Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Kenwood MC-60A

Category: Microphones for ham radio

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Kenwood MC-60A
Reviews: 54MSRP: 145.00
Description:
Desktop Deluxe Microphone
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.rigpix.com/accessories/kenwood_mc60.jpg
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15544.4
KC9HDZ Rating: 2007-03-29
Good over all mic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have had this mic for over 1.5 years and like it. I purchased it used for around $90.00 and it was in perfect shape. I now have it mounted on a boom and still using the PTT base. Nice combo.

The only reason for giving it less then a 5-Great! is the preamp, sort of useless.

Good mic for any Kenwood radio.
N5MDM Rating: 2007-01-25
Nice Base Mic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The MC-60A is a nice solid feeling mic. Internal Mic Amp. may or may not work on your radio. On my TS-50 I cant use the Mic. Amp, VR's in the TS-50 for ssb/am/fm were not cranked up at that time either. With the Mic amp off the Mic sounds great. On My Kenwood 940S I can use the Mic amp but the processor must be off & the Mic gain on the radio no more than 4 on the front face of the TS-940. I think most who own this mic don't use the Mics amp. You would think Kenwood could improve on this mic, but I think it has remained the same for years. No RF issues noted so far. Overall I like the Mic and have many good reports with the Mic amp off. I'll give it 4 of 5 for the amp issue.

Dave N5MDM 73's
K6YE Rating: 2007-01-24
AWESOME ICROPHONE Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my unit from Henry Radio in Los Angeles after acquiring a TS-430S. I received great audio reports on SSB. I later sold the TS-430S to purchase an ICOM IC-761. I rewired the microphone and added a resistor for the up/down function to work correctly. It really performed well. I kept the microphone when I sold the IC-761 (bought an FT-1000D) and may use it with a IC-775DSP. I never had RF problems (I always use ferrite beads on everything including microphone cords). It is a great mike and IMHO, you will be satisfied with its performance.

Semper Fi,

Tommy - K6YE
DX IS
TI2TL Rating: 2006-12-21
Very good sound Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have my MC-60 working with a TS-930S and the sound that I get out of it is great. I personaly heard some recordings of my station and it sounds as clear and as good as a telephone line. I can recomend this mic to anyone. I also tried a Heil on the radio with no success at all the sound was to much projected on the high tones wile the MC-60 gives you a broadcasting sound. I wouldn't trade it for anything in combination with my radio. I can understand that on other rigs this mic might not work as well.
MM3PTS Rating: 2006-06-15
Sounds Good Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is the 2nd MC-60A that I've owned .I was running it on my TS-870 with very good audio reports and now on my TS-570DG without the internal amplifier on .Nice build quality also in my opion .Go buy yourself one .
N0MUD Rating: 2006-01-31
Keeps on Tickin Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had mine since 1988 when I first bought my first HF rig a Kenwood TS-440S. I sold the radio about 3-4 years ago but kept the mic and glad I did as it now is used on my Kenwood TS-2000. I have never ever had any problems with it and as of right now I won't get rid of it. I have always received good reports and never been told I am over driving the radio.

Mike, N0mud
N9WGD Rating: 2006-01-31
Works great after repairing circuits Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Recvd this mic used with a used TS-940S. When keyed up with the mic base inline, radio fell flat on it's face. Unable to find anything on the web searches to help repair it, so I undertook the project myself, and was successful. Beautiful performance now. See my website for details on the circuit board repairs.
http://www.raymoeller.com/kenwoodmic.htm
2W0ZZD Rating: 2005-08-21
rf problem solved Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have owned my second user MC60A for about six months.Use it with TS570DG.Encountered rf problem.Found that if I grounded the two way Welz coax switch casing the problem is solved.Great audio,so I am told.
KG6EJT Rating: 2005-03-21
Top-notch desk mic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Excellent desk mic. I also don't use the pre-amp, and I've always gotten good audio reports. By the way, Steve (WB2WIK) suggested turning off the pre-amp to me and he was right!

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by KG6EJT on 2003-12-17

Great mike. Typical Kenwood quality. I've owned mine for two years now and have been very happy, always getting good audio reports. Bought mine used, with the box on eBay for ~$75.00.
KF8RX Rating: 2005-03-20
toilet paper roll? Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Empty toilet paper roll????? Hey, I didn't make this up.

I bumped this review up to a 4 to average out the prior 2 but review ratings say a 2 means it needs some help.

The audio is nice but it had too much bass in my installation. I was using a Kenwood 850 with the DSP-100. Covering the flutes works. The Heil element was better.

Some have RF problems with this mic. I should not have said most. Kenwood could have used shielded cable. Only the audio hot is shielded. I know of at least one ham who cannot use the PTT. If he touches the mic he gets RF. He resorted to a foot switch.

Some with RF problems have solved it by running a ground from the mic to the rig. Some braid run through the coiled cord may help if you are in need. Replacing the cord is the proper fix and not hard to do.

To remove the head of the mic, to change the element, use a hair dryer to break the glue. It's on tight! Be careful not to scratch or overheat it.

Eric


----------------------
Earlier 2-star review posted by KF8RX on 2005-03-20

Always a great looking mic. I hate to give it lower than a 5.

However, it seems most everyone gets RF into it. I understand it lacks, and needs a shielded cable.

Another problem is the audio. Some put an empty toilet paper roll over the flutes. Some replace the element with one from Heil. I used a HC-5.

I traded mine in over ten years ago for a dual-ten desk mic from Heil and never looked back.

Eric