[ARC5] Command Sets and Other Rarities

[Sandy Blaize]

Jeese! ALL the T-17's are gone?  I remember as a kid when the surplus places 
used to advertise in Radio TV News (I didn't yet know about ARRL and "QST") 
T-17 mikes were as common as chiggers in the Louisiana central forests! 
They used to sell for 49 cents and a few pennies shipping, BRAND NEW in 
original GI packing that would fend off a flood or being thrown about before 
being unpacked!
Big problem was a lack of sensitivity in the T-17.  The old F1 telephone 
button could be had from a used telephone or stolen from a "pay phone" on 
the models that used the handset instead of the old candlestick receiver. 
It had much better fidelity and output.
What was the number on the little squatty round can type mike the navy used 
kinda shaped like a thick version of a modern snuff can?  Never saw one 
offered surplus new or used.  When I did they were expensive!  ($5-$7!!!)

Good luck hunting for a nice shiny new one.  (T-17 that is)

73,
Sandy W5TVW

I can't spend the next 10 years and another pile of cash
trying to find just one good T-17 mike;
I'm going to have to "cross my fingers" and substitute
an "unauthentic" element that will actually work.
It's a small price to reach my goals.