Re: [Elecraft] Need help with kat500 utility

[Andy Durbin]

"  Is the capacitor setting normally checked by default?     This setting was 
not chosen automatically."

Cap Side is set to SIDET (transceiver side) when the KAT500 is in Bypass mode.

At any other time is is set to the value corresponding to the current tuning 
solution.  That tuning solution may have been set manually or it may be the 
result of a previous auto-tune.

If you accidentally changed Cap Side from the previously stored value it could 
result in a huge mismatch and high SWR.  Easily fixed by performing an 
auto-tune and letting the tuner decide the appropriate setting.

Take a look at this reference - https://leleivre.com/rf_lcmatch.html  if you 
can't visualize what Cap Side is doing.

Andy, k3wyc



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[Elecraft] Failed K3

[rikoski]

Here is my situation. I have an Elecraft K3 setup: K3 transceiver; Pan Adpter; 
KAT 500 tuner; KPA 500 , 500W power amp. All Elecraft, all plug compatible.

In January in the middle of a QSO, the Elecraft transceiver stopped working. I 
got return authorization and returned the transceiver to Elecraft for service. 
They say that because of the number of units returned to them, it will be 
another 2 months before they can get around to mine. So I'm off the air for 3 
months..

So what to do? Give Elecraft $5000 for a new K4; Buy a Yaesu FT Dx 10 with a 
very good receiver but is not easily plugged into the Elecraft K line; Buy an 
Icom 7300 which I have familiarity with and will be easy to attach; Go on eBay 
and buy a used K3 and hope that it works; or buy something else?

When I get my K3 back, I either will keep what ever I buy now as a spare to use 
when the K3 fails again or sell off my entire K line and migrate away from 
Elecraft recognizing that their service is not like to improve and that I have 
alternatives.

Advice please. Thanks. W9ZD
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Re: [Elecraft] Failed K3

[jackp05--- via Elecraft]

Sent from the all new AOL app for Android
On Thu, Feb 24, 2022 at 8:47 AM, rikoski wrote:Here is my 
situation. I have an Elecraft K3 setup: K3 transceiver; Pan Adpter; KAT 500 
tuner; KPA 500 , 500W power amp. All Elecraft, all plug compatible.
In January in the middle of a QSO, the Elecraft transceiver stopped working. I 
got return authorization and returned the transceiver to Elecraft for service. 
They say that because of the number of units returned to them, it will be 
another 2 months before they can get around to mine. So I'm off the air for 3 
months..
So what to do? Give Elecraft $5000 for a new K4; Buy a Yaesu FT Dx 10 with a 
very good receiver but is not easily plugged into the Elecraft K line; Buy an 
Icom 7300 which I have familiarity with and will be easy to attach; Go on eBay 
and buy a used K3 and hope that it works; or buy something else?
When I get my K3 back, I either will keep what ever I buy now as a spare to use 
when the K3 fails again or sell off my entire K line and migrate away from 
Elecraft recognizing that their service is not like to improve and that I have 
alternatives.
Advice please. Thanks. 
W9ZD__Elecraft 
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[Elecraft] Failed K3...

[Petr Ourednik]

Hi,

as you need just backup solution until your main K3 will be back from service I 
would recommend to find and purchase on QTH.com or QRZ.com some used K3 in 
great condition coolly with less options installed to be immediately QRV with 
rest of K-line. When your main K3 will be back you will have great backup as 
same as SO2R solution :)

73 - Petr, OK1RP
--
B: http://goo.gl/Fd2JhJ
YT: https://urlzs.com/UHNH9
MeWe: https://bit.ly/2HGPoDx
MeWe: https://bit.ly/2FmwvDt
--
What could be easier..?  ¯‍∖‍_‍(‍ツ‍)‍_‍/‍¯
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Re: [Elecraft] D-104 Element Replacement

[bill steffey]

I believe all electrets will have high freq response well beyond 15K... 
way past bell labs'  300-3000 cps voice response.


