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Re: CM-500

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Charlie T, K3ICH

Re: CM-500

I'd highly recommend Velour pads as opposed to OEM or equivalent that start
flaking way sooner than you expect.
I've put them on three different Sony MDR-7506 headphones.
They are much more comfortable and wear quite well (no pun intended).

Poke around some. Velour pads are available for many brands. I'm sure
they're made for the CM-500's

73, Charlie k3ICH

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On
Behalf Of Jim Brown
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2020 5:05 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [OT] Broken boom mic attachment on a CM-500

On 11/2/2020 1:50 PM, Alan - G4GNX wrote:
> Unfortunately the ear pads are starting to deteriorate. Have you had
> to replace yours?

No, and I've never seen much wear.

> I read somewhere that new separate
> pads are not available.

Right, they're not user replaceable, nor is the cable.

The earpads for my Sony MDR7506 phones are user replaceable, but the cable
is not. I've owned several sets of them that I've used for many years, and
never had a problem with the cord, but I did buy a set for $5 at a ham flea
market with a bad cable. :)

Some of the German headphones have user replaceable cables, especially those
used for stage intercom and by broadcasters, but they're not nearly as
comfortable, don't sound nearly as good, and are fairly exp0ensive. Beyer,
AKG, and Sennheiser make some very nice phones -- they're first rate
manufacturers. I have a pair of Beyer DT880Pro that I like for listening to
acoustic music, mostly jazz.

73, Jim K9YC
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Alan - G4GNX

Re: CM-500

Thanks Charlie.

Fortunately the flaking is only around the periphery, not the part that
touches the ear, so I have a little time yet.

I'll do a search for Velour and see what I can find.

73,

Alan. G4GNX

------ Original Message ------
From: "Charlie T" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email]
Sent: 03/11/2020 03:29:37
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CM-500

>I'd highly recommend Velour pads as opposed to OEM or equivalent that start
>flaking way sooner than you expect.
> I've put them on three different Sony MDR-7506 headphones.
>They are much more comfortable and wear quite well (no pun intended).
>
>Poke around some. Velour pads are available for many brands. I'm sure
>they're made for the CM-500's
>
>73, Charlie k3ICH
>

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PaulF

Re: CM-500

In reply to this post by Charlie T, K3ICH

I found it rather difficult to install replacement ear pads on the
CM-500. It seemed I did not have enough hands to hold all the parts
together when trying to align things and reinstall the 3 screws.

This article "Replacement Ear Pads for the CM500 Headset" by - Mike
N4CF in the May 2020 PVRC newsletter worked well for me:
https://www.pvrc.org/Newsletters/2020_05.pdf

73,
Paul
K5ESW

> I'd highly recommend Velour pads as opposed to OEM or equivalent that
> start flaking way sooner than you expect.
> I've put them on three different Sony MDR-7506 headphones.
> They are much more comfortable and wear quite well (no pun intended).
>
> Poke around some. Velour pads are available for many brands. I'm sure
> they're made for the CM-500's
>
> 73, Charlie k3ICH
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of Jim Brown Sent: Monday,
> November 02, 2020 5:05 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: Re:
> [Elecraft] [OT] Broken boom mic attachment on a CM-500
>
> On 11/2/2020 1:50 PM, Alan - G4GNX wrote:
> > Unfortunately the ear pads are starting to deteriorate. Have you had
> > to replace yours?
>
> No, and I've never seen much wear.
>
> > I read somewhere that new separate
> > pads are not available.
>
> Right, they're not user replaceable, nor is the cable.
>
> The earpads for my Sony MDR7506 phones are user replaceable, but the
> cable is not. I've owned several sets of them that I've used for many
> years, and never had a problem with the cord, but I did buy a set for $5
> at a ham flea market with a bad cable. :)
>
> Some of the German headphones have user replaceable cables, especially
> those used for stage intercom and by broadcasters, but they're not
> nearly as comfortable, don't sound nearly as good, and are fairly
> exp0ensive. Beyer, AKG, and Sennheiser make some very nice phones --
> they're first rate manufacturers. I have a pair of Beyer DT880Pro that I
> like for listening to acoustic music, mostly jazz.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> ______________________________________________________________
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Don Wilhelm

Re: CM-500

As any woodworker knows, that is what clamps are for - they provide that
extra hand often needed.
Also, the woodworker's mantra is "you can never have too many clamps" -
I have often found that is true.

