What kind of microphone do you use?

[WN9HJW]

What kind of microphone do you use on HF and why?

[KG4NEL]

Stock, hand-held.

[KA5ROW]

The SM-20 for Icom. Icom Pro III

[K9ASE]

I like the Headset because it allows me to combine a set of quality headphones with a quality mic, and remain hands free.

[K8ERV]

Stock mobile, or built-in HT.

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

[N0AZZ]

I use a Heil PR-781 boom setup most and a Heil Pro Set Plus Headset, Yaesu MD-200,MD-100,several different desk mic's for vintage Yaesu equipment, misc handheld mic's for mobile radios VHF to HF.

[WA4BRL]

#5, last choice.

http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o354/wa4brl/Radio/CzechRM-31a.jpg

This suits me just fine.

[K7IOA]

MC-50 on my TS-820, that is what it came with when I bought it. If I am using my IC718, I use the hand held stock mic, I really would like to get a desk mic for that too sometime.

[WA7PRC]

99% of the time, I use a Heil ProSet Plus headset. For ragchewing, I use the HC-5 mic element. For DX-ing or contesting, I use the HC-4 element. In either case, the microphone is always in the right spot. The phase reversal switch for the earphones sometimes makes the difference when trying to pull a weak station out of the QRN/QRM.

Once in a blue moon, I'll use an inexpensive unidirectional dynamic RS microphone (#33-3038 (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2123173), $20) that has a pretty doggone flat response. I'm often told "it sounds like a Heil". I spent more on the Hercules MS-540B (http://www.herculesstands.com/mics/MS540B.html) low-rise long-reach boomstand ($50). It's mounted to the shelf above my operating table.

Headset or not, I don't have a bulky microphone stand base in my way right in front of me. :D

[2E0OZI]

Love that Czech key Steve- its what I am going for in a week or so.

I use the stock hand held mic as I have no room for anything else - its a mess mainly because we dont have a garage to put all the junk in.....

[PA5COR]

Boom mounted Yaesu MD-1, going to the EQplus.
From there to the FT 2000 D.
The microphone is 35 years old or so, used on several set up's here, does the job quite well.
Always got excellent reports about the audio without asking for it.
Never change a winning team ;)

[KB3LAZ]

It varies. Currently I use the stock hand mic.

Mics used in the past on various radios:

Pr-20
Pr-40
Classic
MD-100
SM-6
SM-8
SM-20

[KA4EET]

My 30 year old MC 60 desk mike hooked to my brand new TS590S.

[WS4B]

Electrovoice RE-20 going into a seven piece audio chain. I'm almost 100% into Hi-Fi AM so it's all about sounding gooooooooood!

[K5PO]

I use a boom-mounted Heil PR-40 into some W2IHY gear feeding my Yaesu FT-2000. Don't see any need to change the setup. Does everything I could ever want.

[KI6USW]

Either an MXL V-88 condenser mic or a V-69 Mogami Edition condenser mic into a Behringer 2200 mic preamp and then into the ACC of a Kenwood TS-2000.
Works for me . . .

[KD8DEY]

Md100a8x on the 897. stock microphone in the mobile.

[VE3FMC]

A Heil GM-5 mounted on a Heil boom and shock mount for the FT-950.

Icom 7000 has a Heil iCM which is mounted on a mic stand I bought at the musical instrument store uptown for $25.

I use an old Turner Plus 3 desk mic on my FT-101E.

[G4LNA]

A Samson Qmic, it's obsolete now but it works fine. It was a left over from all the stage mics I had.

82967

[WB4WHJ]

What kind of microphone do you use on HF and why?
Hand held. I operate mobile most of the time.
73
Bo Wb4whj

[K8JD]

What kind of microphone do you use on HF and why?
I operate CW of HF.
I do use a handheld mic on mobile 10M, VHF and UHF rigs.

[WA7PRC]

I operate CW of HF.
I do use a handheld mic on mobile 10M, VHF and UHF rigs.
For me, fone at home and Morse while mobile. All HF... the VHF squawk box has about 15 years of dust on it. :D

[WA6MHZ]

I use cheap Chickenband set mics found at the swapmeet. Any old mic will do. Although Bob Heil's mics are the preferred ones, I am only interested in getting somewhat intelligible audio through a pileup. I don't care if the person on the other end thinks my voice sounds distorted or has the right highs and lows. The ONLY and I mean ONLY important thing is that he understand the letters of my callsign (and the 6 too). He only needs to know I am saying "W A 6 M H Z". Anything else I say is irrellavant to Ham radio!

