[TenTec] Ten Tec has "good audio" on Scout

[rohre]

Brian and group,
Got to jump in here, as you might not have experience with the TT Scout, and
the QRP brother, Argo.

I have received many "good Audio" reports while using several mikes on my
Scout.  Both at 50 watts SSB, and 5 watts SSB!

One most often used is the venerable D 104 crystal mike, non-amplified.
Others include a bullet type Astatic, an Electro Voice hand mike, and these
also are unamplified.  Those last two are dynamic element mikes.

Audio quality may depend on how long the cable is between your mike and rig. 
(When using high impedance mikes such as those mentioned above.)  Also, the
individual's voice features must enter in.  No one mike sounds "best" with all
voices.  Mike cable should be low capacitance mike cable, not some other
random wire found in the junk box.

My voice does not have a lot of bass, nor does it have the old "radio" quality
of the announcers of old time radio networks.  But, I think one has to be
careful that you are using the right impedance, and if high, a modest length
cable to a mike.  You also, have to choose a mike that fits the acoustics of
the shack.  An omni mike and a noisey shack such as near the utility room, or
TV certainly won't mix.  A directional mike would be better for such a
setting. A lamentable thing from the CB days was the proliferation of
amplifers on desk mikes, IMHO.  A crystal D-104 is already one of the highest
voltage output mikes because of the piezoelectric element.  

If the computer is near the mike, you may get undesired coupling of high and
lower frequencies from the Monitor, fans, etc.

Just as there are communications earphones, there are more
communications-suited mikes.  It is interesting to me, that one of the least
acoustically tuned mikes is the D-104, and I probably get the most compliments
on it.  Keep it simple is sometimes the best way.

You might borrow some mikes until you find one best suited to your voice. 
PS-Received audio on the Scout sounds good too!  Use both speaker and military
high impedance, (15,000 ohms), headphones.

73, Stuart K5KVH

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/tentecfaq.htm
Submissions:              tentec@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  tentec-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-tentec@contesting.com
Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm