++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2001 12:49:05 -0700 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Subject: [Elecraft] New MH2 Microphone with Heil Element The MH2 Hand Microphone is the result of a collaboration between Bob Heil of Heil Sound and Elecraft. The MH2 uses a high performance condenser element designed by Bob. It is optimally matched to the K2 and provides excellent SSB audio quality. MH2 Features: - - High output Heil microphone element - - Punchy, High Quality SSB audio in the Heil Sound tradition. - - Pre-wired 8 pin connector for the K2 - - Includes microphone mounting clip The MH2 is $58.00 and is available exclusively from Elecraft. First shipments start Sept. 7th. We have added a picture of the microphone to our web page at: http://www.elecraft.com/mh2/mh2_hand_mic.htm If possible, please use our on line order forms to avoid overloading Lisa with calls. Of course feel free to call if you prefer to order that way or have questions. 73, Eric WA6HHQ - -- http://www.elecraft.com ++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2001 14:37:32 -0700 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New MH2 Microphone with Heil Element QSL!. Just straight across jumpers on the mic. configuration block in the K2. 73, Eric bill ny9h wrote: > > prewired....does this mean wired as a kenwood mike ??? +++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2001 15:29:53 -0700 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New MH2 Microphone with Heil Element We include a 4.7K biasing resistor that mounts on the rear side of the K2's 8 pin mic connector. By the way, the 5V is current limited to a safe value by the 5V regulator on the K2 control board. 73, Eric Tom Hammond NØSS wrote: > > Eric: > > Will the mic include the 1k-10k limiting resistor? Or must it be added to > the mic header? > > Personally, I kinda prefer having the limiting R IN the K2 where an > accidental short outside of the K2 will have less chance of causing > problems from an un-limited +5V internal supply. > > Tom N0SS > +++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 06:40:07 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Subject: Re: [Elecraft] New MH2 Microphone with Heil Element Hi John, John Clifford wrote [regarding the new mic]: > 1) Does it have the Elecraft logo on it anywhere? Yes, along with "Elecraft MH2." > 2) Does it 'cure' the problem of having to alter the KSB2 board to allow > enough drive from other Heil mikes? We used an unmodified KSB2 for all tests, and there's plenty of drive. In fact we were using the SSBA=1 setting most of the time. > 3) Any work on a dual-element (hi-fi/'punchy') Elecraft offering along the > lines of the Heil HMM? Not yet. > 4) *** MOST IMPORTANT!! *** Does the K2 in the picture really have a KPA2 > installed, or are you just teasing us? Both ;) It's a functional prototype, but we haven't set a price or shipping date yet. 73, Wayne N6KR ++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 17:43:22 -0700 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Mic Hi Steve, The difference you note on SSB RX response on the higher bands is present primarily on RX, not TX, as it is a result of the 2nd IF crystal filter which is not used on SSB TX. In general SSB TX frequency response stays pretty close to the same regardless of the mixing scheme if you have set up the BF1t settings equally for LSB and USB on the same band. Prior to the MH2 I used a Kenwood microphone from my TS-50 on the K2 with no problems. I suspect what you might want to do is adjust BF1t on both USB and LSB (say on 40M) to equalize your TX audio. Since we flip the mixing scheme on the upper bands as you noted the LSB settings from the lower bands become the USB settings on the upper bands and the USB settings are used for LSB. If your BF1t settings were set up for different USB and LSB frequency responses this may account for your problem. In general I adjust the BF1t TX audio settings by transmitting with the K2 into a dummy load while listening on another RX. Ideally it is best to record the audio as it is hard to discern TX audio differences by talking and listening at the same time. I use my PC sound card to record samples and compare them for different BF1t settings. 73, Eric WA6HHQ Steve and Anne Ray wrote: > > I know this subject has probably been over done, but anyway. I am using a > Kenwood MC50 mic with my K2 and get reports that the audio is a little soft. > This is mainly noticeable on 20 and 17 meters, just does not punch through. > Naturally I run USB on 20 and 17. > > I have run spectrogram and also looked at the rf output with my scope with > various audio frequencies and the K2 is lacking higher frequency response on > USB on 80-17, this agrees with the spectrogram plots. Likewise the high > frequency response is down on LSB on 15-10 meters. This agrees with the > Spectrogram plots and rf output. So there is plenty of audio on LSB on 80, > 40 meters where you need it, and on 15-10 meters on USB. Unfortunately the > response is down on 20-17 meters on USB. This makes sense with the way the > mixing scheme works. > > The above is not serious and I can live with it, but if I can improve on it > I sure would like to. > > I like having a desk mic so the MH2 is out of the question. I have modified > my SSB board to have the 10K resistor at R14. I am now considering putting > a Heil HC4 or HC5 element in the Kenwood MC50. > > What is the general opinion is it worth upgrading to the Heil element and if > so what is the preferred one. I am not a