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[K3] Mic Experimentation with Kenwood MC-60

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Phil Hystad-3

[K3] Mic Experimentation with Kenwood MC-60

So, I asked a question late last night but no responses. So, either no one cares or maybe I got lost in the noise. But, that is OK -- I will try again.

I am confused and mystified by a mic that I borrowed from a friend to try out with the K3. It is a Kenwood MC-60 and I think it is fairly new and I only have a day or two to play with this so I want to make use of that time.

I am discovering that I don't understand all there is about microphones and the K3. For example, when you use the MENU to set the Mic to something like FP.L or FP.H, what is the true meaning of the L and H. I know that the document says Low gain and High gain but how am I to interpret this. Does H mean that the mic has high gain or does it mean that it needs high gain.

This MC-60 mic has a preamplifier on it and when this amp is off, I have trouble getting the ALC meter to measure anything. I do the test of speaking normally into the mic but with the mic gain set to 60 I have to either shout or speak VERY CLOSELY to the mic to make the ALC meter move at all. This does not seem right. I get the same behavior whether the mic setting is FP.L or FP.H. By the way, Bias is set off as I believe it should be with a dynamic mic.

Now, I have done some tests on-air with a few friends and they say my audio sounds OK. Right now, I have the compression either zero or very low and I am forgetting which audio report I got with which setting. But, the compression setting didn't seem to make a whole lot of difference.

Also, another question --- this mic has a preamp and I am wondering if there is wisdom in using the preamp versus the mic gain set to a high value on the K3.

And, lastly -- I checked the history of some discussion on Kenwood mics and the K3 and I see there is some discussion about the pin wiring of whether pin 5 is used or pin 6 for something or other. I was under the impression that the K3 was using the Kenwood mic wiring so what is this question on pin 5 versus pin 6?

Yes, when it comes to microphones I do not know very much. I am about 90 percent CW so I obviously do not care about audio too much but I do want things to sound OK without over driving the K3.

73, phil, K7PEH

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George Thornton

Re: [K3] Mic Experimentation with Kenwood MC-60

I have a Kenwood MC-60, I bought it new about a year ago for use with an
older Kenwood 930s. It has been used lightly and is in good condition.

I just tried it on my K3, it works fine for me with the mic preamp off
and the K3 set for FP L.

I am driving it with mic gain set at about 23, compression high 20's.
Audio sounds fine when I test transmit and use the monitor feature to
hear myself.

During transmit, I am getting strong power out.

This mic has not been modified and the pinouts are as delivered from the
factory.

There is an on-off button on the mic, leave that off. There seems to be
no difference whether setting the mic for 50 or 500 ohms.

You do need to speak close to the mic when transmitting, it is designed
for that kind of use.

Maybe there is something wrong with the mic you are using.

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Phil Hystad
Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2011 8:02 PM
To: Elecraft Reflector
Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] Mic Experimentation with Kenwood MC-60

So, I asked a question late last night but no responses. So, either no
one cares or maybe I got lost in the noise. But, that is OK -- I will
try again.

I am confused and mystified by a mic that I borrowed from a friend to
try out with the K3. It is a Kenwood MC-60 and I think it is fairly new
and I only have a day or two to play with this so I want to make use of
that time.

I am discovering that I don't understand all there is about microphones
and the K3. For example, when you use the MENU to set the Mic to
something like FP.L or FP.H, what is the true meaning of the L and H. I
know that the document says Low gain and High gain but how am I to
interpret this. Does H mean that the mic has high gain or does it mean
that it needs high gain.

This MC-60 mic has a preamplifier on it and when this amp is off, I have
trouble getting the ALC meter to measure anything. I do the test of
speaking normally into the mic but with the mic gain set to 60 I have to
either shout or speak VERY CLOSELY to the mic to make the ALC meter move
at all. This does not seem right. I get the same behavior whether the
mic setting is FP.L or FP.H. By the way, Bias is set off as I believe
it should be with a dynamic mic.

