[Elecraft] Mic and Headset

[Peter Chamalian]

I'm curious as to what others are using for a mic and headset with the K3.
I currently have a Heil Pro Set Quite Phone with the DX (HC-4) element. I
find a) the audio level in the headset to be rather low and b) just got some
mic audio comments from a local saying the audio didn't sound like me at
all.

So, what are others using or how do you have your rig set up?

Thanks,

Pete, W1RM

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[Bill W5WVO]

The HC-4 element isn't supposed to sound like you; it's supposed to cut through
QRM. Personally, I can't stand the harsh sound of it, but it does do what it's
supposed to do. If you want a mic element that sounds like you, you should be
using the HC-5. It is voice-tailored also, but much less extreme than the HC-4.
I use a Pro Set with HC-5 and get excellent audio reports.

Don't forget to set the config AF GAIN parameter to HI. This is important for
the Pro Set.

Bill W5WVO

[Jim Miller KG0KP]

I also use the Heil headset but the one I have is the original before there
were dfiierent models except for the microphone and I use the HC4 element as
it is my "contest" use mic. I have teh original Gold Line for day to day
use and it has the "full range" and the HC5 elements in it and yes, it does
have a different sound than the HC4 element. That is by design - the HC4 is
designed for cutting through in contest use and the HC5 is somewhat wider in
its response to be a bit closer to "normal". The full range element is of
course the one you want to use if your intent is to "sound like normal" and
don't need the advantages of the HC4 and HC5 elements.

73, de Jim KG0KP

[K2MK]

Hi Pete:

I'm using the PROSET sold by Elecraft. You can get more audio output from
your headphones by plugging them into the rear speaker jack. Set
CONFIG:SPKRS to 2 (for stereo).

73,
Mike K2MK

Peter Chamalian
Sun, 06 Sep 2009 05:07:34 -0700

[Peter Chamalian]

Roger on AF Gain set to Hi.

The HC-4 element worked OK with my MP Mark V although I always felt I didn't
have enough audio punch.

I agree that the HC-4 is the cut through the crud, work the guy and go away,
mic element. I'm not a SSB rag chewer, but rather work DX, contests to a
limited extent. My main focus is CW so given the choice of SSB or cw, I'll
work 'em on cw. But, there are times when I need something and it's there
on SSB so, go get 'em.

Thanks!

Pete, W1RM

[Peter Chamalian]

I'll give that a try Mike. Thanks.

Pete, W1RM

[Dick Roth, KA1OZ]

[snip]

I use the Proset 5 (HC-5 element) with good results and comments. Even
though I normally use hearing aids when out in the world (but not when
hamming) I find that Audio Gain set to Lo is fine for me.

I also use the Heil HM-5 when not wearing the headset.

I'm told that audio sounds great regardless of mic.

--
73,
Dick ka1oz
Middleborough, MA

Radio: Elecraft K3/100(Kit) SN 859
Antenna: Titan-DX

[Dave G4AON]

I am using a Labtec Axis-302 headset wired to the front 8 pin K3 socket
and a 3.5mm/.25" adapter for the earpiece side.

The mic audio from the supplied electret insert isn't quite as good for
my voice as a Heil HC-5, so I replaced the electret with a HC-5 insert
hot melt glued in place, plus a foam windsock over it. The result looks
and sounds good. I find the HC-5 inserts in "stick mics" like the GM-5 a
bit weak for my liking, the headset approach is better for me.
Unfortunately the HC-5 insert as a replacement part seems hard to come
by these days.

73 Dave, G4AON
K3/100 #80
-----------------

I'm curious as to what others are using for a mic and headset with the K3.

[Svend Spanget]

Peter Chamalian wrote:
> I'm curious as to what others are using for a mic and headset with the
K3.

I use the absolutely cheapest PC-headset, I could find. Great reports...

