K3/O-Mini + Remote Rig Configuration for Heil Headset

[Barry Baines]

I am having difficulties getting my Heil ProSet with the HC-4/HC-5 mic cartridge to work with the K3/O-Mini + RemoteRig (purchased from Elecraft) where there is no audio reaching the K3 at the radio site.  I’m told that the Heil mic cartridge is a dynamic element with no pre-amp gain.  The mic connection for the K3 is set for the rear panel with no Bias and “Low” Gain per the Heil documentation on their website (“All Things Elecraft”).   The incoming audio (transmit) is fed from the Remote Rig-Remote front panel Aux/Mic using the supplied cable from Elecraft that connects to both the PTT In and Mic-Mono at the back of the K3.  

I’ve tried various configuration setups with the Control-RR to see if changing the audio level from the control site makes a difference, such as increasing the Codec inp gain, changing Codec Inp preamp to “no” and varying the Audio Quality specified at both remote rig units.  Using TX-Test, I then speak into the Mic and check for ALC and compression, varying the mic gain and compression.  At no time do I see any measurement on the K3/O-Mini meters for ALC and compression.  The “monitor” capability is also not working as I can’t hear myself through the headset.  

I’m wondering if the Remote Rig system is setup for the Elecraft MH-2 mic which I understand does have amplification.  If so, this may prevent a dynamic mic cartridge working properly with Remote Rig-Control.  I’ve tried using the mic input on the side of the K3/O-mini as well as using the Kenwood adapter to utilize the 8-pin connector.  I saw a note the other day from Mark, VA2MM which shows his setup for the Radio Side and Control Side;  those settings didn’t work. I’ve tried the default settings specified in the “K3-Remote Owner’s Manual” with no success.

I have excellent audio quality coming from the K3 to the K3/O-Mini unit;  the receiver audio sounds fine at the control site. I presume this means that there is a good audio connection between the two remote rigs. The radio site uses DSL with a low bandwidth (10 Mpbs Down/784 Kpbs Up) so if the receiver audio is good, I’m presuming that bandwidth wouldn’t be the problem on the transmit side as it would be on the higher capacity downlink to the DSL site.  

Any suggestions on what to check either in the K3 configuration or the Remote Rig setup at either the control site or the remote site?  Given that the connection is through the internet, are there any router or other considerations that I should check?  At the Remote (radio) site, I’m using the default UDP/TCP configurations for RRIG_cmd, RRIG_audio, and RRIG_sip with port forwarding to the Remote Rig-Radio.   I do have the ability to access the Remote Rig-Remote from the control site so that I can make configuration changes at both ends and restart both Remote Rig devices. Consequently, I can update both Remote Rig boxes (control and remote) as needed.  

I should also note that the last time I was at the remote site, I was able to test the system at the station itself and  push audio from the K3/O-Mini to the K3 via the Local Area Network when the K3/O-mini was next to the K3 on the same LAN.   When I got back to the “control site” , I had no transmit audio at al to the K3..  That may suggest an internet issue, but at this point I have no real handle on the source of the problem.  

Thanks and Merry Christmas,

Barry Baines, WD4ASW
Westborough, MA (Control Site)
Folkston, GA (Remote Site)
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Barry,

I cannot comment on the RemoteRig setup because I do not have any
experience with it.

There are some statements that may require clarification - I think the
Heil document is somewhat confusing.
1) For a dynamic microphone, turn bias off.
2) The K3 (and K3/0 and mini) can turn bias on or off - so it is not
dependent on electret microphones such as the Elecraft MH2.  The choice
of bias or not is a user choice in the menu.
3) The Heil microphone elements are relatively low output.
4) The K3 microphone "L" or "H" selection determines the gain of the
microphone preamp.  "L" is low amplification, and "H" is higher
amplification.  With Heil microphones, you may have to use the "H" setting.
5) Try the "H" setting with bias off in the menu and see if you can get
the required 5 to 7 bars on the ALC meter.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/24/2014 1:30 AM, Barry Baines wrote:

> I am having difficulties getting my Heil ProSet with the HC-4/HC-5 mic cartridge to work with the K3/O-Mini + RemoteRig (purchased from Elecraft) where there is no audio reaching the K3 at the radio site.  I’m told that the Heil mic cartridge is a dynamic element with no pre-amp gain.  The mic connection for the K3 is set for the rear panel with no Bias and “Low” Gain per the Heil documentation on their website (“All Things Elecraft”).   The incoming audio (transmit) is fed from the Remote Rig-Remote front panel Aux/Mic using the supplied cable from Elecraft that connects to both the PTT In and Mic-Mono at the back of the K3.
>
> I’ve tried various configuration setups with the Control-RR to see if changing the audio level from the control site makes a difference, such as increasing the Codec inp gain, changing Codec Inp preamp to “no” and varying the Audio Quality specified at both remote rig units.  Using TX-Test, I then speak into the Mic and check for ALC and compression, varying the mic gain and compression.  At no time do I see any measurement on the K3/O-Mini meters for ALC and compression.  The “monitor” capability is also not working as I can’t hear myself through the headset.
>
> I’m wondering if the Remote Rig system is setup for the Elecraft MH-2 mic which I understand does have amplification.  If so, this may prevent a dynamic mic cartridge working properly with Remote Rig-Control.  I’ve tried using the mic input on the side of the K3/O-mini as well as using the Kenwood adapter to utilize the 8-pin connector.  I saw a note the other day from Mark, VA2MM which shows his setup for the Radio Side and Control Side;  those settings didn’t work. I’ve tried the default settings specified in the “K3-Remote Owner’s Manual” with no success.
>
> I have excellent audio quality coming from the K3 to the K3/O-Mini unit;  the receiver audio sounds fine at the control site. I presume this means that there is a good audio connection between the two remote rigs. The radio site uses DSL with a low bandwidth (10 Mpbs Down/784 Kpbs Up) so if the receiver audio is good, I’m presuming that bandwidth wouldn’t be the problem on the transmit side as it would be on the higher capacity downlink to the DSL site.
>
> Any suggestions on what to check either in the K3 configuration or the Remote Rig setup at either the control site or the remote site?  Given that the connection is through the internet, are there any router or other considerations that I should check?  At the Remote (radio) site, I’m using the default UDP/TCP configurations for RRIG_cmd, RRIG_audio, and RRIG_sip with port forwarding to the Remote Rig-Radio.   I do have the ability to access the Remote Rig-Remote from the control site so that I can make configuration changes at both ends and restart both Remote Rig devices. Consequently, I can update both Remote Rig boxes (control and remote) as needed.
>
> I should also note that the last time I was at the remote site, I was able to test the system at the station itself and  push audio from the K3/O-Mini to the K3 via the Local Area Network when the K3/O-mini was next to the K3 on the same LAN.   When I got back to the “control site” , I had no transmit audio at al to the K3..  That may suggest an internet issue, but at this point I have no real handle on the source of the problem.
>
> Thanks and Merry Christmas,
>
> Barry Baines, WD4ASW
> Westborough, MA (Control Site)
> Folkston, GA (Remote Site)
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
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[Hisashi T Fujinaka]

I replied directly to Barry, but I'm fairly certain the Heil element is
NOT dynamic and needs bias.

There's a jumper AND the menu setting. I forget what the defaults are
because I played with both to get this exact setup to work.

On Wed, 24 Dec 2014, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> Barry,
>
> I cannot comment on the RemoteRig setup because I do not have any
> experience with it.
>
> There are some statements that may require clarification - I think the
> Heil document is somewhat confusing.
> 1) For a dynamic microphone, turn bias off.
> 2) The K3 (and K3/0 and mini) can turn bias on or off - so it is not
> dependent on electret microphones such as the Elecraft MH2.  The choice
> of bias or not is a user choice in the menu.
> 3) The Heil microphone elements are relatively low output.
> 4) The K3 microphone "L" or "H" selection determines the gain of the
> microphone preamp.  "L" is low amplification, and "H" is higher
> amplification.  With Heil microphones, you may have to use the "H" setting.
> 5) Try the "H" setting with bias off in the menu and see if you can get
> the required 5 to 7 bars on the ALC meter.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 12/24/2014 1:30 AM, Barry Baines wrote:
>> I am having difficulties getting my Heil ProSet with the HC-4/HC-5 mic
> cartridge to work with the K3/O-Mini + RemoteRig (purchased from Elecraft)
> where there is no audio reaching the K3 at the radio site.  I?m told that the
> Heil mic cartridge is a dynamic element with no pre-amp gain.  The mic
> connection for the K3 is set for the rear panel with no Bias and ?Low? Gain
> per the Heil documentation on their website (?All Things Elecraft?).   The
> incoming audio (transmit) is fed from the Remote Rig-Remote front panel
> Aux/Mic using the supplied cable from Elecraft that connects to both the PTT
> In and Mic-Mono at the back of the K3.
>>
>> I?ve tried various configuration setups with the Control-RR to see if
> changing the audio level from the control site makes a difference, such as
> increasing the Codec inp gain, changing Codec Inp preamp to ?no? and varying
> the Audio Quality specified at both remote rig units.  Using TX-Test, I then
> speak into the Mic and check for ALC and compression, varying the mic gain
> and compression.  At no time do I see any measurement on the K3/O-Mini meters
> for ALC and compression.  The ?monitor? capability is also not working as I
> can?t hear myself through the headset.
>>
>> I?m wondering if the Remote Rig system is setup for the Elecraft MH-2 mic
> which I understand does have amplification.  If so, this may prevent a
> dynamic mic cartridge working properly with Remote Rig-Control.  I?ve tried
> using the mic input on the side of the K3/O-mini as well as using the Kenwood
> adapter to utilize the 8-pin connector.  I saw a note the other day from
> Mark, VA2MM which shows his setup for the Radio Side and Control Side;  those
> settings didn?t work. I?ve tried the default settings specified in the
> ?K3-Remote Owner?s Manual? with no success.
>>
>> I have excellent audio quality coming from the K3 to the K3/O-Mini unit;
> the receiver audio sounds fine at the control site. I presume this means that
> there is a good audio connection between the two remote rigs. The radio site
> uses DSL with a low bandwidth (10 Mpbs Down/784 Kpbs Up) so if the receiver
> audio is good, I?m presuming that bandwidth wouldn?t be the problem on the
> transmit side as it would be on the higher capacity downlink to the DSL site.
>>
>> Any suggestions on what to check either in the K3 configuration or the
> Remote Rig setup at either the control site or the remote site?  Given that
> the connection is through the internet, are there any router or other
> considerations that I should check?  At the Remote (radio) site, I?m using
> the default UDP/TCP configurations for RRIG_cmd, RRIG_audio, and RRIG_sip
> with port forwarding to the Remote Rig-Radio.   I do have the ability to
> access the Remote Rig-Remote from the control site so that I can make
> configuration changes at both ends and restart both Remote Rig devices.
> Consequently, I can update both Remote Rig boxes (control and remote) as
> needed.
>>
>> I should also note that the last time I was at the remote site, I was able
> to test the system at the station itself and  push audio from the K3/O-Mini
> to the K3 via the Local Area Network when the K3/O-mini was next to the K3 on
> the same LAN.   When I got back to the ?control site? , I had no transmit
> audio at al to the K3..  That may suggest an internet issue, but at this
> point I have no real handle on the source of the problem.
>>
>> Thanks and Merry Christmas,
>>
>> Barry Baines, WD4ASW
>> Westborough, MA (Control Site)
>> Folkston, GA (Remote Site)
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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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>
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> Message delivered to [hidden email]

