Boosting mic gain on ken wood TM 281

[KC5UUS]

Have a handicapped buddy with a very low voice. So how do I boost the mic gain on his TM 281?

[WB2WIK]

According to the service manual copy I have, there is no mike gain adjustment on the TM-281. There is a maximum deviation level adjustment, which is three possible settings for low, medium and high. You need to get the rig into the "adjustment mode" by shorting a couple of terminals on an internal circuit board while powering the rig on.

But deviation and mike gain are two different things.

First thing I'd recommend is to assure your buddy is "close talking" the microphone by holding it right up against his lips and not farther away than that. The mikes are all somewhat noise-canceling and need to be "close talked." Using one from a few inches away works poorly with all of them that I've tried. Is he doing that already?

[KC5UUS]

Well actually with his handicap which is cerebral paulsey. He starts out holding the mic close but doesn't seem to b able to sustain holding it close. So thought a mic boost would b the answer.

[N3JBH]

Wonder if a headset would work for him then ??? I do not know about this type of handicap so if my suggestion is not correct i do apologize for it. I just thinking of a solution as well.

[K6LCS]

A Heil Traveler Single-side headset with HSTA-KM cable ... or there's a firm that advertises every month in QST magazine for headsets ... Think of a headset rather than anything he needs to change on HIS end. I mean, do not make him hold the mic close for long periods. Not even a boom mic - if he gets uncomfortable for any reason, even a boom mic might not be the answer. But a lightweight headset-mic keeps the audio "close" (at his ear) and keeps the mic in proper position - he will not have to worry about those two factors!

Clint K6LCS