The AM Forum

I just acquired a Astatic JT-30-F for $150.00. A quick google search seems to indicate that the 'harmonica' crowd likes these things. But there is little 'radio' commentary.  The face is crome, on a gray 'bullet' body. the cartridge is marked MC 101

Anyone use this thing? Particularly fer radio?



klc

This mic element is ceramic and was also used in the D104 mics from probably the mid 1960's on.  So, essentially they are equivalent mics.

W,

Thanks.   I should download a copy of a '60s Astatic catalog.

klc

I saw a JT-30 in like-new condition with a DX-60 on sale for $80 at a hamfest during the '90s. I asked the seller if he would sell the mike separately, but he refused. I bought both, used them together for a short time until we moved from our house, then disposed of the Tx locally but kept the mike until about three years ago when it was sold on eBay for $5 more than I paid for the DX-60 and the mike!.

The JT-30 had a price of $9.97 in the 1950 Allied Radio catalog, a time when it was commonly included with home tape recorders, low cost PA systems and often used by beginner hams on phone. It is a reasonably good mike that unfortunately has acquired cult status. Like many ordinary receiving tubes from RCA and other major manufacturers now selling for 30X their original price, cults, apparently including harmonica players, have no limit for what they will pay for bragging rights.

Cherish your JT-30 and be sure to keep the chrome grille clean because those mikes typically develop pitting and flaking of the crome plating if not properly preserved. And if you ever decide to part with it and harmonica players have not adopted a new pet, you might be able to get a higher price than you just paid.
Or maybe not.

Bob - NE

Never have used any one of mine on the air Kevin although I did work a guy in Ky. many times that uses one on his T150 xmitter.
He sounded ok much like the D104 sound.

Pictured is one of the 3 I have. This one gives me the best blues sound when I'm harpin'. I used it for many years in a traveling blues band back in the '70s & 80s!

WA2RII used to run a JT30 into his Viking Kilowatt, and he sounded quite good indeed.

Well, thanks everyone for the comments. It looks like (sounds like) the mic is OK. So it was worth the money.  Now, I'll just have to try the rest of the attachments to the mic and see if they are any good ( a JV2, 122 VFO and a NC 183D).

klc