And it looks like all the most inexpensive mics do use the electret 
elements. They might not have a lot of bottom end...  but "we" don't 
need that anyway . Then add in that the K3 & K4 have an equalizer..and 
most anything resembling a microphone could be made to sound ok.



I see that the "fancy" electret with a boom and accessories has hit a 
new low price.  19.98 SHIPPED 


    NEWEGG is selling one of a million versions of the BM-800. Google 
bm-800 and loo see.


It does plug into the back of a k3/k4 with no special cables needed.

I bought one a few years ago ( 29$ amazon) to see how bad it was ...and 
surprised it works fine.



bill


On 2/23/2022 9:48 PM, Tony wrote:

On 2/23/2022 5:54 PM, JR wrote:
I am often amazed  how little some hams know about microphones. You 
can purchase any number of compatible dynamic microphone cartridges, 
or electret condenser capsules, and fit them into a D-104 head shell.


JR:

Do any of the mics you mentioned have frequency response curves 
similar to high articulation mics like the original Astatic D-104? or 
the vintage Heil HC-4/5 (see graph below).


I found that most "generic" mics have way too much low-end response 
with little top-end so they sound very muddy and not very articulate. 
Not the best choice for entry level and older rigs that do not offer 
TX-EQ.


Tony -K2MO

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Re: [Elecraft] Need help with kat500 utility

[Andy Durbin]

"Take a look at this reference - https://leleivre.com/rf_lcmatch.html  if you 
can't visualize what Cap Side is doing."

I should have added that the upper two topologies are the only ones that can be 
set in the KAT500.  The inductors are always in series and the capacitors are 
always in parallel.  The parameters that change are the values of L and C and 
the position of the capacitor.

Andy, k3wyc
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Re: [Elecraft] Failed K3

[Wes]

TS-890

On 2/24/2022 6:46 AM, rikoski wrote:

Here is my situation. I have an Elecraft K3 setup: K3 transceiver; Pan Adpter; 
KAT 500 tuner; KPA 500 , 500W power amp. All Elecraft, all plug compatible.

In January in the middle of a QSO, the Elecraft transceiver stopped working. I 
got return authorization and returned the transceiver to Elecraft for service. 
They say that because of the number of units returned to them, it will be 
another 2 months before they can get around to mine. So I'm off the air for 3 
months..

So what to do? Give Elecraft $5000 for a new K4; Buy a Yaesu FT Dx 10 with a 
very good receiver but is not easily plugged into the Elecraft K line; Buy an 
Icom 7300 which I have familiarity with and will be easy to attach; Go on eBay 
and buy a used K3 and hope that it works; or buy something else?

When I get my K3 back, I either will keep what ever I buy now as a spare to use 
when the K3 fails again or sell off my entire K line and migrate away from 
Elecraft recognizing that their service is not like to improve and that I have 
alternatives.

Advice please. Thanks. W9ZD
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Re: [Elecraft] Need help with kat500 utility

[Richard Donner]

Hi
 I believe for some intermittent time the tuner did not move the caps to
the antenna side.  It is working now though.
All these boxes we have are computer controlled.  I
Thanks all


On Wed, Feb 23, 2022 at 4:27 PM Richard Donner 
wrote:

> Hi
> Well I checked the  antenna and it is just as before the problem.
>   Is the capacitor setting normally checked by default?
> This setting was not chosen automatically.
>
>   After I  enabled the capacitor setting the tuner tuned immediately to a
> low SWR on the low end of the band.
> I noticed that now it is automatically chosen.
> This has been a nice study time to figure how this tuner works.  It seems
> fine now.
> Thanks for  the help  all seems well.
>
> On another note , my k3 has reached its 15  birthday year
> Thanks all
> Richard
>
>
> On Wed, Feb 23, 2022 at 1:48 PM Richard Donner 
> wrote:
>
>> I  have some question about the operate tab in the kat500 utility.
>> In the "others"  what should be checked off?
>> "caps on the Ant side"
>> "amp key interrupt"
>> "attenuator"
>>   Not sure what these things do.
>>
>> I had been using my kat500 for years and all of a sudden low SWR
>> matches  could not be found on one of my antennas.   It was odd because
>> everything was fine yesterday.
>> I found by checking "caps on the Ant side"  Ii could get a match in
>> manual mode.
>>  I wonder if that had been checked and all of a sudden it stopped being
>> checked?
>>
>> Also I wonder if the"amp key interrupt "  was ever set properly.
>> How should it be set with a KPA500 amplifier all cabled up.
>> I did not see a simple explanation what these kat500 setting are for.
>>
>> Any help would be appreciated.  I think I am going for a walk
>> Thanks   Richard wa6kyr
>>
>>
>>
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[Elecraft] list postings, K3's and K4's

