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Reviews For: Yaesu MD-200 Hi-Fi Desktop Microphone

Category: Microphones for ham radio

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Review Summary For : Yaesu MD-200 Hi-Fi Desktop Microphone
Reviews: 53MSRP: $399.00
Description:
Yaesu Newest Desktop Microphone, Hi-Fi
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.yaesu.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00534.6
N2FSU Rating: 2012-11-16
Great Mic with Modifications Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my Mic for my FT-847 about a year ago. I love the retro look of the mic. I use my 847 for HF as well as VHF/UHF FM. On HF I had great audio reports using the Mic, however on FM the reports were that my audio was low even with the mic gain turned all the way up. To fix that, I bought a 3 wire electret condenser microphone element which was easy to add as the second mic element. Now while on FM I am told that the mic has the best fidelity of any other mic I have ever used. The only other complaint with the mic I have is that to access the low cut switch you have to completely dismantle the base of the microphone. To fix that I de-soldered the switch from the current location and re-soldered it to the opposite side of the same board. Then I cut a small hole in the bottom cover of the microphone. Now I can get to the low cut easily. I know I rated the mic a 4 out of 5, but since I have done all these mods I easily rate this mic a 5++.
W9KDX Rating: 2012-02-24
Good, but needs some tweaking. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First, I read a number of old reviews stating that there was too much bass and that there was a "secret" switch on the back of the circuit board in the base that needed to be reset to "B". This is still the case. For me, this mike still has too much base. Possibly, bass response is hard to do and the manufacturer felt a Hi Fidelity mike would be one with more bass than the rest. In any case, I needed to adjust the ring around the element to the 7 o'clock position as well as significantly roll off base response in my transceiver to get what I felt was a realistic response. At that point, the audio was excellent; crisp and clear.

From my perspective, the fit and materials are worth $100. The quality of the element and the adjustments are another $100. Yaesu charges another $100 just to get their name and a match for their other products and the last $70 is just an overcharge. However, it looks like nothing else I can find. If you like this look, you will love this mike. Just do your best to forget how much you will have to spend.
K9EE Rating: 2012-01-26
Great Microphone Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had my MD-200 for about 12 years and find it to be a great microphone to match my FT-1000MP MKV. I get great audio reports all the time. However, I am now having the intermittent problem mentioned several times in the forum. I called Yaseu and they told me they didn't carry the main PTT switch or the circuit board any longer. Has anyone changed out the PTT switch and what switch did you use.
PD2MZ Rating: 2012-01-21
Nice sound Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After I switched the hidden switch in A position its okay with EQ on in the FT-DX 5000 and looking good works great on the 857 on 2 meter fm
VA3KNY Rating: 2011-12-07
Great Mic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Originally I was getting complaints of the mic. having too much base. I was not happy with the complaints I was receiving and after some investigating I found the answer. I use the mic. on a Yaesu FT920. Remove the 4 screws on the bottom of the mic. base and you will see a switch on a board labelled A and B. This is a tone switch A being the higher of the two. It comes set in the B position and the VSPC ring around the mic. element I moved to about the 5 o'cock position. Everything is great now and no more bad complaints nothing but good compliments now. Why there is no mention of this switch in the manual is beyond me. Hopefully this may help someone as I have read about others having the same problem.
IZ3JJD Rating: 2010-11-02
Great, Great ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I use one with my Yaesu FT-950 and it's working very well. Before I used a MD-100 selecting the step menĂ¹ 64 J3E of the rig to 4-26, having a good modulation. But now it's another thing...I just can say Great, Great!
KA4ETV Rating: 2010-09-13
Great Mic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is an excellent mic. I got mine new for 200 with a coupon. If you have a 990, 1000d, early MP, or the mark V, this is the best option.

I have experience with vocal processing and do studio work. I understand audio. So for the money and the fact that this is plug and play right into the radio (no processing boxes, etc.) its a great option.

Just get one and plug in. Forget all that outboard stuff.
BG4TRF Rating: 2010-04-20
Good Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Good looking as a studio professional, very well made. I can't much differece between MD-100 which I owned both using stock mic element. The way MD-200 change the frequency response of the microphone is too complicated. You have to disassemble the 2 big screws and remove the mic shield then turn the wheel. MD-100 is more easier that only thing you need to do is move the tiny switches on the bottom.

What really frustrated me most is the beautiful transmit LED is totally not functioning with my FT-950. It's very odd why Yeasu put such a shinning point into void not supporting latest transceivers.

Overall, it is not worth the money for its perfermance but still will give your shack some scenery.
KA2OVK Rating: 2010-02-06
W2ENY Fits B Position! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bob has a mic element that fits in the accessory (B) position of the mike. Came with complete instructions and easy to follow pictures! Well done but he only sells them on his ebay store, item #350313919585

Much better fidelity than any of the heil replacements advertised.
MM6GLI Rating: 2009-07-28
great audio reports Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hi i have the md-200 on my mark -v field , my processor is on 12 o" clock position mic gain at the 2 o" clock position and i get good reports with no need to repeat myself when in a qso. All in all very happy with this mic and it does look lovely next to my radio and matching sp-8 speaker ,you have the option of putting another mic insert into the mic but , why bother when the audio is as good as this, 5/5 for me.