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K3 low PEP Power on SSB

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WA8EBM

K3 low PEP Power on SSB

I disconnected all my outboard audio gear on the K3 and connected
an Array Solutions Powermaster Meter and dummy load directly to
the K3. With the K3 set to 120 watts my keydown RF output on
20 meters reads 116 watts.
I connected a stock hand mic that came with my Kenwood TS-2000
to the front mic connector set to High.
With Mic gain set to 15 and comp to 0 and all equalizer settings at 0
I show a max of 75 watts.
With the compressor turned on to a setting of 18, I show peaks of
110 watts with alc flickering between 3 and 5 bars.
Monitored audio on a second receiver is very clean.
Mike WA8EBM
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w7aqk

Re: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

Hi All,

I've been watching this thread and wondering if there truly is a problem.
It seems to suggest there is, and Elecraft says they are looking into it
with a firmware update pending. But I can't help thinking that there are so
many reasons why the problem could just possibly be in the setup. The
variation in reports seems to suggest this could also be an issue. For one
thing, if the antenna isn't correctly matched, I would think there would be
some foldback. But if you are getting full output on CW, you should get
that on SSB as well. But full output on SSB isn't that easy to observe.
You may well be getting full output on SSB, but your meter won't necessarily
disclose that. This has been pointed out before. I also wonder if the
microphone settings are correct. You may think some microphone gain
setting, 10 for example, is sufficient, but just possibly it needs 12 or 15?
Just a thought.

Another thing could be the microphone itself. In Mike's situation
(discussed by him below) for example, he indicates that he took a stock
microphone from his Kenwood TS-2000 and hooked it up. I assume he is
assuming that there is total compatibility with Kenwood microphones. I
don't know if that microphone is an electret, but if it is, I'm not sure it
really is totally compatible. The standard Kenwood wiring has the 8 volts
or so on a different pin than the Elecraft uses. I think the Kenwood is pin
5, and the Elecraft is pin 6--or maybe I have that backwards. But there is
a difference.

I'm only suggesting these things as a possibility--for all I know everyone
has fully considered all these issues and dealt with them correctly. In my
case, I am using the Elecraft Pro Headset (electret) via the back
connectors. As far as I can tell, I'm getting full output on SSB. The only
exception to that seems to be on the higher portion of 40 meters, where I
don't seem to be able to get quite 1:1 through the tuner. My antenna is set
for the CW portion, and so I get about 1.3 to 1 up near the high end. It
seems my SSB output is down somewhat when I operate there, but only
slightly. This is based on the RF output indication on the K3 itself. I
may be making an erroneous assumption, but I attribute that to not being
exactly matched. My reports, though, are good.

Dave W7AQK
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Penkas" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 7:58 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 low PEP Power on SSB

I disconnected all my outboard audio gear on the K3 and connected
an Array Solutions Powermaster Meter and dummy load directly to
the K3. With the K3 set to 120 watts my keydown RF output on
20 meters reads 116 watts.
I connected a stock hand mic that came with my Kenwood TS-2000
to the front mic connector set to High.
With Mic gain set to 15 and comp to 0 and all equalizer settings at 0
I show a max of 75 watts.
With the compressor turned on to a setting of 18, I show peaks of
110 watts with alc flickering between 3 and 5 bars.
Monitored audio on a second receiver is very clean.
Mike WA8EBM
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Stewart Baker

Re: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

The real key is using an external audio generator into the mic
input and seeing what comes out the other end using an
oscilloscope. This removes all the issues with microphones and
their setup.

I agree that antenna matching can make quite a difference to the
results, that is why I took the time to build an accurate dummy
load consisting of 30 1.5k 2W 1% tolerance metal film resistors.

Measuring the load on a VNA (Vector Network Analyser) shows worst
case 1-30 MHz VSWR as 1.05. So that should be good enough.