[Robert Strickland via Elecraft]

I've been periodically wondering why there seems to be so few posting to 
the list. I then remind myself that I have a message filter directing 
all K4 messages to a separate bin. Looking there I note that there is a 
great deal of activity/postings. I conclude that the most active list 
members are interested in the K4 or have either bought one or are 
getting ready to do so. That said, I have to believe that the installed 
base of K3's and K3s's is quite large and will remain so. As one of 
these [K3s #11832] I hope that we won't be left in the dust as the K4 
charges by. While fully recognizing the superiority of the K4, my 
circumstances don't include a new radio; also, I'm still learning how to 
maximize utilization of the K3s in front of me. Perhaps it's analogous 
to the relationship between brand new Porsche 911's and 911's from 
previous years: the older ones still pack a punch that most drivers can 
hardly access. All such matters aside, I'm happy for Elecraft's success 
and hope and trust that it continues into the future.


... robert   KE2WY

Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
rc...@verizon.net.usa
Syracuse, New York, USA
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Re: [Elecraft] list postings, K3's and K4's

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

OK Robert - let me be truly heretical.  I have K3 #4275, and do 99 
percent of my operating in assisted CW contests and CWTs.  I use N1MM 
Logger's Spectrum Display Window, and for my kind of operating I find it 
superior to either the P3 or the K4's spectrum display.  Why? Because of 
the integration with logging and particularly display of spots right on 
top of the spectrum.  In addition to the straightforward display of 
signals across the band, the Spectrum Display shows me the callsigns of 
spotted stations superimposed on the spectrum, as well as the callsigns 
of stations that would be dupes.  It makes it VERY easy to find a run 
frequency, and to see when someone moves in on top of you whether you 
can move aside just a speck and continue running.


Until someone shows me another good reason, I'm staying with my K3.

73, Pete N4ZR
Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
web server at .
For spots, please use your favorite
"retail" DX cluster.

On 2/24/2022 1:33 PM, Robert Strickland via Elecraft wrote:
I've been periodically wondering why there seems to be so few posting 
to the list. I then remind myself that I have a message filter 
directing all K4 messages to a separate bin. Looking there I note that 
there is a great deal of activity/postings. I conclude that the most 
active list members are interested in the K4 or have either bought one 
or are getting ready to do so. That said, I have to believe that the 
installed base of K3's and K3s's is quite large and will remain so. As 
one of these [K3s #11832] I hope that we won't be left in the dust as 
the K4 charges by. While fully recognizing the superiority of the K4, 
my circumstances don't include a new radio; also, I'm still learning 
how to maximize utilization of the K3s in front of me. Perhaps it's 
analogous to the relationship between brand new Porsche 911's and 
911's from previous years: the older ones still pack a punch that most 
drivers can hardly access. All such matters aside, I'm happy for 
Elecraft's success and hope and trust that it continues into the future.


... robert   KE2WY

Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
rc...@verizon.net.usa
Syracuse, New York, USA
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Re: [Elecraft] list postings, K3's and K4's

[VE6WZ_Steve]

Pete…

Flex radio has done this for years.

I agree with you. Having the spots ON the spectra display and waterfall is the 
only way to go.
See who is where, what their trace looks like, point and shoot to QSY etc.
I could never go back.