There are large and quite small clamps.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/3/2020 4:55 PM, Paul Ferguson wrote:
> I found it rather difficult to install replacement ear pads on the
> CM-500. It seemed I did not have enough hands to hold all the parts
> together when trying to align things and reinstall the 3 screws.
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: CM-500 - Replacing the ear cushions

The way to do is is actually quite simple:

Loosen the three screws then pull the old cushion off; Do Not Remove the screws.

Take the new ear cushion and Stretch the part that will go in the slot

Then working quickly (before it stretches back) work it into the open slot.

On the side with the cord you may need to remove the bottom screw to get enough clearance for the strain relief for the cord to fit.

Retighten the screws and you are done.

Here is a video showing how to do it on a pair of Sennheiser HD280 that may help https://youtu.be/zUtC-MatRD8
Note: CM-500 have screws that clamp down on the ear cushions and Sennheiser's do not, but the technique is similar.

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Bill Frantz

Re: CM-500

In reply to this post by Charlie T, K3ICH

Thanks for everyone's comments on the CM-500 headset. To bring
my question about reattaching the mic boom full circle, I
decided to throw money at the problem which seems to have made
it gone away. :-)

I ordered a new CM-500 from B&H Camera and Video ($60, no tax,
free shipping). It arrived a day early in good shape. It
included the headset, two 3.5mm to 1/4 inch adapters, one mono
the other stereo, and a box that holds two AA cells which I
haven't used. There were no instructions for use, but it did
include the usual warning about using them with AC powered
equipment in a hot tub, and hearing damage from playing them too loud.

The packaging said (in part), "Dynamic Microphone for Active
Musicians". And specs: Operating range: 100-16000 Hz,
Sensitivity -56dB 3dB (-36 dB 3dB V/Pa). Pattern:
Uni-directional (cardiod).

I plugged it into my K3 and it worked as a direct replacement
for the old one. When I turned microphone bias off in the menu
it stopped working. By turning bias back on it started working
again. (BTW, the Elecraft radios may be the only gear I own that
doesn't automatically provide bias power.)

I managed to make a QSO with it, so it's working well enough to
pass my call to the other end. I hope people on the SSB nets
tomorrow will give an audio quality check.

73 Bill AE6JV

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Don Wilhelm

Re: CM-500

Bill,

I am not certain how your other radios determine whether the microphone
needs bias or not.
Yes, if you are using Icom with Icom mics, those need bias.
If you are using Kenwood or Yaesu, they do not supply bias.

The bias or not question depends on the microphone used. Elecraft
allows you to use many different microphones, but you must choose
between bias on or off as a result. Dynamic mics should not have bias
applied.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 11/7/2020 5:42 PM, Bill Frantz wrote:
>
(BTW, the
> Elecraft radios may be the only gear I own that doesn't automatically
> provide bias power.)
>
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Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: CM-500

In reply to this post by Bill Frantz

> (BTW, the Elecraft radios may be the only gear I own that doesn't
> automatically provide bias power.)
Kenwood, Yaesu and Ten-Tec transceivers do not provide bias for an
electret mic at all. To use an electret mic with those transceivers
one needs to install a "power adder" (5K6 Ohms resistor between pin
pin 5 (Kenwood) or pin 2 (Yaesu/Ten-Tec) and the tip of the CM500
and a 1 uF capacitor in series between tip of the CM500 and pin 1
(Kenwood) or pin 8 (Yaesu/Ten-Tec)) unless one is using the Yamaha
"battery box."