Now, I have done some tests on-air with a few friends and they say my
audio sounds OK. Right now, I have the compression either zero or very
low and I am forgetting which audio report I got with which setting.
But, the compression setting didn't seem to make a whole lot of
difference.

Also, another question --- this mic has a preamp and I am wondering if
there is wisdom in using the preamp versus the mic gain set to a high
value on the K3.

And, lastly -- I checked the history of some discussion on Kenwood mics
and the K3 and I see there is some discussion about the pin wiring of
whether pin 5 is used or pin 6 for something or other. I was under the
impression that the K3 was using the Kenwood mic wiring so what is this
question on pin 5 versus pin 6?

Yes, when it comes to microphones I do not know very much. I am about
90 percent CW so I obviously do not care about audio too much but I do
want things to sound OK without over driving the K3.

73, phil, K7PEH

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: [K3] Mic Experimentation with Kenwood MC-60

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3

Phil,

You have to get the K3 ALC meter to illuminate 5 to 7 bars with the
compression set to zero. That is true with any microphone.

According to the G4WPW microphone information, the MC60 mic has no
preamp, but has a hi-Z, Lo-Z switch (it should be set to lo-Z for the
K3). The M60A has a preamp that needs voltage on pin 5, but
unfortunately, that is the part that is not compatible with the K3 which
provides voltage in pin 6.

In other words, the MC60 will work with the K3, but the MC60A will not
work unless you change the microphone plug.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/5/2011 11:02 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:

> So, I asked a question late last night but no responses. So, either no one cares or maybe I got lost in the noise. But, that is OK -- I will try again.
>
> I am confused and mystified by a mic that I borrowed from a friend to try out with the K3. It is a Kenwood MC-60 and I think it is fairly new and I only have a day or two to play with this so I want to make use of that time.
>
> I am discovering that I don't understand all there is about microphones and the K3. For example, when you use the MENU to set the Mic to something like FP.L or FP.H, what is the true meaning of the L and H. I know that the document says Low gain and High gain but how am I to interpret this. Does H mean that the mic has high gain or does it mean that it needs high gain.
>
> This MC-60 mic has a preamplifier on it and when this amp is off, I have trouble getting the ALC meter to measure anything. I do the test of speaking normally into the mic but with the mic gain set to 60 I have to either shout or speak VERY CLOSELY to the mic to make the ALC meter move at all. This does not seem right. I get the same behavior whether the mic setting is FP.L or FP.H. By the way, Bias is set off as I believe it should be with a dynamic mic.
>
> Now, I have done some tests on-air with a few friends and they say my audio sounds OK. Right now, I have the compression either zero or very low and I am forgetting which audio report I got with which setting. But, the compression setting didn't seem to make a whole lot of difference.
>
> Also, another question --- this mic has a preamp and I am wondering if there is wisdom in using the preamp versus the mic gain set to a high value on the K3.
>
> And, lastly -- I checked the history of some discussion on Kenwood mics and the K3 and I see there is some discussion about the pin wiring of whether pin 5 is used or pin 6 for something or other. I was under the impression that the K3 was using the Kenwood mic wiring so what is this question on pin 5 versus pin 6?
>
> Yes, when it comes to microphones I do not know very much. I am about 90 percent CW so I obviously do not care about audio too much but I do want things to sound OK without over driving the K3.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

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Phil Hystad-3

Re: [K3] Mic Experimentation with Kenwood MC-60

In reply to this post by George Thornton

George,

Thanks for the settings you quoted below on your mic. Yes, my mic actually
works and I am learning that my errors may be in thinking that I do not have
to talk close to the mic.

I am continuing to experiment today but it will have to wait, taking my wife
out on a bird photography trip up in the Skagit Flats.