DXer, but do want the signal to > have some punch. > > Thanks > > 72, > > Steve K4JPN > Elecraft K2 S/N 1422 ++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2001 19:28:35 -0700 From: Christine Cassidy Lontz Subject: [Elecraft] Heil mic and K2 On ssb qso I have gotten great sig reports and the audio quality is "Outstanding" according to those who are on the other end...Next week Im going to set up a tape recorder on a SW rx and play it back ...I have been using a gain settig of 2 and zero compression. Phil K2 1268 ++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 11:20:57 -0700 From: Wayne Burdick Subject: Re: [Elecraft] MH2 Microphone David, The MH2 has no function buttons, as is the case for Heil's other mics in this particular style. The straight-across connections on the Front Panel board's mic configuration connector are suggested in the event that we later add a mic that does have function buttons. The mic is labeled "Elecraft MH2" on one side. I'll let those who are using it comment on the audio qualities. 73, Wayne -------------- Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 18:46:04 +0100 From: David Pratt Subject: [Elecraft] MH2 Microphone Before spending $73 and ordering an MH2 microphone for my K2, I have a couple of questions about it... 1. Page 18 of the KSB2 manual shows the UP, DN and FUNC (pins 3, 4, & 5) of the microphone connector and used. Does this mean that the respective buttons are available on the MH2? Can both the PF1 and PF2 K2 functions be accessed from the MH2? Currently, I am using a Kenwood MC-43 microphone, wired up as described in the KSB2 manual. The UP and DWN buttons do toggle between VFO A and VFO B, but it does not have the Function key facility. 2. Did I read somewhere that the MH2 carries the Elecraft logo? The picture on the web site shows it with a Heil nameplate. My Kenwood MC-43 mike does work very well, but I am always willing to try something new if I can be assured it will be an improvement. 73 David G4DMP ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 05:33:33 -0500 From: Dave Gingrich K9DC Subject: Re: [Elecraft] PSK At 23:30 11/27/2001 -0500, John wrote: >I just installed the KSB2 SSB adapter and it seems to be working fine. I >also bought the MH2 microphone. The mic comes with a resister to install >between pin 1 (AF) and pin 6 (5v) of the mic connecter on the front panel. I >assume the resister is to supply power for the condenser mic element. My >question is, does this have any effect on PSK operations? Has anybody done >much digital work with the K-2? John- I do some PSK with my K2, and there was no impact when I added the resistor for my MH2. It also had no effect on my ability to use my previous Alinco microphone, which was dynamic and did not require the resistor for power. ===================================================== Dave Gingrich, K9DC - Indianapolis, Indiana USA K2 #2211, K1 #931, QRP-L #2376, ARS #1109, CCIE #6748 ++++++++++++++++++ From: "Sean Baxter" To: "Phillip Buckholdt" , Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K-2 SSB w/MH2 Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2002 16:41:27 -0500 Organization: Sean Baxter Phillip: Here is my experience with the K2 and the MH-2 mic. Best audio is at SSBA=2 and SSBC 1-1. By the way there is no difference between SSBA 2 and 3 as per manual. A setting of SSBC of 1-3 sounds highly compressed for my setup, even at SSBC at 1-2 there is very noticeable compression. Most stations prefer the SSBC 1-1 here. Your ALC of only 1 light is correct at full power output. Maybe even two ALC lights at most. If your turn your power down to 1 watt or less you should see more ALC lights at that power level. This is how the K2 should act with ALC. I asked Gary the same question. Hope that helps. Sean - K3XT #2311 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Phillip Buckholdt" To: Sent: Friday, February 15, 2002 10:47 AM Subject: [Elecraft] K-2 SSB w/MH2 > Hi All > > A question regarding audio level with a MH-2 microphone. Just got my > second K-2 on the air this week(#1033 and #2442). What level of ALC should > you see using a MH-2 mic? I I am using 5 Watts with a setting SSB A=3 and > SSB C=1-3 I get a max of 1 LED to light on the ALC meter. Is this abt right? > Using standard Fil 1 setting. I used a HB electret mic with my 1st K-2 and > it seem to me I got more ALC action. +++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 15 Jan 2003 20:50:38 -0800 From: Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft Organization: Elecraft To: harryweston at beeb.net Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Microphone -- what is it? Hi Hugh, All of the Heil MH2 microphone shells have an extra unused dynamic element in them when they arrive at Heil. Heil replaces that element with his higher quality condenser element that is optimal for the K2. Taking the old one out could actually damage the enclosure and will change its acoustic properties. Leaving it there does not degrade the audio. The foam in front of his new element is part of the acoustic design of the microphone. If none were there the enclosure would resonate and sound 'hollow'. The foam actually can pass a significant amount of audio. We chose this Heil microphone after extensive testing of a number of candidates. It was the best of the group. Its audio is punchy and well matched to the K2 with an excellent output level. So far we have shipped hundreds of the MH2 microphones and the feedback has been excellent. I use one on my personal K2 and so does Wayne. 73, Eric WA6HHQ +++++++++++++++