From: micdunn (micdunn@ev1.net)
Date: Sun May 11 2003 - 22:21:08 PDT
Patrick and list,
I am by no means a radio operator (maybe soon!) however I frequently used
military radios as part of being a Forward Air Controller. The background
noise was often deafening, you could not even hear your own voice at full
volume. The best 3 microphones I ever got to use were (in order, absolute
best last).
A helmet with a directional mike that touched your lips,mounted on two
skinny steel rods.
The second best was for use sneaking around and was a tiny plastic earpiece
that not only received, but also transmitted your whispers, I was told it
used skull vibrations.
The absolute best mike was also helmet mounted and we used it in the Jolly
Green Giant (H53) and Spooky(AC-130). It was two directional mikes mounted
in a elasticized strap that went from the back of the helmet under your
chin. The mikes were padded and circular and pressed tight against both
sides of the larynx. You could speak in a normal voice, and even if all the
guns were blazing, you could only hear your voice in the helmet headphones.
It was kind of eerie.
Maybe a helmet is not practical in an M35, but perhaps you could copy the
last type using a couple of small waterproof mikes and 3 or 4 blousing
straps. I think the key is to physically touch the larynx, uncomfortable but
effective.
-Sarge
PS. 'twas good to meet you!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Patrick Jankowiak" <eccm@swbell.net>
To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh@mil-veh.org>
Sent: Sunday, May 11, 2003 8:46 PM
Subject: [MV] CB in MV
> Here's some commo thoughts for long range drivers. Long winded, yes.
>
> A CB radio is needed in the M35 becaue I like to drive the wide open roads
of the great State of Texas. CB is the road
> language..
>
> The antenna installed is made of MS-116, 117, and 118, with an AB-15-like
base (the rubber shaft part is thicker and the
> base is plastic). It resonates at 22 MHz but will be fine with an antenna
tuner.
>
> I have a vanner 50 amp battery equalizer, so 12VDC is no problem
>
> I do not like the modulation quality (transmit audio quality) of most
modern (foreign-made) CB radios, and I just can't
> picture one of those cheap plastic things in there, even painted green.
Let's face it, even a Cobra 148-GTL does not sound
> anything like the old plate-modulated boat-anchors of ye olde American
manufacture.
>
> I have just repaired and aligned a Sonar FS-23 tube-type CB made in 1965.
3 tubes and 4 resistors later, the CB is
> working.
>
> I will have to remove its covers and front panel and give them the ol'
green treatment. Replace the meter with a GRC-106
> type meter.
>
> The knobs are another issue.. They are not military-looking, but are held
on by setscrews. Knobs like those on the
> VRC-12/RT524, or GRC106, PRC77, etc. are held on by screws put in from the
front,. I don't have the means to deal with
> that.
>
> For starters, a small PA speaker in the cab should provide enough volume
from the CB to be heard in the M35. The issue
> will be the CB's mike. It will surely pick up all the noise.
>
> This brings up the question of microphones in general. MIL aircraft and
trucks are real noisy. Yet the radio operator's
> voice is always clear and above the noise (re: the AC130 gunship video).
What's the secret? (besides the CB mike is
> uuuugly!)
>
> (integration to VIC-1 is possible, another subject for later)
>
> Now, some will say it's not right to do this, putting a CB in a military
vehicle, that I should use military radios.
>
> I agree to a point of aesthetics, but where to find a 'small' underdash
military radio which is low powered and will
> easily do the 23 or 40 channels of the 27 MHz band?
>
> A 27 MHz FM rig like in G. R. Baker's M5 Stuart is quite big and would
have to be modified heavily for more than
> rudimentary AM use. I will not chop up a good military radio!
>
> A PRC104 is too expensive.
>
> The GRC106 won't fit under the dash and although I could mount one on the
passenger seat, I would be distracted trying to
> change channels, fiddling with the fine tuning because CB's are often
slightly off frequency and the 106 is essentially a
> SSB radio, forever shooting thieves in my driveway, and its 400 watts is a
bit excessive for CB!
>
> So therefore a resurrected tube type CB, saved from the junk box.
>
> I'll have some pictures of it later when it is green.
>
> soapbox off.
> flame away!
>
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