73, phil, K7PEH

On Mar 5, 2011, at 11:19 PM, George A. Thornton wrote:

> I have a Kenwood MC-60, I bought it new about a year ago for use with an
> older Kenwood 930s. It has been used lightly and is in good condition.
>
> I just tried it on my K3, it works fine for me with the mic preamp off
> and the K3 set for FP L.
>
> I am driving it with mic gain set at about 23, compression high 20's.
> Audio sounds fine when I test transmit and use the monitor feature to
> hear myself.
>
> During transmit, I am getting strong power out.
>
> This mic has not been modified and the pinouts are as delivered from the
> factory.
>
> There is an on-off button on the mic, leave that off. There seems to be
> no difference whether setting the mic for 50 or 500 ohms.
>
> You do need to speak close to the mic when transmitting, it is designed
> for that kind of use.
>
> Maybe there is something wrong with the mic you are using.
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Phil Hystad
> Sent: Saturday, March 05, 2011 8:02 PM
> To: Elecraft Reflector
> Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] Mic Experimentation with Kenwood MC-60
>
> So, I asked a question late last night but no responses. So, either no
> one cares or maybe I got lost in the noise. But, that is OK -- I will
> try again.
>
> I am confused and mystified by a mic that I borrowed from a friend to
> try out with the K3. It is a Kenwood MC-60 and I think it is fairly new
> and I only have a day or two to play with this so I want to make use of
> that time.
>
> I am discovering that I don't understand all there is about microphones
> and the K3. For example, when you use the MENU to set the Mic to
> something like FP.L or FP.H, what is the true meaning of the L and H. I
> know that the document says Low gain and High gain but how am I to
> interpret this. Does H mean that the mic has high gain or does it mean
> that it needs high gain.
>
> This MC-60 mic has a preamplifier on it and when this amp is off, I have
> trouble getting the ALC meter to measure anything. I do the test of
> speaking normally into the mic but with the mic gain set to 60 I have to
> either shout or speak VERY CLOSELY to the mic to make the ALC meter move
> at all. This does not seem right. I get the same behavior whether the
> mic setting is FP.L or FP.H. By the way, Bias is set off as I believe
> it should be with a dynamic mic.
>
> Now, I have done some tests on-air with a few friends and they say my
> audio sounds OK. Right now, I have the compression either zero or very
> low and I am forgetting which audio report I got with which setting.
> But, the compression setting didn't seem to make a whole lot of
> difference.
>
> Also, another question --- this mic has a preamp and I am wondering if
> there is wisdom in using the preamp versus the mic gain set to a high
> value on the K3.
>
> And, lastly -- I checked the history of some discussion on Kenwood mics
> and the K3 and I see there is some discussion about the pin wiring of
> whether pin 5 is used or pin 6 for something or other. I was under the
> impression that the K3 was using the Kenwood mic wiring so what is this
> question on pin 5 versus pin 6?
>
> Yes, when it comes to microphones I do not know very much. I am about
> 90 percent CW so I obviously do not care about audio too much but I do
> want things to sound OK without over driving the K3.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: [K3] Mic Experimentation with Kenwood MC-60

In reply to this post by George Thornton

> You do need to speak close to the mic when transmitting, it is
> designed for that kind of use.

All of the Kenwood dynamic mics (desk or hand) have similar sensitivity
based on the specifications ... between -69 and -71 dB at 500 - 600
Ohms. That indicates they are designed for "close talking" - the
hand mics (MC-42S, MC-43S) specify their sensitivity at 2 cm from the
mic.

Since audio is a square law phenomena, the microphone will be 6 dB
less sensitive with each doubling of the distance so working 16"
away from a "desk mic" will result in more than 20 dB less output
than holding it 1" from the mouth. Note: the preamp in the MC-60A
has a gain of 12 dB (Preamp in = Preamp out).

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 3/6/2011 2:19 AM, George A. Thornton wrote:

Phil Hystad-3

Re: [K3] Mic Experimentation with Kenwood MC-60

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

Don,

Actually, I do have an MC-60A here I guess. It definitely does have the preamp, the battery pack underneath and so on but the mic label on the base says "MC-60". I read somewhere on the Internet that the "A" model is not identified by the label on the base.

