[TenTec] Good Mike Technique

[Jim Brown]

On 2/25/2014 2:02 PM, Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote:
> I can agree with Jim on this.
>
> Proper use of compression  {emphasis on "proper} does raise the 
> average audio level.  Excessive compression can cause a "pumping" sound. 

Yes. In general, audible pumping is most often caused by bass content, 
which is another reason for rolling off the low end of TX audio in ham 
systems.

> Compression with incorrect attack and release times, largely defined 
> by the program content, can also make things better or worse.    
> Compressors with automatic variable ratio attack and release times 
> plus variable input to output ratios do a really nice job to hold the 
> audio level up and do not artificially color the sound.  The 
> Teltronics LA-2A is a good example.  Also the CBS Labs VolumeMax  is 
> another good one. 

That's some pretty old iron, Bob. :)   TX compression is done quite well 
in the Elecraft K3 and KX3, and I suspect Ten Tec stuff of recent 
vintage performs well. Although Al Kahn was a CW guy, he was one of the 
two founding partners of Electro Voice, and started Ten Tec with the 
proceeds from selling EV.

73, Jim K9YC