Microphone provided with the FLEX 6300

howard krawitz

This is the worst mike I have ever used. Even with adjusting the EQ the mike has some hum in it and it is very hard for most listeners to listen to. 

Please replace the mike with a better quality mike. I like the rig but you gave us 30 days to evaluate it and with this mike being the problem you need to take care of this. I see by the various comments I am not alone in this. 

Please respond.

Howard Krawitz
ah6tx
661-821-0923

Ken N9VV

Hi Howard,
I use a wireless Logitech headset through my PC to my SDR rig. I have found that the audio is perfect. I even used it to make a contact with the ESSB guys on 3.630 and they pronounced the Audio perfect. 
George K5RIG uses his Logitech wireless headset on Skype and with his FLEX-6300 and is getting unsolicited great audio reports on all bands.  I think the refurbished units we purchased were about $30.  I understand George also used a $9.95 Radio Shack Mic through his computer and no one noticed the difference and heard him perfectly well.  So perhaps there are some MIC solutions that you can explore at a low cost and see if they give you a "hands free" phone experience that you enjoy.   One hidden advantage of these new wireless headphones is that you listen with much greater fidelity and clarity compared to common PC powered speakers :-)
GL de Ken N9VV

KY6LA_Howard

I have been using a $24 Logitech Bluetooth Headset (Amazon) via my ipad over Skype remote into my 6700 in California. I am currently in Paris but in the past year or so, I have operated this way from 17 countries. I get unsolicited comments like "your audio is FM broadcast quality" all the time. Interestingly enough I don't get such good reports from my Heil Proset connected directly but I do get equivalently good r exports from my Radiosport. On The Other Hand. I have never used the supplied Flex mike.

Robert -- N5IKD

I picked up a Heil Goldmine V at HamCom this weekend for $20.

KY6LA_Howard

I have one of those. You probably overpaid.

Sparks

The Yaesu-style mic that is supplied - is a dynamic mic. It is nasty. I replaced the element with a condenser  element and changed the coupling cap...added some dampening material to the shell- and it sounds really decent now. You have to turn on the Bias setting in the start up config menu. The mic is a good starting point.

Tim - W4TME

It is not hard to get good audio out of the FHM-1 mic, but there are a few things you may have to do.  

First is to make sure the mic is set for wide range, which is done with the TONE switch in the #1 position.  If it is in the #2 position, it rolls off the bass for communication quality.  

Second, you have to "cross talk" the mic.  Do not speak directly into the mic, but speak across the mic opening to achieve the best fidelity. 

Third, do not overdrive the mic input.  In SmartSDR v1.2.1, the mic level meter should never peak (turn red), but be in the range between -5 and -1 dB.

Fourth, turn on the PROC (voice processor) and set it to NORMAL or DX.

Last but not least, set the EQ properly. Boosting frequencies too high can result in distorted audio.

Mike W9OJ

What is the difference between a FHM-1 and a Yaesu MH-31? They look identical but certainly don't sound the same. The Yaesu sounds much better.

Bill N3HQB

Try CW  :-)

Mike W9OJ

So how does that microphone sound on CW?

Jay -- N0FB

Ken, I have a Logitech wireless headset. How do you set up your system to talk to your 6x000 through your PC?

KY6LA_Howard

https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/parallels_access_ipad_app https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/remote_operation_on_ipad_using_parallels_access_but_it_needs_vox_on_dax.

KY6LA_Howard

Make sure you expand all the comments

Sparks

Well, It's fantastic for modulated CW. You turn on the monitor in AM and place it near the speaker. Key the PTT for CW and it produces a perfect sine-wave with very low distortion. Also, if you swing it around over your head on the coil cord, it's great for taking off toilet paper from trees - should you get "papered" by local kids. Since it is a dynamic mic, it also functions well as a speaker...perfect for a pillow speaker. If you are a movie director, it's a great prop for police car scenes.  It's very versatile!