There is a part of your message that I would like to clarify. I have examined the relevant material in the K3 user guide and still I am not sure. The K3 provides voltage on pin 6 but the MC-60 expects voltage on pin 5. What I don't understand is IF I were to rewire this so that the voltage was placed on pin 5 (I assume I would do this within the base itself and not rewire the actual connector) then do I create a problem for the K3?? I am assuming that I would have to make sure that pin 5 was NOT connected to anything but that I took the pin 6 voltage offered by the K3 and route it to whatever pin 5 was hooked up to.

73, phil, K7PEH

On Mar 5, 2011, at 11:29 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Phil,
>
> You have to get the K3 ALC meter to illuminate 5 to 7 bars with the compression set to zero. That is true with any microphone.
>
> According to the G4WPW microphone information, the MC60 mic has no preamp, but has a hi-Z, Lo-Z switch (it should be set to lo-Z for the K3). The M60A has a preamp that needs voltage on pin 5, but unfortunately, that is the part that is not compatible with the K3 which provides voltage in pin 6.
>
> In other words, the MC60 will work with the K3, but the MC60A will not work unless you change the microphone plug.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 3/5/2011 11:02 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:
>> So, I asked a question late last night but no responses. So, either no one cares or maybe I got lost in the noise. But, that is OK -- I will try again.
>>
>> I am confused and mystified by a mic that I borrowed from a friend to try out with the K3. It is a Kenwood MC-60 and I think it is fairly new and I only have a day or two to play with this so I want to make use of that time.
>>
>> I am discovering that I don't understand all there is about microphones and the K3. For example, when you use the MENU to set the Mic to something like FP.L or FP.H, what is the true meaning of the L and H. I know that the document says Low gain and High gain but how am I to interpret this. Does H mean that the mic has high gain or does it mean that it needs high gain.
>>
>> This MC-60 mic has a preamplifier on it and when this amp is off, I have trouble getting the ALC meter to measure anything. I do the test of speaking normally into the mic but with the mic gain set to 60 I have to either shout or speak VERY CLOSELY to the mic to make the ALC meter move at all. This does not seem right. I get the same behavior whether the mic setting is FP.L or FP.H. By the way, Bias is set off as I believe it should be with a dynamic mic.
>>
>> Now, I have done some tests on-air with a few friends and they say my audio sounds OK. Right now, I have the compression either zero or very low and I am forgetting which audio report I got with which setting. But, the compression setting didn't seem to make a whole lot of difference.
>>
>> Also, another question --- this mic has a preamp and I am wondering if there is wisdom in using the preamp versus the mic gain set to a high value on the K3.
>>
>> And, lastly -- I checked the history of some discussion on Kenwood mics and the K3 and I see there is some discussion about the pin wiring of whether pin 5 is used or pin 6 for something or other. I was under the impression that the K3 was using the Kenwood mic wiring so what is this question on pin 5 versus pin 6?
>>
>> Yes, when it comes to microphones I do not know very much. I am about 90 percent CW so I obviously do not care about audio too much but I do want things to sound OK without over driving the K3.
>>
>> 73, phil, K7PEH
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>>

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: [K3] Mic Experimentation with Kenwood MC-60

Phil,

Actually, you can check out the wiring as well as I can. Schematics and
pinout information has been complied on many microphones by G4WPW and
can be found at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/rg4wpw/date.html - this is
a wonderful resource for anyone contemplating use of a microphone that
is branded differently from their transceiver.

No sense in me reading the schematic and relating it to you when you can
do it yourself.

