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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
M3SKF Rating: 2003-01-24
REAL SLICK KIT Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
ICOM SM20 BASE MIKE LOOKS REAL SLICK & TRICK NEXT
TO MY IC718,AUDIO REPORTS ARE 1st CLASS,THIS IS A QUALITY BASE MIKE WITH A REAL FEEL OF EXCELLENCE.I AM TOLD THAT THIS MIKE MAKES MY QRP SIGNAL OF 10w SOUND LIKE A SIGNAL OF 50w THATS A GREAT COMPLIMENT to this WONDER-FULL PRODUCT.
VR2XMC Rating: 2002-11-24
Excellent mic but pricy Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I love this mic. It works flawlessly with my ICOM rigs. Luckily, I get it in Hong Kong for only US$150 and not as pricy as in US.

73

Johnny VR2XMC
N9JIA Rating: 2002-10-26
Awesome mic....Needs 1 Change... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I haven't tried any other than the 'modded' handmic on my IC-706 mkI. The sm-20 drives the radio much better, producing another 20w+ average talkpower. On ssb, I speak 2 inches from mic, run mic bottom pot 75%, mic gain at 10, and compressor on with very slight comp gain. Apparently these settings give me the punch and low end that my voice needs.
Unsolicited reports have been "excellent", "outstanding", "perfect", and "hope my 706 sounds that good". I'd like to try the W2IHY EQ....
Now the reason I give it a 4. It needs to be detachable so you can hold it or put it on a boom. I get tired of bending slightly when ragchewing. Oh well, I'll have to change my operating position to accomodate this slight drawback.... Worth it for the SM-20!
KB6HRT Rating: 2002-08-19
Works well with PRO Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I brought the SM20 when I brought my 756 PRO last year, It is very clear with a nice presents to its sound, good on AM too. I have never got a bad audio report from this combination so far. ICOM is on the mark on this combo!
PY1BR Rating: 2002-07-22
Great mic for Icom rigs Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I tried several different mics with the 775DSP and 756Pro. The SM-20 is the best, side by side with Electro-Voice EV630, 621L. It works great for vox operation. I use it with the W2IHY equalizer and the worst report I got is outsanding, great audio, etc. It's somehow expensive for a condenser mic, but I think it worths due to the nice performance with Icom rigs. The W2IHY equalizer and SM-20 or a 630 from Electro-Voice we can have an outstanding audio with Icom rigs.
KG4BOD Rating: 2001-08-22
Works Well With 706 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am using the sm-20 with my 706MkIIG. The stock mic on the radio has always gotten "great" audio reports on 6 meters ssb...but now I get reports the audio is much better when switching between handmike to sm-20. Ditto on 2 meters ssb. I'm told the mic has plenty more "punch" and much better, much cleaner "bottom" end audio. I've found the best setting on the rig for mic gain is 4, and keep the little trimmer pot on botton of sm-20 at half way point or slightly less. This way I'm not overdoing it in sideband mode. FM wise, I get reports of much better audio compared with handmike. The SM-20 isn't cheap, especially when you figure another $30 to buy the modular pin adapter for the 706. But, when you get great audio like this, it's still cheaper that buying the Heil product (which doesn't do any better!), since you have to buy their mike, cable, modular plug adpater and stand or boom and handswitch for ptt...even then, the sm-20 looks a lot better since it matches nicely with ICOM stuff. 73's, John
K9FCC Rating: 2001-08-09
Excellent Mic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After buying my new Icom 706 MKII-G, I decided to buy a decent desk microphone instead of using the supplied hand mic. After reading all the positive reviews on the SM-20, I decided to look on eBay for a used one, and finally won a bid on a like-new SM-20 that had been auctioned as part of a silent key's estate. The audio reports I've received have all been excellent. A lot of people on our local repeater think I am using a broadcast microphone of some sort! It is a well-built mic that not only sounds good on the air, but looks great and will compliment any rig. Since this one has the 8-pin connecter, it is necessary to use the 8-pin to modular adapter for the 706 unless you wish to replace the connector with the modular style. The SM-20 is a little on the pricey side new, but if you can find a used one in as good of condition as mine was, don't think twice about buying it, just do it!
N2RNL Rating: 2001-06-06
excellent desk mic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
it was either this one or the heil goldline after reading the reviews i decided to go for the sm-20 having previously owned the sm-6 and sm-8 i am very happy with it and compared to the others i get better audio quality reports from the sm-20 the vox works great with this mic i agree that the only bad feature is the price but is worth it.worked great with my IC-706MKIIG,IC-765 and now my IC-781.
KD5MJG Rating: 2001-05-16
Best sig reports for me! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have tried several mikes with my IC746.The SM-20 was a little costly but the results have been worth every dime. I get many comments on my audio quality both DX and USA. Many think I am using a heil gold line. Thanks Icom !
W8QIN Rating: 2001-05-02
Very Nice Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This Microphone is expensive $190.00 new. However I get the best compliments with it and with the low and hi cut switch, it is probrably the best microphone out there, to use with a dsp rig. A rich looking microphone that will compliment any rig.