[WA7PRC]

I use cheap Chickenband set mics found at the swapmeet. Any old mic will do. Although Bob Heil's mics are the preferred ones, I am only interested in getting somewhat intelligible audio through a pileup. I don't care if the person on the other end thinks my voice sounds distorted or has the right highs and lows. The ONLY and I mean ONLY important thing is that he understand the letters of my callsign (and the 6 too). He only needs to know I am saying "W A 6 M H Z". Anything else I say is irrellavant to Ham radio!
Oh, the HUMANITY!!! OTOH (IMO), it would make sense for hams to sound like big-time broadcasters, if big-time broadcasters tried to sound like hams. I don't think they want to. ;)

In order to increase my average transmitted power for DXing and contesting, I use an outboard box to squash the dynamic range and chop-off extraneous bandwidth (and tilt the highs up a bit). I also run with the internal speech processor on. Hi-fi it ain't but, until the big tower and yagi gets tilted up in the Spring, it does the trick. This is with a TS-850S (a rig that is popular with the big-time broadcaster wannabe crowd). :D

[K1DNR]

I wanna sound like that homeless guy from Ohio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H44OSIbTlAw Does Bob Heil make a mic for me? :rolleyes:

[N5AX]

I use a heil PR-40

[KC8CFM]

I am new to HF. I upgraded to General in November. I have an old TS-440SAT, which is as far as I am concerned all the radio I will ever need. Having said that, I would love to get a Heil Mic. Has any one used the new HM-12? If you have let me know what you think. Right now I have the stock handheld mic that came with the TS-440SAT but I really want one of Bob's mics. Also, can anyone give me the pros and cons for and against a boom and desk stand?

Thanks everyone
KC8CFM

[N0WYO]

I run an MC-60 for the TS-570. I plan on getting a Heil mic element for this mic in the near future.

[K3DAV]

Heil PR 30 on the Heil boom with shock mount connected directly to the radio. That's it in my avatar. It's a great match for my Icom 746PRO. Always get great compliments on HF SSB.

[VA3MYB]

After waiting a month for the Heil balanced cable (for Yaesu FT-950) I've finally hooked up an old stage mic i had from my short stint on stage. I hated seeing a good mic to to waste. I'm using an Audio-Technica atm61he with a Heil shock-mount and boom. The internal dsp works great with it. 1-30 for the local stuff and 3-27 or 4-26 when i really want the compression.

[KW9W]

It's a classy classic, D104
86834

[WA7PRC]

I am new to HF. I upgraded to General in November. I have an old TS-440SAT, which is as far as I am concerned all the radio I will ever need. Having said that, I would love to get a Heil Mic. Has any one used the new HM-12? If you have let me know what you think. Right now I have the stock handheld mic that came with the TS-440SAT but I really want one of Bob's mics. Also, can anyone give me the pros and cons for and against a boom and desk stand?
Hi Jeff,

If you can afford only one Heil product, buy one of their headsets. While you're at it, buy a footswitch. Then, you can operate AND have both hands free for logging, operating the rig, talking in Italian, etc. Also, the microphone is ALWAYS in the correct position, no matter which way you turn your head.

A distant second choice is a boom-mounted microphone. They're not as convenient as a headset but at least, valuable table space isn't unecessarily occupied by a microphone stand. I bought an inexpensive but quite good performing RS #33-3038 (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2123173) unidirectional dynamic microphone ($20). The Heil HM-12 appears to have similar specifications... for $50 more. I have the RS microphone on the end of a Hercules #MS540B long-reach low-rise boom (about $50), which is mounted to the shelf on my operating table.

[KF5FEI]

#5, last choice.

http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o354/wa4brl/Radio/CzechRM-31a.jpg

This suits me just fine.

Heh. I bought one of those at a hamfest because they were so cool. Found it funny that the plug is the exact dimensions of a European electric outlet. Can you imagine some kid finding it and plugging it in?

[K4LJP]

I use either a goosenecked Desk mic, or a boom mic, with a foot pedal. Anything hands free. I don't care for VOX.......
de Lee
K4LJP
73

[WA4BRL]

I bought this one at the Richmond Frostfest last month.

http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o354/wa4brl/Radio/001.jpg

But it's not to use; it's just to look at because it's so gorgeous.

[KB5UBI]

I have some old broadcast equipment left over from the 60s, so I put some to use.

The best audio reports out of my FT-950 have been with an AKG D24 studio mic on a desk stand. Some day, I plan to mount the D24 on a boom.

