Table of Contents
Microphone connections
On this page you will find a growing list of microphone jacks of different brands and types of transceivers, which I have come across.
Unfortunately, there is no standard microphone connector to connect a microphone to a transceiver. A manufacturer is free to choose the type of plug and the connection scheme. As a result, microphones of different brands and types of transceivers are usually not interchangeable.
Microphone plugs
GX16 microphone connector
One of the well-known microphone connectors is the round GX16 screw connector. For microphones, the version with 4 to 8 pins, which sit in the chassis section, is often used. The GX16 plug has a ring that allows it to be screwed onto the chassis part.
For convenience, the connections of the chassis part and the plug are numbered. Unfortunately, each manufacturer uses a different wiring diagram, so microphones with the same GX16 connector are not interchangeable between brands and sometimes between different transceivers of the same brand.
In the Netherlands, GX16 connectors are for sale from a.o.
-
- Consetkeyway with screw
- Consetwist without screw
RJ45
On some modern sets, the RJ45 connector is used. This connector is used on computers as a network connection.
The RJ45 connector is space-saving and easy to disconnect. The RJ45 connector cannot be soldered, a special crimping tool is needed for mounting. When crimping, the sheath of the cable is clamped in a strain relief.
Separate earth connections
In the microphone and microphone cable, the earth connection of the PTT switch and the microphone is often kept separate. These earth connections are only combined in the transceiver. This prevents fluctuations in the current through the PTT switch, via the resistance of the microphone maasa wire, from affecting the microphone signal. When modifying a microphone jack yourself, keep this in mind as much as possible.
- Use the separated ground pins of the transceiver connector whenever possible.
- Where this is not possible, combine the PTT switch ground in the microphone connector and not in the microphone itself.
Legend
Abbreviation | Meaning |
---|---|
GND | Ground |
Mic | Microphone signal |
NC | Not Connected |
PTT | Push To Talk |
Alinco
Alinco DR 510E
2/70 FM
- Connector GX16-8
- EMS-53B Electret microphone, separate power supply, without preamp, high impedance
Pin | Set | Mic |
---|---|---|
1 | Mic signal | Mic signal |
2 | PTT | PTT |
3 | Down | Down |
4 | Up | Up |
5 | DC 5 Volt | Electret power supply |
6 | NC | NC |
7 | Mic GND | Mic GND |
8 | PTT GND | PTT GND |
Hirose
Icom
Icom 202
2 metres SSB
- Connector GX16-4
- Passive dynamic microphone, low impedance
Pin | Set | Mic |
---|---|---|
1 | Mic signal | Mic signal |
2 | PTT | PTT |
3 | NC | NC |
4 | GND | GND |
Icom 260E
2 metres FM/SSB
- Connector: GX16-8
- Active dynamic microphone, low impedance, preamp with a transistor, power supply over microphone signal wire
Pin | Set | Mic |
---|---|---|
1 | Mic signal | Preamp out |
2 | NC | NC |
3 | Up/Down | Up/Down |
4 | NC | NC |
5 | PTT | PTT |
6 | PTT Up/Down GND | PTT Up/Down GND |
7 | Mic GND | Mic GND |
8 | NC | NC |
Kenwood
Kenwood TM-411A/E
70 cm FM
- Connector: GX16-8
- E version: Passive dynamic microphone low impedance
- A version: Electret microphone with DTMF keypad, separate power supply
Pin | Set |
---|---|
1 | Mic signal |
2 | PTT (Standby) |
3 | Down |
4 | UP |
5 | 8 volts max 10 mA |
6 | GND |
7 | Mic GND |
8 | GND |
Kenwood TR-2300, TR-7200
2-metre FM
- Connector GX16-4
- Passive dynamic microphone, low impedance
Pin | Set | Mic |
---|---|---|
1 | Mic signal | Mic signal |
2 | PTT | PTT |
3 | GND | PTT GND |
4 | GND | Mic GND |
Kenwood TR-9000
2 metres FM/SSB
- Connector GX16-6 asymmetrical
- Passive dynamic microphone, low impedance
Pin | Set | Mic |
---|---|---|
1 | Mic signal | Mic signal |
2 | PTT | PTT |
3 | Down | Down |
4 | Up | Up |
5 | FM common 8 volts | NC |
