IC 7100 Mic Upgrade

[@ouijim]

Disassembled stock HM-198 microphone and found tiny mic hole is also NOT aligned with mic element rather its at the bottom of rubber mic element support nearly completely blocked. The tiny (obstructed) hole in mine was at the top of the second louver. I drilled a hole at the bottom of the first louver which is dead center aligned with mic element. I suppose you can imagine the performance increase! Be sure to completely disassemble the microphone before drilling a hole or you will damage the microphone element (obvious) if you do this "Necessary Modification"

[@Ronparks1378]

I felt the same way about the HM-198 early on after I purchased my IC-7100. Fortunately, I already owned an IC-7300 and an IC-9700, both of which had been upgraded to base station mics (a boom mic and a desk mic) so, having a couple of HM-219s sitting around, all I needed was the adapter (which, like you, I purchased online). I have had nothing but good feedback. I wasn't surprised since many people have continued to use the stock HM-219 with the 7300 and 9700 with very acceptable results.

[@mdyoungblood1806]

It’s no longer made but the mic that came with the IC-703 to the 706MKIIG, the HM-103, it runs circles around any other mic for the 7100 other than a Heil. Plenty of them out there, hamfest finds.

[@k2cjbradio]

MDYoungblood Yeah, I got impatient and just bought a mic. Lol

[@anthonygannon5461]

since I have a couple of IC-7000's with the HM151 mic I will be testing it out, I have heard they work well a lot better than the stock mic for the 7100.

[@jsieb]

I'd say do an A/B test using an SDR (or websdr) to record your on-air audio tests on both 2M and HF.

[@k2cjbradio]

Jason Siebert Yeah, I have to do an a/b of some sort with it

[@kensmith5538]

The Heil handmic makes that rig sing... I've never gotten a good audio report running compression on tht rig.. good vid

[@k2cjbradio]

Ken Smith Thanks! That’s good to know too. It seems to be doing better now. That original stock mic is terrible.

[@FranklySpeaking73]

@@k2cjbradio Although I realize that stock mic may not be the absolute best, it is not horrible. Perhaps it is not suited for some voices? I’ve always had good audio reports and just like Ken Smith I have been told the compressor doesn’t help audio quality…. I am still learning and experimenting on audio chain although I have done a decent amount of hf in the past 2 years. The mic I use for doing voice-overs is an AKG C-414 b-uls and I am working out how to hook it up because it needs phantom power (studio condenser mic) that I have used for about 20 years. more on the mic: www.akg.com/support/C414+B-ULS_.html

[@AxeAlchemy]

Just bought both for my icom 7000

[@2ballous]

Any particular reason why you kept the audio compression on, start-to-finish? Did you try frequency response with it out at some point?

[@k2cjbradio]

I didn’t change anything. It was a pretty unscientific a/b comparison.

[@Mr_Meowingtons]

A lot of mics that just come with a little hole for the sound to pass through. I drill it out with a 1/8 drill it helps a lot. Icom has like 4 or 5 mics they use for there radios like WTF? why not just stick with 1 mic that works 🤦‍♂️ Or they can give you the mic that has the keypad that they want to sell you for $90 more 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@DJ_Megahertz]

I have an IC-SM2 deskmic. Do you know if it will work with the 7100 if I get the adapter?

[@k2cjbradio]

Hmm. Not sure. It might? I’m sure someone out there has tried it

[@SV1RXI]

if i set the comp to have a visible smeter sighn then the alc goes to high ,just bought it and i don;t like the way it works .If i set the mic and get the alc to be in the zone then the comp is not in the zone at all ,i don;t see it at all.What about that peaks ,i have the same ,this is dangerous if you use an amp.

[@k2cjbradio]

Interesting. I don’t use an amp mobile so that might not be an issue. I have not really asked for audio quality reports but have made many contacts with it.

[@1crazynordlander]

Thanks! The adapter cable is not sold by the guy on ebay anymore. I was wondering why I was having problems trying it out in place of my IC-7300. I was not impressed right away with this radio and I am having issues getting the Shark 20 meter antenna to tune on my Jeep. I have to do some research. I think I will have to find a different mount point although it is a lot like your setup at the rear of the vehicle by the tail light. A clue is it seems to tune with the external tuner I have when the hatchback is open.

