> 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: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm > Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 8:59 PM > To: ab2tc > Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net > 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> > >> > >> > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. 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