Elecraft

K3 Microphone

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Gary Gregory-3

K3 Microphone

Hi All,

I got really excited when the K3 turned up in the post. I suppose you cannot
imagine the look on my face when I opened it all up and lifted all the
contents onto the bench in the shack and discovered that my K3 arrived
without a microphone.

I know, read the order form fully next time.

Welll for 3 grand, I didn't think I had to order and pay extra for a fist
mic. Kinda took the excitement right out of my sails.

I live in what is called "Outback" queensland, Australia, not the place
where I can find a spare Microphone laying around unused. The testing will
have to wait a week or so now till i find a Mic.

gary
VK4WT
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n6wg

Re: K3 Microphone

Gary
Can you find a carbon microphone, such as might be
in an older telephone?
You could probably cobble a working microphone
from it with a load resistor and a blocking capacitor,
and using the +8v from the K3.
Good luck and 73
Bob N6WG

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Gregory" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 9:13 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 Microphone

> Hi All,
>
> I got really excited when the K3 turned up in the post. I suppose
you cannot
> imagine the look on my face when I opened it all up and lifted all
the
> contents onto the bench in the shack and discovered that my K3
arrived
> without a microphone.
>
> I know, read the order form fully next time.
>
> Welll for 3 grand, I didn't think I had to order and pay extra for a
fist
> mic. Kinda took the excitement right out of my sails.
>
> I live in what is called "Outback" queensland, Australia, not the
place
> where I can find a spare Microphone laying around unused. The
testing will

> have to wait a week or so now till i find a Mic.
>
> gary
> VK4WT
> _______________________________________________
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Brendan Minish

Re: K3 Microphone

In reply to this post by Gary Gregory-3

Garry

I have been getting excellent ssb results recently using a Computer mic.
Just plug it in the rear mic socket and select rear connector, Hi with
Bias, if drive level is too high try rP.L bIAS instead of rP.H bIAS
pretty much ANY computer mic will do. The one I use currently I bought on
Ebay for a pound.

Mics for the ham radio market are in the main all about marketing, if it
works ok on Skype it'll work ok on the K3
Enjoy your K3, Mine prompted the sale of the Icom 7800

73
Brendan EI6IZ

On Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:13:54 +1000, "Gary Gregory"
<[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> I got really excited when the K3 turned up in the post. I suppose you
> cannot
> imagine the look on my face when I opened it all up and lifted all the
> contents onto the bench in the shack and discovered that my K3 arrived
> without a microphone.
>
> I know, read the order form fully next time.
>
> Welll for 3 grand, I didn't think I had to order and pay extra for a fist
> mic. Kinda took the excitement right out of my sails.
>
> I live in what is called "Outback" queensland, Australia, not the place
> where I can find a spare Microphone laying around unused. The testing

will

--
Don‘t complain. Nobody will understand. Or care. And certainly don‘t
try
to fix the situation yourself. It‘s dangerous. Leave it to a highly
untrained, unqualified, expendable professional.
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Darwin, Keith

RE: K3 Microphone

In reply to this post by Gary Gregory-3

-----Original Message-----
Well for 3 grand, I didn't think I had to order and pay extra for a fist
mic. Kinda took the excitement right out of my sails.

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

I guess most new rigs come with mics, ea? The only radios I've ever
bought new were the K2 and K3 and I'm glad neither came with a mic. I'm
a CW guy and I don't want to pay for a mic that won't get used.

Don't most people who are going to use SSB end up with a better mic
anyway? Maybe not, maybe many use the one that came with the rig.

- Keith N1AS -
- K3 711 -
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M0XDF

Re: K3 Microphone

I believe the theory behind not including a mic is as you stated
Keith, that it's either going to be a CW rig or it's going to be users
with the owners favourite mic. In my case, I purchased the Heil K3
Proset - something I'd wanted to try anyway. I already have a Heil
HM10-Dual, but I'm not using it on the K3.
I did buy the fist mic for use in JOTA and such, but I haven't even
tried it yet.

I can see that it might be a little frustrating if you didn't realise
the standard K3 doesn't include a mic.
73 de M0XDF, K3 #174
--
Those who walk bravely through life, unafraid of loss or failure,
find that they very rarely lose or fail.

