Jeff, The Heil HC4 and HC5 elements have 6 to 10 dB less output than other dynamic mics - that doesn't make them bad, it is just a fact of life. The other fact of life is that the K2 does not have a mic gain control (other than SSBA parameter in the menu), and it just does not have sufficient reserve gain to make up for the low output of the Heil HC4 and HC5 mic elements.
You have several options: 1.) A preamp on the mic input; 2.) Increase the value of R14 on the KSB2 board from its current value of 1k to something in the range of 5k to 10k (several folks have had success with just this change); or 3.) Install the KI6WX KSB2 Increased Gain Mod which adds additional gain to the K2 in the RF section of the KSB2 board rather than just increasing the audio. If you will be using other mics with more output on the K2, I suggest using the preamp solution, but if you will always use the HC4/HC5 elements, then you may find one of the other two options meet your needs without an external preamp box (you may be able to squeeze a preamp inside the K2 if you are careful with construction and mounting). 73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > > I am running the K2 with a Heil HC4/HC5 element in a dual element Heil > HM10 mic. I was thinking of trying a preamp while I had the rig on the > bench, but am I moving in the right direction or is there something else > I should be focusing on as to the optimization of my SSB signal. > > Thanks as always. > 73/72 > Jeff - VA3JFF > Canadian QRP Award http://www3.symaptico.ca/wjhetherington/cqa.htm > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.8/71 - Release Date: 8/12/2005 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
