Microphones for Ham Radio: Builds, Mods, and Reference
Find schematics, modification guides, and technical details for various microphones used in amateur radio setups.
Microphones are essential for voice modes in ham radio, allowing operators to convert their speech into electrical signals for transmission. While many transceivers come with a basic hand mic, hams often seek to improve their audio quality for better signal reports, especially during contests or DX operations. Understanding microphone types, their characteristics, and how they interface with radio equipment is key to optimizing a station's audio chain.
This category provides resources for hams interested in microphone modifications, homebrew projects, and compatibility information. Operators can find guides for adapting electret condenser elements into existing microphones, such as the Yaesu MH-31, or building complete boom microphone systems from scratch. There are also articles on improving audio performance with speech processors and compatibility lists for brands like Kenwood, helping hams choose the right mic for their transceiver.
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Build a DIY boom microphone with a shock mount using PVC and an electret mic element for enhanced audio quality in your ham radio setup. -
A complete guide to undestand and know how electret condensor microphone elements works by K3DAV -
Hands Free Mobile Mic project features a switch box for controlling radios, utilizing an electret mic and a 1750 Hz tone-burst for VHF repeater use. -
A december 2003 QST article to Build a condenser microphone that will perform like the costly commercial units by KT4QW -
A reference matrix of Kenwood Microphones by models with connector specifications and transceiver compatibilty. -
The Kenwood MC60A with preamp, suffers from RF feedback, a search on the web reveals the extent of the problem. This document explain how to fix this problem. -
Graph of the frequency response of some of the legendary microphones favoured by radio hams -
An homebew microphone boom by W2DTC -
Yaesu MH-31 Electret Condenser Mic Modification -
Yaesu MH-31 Electret Condenser Mic Mod -
A simple home made desk microphone project that can be fitted into a small plastic project box -
A Primer On Mics For Ham Radio. Difference between dynamic and condenser microphones, microphone plugs and differences in kind of microphones available on the market -
Repairing the RJ45 plug end of the mic cable of a Alinco DR-605 dual band mobile transceiver. Alinco microphones are well known for the cable jacket getting brittle and breaking -
This FM wireless mike can transmit voice signals to any FM Radio receiver 100 meters away. -
Evaluation of various microphones on-air using an Icom IC-7700 by VA7JW -
This Microphone comparison article summarizes the test results of two popular ham radio microphones the ElectroVoice RE27 and Heil PR781 -
Noise-canceling electret condenser microphones (ECMs) are ideal for compact, battery-powered devices due to their small size, low power consumption, and high sensitivity. These microphones, used in conjunction with active noise cancellation circuitry, significantly reduce ambient noise, creating a more peaceful listening experience by combining and processing signals from multiple microphones. -
A Kenwood TM-D710A microphone (Model MC-59) is producing crackling and intermittent, poor audio so John took a peak inside to have a look around. -
How to improve performance of your audio using a home made speech processor. In this article the author describes how to make your own speech processor providing a PCB foil pattern and with a 60mm x 60mm board. -
An unused 5v supply connection allows an electret condenser microphone element to be used in place of the standard dynamic element. Modification by M0UKD