Is this not available on the K4 display?

73, de steve ve6wz


>  Why? Because of the integration with logging and particularly display of 
> spots right on top of the spectrum.  In addition to the straightforward 
> display of signals across the band, the Spectrum Display shows me the 
> callsigns of spotted stations superimposed on the spectrum, as well as the 
> callsigns of stations that would be dupes.  It makes it VERY easy to find a 
> run frequency, and to see when someone moves in on top of you whether you can 
> move aside just a speck and continue running.
> 
> Until someone shows me another good reason, I'm staying with my K3.
> 
> 73, Pete N4ZR

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[Elecraft] List postings and K3's and K4's

[Robert Strickland via Elecraft]

I've been periodically wondering why there seems to be so few posting to 
the list. I then remind myself that I have a message filter directing 
all K4 messages to a separate bin. Looking there I note that there is a 
great deal of activity/postings. I conclude that the most active list 
members are interested in the K4 or have either bought one or are 
getting ready to do so. That said, I have to believe that the installed 
base of K3's and K3s's is quite large and will remain so. As one of 
these [K3s #11832] I hope that we won't be left in the dust as the K4 
charges by. While fully recognizing the superiority of the K4, my 
circumstances don't include a new radio; also, I'm still learning how to 
maximize utilization of the K3s in front of me. Perhaps it's analogous 
to the relationship between brand new Porsche 911's and 911's from 
previous years: the older ones still pack a punch that most drivers can 
hardly access. All such matters aside, I'm happy for Elecraft's success 
and hope and trust that it continues into the future.


... robert   KE2WY
--
Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
rc...@verizon.net.usa
Syracuse, New York, USA
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Re: [Elecraft] list postings, K3's and K4's

[Nate Bargmann]

Sadly, there doesn't seem to be any interest in supporting the K3 any
longer by Elecraft.  Sure, they take them for repair but that is about
it.  There have been no fixes for some nagging issues with the noise
blanker and the noise reduction is still inferior to that from other
manufacturers.  Still, the K3 is the best radio I have owned and remains
on my desk because because of that fact.

When I bought my K3 in autumn of 2010 part of the reason for doing so
was that Elecraft was still offering the K2 after many years and I
thought the company would continue to refine and support the K3 for
years to come and they did for about nine more years which is
respectable.

I am still waiting to read more reports of K4 owners after a couple of
years of ownership and they will come in time as the first owners are
now just emerging from the honeymoon phase.  I have not opted to trade
out my K3 for anything else yet and if I had to, I'm not even sure what
I might choose.

>From what I see on this list, I get a feeling that Elecraft is
struggling to some degree (a lot of companies are/have been struggling
the past couple of years so this is not a unique observation).  I don't
recall a formal response from Elecraft on the issues with the K3 finals
and the overshoot issue.  I think both issues should be addressed not
only toward those of us who bought new from Elecraft directly but also
for the second and beyond owners of the equipment.  I tend to buy new
stuff from companies that support their products well after the first
owner has moved said equipment down the road (probably why when I look
out the window on this wintry day most of our farm equipment says John
Deere).

Those second hand and beyond owners should not be ignored as a good
impression received by them will result in first owner sales that
directly benefit Elecraft.  There was a time when my shack was almost
all Yaesu.  Now I flip the pages right past their ads.

73, Nate, N0NB

-- 
"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all
possible worlds.  The pessimist fears this is true."
Web: https://www.n0nb.us
Projects: https://github.com/N0NB
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Re: [Elecraft] list postings, K3's and K4's

[Linda M]

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Re: [Elecraft] List postings and K3's and K4's

[David Gilbert]

I have yet to hear a compelling argument on why the K4 is superior to 
the K3s ... at least in terms of raw performance.  Lots of creature 
features, maybe, but of the two the bang for the dollar still clearly 
goes to the K3s in my opinion.


But yes, in many respects Elecraft has left K3/K3s owners in the dust by 
putting all their production focus on the K4.  I'm afraid your hope is 
not well founded.