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 2020-11-07 5:42 PM, Bill Frantz wrote:

> Thanks for everyone's comments on the CM-500 headset. To bring my
> question about reattaching the mic boom full circle, I decided to throw
> money at the problem which seems to have made it gone away. :-)
>
> I ordered a new CM-500 from B&H Camera and Video ($60, no tax, free
> shipping). It arrived a day early in good shape. It included the
> headset, two 3.5mm to 1/4 inch adapters, one mono the other stereo, and
> a box that holds two AA cells which I haven't used. There were no
> instructions for use, but it did include the usual warning about using
> them with AC powered equipment in a hot tub, and hearing damage from
> playing them too loud.
>
> The packaging said (in part), "Dynamic Microphone for Active Musicians".
> And specs: Operating range: 100-16000 Hz, Sensitivity -56dB 3dB (-36 dB
> 3dB V/Pa). Pattern: Uni-directional (cardiod).
>
> I plugged it into my K3 and it worked as a direct replacement for the
> old one. When I turned microphone bias off in the menu it stopped
> working. By turning bias back on it started working again. (BTW, the
> Elecraft radios may be the only gear I own that doesn't automatically
> provide bias power.)
>
> I managed to make a QSO with it, so it's working well enough to pass my
> call to the other end. I hope people on the SSB nets tomorrow will give
> an audio quality check.
>
> 73 Bill AE6JV
>

elecr
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Bill Steffey NY9H

Re: CM-500 dynamic mic vs electret

in our ham classes it's very easy to explain dynamic mics...

it is just a speaker !!! so if you apply a bias voltage it will try to
push the dynamic element ( speaker cone) in or out & HOLD IT !!!!
making it difficult for audio to create an AC alternating current on
that same , (now DC biased) voice coil.

Many a speaker has been forced into service as a microphone, and is a
frequent design element as both in an intercom.

--
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Augie "Gus" Hansen

Re: CM-500

In reply to this post by Bill Frantz

On 11/7/2020 3:42 PM, Bill Frantz wrote:

> ...
> The packaging said (in part), "Dynamic Microphone for Active
> Musicians". And specs: Operating range: 100-16000 Hz, Sensitivity
> -56dB 3dB (-36 dB 3dB V/Pa). Pattern: Uni-directional (cardiod).
>
> I plugged it into my K3 and it worked as a direct replacement for the
> old one. When I turned microphone bias off in the menu it stopped
> working. By turning bias back on it started working again. (BTW, the
> Elecraft radios may be the only gear I own that doesn't automatically
> provide bias power.)

The fact that bias is needed confirms that the "key element" is an
electret. Ignore the packaging statement about dynamic, which has been
wrong for a couple of decades. The original CM500 did have a dynamic
element, but a change was made for reasons not in evidence. Someone
forgot to tell the marketers and packaging folks.

Gus Hansen
KB0YH

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Bill Frantz

Re: CM-500 dynamic mic vs electret

In reply to this post by Bill Steffey NY9H

When teaching cave rescue communications, most of which uses
wired military surplus field phones, we teach yelling into the
ear piece if the microphone fails. Another example of a dynamic microphone.

73 Bill AE6JV

On 11/7/20 at 7:47 PM, [hidden email] (Bill Steffey NY9H) wrote:

>Many a speaker has been forced into service as a microphone,
>and is a frequent design element as both in an intercom.

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Jim Brown-10

Re: CM-500

In reply to this post by Bill Frantz

On 11/7/2020 2:42 PM, Bill Frantz wrote:
> The packaging said (in part), "Dynamic Microphone for Active Musicians"

The sales/marketing department, usually ignorant of what they're
selling, wrote that drivel you're reading, which is intended simply to
sell more of whatever they're selling.

The CM500 has had an ELECTRET mic as far back as 2008, when W6XU,
another audio professional, arranged a group purchase for your Bay Area
contesting club. It DOES need Bias, which most modern rigs provide on
one pin of their mic connector. Simply adding a resistor of suitable
value (in the range of 5-10KOhms) between that pin and the mic input
pin, provides bias suitable for most electret mics.

