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Re: cheap bird microphone

Subject: Re: cheap bird microphone
From: "Rich Peet" <>
Date: Sun, 29 Sep 2002 01:27:42 -0000
--- In  Walter Knapp <> wrote:
> Rich Peet wrote:
> > I am looking for evaluation of this mic I just finished.
> > The intended use is outside as both a bird feeder mic and for
> > monitoring migrating birds. Critical evaluation by all is
appreciated.
> > It tests above 40mph winds headon and 15 mph side.
> > So far I lost no recording time in 1 hour of rain.
> >
> > Base cap is 4" pvc, Stainer is 6".
> > The total construction cost of this mic is $13.50 US
> >
> > Any changes would be easiest now before I move on to Proto 2
which
> > will be balanced output with a xlr connector.
> >
> > design preference is to be low freq weak and song bird call range
hot.
> > Mic element before pzm gain is: Sensitivity -65 db.
>
> You would probably get a bit better PZM gain off the end cap if you
> polished off the mold marks. At least it seems like you should.
>

Ok, I will set a 600 grit paper to finish the top on all futures.=20
You'r right that is sloppy.


> If you have the ability to do so, placing the mic in a small
housing to
> provide a gap leading to the mic might help the PZM effect more. As
it
> sets it's probably mixing regular pickup with PZM.
>

I am sorry, I don't understand this comment. I thought I needed both
direct and reflected for pzm to work?


> I'm wondering how this element would compare to something like the
> Panasonic WM-61A.
>

God yes I need better stuff in the basics.  I have searched for years
to find a element with good specs.  The trash I used is $3 what is
the cheapest for the wm-61a?  Should that be done for 2.5-12. khz?



> > All jpg downloads are under 200kb. but the mp3 file is 466 kb
>
> You can do better on jpg size by cropping the images, and set them
up to
> a specific size at 72dpi. They must be higher resolution, come
through
> giant size in Netscape 7, which is wasting bandwidth.

ya. I put it out their for ie 6.0 and never thought that Netscape
wouldn't resize.  Sorry.

>
> > A sample recording 6' under a bird feeder with callers about 20'
> > away.  An expressway with severe rumble is 1/4 mile away.
> > http://home.attbi.com/~richpeet/proto1.mp3
>
> Sounds fairly reasonable, need a lot more variety of recording.

If this has value I hope that many others will bring the variety.


>
> Walt
> 



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