In real terms the variations seen in the Peak SSB TX signal are
insignificant at the other end of a QSO, however if my old TS850S
can get it right, I expect the same from my new K3.

Y.M.M.V

73
Stewart G3RXQ
On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:37:37 -0700, David Yarnes wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I've been watching this thread and wondering if there truly is a
problem.
> It seems to suggest there is, and Elecraft says they are looking
into it
> with a firmware update pending. But I can't help thinking that
there are so
> many reasons why the problem could just possibly be in the
setup. The
> variation in reports seems to suggest this could also be an
issue. For one
> thing, if the antenna isn't correctly matched, I would think
there would be
> some foldback. But if you are getting full output on CW, you
should get
> that on SSB as well. But full output on SSB isn't that easy to
observe.
> You may well be getting full output on SSB, but your meter won't
necessarily
> disclose that. This has been pointed out before. I also wonder
if the
> microphone settings are correct. You may think some microphone
gain
> setting, 10 for example, is sufficient, but just possibly it
needs 12 or 15?
> Just a thought.
>
> Another thing could be the microphone itself. In Mike's
situation
> (discussed by him below) for example, he indicates that he took
a stock
> microphone from his Kenwood TS-2000 and hooked it up. I assume
he is
> assuming that there is total compatibility with Kenwood
microphones. I
> don't know if that microphone is an electret, but if it is, I'm
not sure it
> really is totally compatible. The standard Kenwood wiring has
the 8 volts
> or so on a different pin than the Elecraft uses. I think the
Kenwood is pin
> 5, and the Elecraft is pin 6--or maybe I have that backwards.
But there is
> a difference.
>
> I'm only suggesting these things as a possibility--for all I
know everyone
> has fully considered all these issues and dealt with them
correctly. In my
> case, I am using the Elecraft Pro Headset (electret) via the
back
> connectors. As far as I can tell, I'm getting full output on
SSB. The only
> exception to that seems to be on the higher portion of 40
meters, where I
> don't seem to be able to get quite 1:1 through the tuner. My
antenna is set
> for the CW portion, and so I get about 1.3 to 1 up near the high
end. It
> seems my SSB output is down somewhat when I operate there, but
only
> slightly. This is based on the RF output indication on the K3
itself. I
> may be making an erroneous assumption, but I attribute that to
not being

> exactly matched. My reports, though, are good.
>
> Dave W7AQK
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mike Penkas" <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 7:58 AM
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 low PEP Power on SSB
>
>
> I disconnected all my outboard audio gear on the K3 and

connected
> an Array Solutions Powermaster Meter and dummy load directly to
> the K3. With the K3 set to 120 watts my keydown RF output on
> 20 meters reads 116 watts.
> I connected a stock hand mic that came with my Kenwood TS-2000
> to the front mic connector set to High.
> With Mic gain set to 15 and comp to 0 and all equalizer settings
at 0
> I show a max of 75 watts.
> With the compressor turned on to a setting of 18, I show peaks
of

> 110 watts with alc flickering between 3 and 5 bars.
> Monitored audio on a second receiver is very clean.
> Mike WA8EBM
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
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P.B. Christensen

Re: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

In reply to this post by w7aqk

> The standard Kenwood wiring has the 8 volts or so on a different pin than
> the Elecraft uses. I think the Kenwood is pin 5, and the Elecraft is pin
> 6--or maybe I have that backwards. But there is a difference.

That's news to me. Can someone confirm that the +8VDC is on another pin
other than the Kenwood standard?

Paul, W9AC

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py5eg

RES: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

In reply to this post by WA8EBM

Hi friends:
I faced a similar problem of low out power on ssb.
On my specific case the problem was the configuration of the FL1 FRQ configuration.
You must check on the filter (2,7Khz) what is the offset
On my case is -0,91. If you make a configuration out of the offset freq the output power will be much lower.
Best regards
Oms PY5EG

-----Mensagem original-----
De: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]]Em nome de Stewart Baker
Enviada em: terça-feira, 29 de abril de 2008 13:53
Para: David Yarnes; Mike Penkas; [hidden email]
Assunto: Re: [Elecraft] K3 low PEP Power on SSB

The real key is using an external audio generator into the mic
input and seeing what comes out the other end using an
oscilloscope. This removes all the issues with microphones and
their setup.