73,
Dave   AB7E



On 2/24/2022 1:18 PM, Robert Strickland via Elecraft wrote:
I've been periodically wondering why there seems to be so few posting 
to the list. I then remind myself that I have a message filter 
directing all K4 messages to a separate bin. Looking there I note that 
there is a great deal of activity/postings. I conclude that the most 
active list members are interested in the K4 or have either bought one 
or are getting ready to do so. That said, I have to believe that the 
installed base of K3's and K3s's is quite large and will remain so. As 
one of these [K3s #11832] I hope that we won't be left in the dust as 
the K4 charges by. While fully recognizing the superiority of the K4, 
my circumstances don't include a new radio; also, I'm still learning 
how to maximize utilization of the K3s in front of me. Perhaps it's 
analogous to the relationship between brand new Porsche 911's and 
911's from previous years: the older ones still pack a punch that most 
drivers can hardly access. All such matters aside, I'm happy for 
Elecraft's success and hope and trust that it continues into the future.


... robert   KE2WY


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Re: [Elecraft] D-104 Mic Element Replacement

[Ed Cole]

I remember the D104's from my early years in Ham radio.

I never had a mic for my DX35 in the late 1950's and acquired a carbon 
mic with the old AN-ARC-1 VHF AM radio I bought for 2m AM as a Tech.


I upgraded to a Johnson 6N2 after college so bought a new Electro-voice 
mic that had cardiode pattern for noise reduction.  It was shaped like a 
long silver tube and I got a desk stand for it.  It was a broadcast mic 
so made fine quality AM on 2m with my plate modulated 5894 at 150w.


All that gear is gone, now.

Most of my station is now Elecraft.

73, Ed - KL7UW
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Re: [Elecraft] List postings and K3's and K4's

[Robert Strickland via Elecraft]

i sent this again because I couldn't find it. Then, I looked down in the 
K4 bin, and there it was. Victimized by my own message filters. HI. 
Sorry for the noise.

... robert

On 2/24/2022 20:18, Robert Strickland via Elecraft wrote:
I've been periodically wondering why there seems to be so few posting to 
the list. I then remind myself that I have a message filter directing 
all K4 messages to a separate bin. Looking there I note that there is a 
great deal of activity/postings. I conclude that the most active list 
members are interested in the K4 or have either bought one or are 
getting ready to do so. That said, I have to believe that the installed 
base of K3's and K3s's is quite large and will remain so. As one of 
these [K3s #11832] I hope that we won't be left in the dust as the K4 
charges by. While fully recognizing the superiority of the K4, my 
circumstances don't include a new radio; also, I'm still learning how to 
maximize utilization of the K3s in front of me. Perhaps it's analogous 
to the relationship between brand new Porsche 911's and 911's from 
previous years: the older ones still pack a punch that most drivers can 
hardly access. All such matters aside, I'm happy for Elecraft's success 
and hope and trust that it continues into the future.


.. robert   KE2WY


--
Robert G Strickland, PhD ABPH - KE2WY
rc...@verizon.net.usa
Syracuse, New York, USA
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[Elecraft] D-104 Mic Element Replacement

[Gary Peterson]

If you have a working, unamplified D-104, the solution to this is quite simple.

Back in the 1990s, my transceiver was a TS-830S.  I had a pre-citizens band 
D-104.  These classic microphones were much heavier than the later ones and had 
a stamped serial number plate riveted to the head.

The output of these microphones was very high and, when connected to an input 
with an impedance of a few tens of thousands of ohms, the frequency response 
was very strident.  The Astatic data sheet for the D-104 contained a graph, 
with curves, which showed how a lower impedance load suppressed the mid range 
and bass response.  Inside the base of the push to talk stand, I placed a 787 
kilohm,, quarter-watt, metal film resistor in series with the hot side of 
crystal cartrige output.  