From what I see, if you can operate with the preamp off, you do not
need to make any changes.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/6/2011 11:24 AM, Phil Hystad wrote:
> Don,
>
> Actually, I do have an MC-60A here I guess. It definitely does have the preamp, the battery pack underneath and so on but the mic label on the base says "MC-60". I read somewhere on the Internet that the "A" model is not identified by the label on the base.
>
> There is a part of your message that I would like to clarify. I have examined the relevant material in the K3 user guide and still I am not sure. The K3 provides voltage on pin 6 but the MC-60 expects voltage on pin 5. What I don't understand is IF I were to rewire this so that the voltage was placed on pin 5 (I assume I would do this within the base itself and not rewire the actual connector) then do I create a problem for the K3?? I am assuming that I would have to make sure that pin 5 was NOT connected to anything but that I took the pin 6 voltage offered by the K3 and route it to whatever pin 5 was hooked up to.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: [K3] Mic Experimentation with Kenwood MC-60

In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3

Phil,

The K3 provides voltage on pin 6 but the MC-60 expects
> voltage on pin 5. What I don't understand is IF I were to rewire
> this so that the voltage was placed on pin 5 (I assume I would do
> this within the base itself and not rewire the actual connector) then
> do I create a problem for the K3?? I am assuming that I would have
> to make sure that pin 5 was NOT connected to anything but that I took
> the pin 6 voltage offered by the K3 and route it to whatever pin 5
> was hooked up to.

I have sent you separately the MC-60A manual. In it is a schematic
for the microphone/base. The documentation shows that pin 5 is
currently connected to the collector of the voltage regulator
transistor and pin 6 is currently empty. You should be able to
move the wire from pin 5 to pin 6 without difficulty.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 3/6/2011 11:24 AM, Phil Hystad wrote:

> Don,
>
> Actually, I do have an MC-60A here I guess. It definitely does have
> the preamp, the battery pack underneath and so on but the mic label
> on the base says "MC-60". I read somewhere on the Internet that the
> "A" model is not identified by the label on the base.
>
> There is a part of your message that I would like to clarify. I have
> examined the relevant material in the K3 user guide and still I am
> not sure. The K3 provides voltage on pin 6 but the MC-60 expects
> voltage on pin 5. What I don't understand is IF I were to rewire
> this so that the voltage was placed on pin 5 (I assume I would do
> this within the base itself and not rewire the actual connector) then
> do I create a problem for the K3?? I am assuming that I would have
> to make sure that pin 5 was NOT connected to anything but that I took
> the pin 6 voltage offered by the K3 and route it to whatever pin 5
> was hooked up to.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
>
> On Mar 5, 2011, at 11:29 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>
>> Phil,
>>
>> You have to get the K3 ALC meter to illuminate 5 to 7 bars with the
>> compression set to zero. That is true with any microphone.
>>
>> According to the G4WPW microphone information, the MC60 mic has no
>> preamp, but has a hi-Z, Lo-Z switch (it should be set to lo-Z for
>> the K3). The M60A has a preamp that needs voltage on pin 5, but
>> unfortunately, that is the part that is not compatible with the K3
>> which provides voltage in pin 6.
>>
>> In other words, the MC60 will work with the K3, but the MC60A will
>> not work unless you change the microphone plug.
>>
>> 73, Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 3/5/2011 11:02 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:
>>> So, I asked a question late last night but no responses. So,
>>> either no one cares or maybe I got lost in the noise. But, that
>>> is OK -- I will try again.
>>>
>>> I am confused and mystified by a mic that I borrowed from a
>>> friend to try out with the K3. It is a Kenwood MC-60 and I think
>>> it is fairly new and I only have a day or two to play with this
>>> so I want to make use of that time.
>>>
>>> I am discovering that I don't understand all there is about
>>> microphones and the K3. For example, when you use the MENU to
>>> set the Mic to something like FP.L or FP.H, what is the true
>>> meaning of the L and H. I know that the document says Low gain
>>> and High gain but how am I to interpret this. Does H mean that
>>> the mic has high gain or does it mean that it needs high gain.
>>>
>>> This MC-60 mic has a preamplifier on it and when this amp is off,
>>> I have trouble getting the ALC meter to measure anything. I do
>>> the test of speaking normally into the mic but with the mic gain
>>> set to 60 I have to either shout or speak VERY CLOSELY to the mic
>>> to make the ALC meter move at all. This does not seem right. I
>>> get the same behavior whether the mic setting is FP.L or FP.H.
>>> By the way, Bias is set off as I believe it should be with a
>>> dynamic mic.
>>>
>>> Now, I have done some tests on-air with a few friends and they
>>> say my audio sounds OK. Right now, I have the compression either
>>> zero or very low and I am forgetting which audio report I got
>>> with which setting. But, the compression setting didn't seem to
>>> make a whole lot of difference.
>>>
>>> Also, another question --- this mic has a preamp and I am
>>> wondering if there is wisdom in using the preamp versus the mic
>>> gain set to a high value on the K3.
>>>
>>> And, lastly -- I checked the history of some discussion on
>>> Kenwood mics and the K3 and I see there is some discussion about
>>> the pin wiring of whether pin 5 is used or pin 6 for something or
>>> other. I was under the impression that the K3 was using the
>>> Kenwood mic wiring so what is this question on pin 5 versus pin
>>> 6?
>>>
>>> Yes, when it comes to microphones I do not know very much. I am
>>> about 90 percent CW so I obviously do not care about audio too
>>> much but I do want things to sound OK without over driving the
>>> K3.
>>>
>>> 73, phil, K7PEH
>>>
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
>>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Phil Hystad-3

Re: [K3] Mic Experimentation with Kenwood MC-60

Yes, I may plan to do that if I decide to keep this mic. The price is OK and I am leaning towards buying it because if I did not want to keep the mic I could probably recover my cost by selling it.

phil

On Mar 6, 2011, at 8:51 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

>
> Phil,
>
> The K3 provides voltage on pin 6 but the MC-60 expects
> > voltage on pin 5. What I don't understand is IF I were to rewire
> > this so that the voltage was placed on pin 5 (I assume I would do
> > this within the base itself and not rewire the actual connector) then
> > do I create a problem for the K3?? I am assuming that I would have
> > to make sure that pin 5 was NOT connected to anything but that I took
> > the pin 6 voltage offered by the K3 and route it to whatever pin 5
> > was hooked up to.
>
> I have sent you separately the MC-60A manual. In it is a schematic
> for the microphone/base. The documentation shows that pin 5 is
> currently connected to the collector of the voltage regulator
> transistor and pin 6 is currently empty. You should be able to
> move the wire from pin 5 to pin 6 without difficulty.
>
> 73,
>
> ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
> On 3/6/2011 11:24 AM, Phil Hystad wrote:
>> Don,
>>
>> Actually, I do have an MC-60A here I guess. It definitely does have
>> the preamp, the battery pack underneath and so on but the mic label
>> on the base says "MC-60". I read somewhere on the Internet that the
>> "A" model is not identified by the label on the base.
>>
>> There is a part of your message that I would like to clarify. I have
>> examined the relevant material in the K3 user guide and still I am
>> not sure. The K3 provides voltage on pin 6 but the MC-60 expects
>> voltage on pin 5. What I don't understand is IF I were to rewire
>> this so that the voltage was placed on pin 5 (I assume I would do
>> this within the base itself and not rewire the actual connector) then
>> do I create a problem for the K3?? I am assuming that I would have
>> to make sure that pin 5 was NOT connected to anything but that I took
>> the pin 6 voltage offered by the K3 and route it to whatever pin 5
>> was hooked up to.
>>
>> 73, phil, K7PEH
>>
>>
>> On Mar 5, 2011, at 11:29 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>>
>>> Phil,
>>>
>>> You have to get the K3 ALC meter to illuminate 5 to 7 bars with the
>>> compression set to zero. That is true with any microphone.
>>>
>>> According to the G4WPW microphone information, the MC60 mic has no
>>> preamp, but has a hi-Z, Lo-Z switch (it should be set to lo-Z for
>>> the K3). The M60A has a preamp that needs voltage on pin 5, but
>>> unfortunately, that is the part that is not compatible with the K3
>>> which provides voltage in pin 6.
>>>
>>> In other words, the MC60 will work with the K3, but the MC60A will
>>> not work unless you change the microphone plug.
>>>
>>> 73, Don W3FPR
>>>
>>> On 3/5/2011 11:02 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:
>>>> So, I asked a question late last night but no responses. So,
>>>> either no one cares or maybe I got lost in the noise. But, that
>>>> is OK -- I will try again.
>>>>
>>>> I am confused and mystified by a mic that I borrowed from a
>>>> friend to try out with the K3. It is a Kenwood MC-60 and I think
>>>> it is fairly new and I only have a day or two to play with this
>>>> so I want to make use of that time.
>>>>
>>>> I am discovering that I don't understand all there is about
>>>> microphones and the K3. For example, when you use the MENU to
