[ARC5] Carbon Microphone Inquiry

[DSP3]

On 10/15/2014 2:24 AM, k7mks at comcast.net wrote:
> Am restoring a Stancor ST-203A 10 meter rig which requires a carbon microphone into a 6J5 grounded grid speech amp to a pair of 6V6's.. Would appreciate comments from those who have experience with the the T-17 and Telephonics mics. Does one have advantages over the other or it it a push?
>
> I trust this inquiry about carbon mics will be appropriate for group.
>
> Thanks joe k7mks
>
>
Joe,

Any single-button carbon element will work, of course, but regarding the 
T-17 and Telephonics (assumed to be a Navy or FAA RS-38 type "round" 
mic) , like other have said, it all depends on how its been treated all 
these years.  My best military  carbon mics are an original T-17 and a 
T-32 "candlestick".  Some of the worst output mics I have are a few of 
the RS-38s.  Some T-17's can be re-built with HS-33/PT mic elements or 
those from an old PBX headset/mic combination.  The thing to do is hook 
the mic up and see which one sounds best and gives good modulation, as 
seen on a scope.  By the way, don't try and to disassemble a T-17D 
unless you're sure you want to try and rebuild it.  The reason is, as 
you try and disassemble it, all the carbon granules will spill out due 
to the way its originally built.  Most other T-17's can be re-done, one 
way or another.

Jeep - K3HVG