[TenTec] Orion Mic Woes - Sounds like RFI but Wasn't

[k8vf_mark at centurytel.net]

I just got an Orion which I bought used.

In an effort to be ready, I took one of my 4 mics used on my Omni VI, and V, 
and Paragon II, and removed the shield from  pin 2 and attached it to the 
connector case.

Mic is unuseable. On Dummy LOAD. This is not an rf issue here.

Put the shield back on pin 2 where it was on all of my other TT rigs, sounds 
fine.

The Ten Tec model 700 I have does not have the shield to the case, it works 
fine.

My Heil proset sounds terrible. I moved the shield from pin 2 to the 
connector case, still sounds terrible.

Again, all of this is on the dummy load.


A question on mic cables.

Except for a D-104, all mics I have seen have 3 wires plus shield.
Usually white for mic audio, red and black (or blue) for PTT and shield is 
mic ground.

I dont recall ever seeing a separate shield that is not mic audio return.

My Ten Tec mic does not have this extra wire, nor does my MC-50.

What procedure should we use with 3 wires plus shield(mic return) mics?
In my reading on this issue, I dont get a definitive answer. (possible I've 
missed something).

I just want the Heil Proset to work on the Orion like it has on many other 
rigs.

Thanks in advance.

Mark