>>>> set the Mic to something like FP.L or FP.H, what is the true
>>>> meaning of the L and H. I know that the document says Low gain
>>>> and High gain but how am I to interpret this. Does H mean that
>>>> the mic has high gain or does it mean that it needs high gain.
>>>>
>>>> This MC-60 mic has a preamplifier on it and when this amp is off,
>>>> I have trouble getting the ALC meter to measure anything. I do
>>>> the test of speaking normally into the mic but with the mic gain
>>>> set to 60 I have to either shout or speak VERY CLOSELY to the mic
>>>> to make the ALC meter move at all. This does not seem right. I
>>>> get the same behavior whether the mic setting is FP.L or FP.H.
>>>> By the way, Bias is set off as I believe it should be with a
>>>> dynamic mic.
>>>>
>>>> Now, I have done some tests on-air with a few friends and they
>>>> say my audio sounds OK. Right now, I have the compression either
>>>> zero or very low and I am forgetting which audio report I got
>>>> with which setting. But, the compression setting didn't seem to
>>>> make a whole lot of difference.
>>>>
>>>> Also, another question --- this mic has a preamp and I am
>>>> wondering if there is wisdom in using the preamp versus the mic
>>>> gain set to a high value on the K3.
>>>>
>>>> And, lastly -- I checked the history of some discussion on
>>>> Kenwood mics and the K3 and I see there is some discussion about
>>>> the pin wiring of whether pin 5 is used or pin 6 for something or
>>>> other. I was under the impression that the K3 was using the
>>>> Kenwood mic wiring so what is this question on pin 5 versus pin
>>>> 6?
>>>>
>>>> Yes, when it comes to microphones I do not know very much. I am
>>>> about 90 percent CW so I obviously do not care about audio too
>>>> much but I do want things to sound OK without over driving the
>>>> K3.
>>>>
>>>> 73, phil, K7PEH
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
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>>>>
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>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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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>> email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>

MontyS

Re: [K3] Mic Experimentation with Kenwood MC-60

Coming late to this thread -

Phil, don't use the preamp. You do not need it. Open up the mic base and wire around it. It can be a source of RFI. My MIC level is 29, the impedance switch on the mic is at 500 ohms, and I get good audio reports on my MC-60A. The up/down buttons are useful on occasion.

Monty K2DLJ

On Mar 6, 2011, at 12:02 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:

> Yes, I may plan to do that if I decide to keep this mic. The price is OK and I am leaning towards buying it because if I did not want to keep the mic I could probably recover my cost by selling it.
>
> phil
>
>
> On Mar 6, 2011, at 8:51 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>
>>
>> Phil,
>>
>> The K3 provides voltage on pin 6 but the MC-60 expects
>>> voltage on pin 5. What I don't understand is IF I were to rewire
>>> this so that the voltage was placed on pin 5 (I assume I would do
>>> this within the base itself and not rewire the actual connector) then
>>> do I create a problem for the K3?? I am assuming that I would have
>>> to make sure that pin 5 was NOT connected to anything but that I took
>>> the pin 6 voltage offered by the K3 and route it to whatever pin 5
>>> was hooked up to.