[Milsurplus] T-17s, ART-13s and BC-375s

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 6/18/05, David Stinson <arc5 at ix.netcom.com> wrote:
> One of our members recently wrote me with a question.
> I pass it along for general information.
> ------------------------
> 
>  > Something you may be able to answer...
>  > I run a couple of ART-13's.  Both have good
>  > signals but the speech is quiet.  They produce full 100w+
>  > and good carrier, however other Hams are saying
>  > they expected more power in
>  > the speech. I am using a standard carbon mic T-17b...
> 
> I have owned over a dozen T-17s and none will modulate an ART-13
> (or TCS, or ARC-5 etc.) more than 40-50% - most much less.
> They were designed to be insensitive due to the
> high noise environment in the aircraft and age
> has not improved them.  Training manuals
> specifically instruct the user to hold the microphone in contact
> with the lips, to speak loudly, clearly and "like President Roosevelt,"
> as one says.  

I bet I've owned at least a half dozen 'hammed' or otherwise T-17s
that prove this out: the bakelite mouthpieces had numerous extra holes
drilled through them to admit more sound. An original has only three
tiny holes.

It's funny to look at them too. Some have very nicely spaced, evenly
arranged holes that look professional. Others look like a drunk
attacked them with a drill in an attempt to get in one last request
before closing time.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