I agree that antenna matching can make quite a difference to the
results, that is why I took the time to build an accurate dummy
load consisting of 30 1.5k 2W 1% tolerance metal film resistors.

Measuring the load on a VNA (Vector Network Analyser) shows worst
case 1-30 MHz VSWR as 1.05. So that should be good enough.

In real terms the variations seen in the Peak SSB TX signal are
insignificant at the other end of a QSO, however if my old TS850S
can get it right, I expect the same from my new K3.

Y.M.M.V

73
Stewart G3RXQ
On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:37:37 -0700, David Yarnes wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I've been watching this thread and wondering if there truly is a
problem.
> It seems to suggest there is, and Elecraft says they are looking
into it
> with a firmware update pending. But I can't help thinking that
there are so
> many reasons why the problem could just possibly be in the
setup. The
> variation in reports seems to suggest this could also be an
issue. For one
> thing, if the antenna isn't correctly matched, I would think
there would be
> some foldback. But if you are getting full output on CW, you
should get
> that on SSB as well. But full output on SSB isn't that easy to
observe.
> You may well be getting full output on SSB, but your meter won't
necessarily
> disclose that. This has been pointed out before. I also wonder
if the
> microphone settings are correct. You may think some microphone
gain
> setting, 10 for example, is sufficient, but just possibly it
needs 12 or 15?
> Just a thought.
>
> Another thing could be the microphone itself. In Mike's
situation
> (discussed by him below) for example, he indicates that he took
a stock
> microphone from his Kenwood TS-2000 and hooked it up. I assume
he is
> assuming that there is total compatibility with Kenwood
microphones. I
> don't know if that microphone is an electret, but if it is, I'm
not sure it
> really is totally compatible. The standard Kenwood wiring has
the 8 volts
> or so on a different pin than the Elecraft uses. I think the
Kenwood is pin
> 5, and the Elecraft is pin 6--or maybe I have that backwards.
But there is
> a difference.
>
> I'm only suggesting these things as a possibility--for all I
know everyone
> has fully considered all these issues and dealt with them
correctly. In my
> case, I am using the Elecraft Pro Headset (electret) via the
back
> connectors. As far as I can tell, I'm getting full output on
SSB. The only
> exception to that seems to be on the higher portion of 40
meters, where I
> don't seem to be able to get quite 1:1 through the tuner. My
antenna is set
> for the CW portion, and so I get about 1.3 to 1 up near the high
end. It
> seems my SSB output is down somewhat when I operate there, but
only
> slightly. This is based on the RF output indication on the K3
itself. I
> may be making an erroneous assumption, but I attribute that to
not being

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Bob Serwy

RE: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

In reply to this post by P.B. Christensen

See FAQ on Elecraft Web site under Microphone connections. Bias is on pin
6

Bob Serwy - N9RS

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Paul Christensen
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 12:09 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 low PEP Power on SSB

> The standard Kenwood wiring has the 8 volts or so on a different pin
> than the Elecraft uses. I think the Kenwood is pin 5, and the
> Elecraft is pin 6--or maybe I have that backwards. But there is a
difference.

That's news to me. Can someone confirm that the +8VDC is on another pin
other than the Kenwood standard?

