redjimmy1955 posted:If I knew electronics, I'd build a better amplifier for the OGR Forum...it is pretty bad...
The amplifier is fine. The issue is improper use of the microphone.
The mic is a special super-cardioid, noise-cancelling mic which is intended to be used in close proximity to the loudspeaker it is feeding without generating any feedback. However, the PROPER use of such a special mic requires a user to get close to it...VERY close. If the mic is held even 4 to 6-inches way from the mouth, the highly directional pickup pattern and the noise cancelling aspect of the mic come into play. The mic cannot differentiate between the sound from the users voice and the surrounding noise. Thus the signal from the mic is not very high and the resulting sound from the speaker is weak.
The problem can be solved by INSISTING that people use the mic up close to their mouth. By "up close" I mean no more than 1" to 2" away from the mouth. Do that and everyone will hear just fine.