73, Jim K9YC
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Gwen Patton

Re: CM-500

Since I mostly use my KX3 at home with the PX3 and KXPA100, I have the
radio permanently connected to the audio of my computer. I have Voicemeeter
Potato installed, so my output is the computer's speakers (currently sent
to headphones), and the mike input comes from a Zoom H4n Handy Recorder in
USB interface mode. The radio doesn't supply power, the USB on the computer
does. If I had to hook it direct, I'd make a custom cable for the mike
input, XLR to 3.5mm, or at worst, 1/4" phono to 3.5mm. The H4n has, in
addition to built-in mikes, XLR in/out with integral 1/4" sockets. Then I'd
put batteries in the H4n to supply its power. The H4n also has a 1/4"x24
stud mount, so it can be connected to a tripod, a cold shoe for a video
camera, or a mike stand adapter to fit a standard mike stand or boom.
That's how I have it set up right now, with an On-Stage extendable arm,
clamped to the upright pipe of the wire rack next to my chair that I use as
my "shack stack".

The built-in stereo mikes are electrets, of course, but they're GOOD
electrets. The H4n is prosumer gear bordering on professional grade, with
VERY good sound. I get a lot of compliments on the SSB output of this setup.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73,
Gwen, NG3P

On Sun, Nov 8, 2020 at 4:27 AM Jim Brown <[hidden email]> wrote:

> On 11/7/2020 2:42 PM, Bill Frantz wrote:
> > The packaging said (in part), "Dynamic Microphone for Active Musicians"
>
> The sales/marketing department, usually ignorant of what they're
> selling, wrote that drivel you're reading, which is intended simply to
> sell more of whatever they're selling.
>
> The CM500 has had an ELECTRET mic as far back as 2008, when W6XU,
> another audio professional, arranged a group purchase for your Bay Area
> contesting club. It DOES need Bias, which most modern rigs provide on
> one pin of their mic connector. Simply adding a resistor of suitable
> value (in the range of 5-10KOhms) between that pin and the mic input
> pin, provides bias suitable for most electret mics.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>

Bill Frantz

Re: CM-500

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

As I noted in my report, which deliberately reached no
conclusions, just the facts ma'am, the microphone stopped
working when I removed the "bias" on the K3. So it needs that
power. Well, electret microphones certainly need power to run
their internal amplifiers. Some other microphones (e.g.
condensor) also need power, which is why pro audio systems have
phantom power over their audio cables.

It very probably isn't a dynamic mic, although someone might
build a dynamic mic with a built-in amplifier which would only
work with external power. YMMV!

However, given the electret microphones are very cheap and are
good quality, I'd bet on electret.

For more information and a fun read, see <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphone>.

73 Bill AE6JV

On 11/8/20 at 4:27 AM, [hidden email] (Jim Brown) wrote:

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AI4NS

Re: CM-500

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

It is Engrish

On Sun, Nov 8, 2020 at 12:52 Walter Underwood <[hidden email]> wrote:

> The official product page is also wrong, either through ignorance or
> spell-check. It describes it as "a sensitive electric microphone”.
>
>
> https://usa.yamaha.com/products/music_production/accessories/cm500/features.html#product-tabs
> <
> https://usa.yamaha.com/products/music_production/accessories/cm500/features.html#product-tabs
> >
>
> I think we can all agree that a) it has an electret mic, and b) the
> official product descriptions are a mess.
>
> wunder
> K6WRU
> Walter Underwood
> CM87wj
> http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog)
>
> > On Nov 8, 2020, at 1:27 AM, Jim Brown <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > On 11/7/2020 2:42 PM, Bill Frantz wrote:
> >> The packaging said (in part), "Dynamic Microphone for Active Musicians"
> >
> > The sales/marketing department, usually ignorant of what they're
> selling, wrote that drivel you're reading, which is intended simply to sell
> more of whatever they're selling.
> >
> > The CM500 has had an ELECTRET mic as far back as 2008, when W6XU,
> another audio professional, arranged a group purchase for your Bay Area
> contesting club. It DOES need Bias, which most modern rigs provide on one
> pin of their mic connector. Simply adding a resistor of suitable value (in
> the range of 5-10KOhms) between that pin and the mic input pin, provides
> bias suitable for most electret mics.
> >
> > 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]
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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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