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Reviews For: YAESU MD 100A8X Dexk-Top Microphone w/Tone Control

Category: Microphones for ham radio

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Review Summary For : YAESU MD 100A8X Dexk-Top Microphone w/Tone Control
Reviews: 93MSRP: $125.50 @ R&L Electronics
Description:
Yaesu, traets this as their top-of -the-line high end Mic, and as well they should. I have used Heil, Sure ICOM and other various microphones, which are from stand alone to hand mics, not that I'm the expert. But from the time I have incorporated the MD 100, the audio reports have been nothing less than "Excellent", so I'll let nealry 400 QSOs, from the mics use speak for themself! I use one for HF and the other for UHF/VHF with assured audio quality. W8DMC
Product is in production
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# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15934.6
W3BIG Rating: 2017-12-01
Great Desk Mic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is the second MD100 I’ve owned. The first I gave to my brother. I bought the MD100A8X for use with an FT-897D that is my alternate rig. My main transceiver is an FTdx3000 that I use with a Heil headset mic.

The MD100A8X is a fantastic desk mic that has convenient features including a transmit lock button, high frequency emphasis and low pass filters as well as a slow or fast scan control built into a collar on the base of the shaft. If the scan control is turned all the way to the right, it powers off the rig and all the way to the left powers on the transceiver. These features make operating the FT-897D a breeze.

Audio reports of the MD100A8X are always very good with superb communication quality.
W8CQL Rating: 2017-02-09
Great Mic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
As with the previous reviewer I have tried many mics from most of the major manufacturers ranging in price from 99 to 500 dollars This mic works and sounds as good as any without the need for special cables and external processing. I am using this with a FTDX 3000 and I really like it. Adding external audio processing may lead to RF on the signal plus it adds extra components to the system. I'm happy with the results and the simplicity of using this mic. It suits my voice and audio reports are always good and that is what counts.
K6BRN Rating: 2016-11-30
Great general purpose mic! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The Yaesu MD-100A8X microphone is a good quality desk mic whose output level, frequency response, connectors and controls are tailored to modern Yaesu radios.

On the FT-3000, -1200, and FT-991 it sounds pretty good (by my own experience) without any equalizer engaged. The mic also has separate settings on the underside for high frequency emphasis and low-frequency cut selections, along with a defeat switch. The mic is good for rag-chewing when the defeat switch is engaged and suitably shrill and annoying for DX work when both #2 low-cut and high emphasis are selected. Very convenient!

At the base of the mic pedestal is a 2-way horizontal sliding switch artfully sculpted in. This allows up/down frequency or channel selection, or scanning start/stop and direction, with many Yaesu radios.

There is NO battery in this microphone, unlike the slightly similar Kenwood MC-60A.

Yaesu currently uses two different types of mic connectors: 1. An 8-pin plug-in/screw locking connector (FTDX-9000, 5000, 3000, 1200, etc) and 2. an RJ-45 type (looks like an Ethernet plug) connector. This microphone is compatible with both due to a clever cable/jack arrangement on the back of the mic. Very Nice!

The mic base has a momentary TX switch and a TX lock switch on top, suitably easy to use, though the lock switch can be hit a little too easily, as its on the unprotected edge of the base. The mic barrel itself ALSO has a locking TX switch built in.

The one flaw with this microphone, as with many other desk mics for Amateur Radio, is that the pedestal shaft is WAY too short, forcing most users to hunch over to speak into it. Yes, the mic mount swivels up and down, and back and forth, but it's reach is just too short for me (6', average build).

It IS possible to dismount the mic from the pedestal and use it with another desk stand or boom and Yaesu points this out in their instructions. However, you may need a new cable. Broadcast/musician mic stands/booms for desks are readily available online or at Guitar Centers - you will need a Shure-type clip in microphone mount rather than a typical XLR screw-in mount, BTW.

Overall, I'd give this workhorse a 4.5. It's well and thoughtfully built, except for the short, fixed length pedestal shaft.

Brian-K6BRN
N7KJ Rating: 2016-05-04
great microphone Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Some people buy a Chevy and then complain it not a Mercedes. Go figure.....

The MD-100A8X is a super microphone for any and all Yaesu transceivers, and many other brands as well. It is as good as the older version, the MD1. It just looks different. Know and accept what you buy, and don't complain afterwards. Your voice is your own problem. Please don't blame the product for your shortcomings. Thank you!

As they say, grow up, will you!?
WC2F Rating: 2016-02-13
Goo enough to yo use with ft-857d Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Well picked up a used one in good shape, can't wait yo tri it out. Some good and baddy reviews but but to me, give. Irt try and check with other users that already know the good audio settings
SM2FYZ Rating: 2015-10-10
Premium class together with FT-991 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hej,
ordered this mic new as a replacement at home for the standard supplied mic with FT-991. Very good reports on speach qulity if you know how to adjust the EQ settings for your rig. New rigs is not as in "old days", they have so many more settings.

I recommend this microphone for the FT-991 at any home setup.

73 de SM2FYZ (Ulf)
W8KX Rating: 2014-10-14
Ho Hum Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've had several of these over the years. They interface to Yaesu equipment easily. Unfortunately for my voice, they are flat sounding with only fair articulation and frequency response for communications use.
I prefer vintage Shure and Electrovoice microphones.
NT4Z Rating: 2014-07-06
Great Microphone Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have used this mike for over two years and I have had no problem with it. I am getting excellent reports on the receptions so I can only go by what I hear. I use it on my FT-817D QRP rig and it seems to work fine. I have never used the switches on the bottom of it so I can only assume the switches are in the right position. I am not one to fix what is not broken so I leave good enough alone. I love to improve things, though, so if anyone has any suggestions please email me with the suggestions. My new call sign is NT4Z if you are looking for me and want to give me some suggestions.
K4TPC Rating: 2014-03-08
Great match to FTDX-3000 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have this mic connected to my Yaesu FTDX-3000. I use the mic's "HIGH EMPHASIS" switch to ON and the FTDX-3000's "MIC EQ" switch to OFF. I always get great audio reports.
W0YN Rating: 2014-03-08
Quality microphone Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I wanted a desk mike for my Yaesu FT-dx1200 and this model was the matching accessory. An attractive desk microphone, black finish with a nice size base. Excellent audio quality with clear crisp sound. Mike has equalization switches on the bottom to roll off bass or boost highs. Mike comes with switches bypassed for flat response. I've received great audio reports with the factory setting. A clear improvement over the Yaesu hand mike. I am pleased with this microphone.