US Navy Microphones?

[forget]

Are there any US Mil avionics/tech people out there who know the background to The New Generation of Navy Microphones –
HERE (http://derry.gentexcorp.com/pdf/N100270.pdf)

US Mil aircraft mics, across the board, have traditionally been low impedance dynamic. Why the change? Why only Navy, apparently? How new is new?

[forget]

Come on guys and gals. This is Prune. Someone out there has the answer. The original Mics were as good as any, better than most. So why the change, which, over the years will cost the Navy a fortune in compatibility.

A 'Kind Word' for the first to come up with the answer. :ok:

[Graviman]

Forget, have you got a link to an example of the current generation of Mics?

I'll have a look at the specs and see if anything stands out.

[forget]

Thanks. The old/current Mics and the new ones are totally incompatible, so there must be a very good reason for the change. Can't imagine what it is.

Traditional US Mil Mic here http://sonetronics.com/pdf/microphones/1&2.pdf

New microphone here http://www.derry.gentexcorp.com/m-177.htm

[SASless]

I have sent an e-mail to a friend that works in Flight Test at NAS Pax River....if he provides an answer to the quetion I will post that here.

For years I have used the David Clark headsets with the selector switch for microphone impedance thus it should not be too big a deal to equip helmets or headsets with the ability to switch between the two.....or so it would seem anyway.

[forget]

Thanks SAS,……………with the selector switch for microphone impedance it should not be too big a deal to equip helmets or headsets with the ability to switch between the two.....or so it would seem anyway.

It’s not so much impedance that’s the problem, it’s aircraft Audio Boxes and aircraft wiring. ‘Traditional’ military aircraft use Dynamic Mics, which don’t require an energising voltage to work. Your old Chinook/Huey helmet (no doubt you have one) is an example. On the other hand, ‘civil’ aircraft use ‘Carbon Equivalent’ mics which is a hangover from the 1930s - I kid you not. Carbon mics were rubbish; and needed a voltage to work, supplied from the Audio Boxes. To improve matters this voltage was hi-jacked and used to power amplifiers integral to the replacement ‘Carbon Equivalent’ mics.

Have you nodded off yet? It’s all boring stuff, other than why the US Navy has spent loads of money changing something that wasn’t broke. :confused:

If you’re really excited about this there’s an article on Mic history here

http://www.defensedailynetwork.com/cgi/av/show_mag.cgi?pub=av&mon=1101&file=1101asd.htm

and Part 2 http://www.defensedailynetwork.com/cgi/av/show_mag.cgi?pub=av&mon=1201&file=1201asd.htm