Number two on my list is my old AKG K-58 headset / mic which cancels all background noise. 90802

[KB9HGI]

Most of the time I use a desk mic yaesu MD-100 on my FT-450 but when contesting I use a Heil Headset pro 5

[W0DV]

Heh. I bought one of those at a hamfest because they were so cool. Found it funny that the plug is the exact dimensions of a European electric outlet. Can you imagine some kid finding it and plugging it in?

I posted on eham about 2 months ago asking advice for my first key to get. A kind ham sent the same czech key to me in the mail to borrow. Was he nice or what? I really enjoyed the Key. Nice action, heavy, stays put. I have a Chinese K-4 but I would like to get one of those Czech army key like you have pictured.

[VK6ZGO]

Old CB mic case with the insert from a dead Midland lowband VHF commercial rig.
Used to be a Toshiba insert from an old CB,but it went to mic insert heaven!;)

73,VK6ZGO

[VK6ZGO]

I use cheap Chickenband set mics found at the swapmeet. Any old mic will do. Although Bob Heil's mics are the preferred ones, I am only interested in getting somewhat intelligible audio through a pileup. I don't care if the person on the other end thinks my voice sounds distorted or has the right highs and lows. The ONLY and I mean ONLY important thing is that he understand the letters of my callsign (and the 6 too). He only needs to know I am saying "W A 6 M H Z". Anything else I say is irrellavant to Ham radio!

The distortion is probably "pre-microphone" anyway,Pat!;);)


73,VK6ZGO

[KD5IBU]

Can not beat a marshall r-144 ribbon mic and the cost is reasonable. around 85.00 free shipping B&H video and audio. com

[W0UZR]

The light in the room made this look yellow plastic, but it's a grey steel. I always wanted to work at a radio station but never got hired, so I decided that I was going to use the microphone that I would have been in front of anyway. I don't care if I sound wide, broadcast or professional or not. Just happy that it works

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/6540/4a980defe520d1882548198.jpg

[WA8UEG]

50/50. Heil headset HC4 or MC60 boom mounted and optimized with EDSP for the FT1000MP. I had the Yaesu mic and a Heil but on air test without saying which was which over a month and over 150 QSO's both local and DX ended up with the vast majority liking the MC60 the best.

[K3ROJ]

The only reason I use a Heil PRO40 is because of my Flex 5000A. The 5000A has a very good built-in 10band equalizer and with the PRO40 on a boom with a anti vibration mount, I was told my audio sounds as good as Don Imus on commercial radio.

[K3ROJ]

Many years I used an ordinary crystal type microphone but when getting my Flex Radio 5000A, we went to the Heil PRO 40 which is top of the line. The Flex radio has a builtin 10 channel audio equalizer and am told I sound as good or better than Don Imus who is our hero.

[WA7PRC]

The only reason I use a Heil PRO40 is because of my Flex 5000A. The 5000A has a very good built-in 10band equalizer and with the PRO40 on a boom with a anti vibration mount, I was told my audio sounds as good as Don Imus on commercial radio.
And yet, we're talking about Amateur Radio. If we needed to use a bunch of expensive audio gear, it would be Professional Radio. I've done both, and know the difference.

The few times I feel inclined to use other than my headset, I use an inexpensive $20 unidirectional dynamic microphone. I get a lot of reports that it sounds like an expensive Heil PRO40. People tell me I look as good on Amateur Radio as Don Imus does on Professional Radio. :p

[WB2WIK]

Don Imus sounds like an old guy to me.

I'd rather sound younger.:p

Oh yeah, that's right...he is an old guy. Silly me.

[KA5S]

Mostly hand-held. I have a couple of desk mikes, but if using more than one radio at a time, coupled audio can be a problem. With hand mikes, you can turn mike gain down and talk close up.

Cortland
KA5S

[WW7F]

Heh. I bought one of those at a hamfest because they were so cool. Found it funny that the plug is the exact dimensions of a European electric outlet. Can you imagine some kid finding it and plugging it in? NAh, It is just versatile, not only can you use it with a rig, you can plug it in and have an impromptu spark gap transmitter;P!
73 everyone, Michelle:) P.S. Love the key pretty nice!

[N8WWM]

Kenwood MC-50. I use it because I have heard it on the air and it sounds just peachy on my TS-680.

73 Doug

[AF6LJ]

I use cheap Chickenband set mics found at the swapmeet. Any old mic will do. Although Bob Heil's mics are the preferred ones, I am only interested in getting somewhat intelligible audio through a pileup. I don't care if the person on the other end thinks my voice sounds distorted or has the right highs and lows. The ONLY and I mean ONLY important thing is that he understand the letters of my callsign (and the 6 too). He only needs to know I am saying "W A 6 M H Z". Anything else I say is irrellavant to Ham radio!