[@k2cjbradio]

1crazynordlander Ugh about the adapter cable. Wonder if there is someplace else that might have it. As for the antenna, they are really tricky to get resonant. Keep tinkering with it. Shouldn’t need a tuner.

[@1crazynordlander]

@@k2cjbradio I am about ready to give up on the mobile rig setup. I have one of those NANOVNA testers and it seems to work. I have the SWR under 2 to 1 and nearly 1.3 to 1 over the whole 20 meter band but when I hook it up to my radio the radio says it is over 3 to 1. I need to do my bonding. I have the radio and tuner bonded and found if I un-bond my tuner it will tune. Something is not right. I'll keep plugging away. I might spring for a RigExpert AA-55 analyzer in a few days. I think I am going to get one of those wolf river coils TIA kits and do your counterpoise mod to that and go sit down at a park bench with the radio and give up on the mobile idea for awhile. Hardened Power Systems has a kit called the Commander 7100 that houses the IC-7100 but it is too expensive but I like to tinker so I think I will see if someone has any go kits for that radio to get ideas from.

[@k2cjbradio]

1crazynordlander Something definitely doesn’t sound right. Wonder if there is a ground loop somewhere. Bonding might cure that...might. Have you looked around K0BG.com to see if there is something that might help.

[@1crazynordlander]

@@k2cjbradio I have that sheet printed out and I plan as soon as it warms up outside so I can crawl around on the ground I plan on getting this taken care of. I need to find some flat bonding strap. The only items i have bonded are the radio, tuner and antenna base. I have to take the one by one approach to see what does the trick. It's funny because when you setup at a park you get the antenna resonant, connect it to your radio get the radio going and you are on the air, it just works no grounding except for the counterpoise and your feedline. I hear people just fine. At least with this cheap antenna analyzer I am getting a respectable SWR reading under 2 to 1. Maybe it is off.

[@k2cjbradio]

1crazynordlander You’ll get it working. It’s probably something simple. For portable ops, the Wolf River works like a champ!

[@dkmannisto]

How did you mount the controller? It looks like something that may work in my truck. Thanks!

[@greglawrencemusic]

Will the ICOM SM50 desk mic+features work using the 8-pin to RJ45 mic adapter? (thanks in advance!)

[@ouijim]

Curious of HM-219 audio reports to date? I also use HM-219 with IC-7100, making contacts with no negative report. I also wired a Behringer XM-8500 dynamic microphone with good results as I use the radio in shack not mobile October 2019. Local guy had me crank audio up near 100% but I do not trust his ears ; ) With dynamic mic .1 uF capacitor is necessary on audio pin to block dc phantom voltage from radio common to most ICOM radios as they use Electret Microphones.

[@k2cjbradio]

Yes actually. I had someone in my ham club listen while I tweaked up the eq, etc. He was the one who originally told me the supplied mic sounded terrible. When I got done making the adjustments, he said it sounded 10x better!

[@davidr6585]

+1 on that "followup video" I too am curious about the "on-air" comparison and as requested and did hit the "Like" to show interest and show there is an audience.

[@k2cjbradio]

David R Stay tuned. I had to come up with a different way to do a “real world” test since we are all shuttered in. Should have it together in a week

[@davidr6585]

@@k2cjbradio Don't forget, you can record your QSOs with the 7100 :)

[@k2cjbradio]

David R Yep. I just have to get around to putting a card in it. Hahaha.

[@MikeG-js1jt]

what did they clip you for the mic?

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

just change thebias resister value on the condenser mic i use a small 10k pot kg6mn

[@W0JMR]

Have you considered a headset over a hand mic?

[@k2cjbradio]

Don't know if I'd want to be driving with a headset on. Thanks though! It might work for ops when I'm parked!

[@CrisisGuildWOW]

This is an issue made to order for Jimmie, KA5DOB "The Audio Man"

[@ronknight3417]

do the ssb audio mod its a BIG improvement to the 7300 mike its easy to do 100% audio with 50%mike gain its on here just type it in and watch video

[@w3les]

Nice video

[@FLShutterbug]

It would be greatly helpful if you used standard phonetics for your videos instead of the "cutesy" phonetics.

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

You might look at vk3ye mic mod

[@alessandroconcas]

The ham that always barefoot and make video closeup on his foot and after in ham radio item?!?!?! pls no!!!

[@cliffbarrimore]

use a ic7000 mic and add the mod from bob @ 7000mic.com