Courier Base Microphones

[Dawn]

Does anyone know what the original desk microphone option was for the Centurion line of big box bases?
I can't find any reference or photos, even of the contemporary Caravelle AM sets or similar Fanon models that show anything but the hand microphone attached in either the older round top or later geometric shapped one.

 

[oldradioguy2010]

mic wiring

OK here is what i did to wire an old Rengency mic, google turner microphone, there is a list of how to wire the Turner +2 to a lot of radios.
I just reversed what it said and the microphone was correct.
They dont make the +2 anymore but you can find the old wire diagrams on line
hope it works for you, and do keep me posted, I really woould like to know


DW
So.Cal

 

[Dawn]

DW, I'm just needing to know what the original base/desk microphone that was sold as an accessory with the Centurions and probably the Caravelle's. Both used 1/4" stereo jacks unlike the mobiles. This is for a restoration I'm doing of a 40PLL.

There is no problem with wiring any mic for these directly as long as it's a low impedance dynamic. I use a cobra type 4 pin and a handfull of adapters in the shop. For working on this one, I just wired a 4 pin series male to a stereo phone jack and it works just fine.

This radio is about '77 in vintage as it was the first 40 channel Centurion. The Turner +3/ Supersidekick type was the dominant OEM frame of the time replacing the sharkfin Turner +2 power mic/ 250 unamplified around '72-'73.

I've found a reference for a BT-1 Courier that came out about '73. I don't know if that was the correct mic for this radio. Only photo I've seen of one from E-bay had a multipin locking connector on it and not a phone plug. Earlier Courier bases before the wood panel sided units used the Turner sharkfins from what I remember.

 

[TheSpaceMan]

OK here is what i did to wire an old Rengency mic, google turner microphone, there is a list of how to wire the Turner +2 to a lot of radios.
I just reversed what it said and the microphone was correct.
They dont make the +2 anymore but you can find the old wire diagrams on line
hope it works for you, and do keep me posted, I really woould like to know


DW
So.Cal

There are lots of used Turner Plus 2's still floating around! Seen them often in the classified listings.

 

[Dawn]

While the +2 will work, it's not appropriate for this radio and was never sold as an accessory for it.

 

[oldradioguy2010]

sorry, good luck.

DW
SoCal.

 

[Unit243]

I have an original Courier BTM-4 power desk mic hooked up to a Courier Centurion

 

[Dawn]

Thanks for the model number and period info. I just wanted to make sure I knew the correct vintage mic to pair the Centurions with.

I found one online and it looks near identical to the BT-1 that I mentione above and probably was only the connector difference. Outside of the red PTT bar, they look vaugley similar to one that Pearce Simpson used on the Simbas. If I understand correctly, the board inside the original 23 channel Courier and the Simba were also near identical, so it would stand to reason if they were sourcing from the same vendor.

 

[Unit243]

Dont mind the cell phone pic , the piece of tape or the missing wood on the side ( I'm gonna get wood cut and I'm gonna stain it )

but here is mine