That works...
It's all about getting the message from point A to point B...
Stock Hand mike here on the Icoms.
Chickenband mike on the Tempo and Kenwood.
I have a D-104 that needs a little TLC I may use in the future....

[WG8Z]

Shure sm-58 on the Boom, Shure 522 for the Desk, Shure wh-20 for the Headset.
If their good enough for Rock/n/Roll they should do fine for Amateur Radio.;)

[KA9MOT]

Cheap MXL 990 with a home brew (not by me) 48V phantom power supply. It has replaced my $1 computer mic. Both mics got great audio reports.

[N8DRC]

Heil ICM on a boom, Heil Foot Switch on a Icom-746

[AD4DQ]

I use Turner desk mic's with Ceramic elements. One has the factory element. The others had bad elements so I replaced them.
I also have 1 Shure 444 which is pretty nice too.

[J85K]

What kind of microphone do you use on HF and why?




I use a Shure SM 2 (Stereo) broadcast headset microphone.

Initially, I was loaned a single-sided Shure SM 12A (designed for drummers / guitarist etc) which fit into the ear canal; and it is a 'love or hate' decision. It allowed me to listen at extremely low volumes for long periods, while keeping the microphone optimally positioned to my mouth. Two hands on the key board (via foot-switch) is a big plus, plus!
One day I got up from the operating position and snagged the line. SM 12A is no longer manufactured, and I was obliged to convert to SM2. Same microphone element.

I do plan to try the Sennheiser HMD 26-600S single-sided headphone in the future......

[K3ROJ]

I used the SM20 desk mic for my ICOM 756 PRO which is great. However, with my recent purchase of a Flex 5000A, we use the Heil PRO40 boom mounted since the Flex radio has balanced Mic input.

[WA6MHZ]

I would sure LOVE to have a Heil mike!!! But at HRO they are towards $200!!! HOLY MACKERAL!!!

[WA7PRC]

I would sure LOVE to have a Heil mike!!! But at HRO they are towards $200!!! HOLY MACKERAL!!!
There's a reason they're not giving them away. They're not junque though they're priced high. 99% of the time, I use a Heil ProSet Plus headset with their FS2 footswitch. For ragchewing, I use the HC-5 mic element. For DX-ing and contesting, I use the HC-4 element. In either case, the microphone is always in the right spot. The phase reversal switch for the earphones sometimes makes the difference when trying to pull a weak station out of the QRN/QRM.

Once in a blue moon, I'll use an inexpensive unidirectional dynamic RS microphone (#33-3038 (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2123173), $20) that has a pretty doggone flat response. I'm often told "it sounds like a Heil". I spent more on the Hercules MS-540B (http://www.herculesstands.com/mics/MS540B.html) low-rise long-reach boomstand ($50). It's mounted to the shelf above my operating table.

Headset or not, I don't have a bulky microphone stand base in my way right in front of me. :D

[W6UV]

Heil headset.

[W7UUU]

I've been a 99% CW op since 1974... but trying hard to get into SSB these days.
Feels awkward LOL!! But getting used to it.... it certainly IS easier to convey more
information in less time than 15-WPM CW as I've done for almost 40 years.

So when I bought my FT-950, I also ordered the MD-100 desk mic to match. I
have found I like it - fits my situation well - just gotta get over using a mic over
using a key - for those who have done SSB/AM/FM forever and never done CW
you probably think I'm nuts... but fellow CW heads will know what I mean LOL!!

:)

WB7AWK

[KJ4VTH]

Stock mike on all my radios until I got a Yamaha CM-500 headset for contesting.

[N0NCO]

I usually use my boom-mounted MD-100 on my FT-950. I sometimes use a Logitech wireless headset that I have programmed to control the VFO & PTT via my PC, which allows me to operate the rig from anywhere in the house or out on the deck. I use a hand-held on the mobile, and either a hand-held or headset on the HT.

[AE7NT]

I chose "boom mic" since it's my choice -- but -- I only use that on AM. I have a FENDER mic (just because I already had it when I put things together) feeding a Shure pre-amp feeding a 528E mic processor (pre-amp in the processor is bad, and that's why I have it - it was a throw-away where I work) feeding a slightly modified Viking II (it still uses the 807 modulators, but the audio stages prior to the 807's have been deleted and a different inter-stage transformer is used). A small audio amp is between the processor and the V-II. Yes, I like to work AM. As for all my other rigs, it's just the stock mics that came with them.

