[ARC5] mike current

[Mike Hanz]

On 9/6/2011 5:43 PM, Bob Krueger wrote:
> Any body know the carbon mike button current of the T17 mikes commonly used with the arc5 equipment?

Nominally 40mA, Bob.  That's about in the middle of the usual 20-65mA 
range for the RS-38 and T-17 mikes used with WWII sets.  More current = 
higher output, but also higher distortion.  Tests made in 1943 showed 
about 40% peak distortion for the T-17 while the RS-38 had a peak of 
about 15% at the upper end of the normal voice frequency range.  
Distortion at 1kHz was 22% for the T-17 and 5% for the RS-38.  Carbon 
granule cementation over the years will of course affect output.

73,
Mike