[TenTec] Mike & Eagle

Tue Aug 26 18:57:55 EDT 2014

On 8/26/2014 8:30 AM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote:
> Yes, the connectors are "tight" in terms of working space.  Too much
> heat, i.e. too large of a tip will transfer too much heat and things
> begin to melt.

----------------------------------------------------

John -- a couple of ideas...

You can make your life much easier if you purchase a commercially 
prepared Foster plug and cable, which is terminated with the ubiquitous 
8-pin Foster plug on one end, and terminated with stripped and tinned 
leads on the other end.  You can splice that to similarly stripped and 
tinned leads from another cable, sealing and insulating with shrink 
tubing, or terminate in a different plug, which is easier to work with 
and solder.  Nearly all my microphones and headsets have 3-pin XLR 
connectors, so I made a break out box with and XLR make on one end, and 
the 8-pin Foster plug on the rig end.  I mounted this under the desk and 
it makes it easy to swap microphones in an instant and keeps me from 
messing with the front panel mic connector.  It also routes the mic 
cable out of the way, as I cannot stand it running across the desk and 
over any notes I am taking.

One version is the MFJ-5208 OPEN END DIN CABLE, 8 PIN
See it here:

http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-5208

McKay Products sells one too, on eBay, but they cost a little more... 
maybe not if postage is involved... you be the Judge:

http://tinyurl.com/l59b9jx

OR, you can get W2ENY or maybe W7YEN - they make cables for guys, or you 
might even "coax" me into making an adapter cable for you... I am making 
a couple for another ham this week, so another would be no big deal.

Happy trials to ya.

-------------------  K8JHR  -----------------------

>
> For audio quality determinations, I prefer to use the "comparison"
> method. I'll outline my method.  This does require two suitable radios.
>
> Having the "monitor" radio being the 2nd radio connected to the computer
> for digital modes, I use that signal path along with a free software
> being AUDACITY to record the audio.  I first find a signal on the band
> that I think sounds specially good and I record about 30 seconds of that
> signal. That becomes my "reference" signal.  I also use external
> speakers on the computer and listen to both the reference signal and my
> test signal through these speakers.   Remember, the path much be
> identical for accurate comparisons.
>
> Now using the mike and radio of choice on a dummy load, same mode,
> frequency and such.  I transmit about 30 seconds while recording that
> transmission and then listen to it and the other signal.  AUDACITY
> allows one to easily switch between the two recorded segments.   By
> doing this one is using the exact audio path, computer, speakers and
> such to judge ones audio.  If it doesn't sound as you wish, then
> adjustments of any nature should be made.  This includes mike-to-mouth
> position or changes in audio levels, speech processing or even changing
> mikes.  Again repeat the process and each time a change is made and
> compare the new configuration to the reference signal that one thinks
> sounds specially good.
>
> Now admittingly, ones personal voice will not typically sound exactly
> like another's voice, but one can easily discern the differences.  When
> finished, just note the various values on the radio, the mouth-to-mike
> position and such.  From this one can be quite reasonably assured their
> signal will always sound great on the air.
>
> In using this process, if humm, clicks, buzz or such is heard on the
> comparative recordings, the source should be investigated and resolved.
>
> I will stress that using the Monitor mode or headphones while recording
> ones audio will not accurately  reveal the true audio sound.
>
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Farler" <k4avx1 at windstream.net>
> To: <tentec at contesting.com>
> Sent: Monday, August 25, 2014 8:57 PM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Mike & Eagle
>
>
>> Thanks for confirming what I've tried.  I think I'd better go
>> back and check that 8 pin connector pin-out again.  For
>> this old guys hands and eyes, I wish they had stayed with
>> the 4 pin connector  :>)
>>
>> The mini-din on the back caused me much grief.  It wanted
>> to melt - wonder if it came from radioshack!
>>
>> And yes, I was told that the headset mike I was using
>> on the OMNI 6+ sounded as good as the TT desk mike with
>> the same kind of element.  Ear piece quality is a consideration.
>> 73,
>> John, K4AVX
>>
>>> Message: 3
>>> Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 16:23:44 -0400
>>> From: Richards<jrichards at k8jhr.com>
>>> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment<tentec at contesting.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [TenTec] MIKE & Eagle
>>> Message-ID:<53FA49D0.1040205 at k8jhr.com>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
>>>
>>> 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.
>>
>> Message: 4
>> Date: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 14:16:24 -0700
>> From: Jim Brown<k9yc at audiosystemsgroup.com>
>> To:tentec at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TenTec] MIKE & Eagle
>>
>>
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