I use the Heil Goldline in the Heil PLT and really enjoy being able to sit straight in my chair with the mic still in the correct position. I mainly use a foot switch but I also built a little switch box which is attached with Velcro to the keyboard shelf so I can be logging or doing other things on the computer and simply reach over with my left hand and either hit a push to talk button which has to be held down or activate a locking switch. I really like this setup a lot except for my foot petal. It is the small one from Heil and tends to navigate all over the place. I would really like to find one that was big and heavy and would stay put. Take care all and very 73. Kevin :) Amateur Radio: K7RX Navy Marine Corps MARS: NNN0SHS -----Original Message----- From: Blind-Hams For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask] Sent: Friday, October 08, 2004 12:43 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Why a desk mic? I've found that most of the all in one desk mics where base and element are of a piece give me the same problem you describe. That's one reason I like the Heil microphones. REgular microphone stand hardware works with them, allowing me to use a standard mic boom or a desk stand and/or gooseneck on a large based desk stand to get it close to me. I like using mine with a foot switch as I do not care to run vox here or at most locations where I might operate. I can attach my Heil to a reguar floor stand with a boom arm getting it over the operating position without the stand taking up valuable operating desk real estate. Since I do a lot of net control work and traffic handling I find this is the most convenient way to operate. Using braille and a computer I find I need both hands for reading or typing, hence the mic on a stand works better. I tried the headset mics with the mini booms but I find they're too fragile for conditions in my shack. 73 de nf5b Richard Webb Electric Spider Productions almost 50% of those at ground zero on 9/11/01 still have longterm health problems. Almost half of those have no health insurance.