Build instructions for the K6ARK ultra light microphone kit

K6ARK mic assembled, with cable

Important note

These instructions have been lifted from the printables,com page which contains the STL files and BOM you'd need to print your own case.

Microphone element polarity

There are two elements available; the " Standard (CMA-6542TF-K)" and "QMX / Hans (AOM-5024L-HD-F-R)".

Below is a picture which shows the polarity of the two microphones, as a guide.

Cut wire and solder mic and switch to jack

  • Cut four pieces of wire to 30 mm in length and strip 3 mm of insulation from each end. Solder wires as shown in images below.
  • Note “ground” traces on mic element.  Connect that pad
  • to the ground lug on the 3.5mm jack. Also note which switch lugs to use. 
K6ARK wiring for the Elecraft KX2/KX3, FX-4CR and zBitx radios

K6ARK wiring for the QMX, (tr)uSDX and uSDX radios

Test microphone

  • Plug the mic into your rig and test. Check Elecraft manual for settings. You may need to chance menu items for PTT bias.
  • If mic does not work, try swapping the wires connected to the outer lugs of the jack and test again. 

Install jack, switch, and mic into “Bottom” half of case 

  • Carefully press jack into place.  Note ground lug position, centred in printed slot on base.
  • Press switch into place, taking care not to damage lugs.
  • Press mic element into place, taking care not to damage wind screen on front (not critical). 
  • Tuck wires into centre channel of bottom case ensuring wires will not be pinched in top cover.
K6ARK wiring in the bottom half of the case

Snap on top cover

  • Ensure the wires are tucked in and will not be pinched, and snap on the top cover.  Tighten the nut on the jack to finish the build.

The K6ARK Mic, assembled

Now, get on the air and have some fun!

 

 

This work (text and physical case) is licensed under a Creative Commons (4.0 International License) Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Permission granted from Adam, K6ARK to reproduce this text and the kit in this store.