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MC-60 microphone

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Leroy

MC-60 microphone

Here is a different problem for K2 gurus:

Using a Kenwood MC-60, when keyed it toggles the K2 into transmit,

and won't come out of transmit until you cycle power switch.

Hand mic or Heil with foot switch works fine.

Batteries in or out of MC-60 makes no difference. It worked for

Years normally.

???

Leroy AB7CE

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Guy Olinger K2AV

Re: MC-60 microphone

This can easily be RFI in the shack. What kind of cabling, antenna, or
grounding change have you made recently? Have you had the K2 under repair
recently?

Causes can be as simple as forgetting to tighten the shell of a PL259, or
the mic cable shield coming undone, or the mic cord connector wearing out.

Think TX RF getting back into the circuitry and keeping a circuit high that
would otherwise go low when you let go of the mic.

73, Guy.

On Thu, Nov 13, 2014 at 9:54 AM, Leroy Marion <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Here is a different problem for K2 gurus:
>
>
>
> Using a Kenwood MC-60, when keyed it toggles the K2 into transmit,
>
> and won't come out of transmit until you cycle power switch.
>
> Hand mic or Heil with foot switch works fine.
>
> Batteries in or out of MC-60 makes no difference. It worked for
>
> Years normally.
>
> ???
>
> Leroy AB7CE
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: MC-60 microphone

In reply to this post by Leroy

Leroy,

Because the K2 works OK with other microphones, that would suggest that
you have some problem with the MC-60 microphone itself.
Does the K2 drop out of transmit if you remove the mic plug from the K2?
Any chance you are using the LOCK button on the mic instead of the PTT
button? Do the two buttons have some 'goo' in them holding them in the
active position for a time (slow button release)?
Is the spring which restores the PTT button to the rest position weak?

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/13/2014 9:54 AM, Leroy Marion wrote:

Phil Wheeler-2

Re: MC-60 microphone

In reply to this post by Leroy

eleMy MC-60 acts similarly. I've taken it apart,
cleaned contacts, etc. to no avail. I suspect the
"for years" part is the issue.

There are some sites which discuss repairing the
MC-60. Since I have other mics, I've pretty much
given up on mine.

Phil W7OX

On 11/13/14 6:54 AM, Leroy Marion wrote:

Phil Hystad-3

Re: MC-60 microphone

I once had an MC-60 mic, brand new at the time several years ago. I got rid of it after about 6 months. Thought it was the worst mic I ever owned. Well, not quite the worst -- but I never did like anything about it. Since I am on SSB so rare these days, mostly CW, I just use the stock K3 hand mic and it works great.

Since I have zero use for VOX, and the idea of a foot switch is a total anathema to me, the Elecraft MH2 works great. I might get a couple of backup MH2 mics just in case mine gets dirty.

73, phil, K7PEH

> On Nov 13, 2014, at 8:47 AM, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> eleMy MC-60 acts similarly. I've taken it apart, cleaned contacts, etc. to no avail. I suspect the "for years" part is the issue.
>
> There are some sites which discuss repairing the MC-60. Since I have other mics, I've pretty much given up on mine.
>
> Phil W7OX
>
> On 11/13/14 6:54 AM, Leroy Marion wrote:
>> Here is a different problem for K2 gurus:
>>
>>
>> Using a Kenwood MC-60, when keyed it toggles the K2 into transmit,
>>
>> and won't come out of transmit until you cycle power switch.
>>
>> Hand mic or Heil with foot switch works fine.
>>
>> Batteries in or out of MC-60 makes no difference. It worked for
>>
>> Years normally.
>>
>> ???
>>
>> Leroy AB7CE
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Phil Wheeler-2

Re: MC-60 microphone

I use a Kenwood hand mike (M43?) with the K3. My very early MH2's button is too stiff, but I still use it on those rare times when I use my K3 on SSB. Since I have the Rework Eliminator in the K2 I'll eventually set it up to use the Kenwood mic.

Phil -- Sent from my iPhone 5S

> On Nov 13, 2014, at 09:14, Phil Hystad <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I once had an MC-60 mic, brand new at the time several years ago. I got rid of it after about 6 months. Thought it was the worst mic I ever owned. Well, not quite the worst -- but I never did like anything about it. Since I am on SSB so rare these days, mostly CW, I just use the stock K3 hand mic and it works great.
>
> Since I have zero use for VOX, and the idea of a foot switch is a total anathema to me, the Elecraft MH2 works great. I might get a couple of backup MH2 mics just in case mine gets dirty.
>
> 73, phil, K7PEH
>
>> On Nov 13, 2014, at 8:47 AM, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> eleMy MC-60 acts similarly. I've taken it apart, cleaned contacts, etc. to no avail. I suspect the "for years" part is the issue.
>>
>> There are some sites which discuss repairing the MC-60. Since I have other mics, I've pretty much given up on mine.
>>
>> Phil W7OX
>>
>>> On 11/13/14 6:54 AM, Leroy Marion wrote:
>>> Here is a different problem for K2 gurus:
>>>
>>>
>>> Using a Kenwood MC-60, when keyed it toggles the K2 into transmit,
>>>
>>> and won't come out of transmit until you cycle power switch.
>>>
>>> Hand mic or Heil with foot switch works fine.
>>>
>>> Batteries in or out of MC-60 makes no difference. It worked for
>>>
>>> Years normally.
>>>
>>> ???
>>>
>>> Leroy AB7CE
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
>

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: MC-60 microphone

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

According to the schematic, the slide switch on the mic, the "Lock"
switch and the PTT switch are all in parallel. One would have to
assume that one of the three switches has a moderate resistance when
open (not completely open) that is just low enough to keep the rig
keyed but not low enough to key the rig when plugged in.

I'd start by testing PTT with just the base to eliminate the switch
in the mic itself, then try putting a piece of paper between the NO
contacts of the LOCK switch while operating the PTT, then in the
PTT switch while operating the Lock switch.

Isolating the individual switches should allow you to locate the
source of the problem.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2014-11-13 11:47 AM, Phil Wheeler wrote:

> eleMy MC-60 acts similarly. I've taken it apart, cleaned contacts, etc.
> to no avail. I suspect the "for years" part is the issue.
>
> There are some sites which discuss repairing the MC-60. Since I have
> other mics, I've pretty much given up on mine.
>
> Phil W7OX
>
> On 11/13/14 6:54 AM, Leroy Marion wrote:
>> Here is a different problem for K2 gurus:
>>
>>
>> Using a Kenwood MC-60, when keyed it toggles the K2 into transmit,
>>
>> and won't come out of transmit until you cycle power switch.
>>
>> Hand mic or Heil with foot switch works fine.
>>
>> Batteries in or out of MC-60 makes no difference. It worked for
>>
>> Years normally.
>>
>> ???
>>
>> Leroy AB7CE
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>