Paul, W9AC

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Ken Wagner K3IU

Re: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

In reply to this post by P.B. Christensen

The K3 manual (rev C) shows 8v on pin 6 of the mic connector. See page 13.
73, Ken K3IU

Paul Christensen wrote:

>> The standard Kenwood wiring has the 8 volts or so on a different pin
>> than the Elecraft uses. I think the Kenwood is pin 5, and the
>> Elecraft is pin 6--or maybe I have that backwards. But there is a
>> difference.
>
> That's news to me. Can someone confirm that the +8VDC is on another
> pin other than the Kenwood standard?
>
> Paul, W9AC
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
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> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>

Vic K2VCO

Re: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

In reply to this post by w7aqk

David Yarnes wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I've been watching this thread and wondering if there truly is a
> problem. It seems to suggest there is, and Elecraft says they are
> looking into it with a firmware update pending.

What I suggest is that everyone wait for the firmware upgrade. I know
that they have already made significant changes in this area in the beta
firmware and may make more. So you can experiment now to get a baseline
for future comparisons, but be aware that it will *definitely* change.
--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
k3 00007
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P.B. Christensen

Re: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

In reply to this post by Bob Serwy

> See FAQ on Elecraft Web site under Microphone connections. Bias is on pin
> 6. Bob Serwy - N9RS

I see it and it states this:

"The K3 8-pin microphone connector is wired the same as the K2 using the
Kenwood pin-out."

The pin-out may be close to Kenwood's, but it is not the same. I literally
took it to mean that the K3 was pin-for-pin compatible with Kenwood's
standard. And that's fine for non-condenser Kenwood mics where external
powering isn't required. I had been scratching my head as to why my
electret mic's output was running so low, even when the K3's high-gain
pre-amp setting was selected. I simply moved my electret-condenser mic from
a Kenwood TS-870 to the K3 thinking I was all set.

To prevent confusion in the future, I recommend the inclusion of a
disclaimer in the literature in which it states the two types are not 100%
compatible. At the same time, I should have conducted my own due-diligence
and compared pin-for-pin just to be sure.

Paul, W9AC (now warming up my soldering station...)

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Bob Serwy

RE: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

Click on the DIAGRAM button and look at the pin out.

Bob Serwy - N9RS

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Paul Christensen
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 1:01 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 low PEP Power on SSB

> See FAQ on Elecraft Web site under Microphone connections. Bias is on
> pin 6. Bob Serwy - N9RS

I see it and it states this:

"The K3 8-pin microphone connector is wired the same as the K2 using the
Kenwood pin-out."

The pin-out may be close to Kenwood's, but it is not the same. I literally
took it to mean that the K3 was pin-for-pin compatible with Kenwood's
standard. And that's fine for non-condenser Kenwood mics where external
powering isn't required. I had been scratching my head as to why my
electret mic's output was running so low, even when the K3's high-gain
pre-amp setting was selected. I simply moved my electret-condenser mic from
a Kenwood TS-870 to the K3 thinking I was all set.

To prevent confusion in the future, I recommend the inclusion of a
disclaimer in the literature in which it states the two types are not 100%
compatible. At the same time, I should have conducted my own due-diligence
and compared pin-for-pin just to be sure.

Paul, W9AC (now warming up my soldering station...)

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P.B. Christensen

Re: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

> Click on the DIAGRAM button and look at the pin out.
>
> Bob Serwy - N9RS

Right, based on the diagram, it is not 100% compatible with Kenwood.

Paul, W9AC

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

In reply to this post by P.B. Christensen

Paul and all,

That statement *is* true - however it may be misleading for those not
familiar with the K2 wiring for the Kenwood microphone. Pins 5 and 6
are *not* wired to the microphone configuration header in the K2 for a
Kenwood microphone (except for those Kenwood microphones which have an
amplifier or an electret element).

I can make a statement that is true:
"The K3 is compatible with any Kenwood 8 pin microphone that does not
connect to either pin 5 or pin 6 of the connector." If one pulls back
the Foster plug shell, he can check to see if anything is connected to
these pins.

It could also be said another way - the K3 mic connector is compatible
with a Kenwood dynamic microphone. Conversely, a Kenwood amplified or
electret microphone will *not* be compatible with the K3.

73,
Don W3FPR

Paul Christensen wrote:
>
> I see it and it states this:
>
> "The K3 8-pin microphone connector is wired the same as the K2 using
> the Kenwood pin-out."
>
>
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ab2tc

Re: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

Hi all,

This is getting more and more confusing. What exactly is the compatibility issue with the K3 and an electret microphone wired for Kenwood? I have a Heil Proset with the IC element (which is electret). I originally ordered it with the ICOM adapter and used it successfully for years with the IC-718. Prior to receiving the K3, I ordered the Kenwood cable adapter. When I got the K3, I plugged the mic in, set the mic selection to FP.L with bias on and everything seems to be working fine. I never had a K2 so I don't know what's up with "the K2 wiring for the Kenwood microphone". Can we please leave the K2 out of the picture and make a problem statement what might be the issue with an electret microphone intended to be used with Kenwood when applied to the K3.

Knut - AB2TC

Don Wilhelm wrote

Paul and all,

That statement *is* true - however it may be misleading for those not
familiar with the K2 wiring for the Kenwood microphone. Pins 5 and 6
are *not* wired to the microphone configuration header in the K2 for a
Kenwood microphone (except for those Kenwood microphones which have an
amplifier or an electret element).

<snip>

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

Knut,

Unfortunately there is no one crisp answer - one must know the
particular microphone that he has in hand.

There may be a difference between a Kenwood (branded) microphone and a
Heil microphone with an adapter for the Kenwood (or there may not be -
it all depends).

Your Heil IC (electret element) mic with the Kenwood adapter will work
just fine as long as you use the K3 menu to apply bias to the microphone
AF line. Bob Heil has assured me that all his basic microphones use
only 4 signal lines - AF, AF Ground, PTT, and PTT Ground. The adapters
then map these 4 signal lines to the corresponding pin for the
particular pinout defined by the adapter name.

As a result, any Heil microphone will work with the K3 when the mic is
equipped with a Kenwood adapter. If it is a dynamic mic, the K3 mic
bias should be turned off in the menu, but if it is an electret element,
then bias must be turned on. Caution: you must know your Heil
microphone element type - a dynamic element can be damaged if bias is
applied to it.

I don't know if the same thing applies to all Kenwood branded electret
element mics (should any exist) or not. It will depend on whether the
particular microphone design develops a bias derived from the pin 5
voltage (which is most likely because AFAIK Kenwood transceivers do not
apply bias to pin 1 of the mic connector). If the bias voltage must
come from pin 5, then that mic will not work with the K3 without
modification because the 8 volt supply is on pin 6 of the K3 mic jack
rather than pin 5 on the Kenwood.

This subject can have as many answers as there are microphones. If you
are unable to determine the compatibility of your particular microphone,
I recommend first asking the microphone manufacturer which pins are used
for what function. There is also good microphone information at
http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Technical_Reference/Mic_wiring/index.shtml,
and a very extensive listing of microphone pinouts and diagrams has been
compiled by G4WPW. We can provide information about the K3, but
questions about microphones (other than Elecraft mics) will not have
such crisp answers because there are so many variations.

If all else fails (or that process is too cumbersome), there are
Elecraft microphones that can be purchased. Additionally, the
enterprising amateur can re-wire whatever microphone he has available to
the Elecraft pinout - I have several mics of various brands, and many
are wired for the Elecraft pinout.

