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DESK MIC FOR KENWOOD HF

Sonar

Sr. Member
Apr 8, 2016
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Knowing which Kenwood desk mic (.MC series) sounds best on Kenwood hf transceivers is what I'm trying to find out?
I won't be using any outbound audio gear and am not interested in a studio type mic. The only modification that's been done to the Kenwood 450 in question is the mars mod and it will be used on 11 meters SSB only.
If you've used or currently operate a Kenwood hf and have used different Kenwood desk Mic's and have first hand knowledge of the difference between the MC series your advice would be most appreciated.
 

which sounds best depends on the radio & your voice and what sound you like,

kenwoods fall into two categories, pre 570d and 570d onwards,

on the pre 570 radios I like the dynamic mc60a if you don't mind talking reasonably close to it as the preamp is low gain with no level control,
the stock kenwood cable has nice plugs but the wire should be thrown in the bin & replaced with fully shielded cable using the drain wire to link the plug bodies, this eliminates the hum issue and helps prevent rfi

mc50 sounds similar to an unamplified mc60, they sound good with a small amplifier installed inside,

mc80's sound OK, louder than mc60a & a bit mellower, OK if you like sitting back from the mic so everybody can hear the room echo's,

mc85 is a compressor/alc mic, it sounds similar to the 80 tonally but less dynamic like the alc mics on 70's cassette recorders, pumpy alc timing,
I don't like how the background noise ramps up between words or the undynamic sound,

never owned the mc90 so no opinion on those.

570d onwards kenwood lost their way with TX audio.
 
which sounds best depends on the radio & your voice and what sound you like,

kenwoods fall into two categories, pre 570d and 570d onwards,

on the pre 570 radios I like the dynamic mc60a if you don't mind talking reasonably close to it as the preamp is low gain with no level control,
the stock kenwood cable has nice plugs but the wire should be thrown in the bin & replaced with fully shielded cable using the drain wire to link the plug bodies, this eliminates the hum issue and helps prevent rfi

mc50 sounds similar to an unamplified mc60, they sound good with a small amplifier installed inside,

mc80's sound OK, louder than mc60a & a bit mellower, OK if you like sitting back from the mic so everybody can hear the room echo's,

mc85 is a compressor/alc mic, it sounds similar to the 80 tonally but less dynamic like the alc mics on 70's cassette recorders, pumpy alc timing,
I don't like how the background noise ramps up between words or the undynamic sound,

never owned the mc90 so no opinion on those.

570d onwards kenwood lost their way with TX audio.
I am actually a close talker and I feel comfortable using my mics this way. I've always talked close to my mics. I don't know if it's a bad thing but bad habits are hard to break.
Knowing the 450 doesn't come with dsp. I'm assuming it was released before the 570 so your advice would be the MC 60 for me, correct? Thanks for taking the time to be very specific in response to my question. 73
 
Astatic 1104 C works great on Kenwoods
Those 1104c's have an excellent reputation for ssb use on 11 meters ssb (with a cb radio).
I wasn't sure if people used them with hf transceivers but after reading your response I checked out the reviews on eham and see there highly recommend. I tried to get one to use on my madison a while back but they don't come up to often. The reason I'd rather go with a sure or Kenwood MC is those 1104c's were to my knowledge owned mostly by chicken banders like myself.
We just can't leave thing well enough. I'm afraid most of those Asiatics have had bad lives. I'm more comfortable buying a shure and feel even better purchasing a Kenwood. Thanks
 
MC 60-A or a Shure 444D (the black one with the hi/low switch on the bottom)
I've read about the problems with rfi by those who've purchased MC 60's. I don't want to pay good money for a mic that's going to need a modification to the ground in order to resolve the issues. This is turning out to be a bitch! I've read the MC 90 doesn't have the rfi problem of the 60. Then again some reviews on the 90 weren't favorable on other levels like audio quality.
 
Those 1104c's have an excellent reputation for ssb use on 11 meters ssb (with a cb radio).
I wasn't sure if people used them with hf transceivers but after reading your response I checked out the reviews on eham and see there highly recommend. I tried to get one to use on my madison a while back but they don't come up to often. The reason I'd rather go with a sure or Kenwood MC is those 1104c's were to my knowledge owned mostly by chicken banders like myself.
We just can't leave thing well enough. I'm afraid most of those Asiatics have had bad lives. I'm more comfortable buying a shure and feel even better purchasing a Kenwood. Thanks

i use a shure 526t on my kenwood.
everyone says it sounds really good.
 
MC-60 or Shure 522
There's quite a few 522's (nos even) available. I hope I get more input but so far the shure 522 is at the top of the list. Very good things are written about it on eham. And many who use them actually do use them with kenwoods. Thanks
 
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IMHO all the Kenwood HF Mics SUK...most sound like a Screech Owl is behind them
And yes buy an MC60 or 60A you will have RF issues sooner or later...
A Shure 444D is a great mic for a TS450 ( I only owned one for like 13 yrs) also...
A Heil GM V or better is also a great choise.
All the Best
Gary

OH PS: If you own a TS-450 SAT and the power has been cranked up past about 110wts on 10/11m...DO NOT use the internal tuner unless you don't like it because it won't be around long anyway...Those are rated at 125 wts PEP...just FYI
 
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sonar,
out of the mics i listed i prefere the mc60a & yes the 450 is pre 570 without dsp unless you have the external dsp100.
 
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IMHO all the Kenwood HF Mics SUK...most sound like a Screech Owl is behind them
And yes buy an MC60 or 60A you will have RF issues sooner or later...
A Shure 444D is a great mic for a TS450 ( I only owned one for like 13 yrs) also...
A Heil GM V or better is also a great choise.
All the Best
Gary

OH PS: If you own a TS-450 SAT and the power has been cranked up past about 110wts on 10/11m...DO NOT use the internal tuner unless you don't like it because it won't be around long anyway...Those are rated at 125 wts PEP...just FYI

My Kenwood TS-820S uses the MC-50 microphone and a former broadcast engineer said it was one of the best sounding TX/mic combos he had heard. He knew my natural voice (he used to be my boss) and said not to touch a thing as it sounded so good. Then again the Kenwood hollow state hybrids sound better than the modern solid state rigs do anyway.
 

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