# Ideal "line out" attenuation for HT "mic in"?

**URL:** <https://forum.digirig.net/t/ideal-line-out-attenuation-for-ht-mic-in/468>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Tags:** qrz-1-explorer, troubleshoot-audio\
**Created:** [October 31, 2022, 12:31am UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ideal-line-out-attenuation-for-ht-mic-in/468 "2022-10-31T00:31:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![spatulacity](https://forum.digirig.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/51bf81/32.png) [@spatulacity](https://forum.digirig.net/u/spatulacity)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 12:31am UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ideal-line-out-attenuation-for-ht-mic-in/468/1 "2022-10-31T00:31:13Z")

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Hello! I have a QRZ-1 Explorer working with the Baofeng cables. It’s been working great, including with CHIRP.

One of my goals was to improve the sound quality of my transmitted voice. I’ve been unhappy with both the built-in and external mics. On the PC, I can use a quality mic, apply EQ, compression, etc.

My help request: I’m using trial-and-error to determine how much to turn down the Digrig’s “line out” signal for the HT’s “mic in”. Unfortunately, the QRZ-1 has no audio settings (ex. automatic gain) or any indicators of the input level.

Given a 0 dB test tone, is there an educated guess as to how much to attenuate (e. -40 dB) the “line out” signal for the best SNR, without overloading the HT?

Thank you!

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**Author:** ![K0TX](https://forum.digirig.net/user_avatar/forum.digirig.net/k0tx/32/3_2.png) [@K0TX](https://forum.digirig.net/u/K0TX)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 1:00am UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ideal-line-out-attenuation-for-ht-mic-in/468/2 "2022-10-31T01:00:13Z")

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It would be hard to come up with a one-size-fits all suggestion. See if you can engage a fellow ham with another HT to monitor and correct your signal on the other end. That’s what ultimately matters.

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**Author:** ![spatulacity](https://forum.digirig.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/51bf81/32.png) [@spatulacity](https://forum.digirig.net/u/spatulacity)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 1:30am UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ideal-line-out-attenuation-for-ht-mic-in/468/3 "2022-10-31T01:30:38Z")

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Will do. Thank you, K0TX!

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**Author:** ![Constrainted](https://forum.digirig.net/user_avatar/forum.digirig.net/constrainted/32/2219_2.png) [@Constrainted](https://forum.digirig.net/u/Constrainted)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2022, 3:15pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ideal-line-out-attenuation-for-ht-mic-in/468/4 "2022-12-22T15:15:46Z")

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Any results with this approach?

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**Author:** ![spatulacity](https://forum.digirig.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/51bf81/32.png) [@spatulacity](https://forum.digirig.net/u/spatulacity)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2022, 10:56pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ideal-line-out-attenuation-for-ht-mic-in/468/5 "2022-12-23T22:56:59Z")

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Yeah! I was able to use a local repeater that offers a web stream to listen to my own signal and adjust as needed.

YMMV, but I’ve found somewhere around -27 dB offers the most signal without distortion.

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**Author:** ![Constrainted](https://forum.digirig.net/user_avatar/forum.digirig.net/constrainted/32/2219_2.png) [@Constrainted](https://forum.digirig.net/u/Constrainted)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2022, 10:31pm UTC](https://forum.digirig.net/t/ideal-line-out-attenuation-for-ht-mic-in/468/6 "2022-12-24T22:31:52Z")

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Thanks for following up with that info. Glad it worked out.