73,
Don W3FPR

ab2tc wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> This is getting more and more confusing. What exactly is the compatibility
> issue with the K3 and an electret microphone wired for Kenwood? I have a
> Heil Proset with the IC element (which is electret). I originally ordered it
> with the ICOM adapter and used it successfully for years with the IC-718.
> Prior to receiving the K3, I ordered the Kenwood cable adapter. When I got
> the K3, I plugged the mic in, set the mic selection to FP.L with bias on and
> everything seems to be working fine. I never had a K2 so I don't know what's
> up with "the K2 wiring for the Kenwood microphone". Can we please leave the
> K2 out of the picture and make a problem statement what might be the issue
> with an electret microphone intended to be used with Kenwood when applied to
> the K3.
>
> Knut - AB2TC
>
>
> Don Wilhelm wrote:
>
>> Paul and all,
>>
>> That statement *is* true - however it may be misleading for those not
>> familiar with the K2 wiring for the Kenwood microphone. Pins 5 and 6
>> are *not* wired to the microphone configuration header in the K2 for a
>> Kenwood microphone (except for those Kenwood microphones which have an
>> amplifier or an electret element).
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>>
>
>

P.B. Christensen

Re: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

In reply to this post by ab2tc

> This is getting more and more confusing. What exactly is the compatibility
> issue with the K3 and an electret microphone wired for Kenwood? I have a
> Heil Proset with the IC element (which is electret).

Knut,

The answer is going to become a bit more complicated until it becomes easier
to understand the issue. Here goes:

First, from the K3 operating manual, page 13:

"Bias must be turned on for the MH2, MD2, and Proset-K2. It must be off for
Heil mics using the HC4 or HC5 elements."

We're really discussing two means of mic bias here. One form of bias
appears on Pin 1 (mic lead) on the K3's mic connector, while the other
appears on Pin 6 (+8 VDC). The K3 has the ability (through a menu command)
to self-bias an electret condenser through the mic lead on Pin 1. When bias
is activated through the K3's menu, the mic lead is clamped with a + 4.5 V
DC bias voltage for electrets. The + 8 VDC on Pin 6 is always on; it never
turns off through the menu command.

However, other forms of electrets and mic buffer circuits are not biased
through the mic lead. For example, I am using a highly-modified D-104 with
an ultra Hi-Z FET input as a voltage-follower. In the particular circuit I
am using, I cannot bias the mic lead directly like you can with your Heil
Proset. Instead, I must take +8 VDC from Pin 6 and apply it to the FET. In
a nutshell, the K3 can produce mic bias either by clamping the mic lead at
pin 1 with +4.5 VDC when activated in the menu OR mic bias can be obtained
through Pin 6 on the K3 mic connector.

What we've been discussing here is that Kenwood places + 8 VDC on Pin 5,
while Elecraft is using Pin 6 for the same purpose. That's primarily where
the confusion lies.

The bottom line is that if you're using a Heil Proset, you should simply
activate bias through the K3 menu and forget about Pin 6. I just took the
soldering pencil to my D-104's connector and moved the power lead from Pin 5
to Pin 6 and all is well now. No surprise, now that I see what's really
going on -- and I was able to use the low-gain mic setting. I'm a happy
camper now.

Finally, Elecraft has given us the choice to bias either way, but because of
the foregoing reasons, the Kenwood pin-out is certainly not 100% compatible
with the K3.

Paul, W9AC

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Joe Subich, W4TV-3

RE: K3 low PEP Power on SSB

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

> I don't know if the same thing applies to all Kenwood branded
> electret element mics (should any exist) or not. It will depend on
> whether the particular microphone design develops a bias derived
> from the pin 5 voltage (which is most likely because AFAIK Kenwood
> transceivers do not apply bias to pin 1 of the mic connector). If
> the bias voltage must come from pin 5, then that mic will not work
> with the K3 without modification because the 8 volt supply is on
> pin 6 of the K3 mic jack rather than pin 5 on the Kenwood.

All Kenwood branded microphones with electret elements or amplified
dynamic elements (MC-55, MC-60A, MC-80 and MC-85) require DC on pin
5 or the use of batteries. The mic audio line includes a blocking
capacitor to prevent the use of bias on the mic.

Of all the Kenwood "desk mics" only the MC-60 (not the MC-60A) and
MC-90 are suitable for use without modification. The MC-60 and 90
use an unamplified dynamic element that requires no bias or preamp
power.

