k resistor, but usually the other end of the resistor is
connected to an 8 volt supply - the K2 supplies only 5 volts and a 5.6k
resistor is more appropriate.  In the case of Icom wiring, the resistor
connects between pins 1 and 2 and the mic header has a jumper from the 5V
pin to pin 2.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> There seems to be differing opinions about whether the Heil HM-4
> and HM-5 provide enough output to properly drive the K2. Looking through
> the HRO catalog, I found that Heil now has several electret mikes
> (HM-iC, iCM, etc.) which they say gives higher output, but they also say
> these work only for ICOM radios... Does anyone have experience with
> these mikes? Do they solve the low drive problem for the K2?... And why
> are they "only for ICOM radios"? And one final question: are they likely
> to work better than the mike that I'm using that I put together using a
> $3 Radio Shack electret replacement element (plenty of drive, but
> mediocre audio reports)?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Bob W1SRB
>
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.15.25/593 - Release Date: 12/19/2006
1:17 PM

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Re: Heil Handi Mic

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ
Administrator
In reply to this post by Solosko, Robert B (Bob)
Hi Bob,

The Heil iC elements work perfectly with the K2. They use the same
element that we used in the MH2.

(As a side note: The Heil HC4 and HC5 elements put out about 8 dB less
than the industry standard used by almost all other ham radio
manufacturers, hence the low gain reports in some instances.)

If you want to use the standard Elecraft 8 pin mic connector set up,
which allows you to jumper straight across on our mic configuration
header, you will want to request the Kenwood style cable from them.

I'll give Heil a call and request that they re-title the ic microphones
as compatible with Elecraft too :-)

73, Eric   WA6HHQ
-----------

Solosko, Robert B (Bob) wrote:
> I found that Heil now has several electret mikes
> (HM-iC, iCM, etc.) which they say gives higher output, but they also say
> these work only for ICOM radios... Does anyone have experience with
> these mikes?  And why are they "only for ICOM radios"?
> Bob W1SRB
>
>
>  
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RE: Heil Handi Mic

Steve Banks
In reply to this post by Solosko, Robert B (Bob)
Bob, and the List:

I bought, and still use, a Heil MH2 electret mic when it was offered for
sale through Elecraft; then it was called the Heil MH2.  That was several
years ago as I recall.

The MH2 works FB with plenty of output and good-quality audio according the
reports I get on the air.  I'm mostly a CW user, but the little handheld MH2
seems fine for my needs, and the K2 seems happy with its output level.  My
relevant K2 MENU entries are : SSbA 1, and SSbC 1-1.  The MH2 is physically
connected to my Rigblaster interface, which then connects to the K2 8-pin
Mic connector.

The only reason I can see that Heil would say the HM-4 and HM-5 are only for
Icom rigs might be that their mic connector pins might be wired differently
than the K2 expects to see.  Certainly you ought to be able to play with
your RS electret replacement element without hazard to your K2.

Keep us posted, es GL.

73

K0PQ
Steve Banks


-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Solosko, Robert B
(Bob)
Sent: Wednesday, December 20, 2006 7:19 AM
To: Ron D'Eau Claire; [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Heil Handi Mic

Hello All,

        There seems to be differing opinions about whether the Heil HM-4 and
HM-5 provide enough output to properly drive the K2. Looking through the HRO
catalog, I found that Heil now has several electret mikes (HM-iC, iCM, etc.)
which they say gives higher output, but they also say these work only for
ICOM radios... Does anyone have experience with these mikes? Do they solve
the low drive problem for the K2?... And why are they "only for ICOM
radios"? And one final question: are they likely to work better than the
mike that I'm using that I put together using a
$3 Radio Shack electret replacement element (plenty of drive, but mediocre
audio reports)?

        Thanks.

Bob W1SRB

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Ron D'Eau Claire
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 6:54 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Heil Handi Mic

Mike AI4NS wrote:

 I am using the Heil HM-5, and the audio is just fine according to reports.
I didn't have to do anything special. I set SSb A menu to 2, and SSbB menu
to 3-1, And it works well for my voice.
Just another option.

---------------------

Excellent point Mike! The SSb A menu will switch in about 10 dB of
attenuation if it's set to 1! That's useful when an external mic preamp to
over-driving the K2 but will keep many mics from properly driving the rig
when connected without a preamp.

Even so, I've noticed that several mics won't drive the K2 properly on 10
meters (where the TX gain is lowest) especially if I use any compression.
That seems to be the experience of a great many operators. I use an electret
element that has an output of about -64 dB. It works FB once I changed R14
to 5.6K.

I considered an external preamp, but it seemed to me more efficient to
reduce the unnecessary loss at the mic input rather than add external active
components to make up for it.

Ron AC7AC  


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Re: Heil Handi Mic

Bill VanAlstyne W5WVO
In reply to this post by Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ
Hi Eric --

Since I have a Heil ProSet with the HC5 element, and I get outstanding
reports with it on Kenwood and Yaesu rigs -- my question is, if I connect it
to a K2, will the 8 dB difference in output level cause any problems, or is
there enough residual mic gain in the K2 to make up for it?

Bill W5WVO


Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote:

> Hi Bob,
>
> The Heil iC elements work perfectly with the K2. They use the same
> element that we used in the MH2.
>
> (As a side note: The Heil HC4 and HC5 elements put out about 8 dB less
> than the industry standard used by almost all other ham radio
> manufacturers, hence the low gain reports in some instances.)
>
> If you want to use the standard Elecraft 8 pin mic connector set up,
> which allows you to jumper straight across on our mic configuration
> header, you will want to request the Kenwood style cable from them.
>
> I'll give Heil a call and request that they re-title the ic
> microphones as compatible with Elecraft too :-)
>
> 73, Eric   WA6HHQ
> -----------
>
> Solosko, Robert B (Bob) wrote:
>> I found that Heil now has several electret mikes
>> (HM-iC, iCM, etc.) which they say gives higher output, but they also
>> say these work only for ICOM radios... Does anyone have experience
>> with these mikes?  And why are they "only for ICOM radios"?
>> Bob W1SRB
>>
>>
>>
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