[TenTec] MIKE & Eagle

[Bob McGraw - K4TAX]

I agree that as part of ham radio, we are not professionals.  However, there 
is nothing standing in our way to learn and improve.

I am finding more and more that proper mike technique is missing and thus 
this contributes largely to poor audio quality.  Now poor audio does not 
mean that the audio is distorted, nor does it mean that one has humm or buzz 
on their signal.   These are obvious audio faults and should be corrected.

Look at the big picture, does the voice sound full bodied and natural?  It 
should.

Is the noise heard from the background of activities in the room or amp fans 
blowing?  These should not be heard and can be corrected by working close to 
the mike and reducing mike gain and or reducing speech processor activity..

Is there noise caused by the inhale and exhale of breath?  This should not 
be heard and can be corrected by proper mike position.

Is the excessive noise caused by improper mike gain or excessive speech 
processing levels.  This should not be heard and can be corrected by the 
operator.

Someone said that we should talk across the face of the mike.  Speaking of 
professionals, do you ever see one of them doing this?   Nope!  They work 
tight and straight on axis with a proper wind screen or blast filter.

Someone said that we should hold the mike at arms length from the face.  Oh 
boy, talk about needed mike gain and picking up surrounding noise.  This is 
a good way to achieve that and this is not going to result in good sounding 
audio.  If you wish to work 12" to 18" from the mike then one best have a 
very quiet room and one that is acoustically quite good in that regard. 
Most of us don't have that privilege nor facility.

As a rule, for communication purposes, the mike should be used on axis and 
at a distance of 1" to no more than the length of one fist for a 
mouth-to-mike distance.  If then there are issues, address the issues with 
pop or breath filters, proper mike gain and speech processor gain and if one 
uses any type of EQ then that should be addressed as well.

As was stated earlier, if you use a headset type mike, position the mike at 
the corner of the mouth, between the mouth and the chin.  When one opens the 
mouth the chin drops and thus the mike is aligned with the open mouth.  If 
the mike is positioned too high the only thing emitting sound is largely 
nasal coming from the nose.  This too high position also contributes to a 
large amount of noise from the inhale and exhale process.  Headset or boom 
mikes are great of one is prone to looking around the room while talking. 
In this case it maintains proper and constant mouth-to-mike position.

Yes, we do need to learn and improve.  And the best part, it doesn't cost 
any money.

73
Bob, K4TAX


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Froiseth Richard" <Rfwd6dok at centurylink.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2014 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] MIKE & Eagle


Richard,
I agree with what you have said.  I will make a point to use your suggestion 
when on the air.  I also appsheate you taking the time to pass on your 
expertise in this area to educate the Ham Radio community.   But just 
remember it's Ham radio, we are not professionals.


73’s
Rich, WD6DOK







On Aug 24, 2014, at 6:02 PM, Richards <jrichards at k8jhr.com> wrote:

> Agreed... all points. YES, a wind screen is a good plan, for both audio 
> quality and sanitation... and a little care in mic placement can also be a 
> huge help.
>
> One of the most common ham radio mistakes (I think) is poor headset 
> microphone placement.  It should  be placed to the side, just off the 
> corner of the mouth,  where one is far less likely to breath, puff and pop 
> into it... but not too far out, just enough to the side to be clear of 
> your breathing.
>
> BUT THE WORST ASPECT IS that PRODUCT PHOTOS AND SALES LITERATURE OFTEN 
> DEPICT THE MICROPHONE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE SPEAKER'S MOUTH AND RIGHT 
> UNDER HIS NOSE -  and that makes it difficult to convince operators to 
> move it over and out of the way.    This is another example of Marketing 
> having NO CLUE what Engineering is doing.   Even companies producing 
> speech recognition software, and companies making commercial phone center 
> headsets,  have marketing photos depicting the microphone RIGHT UNDER 
> THEIR NOSES...  (pun intended)  where it is most likely to pick up huffs, 
> puffs and especially pops from plosives like P and T and B, etc.
>
> One of my biggest pet peeves in ham radio is the old timer who huffs, 
> puffs and pops his way through a conversation about how to be a good 
> operator.    Ohhhh ...  that really burns me up!  (Say this last line 
> aloud in your best Yosemite Sam voice...)      ;-)
>
> =================== K8JHR  ========================
>
>
>
> On 8/24/2014 5:16 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
>> For ham applications, I generally agree, although the windscreen can make 
>> a big difference in breath pops and spittiness. To me, the most difficult 
>> things to get right are comfort, build quality, isolation from room 
>> sounds, and headphone quality. I'd be surprised if the cost of electret 
>> element in the most expensive ham mic exceeds $0.50.
>>
>
>
>
>
>
> =============================================================
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