K3S Microphones

As a new owner of a K3S, I'm wondering what the mix of microphones being used is. What mikes provide the best audio?

Jiim, KC0TRK

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[Dick Dickinson]

I use a Yaesu MD-100A8x 'desk mike,' but in a boom.  Dynamic, no bias.

 

 

73,

Dick - KA5KKT

 

 

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[Bill Frantz]

Most microphones can be made to sound good using the graphic
equalizer in the firmware. Many people like the Yamaha CM500
headset. The general advise is to try what you have.

73 Bill AE6JV

On 2/12/16 at 9:20 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

>As a new owner of a K3S, I'm wondering what the mix of
>microphones being used is. What mikes provide the best audio?

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[phone]      | If there's a mode, there's a   | 16345
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CA 95032

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[Clay Autery]

I can't say for SURE how my mic is going to work with a K3s, but it
works awesome with a fully updated K3.

Mine is a custom true condenser mic, suspended from a shock-mount on a
Heil PL2T boom, using a Canare XLR to feed the audio signal to a Mackie
ONYX Black Jack, 2-channel preamp, used for -48vdc phantom power and
impedance boost.
There is a pop filter fitted in front of the mic.  The boom can be swung
clear when not in use.  The mic/pre is powered by the USB connection to
my shack/studio computer.  (The outgoing audio can be recorded realtime
whether for recording voice-over OR outgoing traffic via the transceiver.

The Mackie is connects to the transceiver via the rear mic in jack and a
TRS cable.

The Mic:
1) Beginning with the body and frame of a donor MXL-990 condenser mic.
2) Custom large diameter capsule chosen specifically for the build.
3) Custom PCB, stuffed and soldered using 4% silver solder, and
electrically tested, thence all high impedance connections triple washed
and coated with special conformal coating to prevent corrosion.
4) Custom capsule pedestal designed to electrically and physically
isolate capsule from the rest of the mic.
5) Replaced head-basket with one designed to break up audio standing waves.
6) PCB has pattern switch allowing omni for recording  or cardoid for
radio work.
7) Body and frame are filled with vibration damping material.
8) Frequency response was adjusted via component changes to provide a
low-cut to reduce power waste and reduce band-width on SSB.  Frequency
response was adjusted further on the high end to smooth and roll off the
highs.
9) Mic body, and shock mount custom powder coated to match the black in
the boom and almost a match for the Elecraft chassis.

Audio/electrical testing reveals a near perfect neutral sound, and an
almost pure voltage signal and low current to reduce load on the K3s
audio input circuitry.
Sound is absolutely amazing...  better than some $2K+ condenser mics
I've used.

All for less than the cost of some of Heil's dynamic mics.

I built this double duty to perform both jobs with minimal space
consumption.  I have very little space to work with for my "shack".

A lot of detail work, but the results are nothing short of phenomenal.
I was told a condenser could not be used for a HAM mic.  That was a
mistaken assumption.

If you are interested in getting into a mic project like this, email me
offline and I'll turn you on to the company that provided me the PCB kit
and the capsule, and assisted me in tailoring it for dual use.

Y'all have a good night!

______________________
Clay Autery, KG5LKV
MONTAC Enterprises
[phone]

On 2/11/2016 11:20 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

> As a new owner of a K3S, I'm wondering what the mix of microphones being used is. What mikes provide the best audio?
>
> Jiim, KC0TRK
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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[Bob McGraw - K4TAX]

I use a Heil PR 781 with great success.   The K3S TX EQ is set as follows;
  -16 dB @ 50 Hz, -12 dB @ 100 Hz, -6 dB @ 200 Hz,  and 2400 Hz @ +3 Db,
3200 Hz @ +6 dB.

Working distance to the face of the mike is 4" to 5" on axis {one fist}  
so as not to enhance bottom end due to proximity effect, typical of
dynamic mikes.    The MIC SEL is set for FP.H with the mike gain at 40
and the COMP at 15.    The PR 781 is mounted on a small spring loaded
desk boom that allows for easy placement for operation and moves easily
out of the way when not needed.  I did make my own mike cable using some
Belden 8771 which is 3 conductor shielded cable connecting between the
XLR connector and the Foster connector.  The cable shield connects at
the radio end only.

73
Bob, K4TAX
K3S, s/n 10163





On 2/11/2016 11:20 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> As a new owner of a K3S, I'm wondering what the mix of microphones being used is. What mikes provide the best audio?
>
> Jiim, KC0TRK
>


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[Russ Tobolic]

I have K3 S/N 732 and use a $2 electret computer mic I bought at a yard sale.  They had a white one that was only a $1 but I chose to go the more expensive route and buy the $2 black one to match the K3.  My settings are -16db  up to 400 Hz, 0dB at 800-1600 Hz, and +16 dB at 2400 up and I get good audio reports.  After 8 years I did recently splurge and upgraded to the Koss SB-45 which works great. Russ, N3CO

      From: Bob McGraw K4TAX <[hidden email]>
 To: [hidden email]
 Sent: Friday, February 12, 2016 8:08 AM
 Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S Microphones
   
I use a Heil PR 781 with great success.  The K3S TX EQ is set as follows;
  -16 dB @ 50 Hz, -12 dB @ 100 Hz, -6 dB @ 200 Hz,  and 2400 Hz @ +3 Db,
3200 Hz @ +6 dB.

Working distance to the face of the mike is 4" to 5" on axis {one fist} 
so as not to enhance bottom end due to proximity effect, typical of
dynamic mikes.    The MIC SEL is set for FP.H with the mike gain at 40
and the COMP at 15.    The PR 781 is mounted on a small spring loaded
desk boom that allows for easy placement for operation and moves easily
out of the way when not needed.  I did make my own mike cable using some
Belden 8771 which is 3 conductor shielded cable connecting between the
XLR connector and the Foster connector.  The cable shield connects at
the radio end only.

73
Bob, K4TAX
K3S, s/n 10163





On 2/11/2016 11:20 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> As a new owner of a K3S, I'm wondering what the mix of microphones being used is. What mikes provide the best audio?
>
> Jiim, KC0TRK
>


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[Bill-3]

Ah yes - a sow's ear into a silk purse can make the K3.

I have a woodworker nearby, built a perfect example of an RCA 44 -
except the internals are a RadioShack electret element. Runs it through
his EQ on the K3 and it sounds like the real deal. It is in use every
day and you cannot really tell it from the looks of a real RCA.

Bill W2BLC
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[KEN-3]

I get great reports from a Koss SB/45 headset.  $25 delivered from
Amazon.  I also have a $10 Logitech gaming headset that gets excellent
reports but it is not quite as comfortable and the Koss. Or my 50 year
old Shure 444.

You do not need to spend $200 for a mic to get great sounding audio out
of a K3.

Ken WA8JXM

On 2/12/16 12:20 AM, [hidden email] wrote:
> As a new owner of a K3S, I'm wondering what the mix of microphones being used is. What mikes provide the best audio?

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