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Mic headset for K3

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Hank Garretson

Mic headset for K3

I like theYamaha CM500. Unfortunately I'm now on my fourth set. They are
too fragile for me. Either headphones or mic fails.

I plug CM500 mic into K3 rear MIC jack with BIAS selected and it works. I
plug CM500 into my computer sound-card MIC jack and it works.

I'm looking for CM500 alternative. I've seen various Koss models.

But I'm confused about electret versus condenser and which is which and
which does what.

Specs for the Koss models are ambiguous and in various places contradict
themselves.

My question: What Koss model or some other brand can I plug and play into
both my K3 mic jack (with Bias on) and into my computer mic jack?

I'm a mic duffus. Help please.

73,

Hank, W6SX
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David Bunte

Re: Mic headset for K3

Hank -

As primarily a CW operator I am also a "mic dufus", but I did make almost 2
dozen SSB QSOs with my K3 in the past three years and got excellent
reports. I used to use a CM500 with excellent results, but when I got
hearing aids I found that an "on the ear" style rather than an "over the
ear style" was better for me. I found a $6 gaming headset that was great.
However, I ran over the cord once too often with my chair and got an
intermittent in the cord. Rather than try to fix it I decided to replace it
and got an INSIGNIA gaming style headset from BEST BUY for about $24 as I
recall. The EQ settings I used with the CM500 worked very well with the
first cheap headset and I have not changed then for this one.

Locals, who know me well enough say that I sound very natural with good
clean audio. One person said that they thought I should crank up the gain
and compression to assure pileup busting... but that was not a priority so
I left it alone. I was VERY happy with the CM500 but am even happier with
what I have now.

There may be technical differences between an electret and a condenser but
as a "mid dufus" I will yield to others in that regard. I think that "some"
condenser mics may require higher bias than the K3 supplies, but again I
must yield to others, who clearly know more about such matters than do I.

Very 73 es gl de Dave - K9FN

On Mon, Feb 22, 2021 at 10:03 AM Hank Garretson <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I like theYamaha CM500. Unfortunately I'm now on my fourth set. They are
> too fragile for me. Either headphones or mic fails.
>
> I plug CM500 mic into K3 rear MIC jack with BIAS selected and it works. I
> plug CM500 into my computer sound-card MIC jack and it works.
>
> I'm looking for CM500 alternative. I've seen various Koss models.
>
> But I'm confused about electret versus condenser and which is which and
> which does what.
>
> Specs for the Koss models are ambiguous and in various places contradict
> themselves.
>
> My question: What Koss model or some other brand can I plug and play into
> both my K3 mic jack (with Bias on) and into my computer mic jack?
>
> I'm a mic duffus. Help please.
>
> 73,
>
> Hank, W6SX
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Jim Brown-10

Re: Mic headset for K3

In reply to this post by Hank Garretson

On 2/22/2021 7:01 AM, Hank Garretson wrote:
> But I'm confused about electret versus condenser and which is which and
> which does what.

Electret is a more specific description of the condenser mic that is in
the CM500. Did you miss the long private email I wrote you about that?
Virtually all ham mics that are condensers are electrets.

73, Jim K9YC
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Brian Hunt

Re: Mic headset for K3

In reply to this post by David Bunte

I have two of the $16-20 Logitech computer headsets, one permanently plugged into the back of my K3 and the other I swap between my KX2 and computer for zoom calls. They each weigh about 4 ounces and I don’t feel like my head’s been in a vice after wearing them for a couple hours. The good thing for us mic neophytes is the mic is always in the right spot for consistent modulation levels, etc. YMMV

73, Brian, K0DTJ
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Gary Memory

Re: Mic headset for K3

Interesting thread. I have a K4D on order. But have been using a Heil
Pro7 (dynamic and electret elements) with existing rigs. I’m hopeful what
I have will work. When not using the headset, I simply use the standard
hand mic for any specific radio in use at the moment.

Gary N7BRJ

On Mon, Feb 22, 2021 at 14:22 Brian Hunt <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I have two of the $16-20 Logitech computer headsets, one permanently
> plugged into the back of my K3 and the other I swap between my KX2 and
> computer for zoom calls. They each weigh about 4 ounces and I don’t feel
> like my head’s been in a vice after wearing them for a couple hours. The
> good thing for us mic neophytes is the mic is always in the right spot for
> consistent modulation levels, etc. YMMV
>
> 73, Brian, K0DTJ
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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Bill Steffey NY9H

Re: Mic headset for K3

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

hey Jim,

maybe we can start a trend to get all the essb & AUDIO guys on ham radio
to get ribbon mics????? since there is nothing "special" about condenser
mics anymore.

if they think neumann's are cool.. they'd probably want something more
esoteric like a ribbon ?????

now that would go pop very well......

I'd like a sennheiser 441 for the shack , but my ole' AKG paging
gooseneck microphone works so well.

bill

On 2/22/2021 1:50 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On 2/22/2021 7:01 AM, Hank Garretson wrote:
>> But I'm confused about electret versus condenser and which is which and
>> which does what.
>
> Electret is a more specific description of the condenser mic that is
> in the CM500. Did you miss the long private email I wrote you about
> that? Virtually all ham mics that are condensers are electrets.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Jim Brown-10

Re: Mic headset for K3

On 2/22/2021 12:32 PM, Bill Steffey NY9H wrote:
> maybe we can start a trend to get all the essb & AUDIO guys on ham radio
> to get ribbon mics????? since there is nothing "special" about condenser
> mics anymore.
>
> if they think neumann's are cool.. they'd probably want something more
> esoteric like a ribbon ?????

Yep. I need to unload my mic closet anyway. Although I'd rather find a
better home for them than in the shack of a misguided ham.
>
> now that would go pop very well......

Oh yeah!

> I'd like a sennheiser 441 for the shack , but my ole' AKG paging
> gooseneck microphone works so well.

Before W6XU turned our contesting club onto the CM500, I was using one
of my RE16s in the shack on an AKG boom stand. It was awkward, but great
TX audio. A boom mic headset like the CM500 is far superior for operating.

73, Jim K9YC

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