The D-104 no longer sounded shrill.  The response was silky smooth, as 
determined by transmitting into a dummy load and recording the audio from a 
second transceiver.  As a bonus, I could then run my mic gain at eleven o 
clock, rather than nine o clock.  This made it much easier to set the mic gain 
properly, as the control was not so touchy.  

I was actively DXing, back then, and the slightly modified D-104 did a great 
job of breaking pileups.  I was often complimented on my audio and often asked 
what microphone I was using.

Gary, K0CX 

“Most D-104 mikes are not suited for use with today's radios.? The 
original D-104 was designed to work into a load impedance of 4 meg-ohms 
or higher.? Today's radios microphone input is about 50k ohms or so.?? 
The result is then excessive load on the D-104 element.? This is the 
major cause of frequency response issues.  Bob McGraw”

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Re: [Elecraft] KX2 mic

[Skip Davis via Elecraft]

Unfortunately Eric the Alex Mic has been discontinued for several years and 
there isn’t any new/old stock around only if one shows up on the used market. 
I’ve been looking and watching out for one for several years now and kicking 
myself for not buying one when they were first offered.

Skip Davis, NC9O 
Sent from my iPad
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Re: [Elecraft] D-104 Element Replacement

[JR]

Do any of the mics you mentioned have frequency response curves similar
to high articulation mics like the original Astatic D-104? or the
vintage Heil HC-4/5  ???
_

Howdy! Good question, Tony.

Yes, some electret capsules and maybe fewer dynamic cartridges have the 
frequency response curve you seek, although it is somewhat difficult to 
separate them from the larger herd.   One  must research each response 
curve graph or learn of one from a vendor or mic expert to narrow the 
field to what you seek.    A lot of microphones have a response curve 
and tone pattern like the famous Shure SM58, about the most popular 
vocal mic in the past 40 years. One exception is the AudioTechnica 
MB1000L, from the AT Midnight Blues collection, which has the thinner, 
more articulate sound you mention.   You just have to do you  homework 
to find one like that.


Some guys use particular capacitors to modify the tone of a particular 
microphone, thinning or thickening the tone by rolling off high or low 
frequencies.  For example, in a related application, Leo Fender used to 
ad a .1 uf capacitor to roll off the bright, almost harsh tone of a 
Fender Telecaster electric guitar.   Modern players use different 
capacitor values because they feel Leo's pick makes bass tones sound 
thick, dull and "muddy."    The point is, you might  mod a particular 
microphone to achieve the frequency response curve and "tone" you 
desire.    Therefore, if you cannot find a particular capsule or 
cartridge that suits your taste,  you might modify one to complete the 
task.  OR - you might employ a microphone pre-amplifier and/or outboard 
equalizer or mixer with EQ controls to achieve the desired result.   As 
another op mentioned yesterday, HEIL stopped selling multiple 
cartridges, as so many modern transceivers have adjustable transmit EQ 
to achieve the desired result.


Someone mentioned the $20 BM-800 electret condenser microphone which 
looks like a larger, more robust large diaphragm studio microphone, but 
has a much smaller, less capable condenser capsule.    And yet it DOES 
sound OK, PROVIDED you use it carefully and speak close to its sweet 
spot (best speaking distance for best S/N etc. ) - but I find it is 
comparatively noisy compared to   a) higher quality, slightly more 
expensive larger diaphragm condenser microphones - e.g., the Behringer 
B1,  and compared to    2) a performance style dynamic  microphone, such 
as the Sennheiser e835.   Bob Heil correctly explains why he does not 
favor condenser microphones - they tend to be much more sensitive and 
capture more ambient noise in the shack,  as they say in the business, 
that type of capsule can "pick up a gnat's fart across the room"  (sorry 
for being crude, but that IS what THEY say!)    A close-talked 
performance type dynamic cartridge captures less ambient noise when 
transmitting.  They also tend to have more narrow response curves which, 
as another op suggested,  may be better suited to producing 
communications audio.


So, you pays your money and you takes your chances.   Do due diligence 
and find the mic that suits your voice and objectives best.   Good luck.


Just a few ideas.   Good Luck.  K8JHR
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