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Reviews For: ICOM SM-20 microphone

Category: Microphones for ham radio

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Review Summary For : ICOM SM-20 microphone
Reviews: 63MSRP: 259
Description:
Unidirectional, electret microphone w/up/down switches
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.icomamerica.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00634.7
N2SLO Rating: 2009-04-05
Excellent - 7 Years Running Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I originally reviewed the SM-20 on October 19 2002... Didn't realize I made the purchase 7 years ago.. I use the microphone with a W2IHY Audio equalizer, and an ICOM 746 with a couple of different VHF amps.. The audio reports on 6M SSM are fantastic, and also 2M FM repeater and simplex. I paid $189 from HRO.. Never an issue, would buy again.. Why fool around? price is reasonable for audio performance....

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Earlier 5-star review posted by N2SLO on 2002-10-19

I use this mic with the Icom 746, and receive nothing but excellent reports on my audio.

I bought the mic from HRO, and it cost $189
WB3DYE Rating: 2009-04-05
GREAT MIKE/HIGH PRICED Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought the SM 20 about 5 years ago for my 706 mk2g. Paid about 150 new. Works great! I was thinking about buying a second for my 2 meter 440 rig when I got a look at the price! WOW! no second mike for me ;-(
W0YN Rating: 2008-07-30
Nice Mike Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased mine new about 5 years ago along with my Icom 746. Since then I've used the mike with a
756 pro and and several 756 pro2s. I've always received excellent audio reports with this microphone. It may seem a bit overpriced but most name brand accessories are. The SM-20 has performed well for me and looks nice on the desk. It does its job well and I'm happy with my purchase.
K1FEV Rating: 2008-07-29
Just died Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought the SM-20 with my Pro III about 14 months ago. Worked great. Last week it just died. There are no replacement parts and to mic head won't come apart. Got a Heil PR-781.
W4KVW Rating: 2008-06-25
GREAT MIKE Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I use the SM-20 now as a backup mike to my HEIL PR-20 because I PREFER a boom microphone for hands free operation.The SM-20 is a GREAT sounding mike & I have used it on an ICOM 746,746 PRO,& my 756 PROII with GREAT audio reports.I can NOT tell ANY difference between the SM-20 & SM-8 audio on the above listed rigs.BOTH are GREAT desk mikes with a LOT of punch in the audio.A little high in price in my opinion but it's a GREAT sounding mike. }:>)
PA3HGT Rating: 2008-06-19
nice mike Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This nice mike was connected to a 756,PROI,II and 775DSP with nice results.
Audio was very good.
To adjust the audio-level on the bottomside is quite a job because you got already more then enough audio when the trimpot is almost minimum with a good ALC !
I had this with 2 SM20's !I had open the trimpot for a millimeter so when i adjusted the SM20, i never touched it.
Up en down switches are not nice to play with,thet're feel like plastic and when you push the up or down they feel cheap.
HB9KL Rating: 2008-06-13
Looks good but not a good choice Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought a IC-7700 with the SM-20 Mic one month ago. Unfortunately I noticed that the mic is too sensitive and picks up too much environmental noise. A disadvantage is additionally the unidirectional pattern (fan noise).
I have replaced the SM-20 with a Heil PR-781, a professional quality dynamic mic which has a cardioid pattern.
I am now very satisfied and the audio reports are outstanding.
VK2FTNY Rating: 2008-04-13
timeless Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well what can you say about the sm20.Been around for ages and almost all icom buffs own one.They seem to work well and look good so i suppose thats part the reason they still sell well.I reckon for the money thou you can get a better mic both looking and performance.I still own my sm20 but now run a heil iCM boom mounted mike operated by a footswtch for not to many more dollars.But having said that if you want the matching piece to your icom setup you wont be disappointed in the sm20
N0LOH Rating: 2007-12-19
looks good and performs well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought one last fall when I bought an ICOM 718. Never have had any complaints on my audio. I just bought a second one for use with an ICOM dual-band transceiver. Not that I need amplification, but the convenience of Up/Down and Lock buttons. I have just one suggestion. After you get your SM-20, make a trip to the local Radio Shack (Model: 33-4001 | Catalog #: 33-4001) and get a windscreen. It really helps eliminate some of the background noise and it makes the SM-20 look more like a broadcast studio microphone. I've owned other desktop microphones in the past, D-104's and Turner's. I'd recommend the ICOM SM-20 to anyone.
KK4BH Rating: 2007-11-09
Perfect Performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased a SM-20 mic with a 746 about 5 years ago. It cost about $175 back then and was considerably more expensive than other desk mics. I decided to go with it anyway and was glad I did. Always got excellant audio reports with it.

Three years ago I replaced the 746 with a 706MK2G and have only used the SM-20 on it. Numerous times I've gotten superb audio reports. Reports like, "That's a 706? What did you do it to make it sound so good?" Several weeks ago, during a round-table with 3 other stations on 2 mtr FM, I was told how good the audio was and didn't sound like a typical 706. I'm not trying to have a "big head" over this, but it is a good feeling to receive reports like this. The stock hand mic does not have the output or freqency response the the SM-20 has. Most 706 owners probably only use the hand mic.

I think this mic is well designed and constructed. The only other desk mic I've owned was a KW MC-80, which I thought was cheaply made. Adjusting the tilt of the element up about 45 deg (I'm 6'3"), and taking the time to optimize the radio and mic gain controls, it performs very well at at a distance of 12 inches.

If I should aquire another Icom radio I would most definately purchase another SM-20.

73
Ken
KK4BH