6 | GND | GND |
Kenwood TS-140S
HF all mode
- Connector: GX16-8
- MC-43S passive dynamic microphone, low impedance
Pin | Set |
---|---|
1 | Mic signal |
2 | PTT (Standby) |
3 | Down |
4 | Up |
5 | DC 8 volts max 10 mA |
6 | Audio out (via 470 Ohm) |
7 | Mic GND |
8 | PTT (Standby) GND |
Kenwood MC-50 microphone
Capsule impedantie 170Ω
Kyokuto
Kyokuto FM-10SA
2-metre FM
- Connector GX16-4
- Passive dynamic microphone, low impedance
Pin | Set | Mic |
---|---|---|
1 | PTT GND | PTT GND |
2 | PTT | PTT |
3 | Mic GND | Mic GND |
4 | Mic signal | Mic signal |
QYT
QYT 9800D
2/70 FM
- Connector RJ45
- Active electret microphone, with keyboard
- Both sides of microphone cable with RJ45 connector
Yaesu
Yaesu FT-270R
- Connector GX16-8
- Electret microphone with separate power supply, high impedance, without preamp
Pin | Set | Mic |
---|---|---|
1 | Up | Up |
2 | DC 5 volts | Electret power supply |
3 | Down | Down |
4 | NC | NC |
5 | Speak | Speak |
6 | PTT | PTT |
7 | GND | GND (Mic, PTT) |
8 | Mic signal | Mic signal |
Yaesu FT-707, FT 757
HF all mode
- Connector GX16-8
- Passive dynamic microphone
- Low impedance
Pin | Set | Mic |
---|---|---|
1 | Up | Up |
2 | Common Up/Down/Fast | Up/Down Common |
3 | Down | Down |
4 | Fast | Fast |
5 | Common Up/Down/Fast | Fast Common |
6 | PTT | PTT |
7 | GND | GND (Mic, PTT) |
8 | Mic signal | Mic signal |
Microphone characteristics
Passive microphone
Passive transceiver microphones have no built-in pre-amplifier give a low signal level and almost always use a dynamic microphone element with an impedance between about 200 and 600 ohms. The signal level of a passive microphone is low; the microphone input of the transceiver has high sensitivity.
The signal of different passive handheld microphone elements is in the same order of magnitude, so passive microphones of different brands and types, are often interchangeable.
Active hand microphone
Active hand microphones have a built-in pre-amplifier, this pre-amplifier is fed from the transceiver and has a high output signal. A manufacturer can choose a dynamic electret microphone element and adapt the design of the preamplifier accordingly.
For feeding the preamplifier, a manufacturer can choose between feeding via the microphone signal wire, or feeding via a separate wire. For simple active microphones without extensive features, a power supply via the signal wire is often chosen. For microphones with many extra features like a keyboard, the power supply is often via a separate wire.
Active microphones are often not interchangeable due to the design of the pass-through amplifier, the method of feeding and the height of the supply voltage. However, it is possible to recreate the preamp yourself and build it into a passive microphone with a suitable element.
Active table microphone
Active table microphones are often designed to be connected to a transceiver suitable for a passive unamplified microphone. The signal level of an active table microphone is adjustable so you can sit further away from the microphone and give the same signal as a passive handheld microphone held close to your mouth. The preamplifier is often powered from a built-in battery or a separate mains supply.
An active table microphone is usually not suitable as a replacement for an active handheld microphone, as it is designed as a replacement for a passive microphone.
Low/high microphone impedance
The dynamic microphone elements in transceiver microphones almost all have a low impedance.
- Old consumer tape recorder microphones almost all have a high impedance of approx. 20 kOhm and are therefore not suitable for connection to transceivers.
- Professional microphones from the audio world with an XLR connection almost always have a low impedance of 600 Ohms (or are switchable between high and low) and are well suited for a transceiver suitable for a passive low impedance microphone. You will then need a separate PTT switch, though.