Svend, OZ7UV

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[Arthur Nienhouse]

I use a ATR- 30 cost me $22.95 delivered it came with a 16 ft 3 pin XLR
cable the
only difference between it and my Heil Gold Pro is the price.
Regards
Art
ka9zap

[David Gilbert]

Same here. I bought a few different headsets and compared them to each
other and to my MH2 Elecraft hand mic, both via on the air reports and
by listening on another rig in the shack. Amazingly, the cheapest
headset (URL below) of all of them worked best. Great audio reports (I
often have people comment on the good audio while I'm running in a
contest), very lightweight with not much pressure on the ears, and a
nice long mic boom with a large foam windsock. I honestly can't imagine
why anyone would pay more for a headset unless they preferred full-cup
earphones or needed ambient noise cancellation. I've used this one for
several months and it has held up just fine.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=B451-3010

73,
Dave AB7E

Svend Spanget wrote:
>
> K3.
>
> I use the absolutely cheapest PC-headset, I could find. Great reports...
>
> Svend, OZ7UV
>
>
>

> Peter Chamalian wrote:
>
>
>> I'm curious as to what others are using for a mic and headset with the
>>

[Wes Stewart]

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/7494

The only con I have is that I need the earpieces completely to the end of the headband (in the large direction).  Every time I take them off one earpiece slides up the headband.  May be a time for a dab of RTV.

Wes  N7WS

--- On Sun, 9/6/09, David Gilbert <xda...@cis-broadband.com> wrote:

From: David Gilbert <xda...@cis-broadband.com>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Mic and Headset

[Jorge Diez - CX6VM]

How do you connect this Yamaha CM500? Can you use the red adapter from Heil
thay you connect to your Kenwood radio MIC and will work? Or you need to
rewire something?

Thanks,
Jorge
CX6VM

-----Mensaje original-----
De: elecraft...@mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft...@mailman.qth.net] En nombre de Wes Stewart
Enviado el: Domingo, 06 de Septiembre de 2009 04:30 p.m.
Para: David Gilbert
CC: 'Elecraft Reflector'
Asunto: Re: [Elecraft] Mic and Headset

[Dick Dievendorff]

Jorge:

I just tried out my new Yamaha CM500 as well.

The K3's back panel has 3.5mm connectors for headset and phones. The Yamaha
CM500 has the appropriate connectors for the back panel.

I did not need the Yamaha's little in-line bias battery device. Instead I
changed the K3's MAIN:MIC SEL menu option to "Rear Panel, high input, bias
on", which appears as "RP.H BIAS". See the K3 Owner's manual pages 20 and 28
a summary on page 52.

It sounds great, and feels like it's going to be a very comfortable headset
at a very good price.

Dick, K6KR

[Jim Brown]

On Sun, 6 Sep 2009 18:42:31 -0700, Dick Dievendorff wrote:

>I just tried out my new Yamaha CM500 as well.

Several of the guys in our contest club have bought these headsets
and fired them up with their K3s. One of them, W6XU, brought one to
our meeting last night, and I tried it on. It is quite comfortable,
and well built. The headphones are of the "big closed" type that
provide some isolation from noise in the shack. They are NOT active,
noise-cancelling type.
The mic is a cardioid electret.

Another of the guys, K6TD, had me listen to his on the air. It
sounded very good with no tweaking of the K3, and with tweaking,
produced very competitive audio. The tweaking consisted of using
maximum cut on the three lowest filters, 6dB boost at 2.4 kHz, and
10 dB boost at 3.2 kHz. I also had him kick in about 10dB of
processing. This eq is consistent with most mics designed for SSB
communications use (like the Shure and Heil products). The
difference is that this headset sells for only $45 online at Sam Ash
with free shipping, a bit more at other vendors. For those who don't
know, Yamaha is a well respected audio company.

73,

Jim Brown K9YC

[Dick Dievendorff]

Thanks, Jim, for the EQ suggestions.

