Dave,
Such is the situation with most all amateur equipment. I figure it got
started when the manufacturers started making additions to the features
on the microphones. The old 4 pin microphone connector is largely a
thing of the past - but it was easy - 1 pin for AF, another for AF
Ground, one for PTT and the 4th for PTT ground - there were versions
that used only one common ground pin and used the remaining pin for a
voltage (some Ten-Tec transceivers for instance).
Once microphones were equipped with more than a PTT button, more pins
were needed, and each manufacturer made up their own pinout - and the
microphones became unique to the rigs produced by that manufacturer.
The result is that we have the chaos that is with us today.
An easy solution is to just bite the bullet and buy an Elecraft
microphone, or buy a Heil with a Kenwood adapter. Bob Heil explained to
me that his microphones (except for those with an electret element (such
as those for the Icom - iC suffix) had only 4 pins - AF, AF Ground, PTT
and PTT Ground - his adapters routed his 'standard' 4 pin arrangement to
the proper pins of the transceiver. The Heil Kenwood adapters do not
use either pins 5 or 6, so there is no conflict between the Elecraft
pinout and the Kenwood for *his* adapters.
73,
Don W3FPR
Dave Yarnes wrote:
Well, what it tells me (I think) is that I had better get busy and
make up a conversion cable, swapping pins 5 and 6, if I want to use
any Kenwood microphones.
I guess I'm curious as to why Elecraft felt it necessary to make this
pin swap. In the K2 we could simply wire that rig any way we wanted.
So why not go with a more standard pinout for the K3? I guess I'll
have to ask the gurus in Aptos that question. Truth is, I probably
know the answer.
By the way, Heil doesn't even show an adapter cable for Elecraft
stuff. Maybe that's because the K2 could be wired internally multiple
ways. But now that the K3 has established a hard-wired standard,
possibly they will.
It's just too bad we can't have more standardization in things. But
we see this kind of thing all the time. For example, Icom has their
own unique type connectors for separation cables, etc. Translated,
this means "not easily reproduced". Sony is one of the worst--try
using after market stuff on their products--even their power
connectors are relatively unique. Don't even get me started on power
connectors with all the differing inside and outside dimensions!
Sure, some situations dictate using smaller or larger, but generally
it seems we could get by very well with just 3 or 4 sizes instead of
having 15 or 20!
So, my next question is, how are the microphones sold by Elecraft
wired? I don't see any real disclosure about the actual pinouts on
the website. I assume they are wired exactly to match the rig, which
means I might not be able to use one of those with my Kenwood. Making
my own adapter isn't that big a deal, just a pain in the butt.
Dave W7AQK
----- Original Message ----- From: "Don Wilhelm" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "'Elecraft'" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 9:01 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] microHAM K3 cables ...
Joe,
That is why I internally 'bristle' a bit when I hear folks say that the
Elecraft microphone is the same as Kenwood. Even Bob Heil had made that
statement to me when I specifically addresses it with him last year at
Dayton. Perhaps he really meant that the pinout was the same with
respect to *his* microphones, or perhaps he had never checked about the
pin 5, pin 6 swap.
Remember that 'compatible' does not necessarily mean 'equivalent'.
73,
Don W3FPR
Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
Argh! Another case of being "almost the same." This breaks a lot of
good Kenwood mics - MC-44, MC-55, MC-60, MC-80, MC-85 - when they are
powered from the radio.
It’s this kind of "hidden" design departures that are extremely
frustrating to users and third party vendors alike.
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [email protected]
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
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [email protected]
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