On 30 Apr 2008, at 14:09, Darwin, Keith wrote:

> -----Original Message-----
> Well for 3 grand, I didn't think I had to order and pay extra for a
> fist
> mic. Kinda took the excitement right out of my sails.
>
> -------------------------
>
> I guess most new rigs come with mics, ea? The only radios I've ever
> bought new were the K2 and K3 and I'm glad neither came with a mic.
> I'm
> a CW guy and I don't want to pay for a mic that won't get used.
>
> Don't most people who are going to use SSB end up with a better mic
> anyway? Maybe not, maybe many use the one that came with the rig.

Dick Dievendorff

RE: K3 Microphone

In reply to this post by Darwin, Keith

My $10K ICOM 7800 also came without a microphone. I think mobile rigs would
be expected to come with a microphone, but not necessarily a desktop rig.

We have a lot of choices for microphones and if the K3 (or IC-7800) came
with a little dinky microphone I'd never have used it, and would have had to
store it for when I might eventually sell the rig.

73 de Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Darwin, Keith
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 6:10 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Microphone

-----Original Message-----
Well for 3 grand, I didn't think I had to order and pay extra for a fist
mic. Kinda took the excitement right out of my sails.

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

I guess most new rigs come with mics, ea? The only radios I've ever
bought new were the K2 and K3 and I'm glad neither came with a mic. I'm
a CW guy and I don't want to pay for a mic that won't get used.

Don't most people who are going to use SSB end up with a better mic
anyway? Maybe not, maybe many use the one that came with the rig.

- Keith N1AS -
- K3 711 -
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Jim Cox

Re: K3 Microphone

I agree, I never use the microphones that come with the radio unless it is a
mobile type radio. I had rather pay less for the radio and not receive
one.
Jim K4JAF

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dick Dievendorff" <[hidden email]>
To: "'Darwin, Keith'" <[hidden email]>;
<[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 9:12 AM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Microphone

> My $10K ICOM 7800 also came without a microphone. I think mobile rigs
> would
> be expected to come with a microphone, but not necessarily a desktop rig.
>
> We have a lot of choices for microphones and if the K3 (or IC-7800) came
> with a little dinky microphone I'd never have used it, and would have had
> to
> store it for when I might eventually sell the rig.
>
>
> 73 de Dick, K6KR
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Darwin, Keith
> Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 6:10 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] K3 Microphone
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Well for 3 grand, I didn't think I had to order and pay extra for a fist
> mic. Kinda took the excitement right out of my sails.
>
> -------------------------
>
> I guess most new rigs come with mics, ea? The only radios I've ever
> bought new were the K2 and K3 and I'm glad neither came with a mic. I'm
> a CW guy and I don't want to pay for a mic that won't get used.
>
> Don't most people who are going to use SSB end up with a better mic
> anyway? Maybe not, maybe many use the one that came with the rig.
>
> - Keith N1AS -
> - K3 711 -
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
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>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Darwin, Keith

RE: K3 with free key (K3 Microphone)

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff

If Elecraft really wanted to take a different approach, they'd ship a
free straight key with the rig. Maybe it would encourage some
voice-only hams to give CW a try?

- Keith N1AS -
- K3 711 -

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M0XDF

Re: K3 with free key (K3 Microphone)

If you think people are choosy about mics - they are REALLY choosy
about keys!
--
Either that wallpaper goes, or I do. - last words of Oscar Wild

On 30 Apr 2008, at 15:25, Darwin, Keith wrote:

> If Elecraft really wanted to take a different approach, they'd ship a
> free straight key with the rig. Maybe it would encourage some
> voice-only hams to give CW a try?
>
> - Keith N1AS -
> - K3 711 -
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Dave Martin-2

Re: K3 with free key (K3 Microphone)

In reply to this post by Darwin, Keith

> If Elecraft really wanted to take a different approach, they'd ship a
> free straight key with the rig. Maybe it would encourage some
> voice-only hams to give CW a try?
>
> - Keith N1AS -
> - K3 711 -
>
I don't know, Keith. I'd think that most people already have a key of
some kind even it they're not CW ops, because most of us wish we were.
Besides, none of us would be happy with whatever they gave us. I
have J-38 and Speed-X keys and an Autronic paddle, and I haven't been
on CW in over forty years, except to honk some CW down a twisted pair
with a tone oscillator and clip leads. K zero PP was on the other end
and thankfully was able to copy it, as I knew he would. Gosh, that
was thirty some years ago. I thought that getting a nice CW radio
like the K3 would make me get on, but not quite yet. I've polished my
key contacts, but I'm still looking for some polish for my CPU. It
seems that the code is still in there at least.

