[MRCA] WTB Mic for BC-375

[Chris Bowne]

A carbon telephone element from an old landline telephone works OK.  Gives much more output than a T-17 element.  You can adapt one to work with a T-17 case with a liberal application of electrical tape.

I have mine installed directly in a 50s vintage Navy handset with a push to talk button that activates a key line in addition to unmuting the mike, and can use the recveiver end to take audio from whatever radio I am using with the 375. Command Sets, TCS Sets, ART-13,or GRC-9 in the shack. The are also some handsets out there that only mute the mike on "receive", so be sure you get one with a key line. 

There have been a few carbon mike replacement circuits in ER over the years that adapt a RS electret element to a small one or two transistor amplifier/emitter follower that also work well.

As far as the brushes, you may be able to get a bit more life from them by stretching their backing springs out a bit.  I've never had to replace any brushes (yet) in my dynos, but there may be standard sizes available at motor shops or even in those yellow specialized parts bins at the local hardware store, or auto parts store.  Uncle Sam probably has a warehouse full of them somewhere.....

73, Chris, AJ1G
Stonington, CT