[ARC5] Re: [Milsurplus] Command key ?

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 6/25/05, David Stinson <arc5 at ix.netcom.com> wrote:
> Military1944 at aol.com wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > Just finishing off a Command set up here,
> > 2 x rx and 2 x tx layout,
>  > was just wondering what the correct mic and
> > key are with these sets ? >
> > thinking T-17 and J-37 ?
> > guess there may have been slight variations
> > depending upon aircraft fit but what was used in the B-17 etc?
> 
> Concerning the microphone:
> As Mike said; the T-17 would be "valid,"
> but not common after 1942 in combat aircraft,
> John Wayne movies notwithstanding ;-).
> 1942 B-17 and B-24 radio installation manuals call for
> the T-17 or T-20, which would connect, not directly to
> the Command Set, but to the the interphone amplifier.
> Amplified output was fed to the BC-456 modulator,
> along with keying lines which were "straight-through."
> These were later replaced by throat mikes which left
> both hands free, and many a B-24 pilot will tell you
> it takes both hands to keep that beast in the air,
> even if it isn't full of holes.
> The transmit key for the throat mike was a button
> mounted on the aircraft control yoke.

B-24D radio manual I have dated 1943 does show the T-17 with its
unobtanium holder on left side wall of fuselage by pilot's seat. Also
shows the push buttons on the pilot and co-pilot's control wheels for
the throat mic. I suspect they used an older 'canned' photo for the
manual, or more likely, simply updated the older manual with newer
text as needed.

Can't recall seeing any key info, but it does clearly state that the
Command sets were meant for ship-to-ship comms and liason for
ship-to-base or ship-to-ground station comms, as has been stated here
many times.

I'm going to guess that those little, round bakelite mics used with
the ARC-5 gear (RS-38?) didn't make it to army aircraft. They look
pretty handy, but would probably be a bear to handle with thick flight
gloves on.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