John --
My test for mic quality is to make a recording on the computer using a
low sampling rate, maybe 11.5 Hz - and if it sounds OK, then it should
sound OK on the air. If not, try another model.
There was a good discussion in a brief article, with schematics for
various condenser type microphone headset designs, on page 64 of the
November 2013 QST Magazine, which match computer gaming headsets to
transceiver microphone inputs. Perhaps that would be of some assistance
as you match a computer headset to the rig.
Personally I prefer an L-pad voltage divider to a single resistor, as I
am told (by others who know more than I do ) that makes it easier to
predict the level of attenuation. I also employ a capacitor to
guaranty DC stays off the audio input (although K9YC is undoubtedly
correct modern radios are likely internally protected already ) - I like
belt and suspenders redundancy, I guess.
As for sound quality of various sets, I figure the microphones vary
least, while earphone receivers vary most. Most gaming headsets employ
a $2 (or cheaper!) electret condenser microphone capsule and often sound
the same - differences are caused more by the acoustics of the mic shell
and boom arm assembly than differences in capsule characteristics.
Thus, "most" any inexpensive headset should produce acceptable
communications grade audio, and sound good on the air. I doubt if
YaeComWood uses any better or more expensive capsules in the supplied
hand microphones... and they sound good enough on the air. I have
sample recordings of LOADS of little microphones, and they are all
pretty much equivalent. My favorite are found on eBay for $1
delivered. No one has ever correctly selected a sound sample from it,
from among several other samples of expensive gaming headsets. You can
buy little condenser capsules at Radio Shack for $2, and they sound great.
I recently repaired my friend's favorite Yamaha CM-500 headset which had
developed an intermittent in the microphone wiring scheme - replacing
the entire boom arm with one from a very cheap $5 headset acquired on
eBay.com - and he is thrilled it works as well as it did before. So,
in my take, microphone quality is not (usually) the determining factor
in one's purchase decision.
In contrast, earphone receiver quality can vary substantially. So
variation in earphone quality determines the price point where you may
find happiness.
Many hams have had success with the above mentioned circuits published
in QST - in fact I recently built one for a ham with Parkinson's
Disease. Those with more patience than I ( like K4TAX) can mount all
the components inside an 8-pin Foster plug - while go right to
surrender, and build them on small PCBs in plastic or metal project
boxes. (photos of both types available on request...)
Anyway - post me off list if you would like photos or more info on
matching this type of headset to the rig.
------------------------ K8JHR ---------------------
On 8/23/2014 12:18 PM, John wrote:
I've had good luck on the older TT's using a computer mic on
them for contesting using the vox in the radio and the headset.
I have tried different
circuits with the Eagle, using the 9 V. line for the mike, and
using a circuit with a 9 v. battery dropped to 5 v. regulated.
So far, no circuit works.
I'm thinking maybe the gain control internal to the Eagle
might need to be adjusted. The hand mike works fine
on VOX, but I want a cheap headset, and don't want
to spend a fortune on a "ham" headset.
Any ideas?? Anyone had experience with another
mike besides the TT one?
Thanks, 73,
John, K4AVX
k4avx1@windstream.net
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