eHam

eHam Forums => Boat Anchors => Topic started by: N2ZD on February 22, 2023, 06:57:56 AM

Title: What mic are you using on your KWM-380?
Post by: N2ZD on February 22, 2023, 06:57:56 AM

  I picked one of these up and I’m interested to know what mic you use on yours and why.
   Mine came with a D-104, but you had to drive it hard to make it work. I did read of a guy who built a preamp for his.
   I opted to swap the D-104 for a Shure 444D and it seems to be a better match for the rig. I’m wondering what other guys are using on theirs.

Regards, Richy N2ZD
Title: Re: What mic are you using on your KWM-380?
Post by: ZS5WC on February 22, 2023, 09:22:47 AM
 :)I use a Shure 444, Turner +2 or 3 will also work well.
73 de William, ZS4L / ZS5WC
Title: Re: What mic are you using on your KWM-380?
Post by: N5XJT on February 22, 2023, 11:00:19 AM
Hard to beat the Shure 444 Hi-Z.
Title: Re: What mic are you using on your KWM-380?
Post by: KD6VXI on February 22, 2023, 11:39:48 AM
D104 with source follower.  Bam.  Up to 9 volts of audio munkey swing!

Put a switch and 2 resistors in it and now you have a polarity flipper!   Set for most pep output at lowest audio drive level and you know it's set correctly.  If you have a symmetrical voice it won't matter.

You can use a 500k fixed resistor and a 10 Meg pot across the mic element to adjust the tonal quality from near flat to a high pitched ssb screamer the amplified D104s are known for.

The D104 is a magical mic.  Put a good preamp, with a couple megohm input impedance on a non amplified one and it will keep up with any RE or other mic out there.

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI
Title: Re: What mic are you using on your KWM-380?
Post by: N8YX on February 23, 2023, 12:11:40 PM
IIRC, OEM mic was a Telex 75x series, just re-badged (like Drake did with the Astatic 878).
Title: Re: What mic are you using on your KWM-380?
Post by: N2ZD on February 24, 2023, 03:54:02 AM
Thanks for your input gents! I'm going to mod my D-104 and keep the 444D as well.

Regards, Richy N2ZD