[W7KKK]

I really prefer my Proset 6. I have a hearing problem and it helps.
When I do use must the mic I just use the stock mic that came with the radio.

[W9OS]

MD-100 on both FT-900CAT and FT-950...All ways get good reports..

[KE6KA]

The stock mic on the IC-7000. No mods. I have had good audio reports on SSB. I've been told it is a little low of FM, but I didn't buy it for FM, so I don't care.

I seem to have misplaced the stock mic for the FT-920 in the last move. I've been considering a desk mic for that anyway.

[KA3VVV]

I use MXL 990.

[K8JD]

on my mobile for 3/4M I have a HMN4069. it is the good sized hand held microphone.
HF rigs have whatever came with them stowed in a drawer.

[WA7PRC]

on my mobile for 3/4M I have a HMN4069. it is the good sized hand held microphone.
HF rigs have whatever came with them stowed in a drawer.
I found the best microphone to use while mobile is my Vibroplex keyer paddle. It picks up very little road noise. ;)

[K1VSK]

Toss up between a Bencher and a Vibroplex

[KC8VCX]

I use the stock hand-held(s) with a row of mic clips across the front of an eye-level shelf. No room on my desk for anything fancier.

[W5WAY]

Heil mic on a boom - desktop real estate is precious in my 96 sq. ft. shack which is also my tool crib / storage shed.

[KF5KGN]

It depends upon the situation.

[KB5DOH]

For my main base radio I use a Astatic D-104 non/amplified some will ask why ? well it happens to work best with my Swan 350, my other radios I use a stock hand-mic which works best for the radio being used.

[N0IU]

Heil PR-781

[K1FBI]

ATR-1300... cheap but cheerful.

[KQ0J]

MC-50 - been serving me well for 30 years.

[VA3DUX]

Using Yeasu MH-31 only problem was installing the RJ45 connector, had to tin the ground wire to enable insertion into the connector, what a joy that was, pleased with the Mic.

[K4JC]

For ragchewing and casual DXing I use a boom mounted Sennheiser e835. It has smooth, clean audio that I've been told sounds better than the Heil Goldline I used to use. For contesting or when I need to do a lot of writing (such as for a net) I use a Heil Proset Elite. Good crisp TX audio, and I like the phase reversal switch on the headphones.

[KC8RLU]

I use several Shure SM58s, an SM57, Shure Unidyne-B Model 515SB, Audio Technica AT892s fed to a pair of AT2000 wireless units, Samson SE10Ts fed to a pair of Shure UHF wireless units and a Heil Goldline GM-4. Mostly because of my job as sound, lighting and computer technician for a local church. All the mics feed into an old Mackie SR24-4, then to several EQs and then to a few QSC amps fed to several speakers (wedge monitors and FOH).

I'd like to switch out to better mics, but I can't decide which one: the Heil PR20 series or Beyerdynamic M-88s (classic or recent models). I like the M-88s, but the $400-dollar-each price tag is killing me.

[WB2WIK]

I use several Shure SM58s, an SM57, Shure Unidyne-B Model 515SB, Audio Technica AT892s fed to a pair of AT2000 wireless units, Samson SE10Ts fed to a pair of Shure UHF wireless units and a Heil Goldline GM-4. Mostly because of my job as sound, lighting and computer technician for a local church. All the mics feed into an old Mackie SR24-4, then to several EQs and then to a few QSC amps fed to several speakers (wedge monitors and FOH).

I'd like to switch out to better mics, but I can't decide which one: the Heil PR20 series or Beyerdynamic M-88s (classic or recent models). I like the M-88s, but the $400-dollar-each price tag is killing me.

I have two Heil PR40s on booms. Can't go wrong with the darned things, they're bulletproof and flat as a board, and will take a lot of sound pressure without distortion (very good for very "close talking," which allows minimum mike gain and zero background noise pickup).

I like them a lot and would buy them again.

I've tried a lot of stuff, though. No external EQ systems or anything, just use the mikes straight into the rigs. They seem to sound good on everything.

But, like many studio mikes, they're fairly large and heavy. Wouldn't want to have to hand-hold one, wouldn't want to use one on a desk stand.

[WD4CHP]

I use the one that came with the radio.

I have others from astic to turner but the one that came with it matches tho radio.

[K2NCC]

mic? mic? who needs a microphone?

hmmm... I might have one around here in a box somewhere....

[K8ERV]

I use what comes with the (VHF) rig.

My golden voice does not need embellishment.

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

[AA2HM]

Heil PMD-6 headset with HS-2 hand switch. very comfortable.