[Milsurplus] throat mike technique

[Rian Robison]

Hi Robert and  Gang,

While working for Atlantic Pipe Line (later in ARCO), I would salvage the
carbon elements of telephone handsets by drying them out and unpacking
them.  What I did was to put the bad element on the dash of my truck for
several weeks or longer till needed as a replacement part.  I would then
tap its edges on a desk while rotating it several times.  This worked for
most of them.  Some would still have low output and would be trashed.  I am
talking about F-3  type of handsets elements that were purchased mostly in
the 40s thru the 60s.  Some were as old as the late 30s.  I have done this
with an old T-17 about 20 years ago (not taking it apart) and wrapping it
in a rag before a light tapping, it did seemed to help.  At least it had
more output.  As to voice quality, nobody complained but no exacting
measurements were make either.

This isn't a high tech lab way of doing it but it did work for me.  If it
doesn't work now, what can it hurt to give it a try?   Remember to use a
rag so as not to break it.

Rian,
W6SVU


> [Original Message]
> From: <WA5CAB@cs.com>
> To: <AAF-Radio-1@cox.net>; <milsurplus@mailman.qth.net>
> Date: 3/25/2003 6:50:03 AM
> Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] throat mike technique
>
> Mike,
>
> Good pix.  I'm sure that you're correct about the T-45 being a ground use 
> mic.  I should have been more specific.  The ear-loops that attach to
T-45 to 
> the user aren't too comfortable.  The Navy variant, CW-51071, is better
in 
> this regard.  It is the same as the T-45 except that in place of the 
> ear-loops it has two female snaps that attach to male snaps on the sides
of 
> the 49507 headset.
>
> The M-51/UR element was also used in the M-52/U carbon hand-mic that
replaced 
> the T-17.  I have some M-52A/U NOSB.  They have a straight cord that can
also 
> be used to replace the cord in a T-17.
>
> Is there any technique that is effective in unpacking the granules?
>
>
> In a message dated 3/25/2003 5:25:46 AM Central Standard Time, 
> AAF-Radio-1@cox.net writes: 
> As far as I can determine from the docs here, the T-45 wasn't used in 
> WWII aircraft.  Watching Norm Chipps demonstrate one in his excellent 
> talk at last fall's MRCA meet, I'm just as glad...that contraption 
> hanging below my nose would drive me nuts.  :-)  On the other hand, the 
> reported voice quality doesn't surprise me, since the AAF did use the 
> T-45 noise canceling mike element (M-6A/UR) in the H-46/UR boom mike 
> headset I mentioned in a previous post.  Unfortunately, the M-6 often 
> suffers from "granule packing" after long periods of exposure to 
> moisture.  The good news is that the later M-51/UR mike element used in 
> more common 50's/60's H-63/UR boom mike headsets is a plug and play 
> replacement, and is indistinguishable from the old M-6A externally.  It 
> also has better voice quality and less tendency to solidify.  I see an 
> occasional H-63 at hamfests - not much desired because of the 
> uncomfortable hard plastic earmuffs - but the mike element is excellent. 
>   I left the picture up at http://members.cox.net/mymhh/H-46_vs_H-63.JPG 
> if you missed it.
>
> Robert Downs
> Houston
> <wa5cab@cs.com>
>
>
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