Dave W5DHM
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Buck - k4ia

Re: K3 with free key (K3 Microphone)

In reply to this post by Darwin, Keith

Now, I like that idea!!

Buck k4ia
K3#101

In a message dated 4/30/2008 10:26:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[hidden email] writes:
If Elecraft really wanted to take a different approach, they'd ship a
free straight key with the rig.

**************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car
listings at AOL Autos.
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Alan Bloom

RE: K3 Microphone

In reply to this post by Darwin, Keith

I'm into cycling as well as amateur radio. Most new high-end bikes come
with a cheap pair of platform pedals. They are typically used only for
the test ride around the bike shop parking lot. The owner takes them
off as soon as he gets home and installs his favorite brand of clipless
pedals. I've often wondered why the manufacturers don't save the $10
and sell the bike without pedals.

Al N1AL

On Wed, 2008-04-30 at 06:09, Darwin, Keith wrote:

> -----Original Message-----
> Well for 3 grand, I didn't think I had to order and pay extra for a fist
> mic. Kinda took the excitement right out of my sails.
>
> -------------------------
>
> I guess most new rigs come with mics, ea? The only radios I've ever
> bought new were the K2 and K3 and I'm glad neither came with a mic. I'm
> a CW guy and I don't want to pay for a mic that won't get used.
>
> Don't most people who are going to use SSB end up with a better mic
> anyway? Maybe not, maybe many use the one that came with the rig.
>
> - Keith N1AS -
> - K3 711 -

Russ-12

Re: K3 Microphone

In reply to this post by Brendan Minish

Gary;

I too have just been using a cheap "computer" mic with good results that I
bought for $2. Just follow the directions as described by Brendan and you
should be good to go. However, if you want PTT , you will have to use an
external switch.

73,
Russ N3CO

----- Original Message -----
From: "ei6iz.brendan" <[hidden email]>
To: "Gary Gregory" <[hidden email]>
Cc: "Elecraft list" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 4:44 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 Microphone

> Garry
>
> I have been getting excellent ssb results recently using a Computer mic.
> Just plug it in the rear mic socket and select rear connector, Hi with
> Bias, if drive level is too high try rP.L bIAS instead of rP.H bIAS
> pretty much ANY computer mic will do. The one I use currently I bought on
> Ebay for a pound.
>
> Mics for the ham radio market are in the main all about marketing, if it
> works ok on Skype it'll work ok on the K3
> Enjoy your K3, Mine prompted the sale of the Icom 7800
>
> 73
> Brendan EI6IZ
>
> On Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:13:54 +1000, "Gary Gregory"
> <[hidden email]> wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I got really excited when the K3 turned up in the post. I suppose you
>> cannot
>> imagine the look on my face when I opened it all up and lifted all the
>> contents onto the bench in the shack and discovered that my K3 arrived
>> without a microphone.
>>
>> I know, read the order form fully next time.
>>
>> Welll for 3 grand, I didn't think I had to order and pay extra for a fist
>> mic. Kinda took the excitement right out of my sails.
>>
>> I live in what is called "Outback" queensland, Australia, not the place
>> where I can find a spare Microphone laying around unused. The testing
> will
>> have to wait a week or so now till i find a Mic.
>>
>> gary
>> VK4WT
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
> --
> Don‘t complain. Nobody will understand. Or care. And certainly don‘t
> try
> to fix the situation yourself. It‘s dangerous. Leave it to a highly
> untrained, unqualified, expendable professional.
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>
>
> --
> Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.
> Checked by AVG.
> Version: 7.5.518 / Virus Database: 269.23.3/1393 - Release Date: 4/23/2008
> 8:12 AM
>
>