Of the "hand mics," the MC-42, MC-43, and MC-47 are dynamic mics
that are compatible with Elecraft K2/K3 without modification.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
> Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 8:59 PM
> To: ab2tc
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 low PEP Power on SSB
>
>
> Knut,
>
> Unfortunately there is no one crisp answer - one must know the
> particular microphone that he has in hand.
>
> There may be a difference between a Kenwood (branded)
> microphone and a
> Heil microphone with an adapter for the Kenwood (or there may
> not be -
> it all depends).
>
> Your Heil IC (electret element) mic with the Kenwood adapter
> will work
> just fine as long as you use the K3 menu to apply bias to the
> microphone
> AF line. Bob Heil has assured me that all his basic microphones use
> only 4 signal lines - AF, AF Ground, PTT, and PTT Ground.
> The adapters
> then map these 4 signal lines to the corresponding pin for the
> particular pinout defined by the adapter name.
>
> As a result, any Heil microphone will work with the K3 when
> the mic is
> equipped with a Kenwood adapter. If it is a dynamic mic, the K3 mic
> bias should be turned off in the menu, but if it is an
> electret element,
> then bias must be turned on. Caution: you must know your Heil
> microphone element type - a dynamic element can be damaged if bias is
> applied to it.
>
> I don't know if the same thing applies to all Kenwood branded
> electret
> element mics (should any exist) or not. It will depend on
> whether the
> particular microphone design develops a bias derived from the pin 5
> voltage (which is most likely because AFAIK Kenwood
> transceivers do not
> apply bias to pin 1 of the mic connector). If the bias voltage must
> come from pin 5, then that mic will not work with the K3 without
> modification because the 8 volt supply is on pin 6 of the K3 mic jack
> rather than pin 5 on the Kenwood.
>
> This subject can have as many answers as there are
> microphones. If you
> are unable to determine the compatibility of your particular
> microphone,
> I recommend first asking the microphone manufacturer which
> pins are used
> for what function. There is also good microphone information at
> http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Technical_Reference/Mic_wiring/i
> ndex.shtml,
> and a very extensive listing of microphone pinouts and
> diagrams has been
> compiled by G4WPW. We can provide information about the K3, but
> questions about microphones (other than Elecraft mics) will not have
> such crisp answers because there are so many variations.
>
> If all else fails (or that process is too cumbersome), there are
> Elecraft microphones that can be purchased. Additionally, the
> enterprising amateur can re-wire whatever microphone he has
> available to
> the Elecraft pinout - I have several mics of various brands, and many
> are wired for the Elecraft pinout.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> ab2tc wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > This is getting more and more confusing. What exactly is the
> > compatibility issue with the K3 and an electret microphone
> wired for
> > Kenwood? I have a Heil Proset with the IC element (which is
> electret).
> > I originally ordered it with the ICOM adapter and used it
> successfully
> > for years with the IC-718. Prior to receiving the K3, I ordered the
> > Kenwood cable adapter. When I got the K3, I plugged the mic in, set
> > the mic selection to FP.L with bias on and everything seems to be
> > working fine. I never had a K2 so I don't know what's up
> with "the K2
> > wiring for the Kenwood microphone". Can we please leave the
> K2 out of
> > the picture and make a problem statement what might be the
> issue with
> > an electret microphone intended to be used with Kenwood
> when applied
> > to the K3.
> >
> > Knut - AB2TC
> >
> >
> > Don Wilhelm wrote:
> >
> >> Paul and all,
> >>
> >> That statement *is* true - however it may be misleading
> for those not
> >> familiar with the K2 wiring for the Kenwood microphone.
> Pins 5 and 6
> >> are *not* wired to the microphone configuration header in
> the K2 for a
> >> Kenwood microphone (except for those Kenwood microphones
> which have an
> >> amplifier or an electret element).
> >>
> >> <snip>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
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