--
Hisashi T Fujinaka - [hidden email]
BSEE + BSChem + BAEnglish + MSCS + $2.50 = coffee
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[Don Wilhelm-5]

Barry specifically said HC4/HC5 elements, and those are definitely
dynamic elements.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/24/2014 12:39 PM, Hisashi T Fujinaka wrote:

> I replied directly to Barry, but I'm fairly certain the Heil element is
> NOT dynamic and needs bias.
>
> There's a jumper AND the menu setting. I forget what the defaults are
> because I played with both to get this exact setup to work.
>
> On Wed, 24 Dec 2014, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>
>> Barry,
>>
>> I cannot comment on the RemoteRig setup because I do not have any
>> experience with it.
>>
>> There are some statements that may require clarification - I think
>> the Heil document is somewhat confusing.
>> 1) For a dynamic microphone, turn bias off.
>> 2) The K3 (and K3/0 and mini) can turn bias on or off - so it is not
>> dependent on electret microphones such as the Elecraft MH2. The
>> choice of bias or not is a user choice in the menu.
>> 3) The Heil microphone elements are relatively low output.
>> 4) The K3 microphone "L" or "H" selection determines the gain of the
>> microphone preamp.  "L" is low amplification, and "H" is higher
>> amplification.  With Heil microphones, you may have to use the "H"
>> setting.
>> 5) Try the "H" setting with bias off in the menu and see if you can
>> get the required 5 to 7 bars on the ALC meter.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 12/24/2014 1:30 AM, Barry Baines wrote:
>>> I am having difficulties getting my Heil ProSet with the HC-4/HC-5 mic
>>

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[Barry Baines]

Don:

I just removed the mic cover from the Heil Proset and can confirm that the mic cartridge is labeled HC-4.

Merry Christmas to All,

Barry, WD4ASW

> On Dec 24, 2014, at 1:58 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Barry specifically said HC4/HC5 elements, and those are definitely dynamic elements.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 12/24/2014 12:39 PM, Hisashi T Fujinaka wrote:
>> I replied directly to Barry, but I'm fairly certain the Heil element is
>> NOT dynamic and needs bias.
>>
>> There's a jumper AND the menu setting. I forget what the defaults are
>> because I played with both to get this exact setup to work.
>>
>> On Wed, 24 Dec 2014, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>>
>>> Barry,
>>>
>>> I cannot comment on the RemoteRig setup because I do not have any experience with it.
>>>
>>> There are some statements that may require clarification - I think the Heil document is somewhat confusing.
>>> 1) For a dynamic microphone, turn bias off.
>>> 2) The K3 (and K3/0 and mini) can turn bias on or off - so it is not dependent on electret microphones such as the Elecraft MH2. The choice of bias or not is a user choice in the menu.
>>> 3) The Heil microphone elements are relatively low output.
>>> 4) The K3 microphone "L" or "H" selection determines the gain of the microphone preamp.  "L" is low amplification, and "H" is higher amplification.  With Heil microphones, you may have to use the "H" setting.
>>> 5) Try the "H" setting with bias off in the menu and see if you can get the required 5 to 7 bars on the ALC meter.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Don W3FPR
>>>
>>> On 12/24/2014 1:30 AM, Barry Baines wrote:
>>>> I am having difficulties getting my Heil ProSet with the HC-4/HC-5 mic
>>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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[LA7NO]

Hi Barry,

I have the same problem as you describe.

Did you find a solution?

Best 73,

Per-Tore
LA7NO