73 de Dick, K6KR

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 15, 2009, at 9:11 AM, "Jim Brown" <j...@audiosystemsgroup.com>
wrote:

[Lu Romero]

All:

Im a "punch" guy and not a "hi-fi" guy. I do hi fi at work.
I own a couple of Heils (a BM-10 and a ProSet) with the "DX
Element" which are good for contesting but often sound a
little too "in your face" for non contest work.

I considered the Yamaha, but I find that it is sometimes
difficult to "interchange" phantom powered electrets when
traveling to other stations for contests.

I have found a very good alternative to both in the Koss
SB-40. It is stereo, has a 1/8 stereo plug and has all the
features of the CM500, but uses a dynamic mic. The cord is
incredibly long, but a RipTie fixes that. It is also a full
ear cup model with huge transducers, and fits my head more
comfortably that the ProSets do especially because I wear
glasses. The ProSet's earcups are much harder than the
SB-40's and leave a gap. The Koss seals around the glasses
perfectly, keeping sound out, without pushing the glasses
into my temples.

Worst thing is that it doesnt have a single outlet for the
cords on one earcup, but I consider this minor.

Admittedly, the SB-40 headphone is really "bassy". Guess
Gamers like those big explosions to rock their heads around
(listen to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon with these,
you will see!). This bass effect is easily fixed with some
RX EQ, but then K3 doesnt have much bass response, except
when using V3.25 firmware. Wonder when that promised bass
will make its return! Soon I hope! :)

The mic is very flat in response but shifts towards the
bassy side with a marked proximity effect, but TX
equalization takes care of that. After processing, I can
acheive a similar sound to the DX Element but with less
harshness and a very nice bass undertone around 150-200Hz
when close-talked which, in my opinion, may add to
intelegibility on the low bands. The K3's EQ capabilities
can make this mic sound any way you want to sound, from DX
punch to ESSB.

I still like the "penetration" of a well EQ'd DX Element in
a contest, but these are smooth and broad and seem to
complement my particular K3. They are EXTREMELY
comfortable, more so than the ProSet, and very ruggedly
constructed, too!

They cost around $30 at Full Compass.

I will probably use them for CQ-WW-SSB.

-lu-W4LT-

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:11:17 -0700
From: "Jim Brown" <j...@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Subject: [Elecraft] Yamahs CM500 Headset
To: "Elecraft List" <elec...@mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID: <200909151611...@gw1.nlenet.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

[Ignacy]

I compared Yamaha CM500 to my other headset: Sony 32 Ohms headphones with
Heil HC5 attached via piece of wire and wrapped with electrical tape.

The Yamaha headphones are better partly because they are 130 Ohm and
therefore copy more low tones. But they completely cover the ears and I
don't hear when my wife is calling (for dinner etc).

The electret microphone has lots of gain but catches lots of breath, unlike
HC5. It requires equalization to be as effective as HC5 but in the end does
not sound as smooth. It gains much more high frequency response when them
other side of the microphone is blocked. Also there is some echo.

In QSOs, locals prefer YAMAHA because of the low frequency response, DX
prefer HC5 because of clarity, and for some there is no difference.

It seems that in pileups HC5 is more efficient while being comfortable in
rag chewing. Because K3 is competitive radio and that;s why I bought it, I
am inclined to break the electret enclosure in CM500 and somehow attach HC5
there.

Any comments? Is HC5 that good? Can one find as good electret element?

Ignacy

--
View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/Yamahs-CM500-Headset-tp3658358p3788370.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

[.k8dd.]

You might try Heil's mike cartridge that they use in the ProSet ic - it
is an electret that was made for Icom, but I got very good audio reports
with the ic on the K2 and the K3 both from DX stations and domestic alike.
The CM500 is 'different'. I've tried several TX EQ settings - I guess
it has a lot to do with individual voices. And it seemed to me that the
screen on the microphone got rid of most of the breath sounds.

73 Hank K8DD

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[Dan Copeland]

Does anyone have an XG-2 they want to part with?

Thanks

Dan N0DT