The AM Forum

Hi everyone,

I recently restored a Viking Valiant that I purchased from Carl WA1KPD (great guy) to go along with an NC-300 that I purchased from him a year ago. Carl gave me this photo he had of a similar set up in W9QFC's shack from 1962.  Can anyone help me identify the mic in the picture?  I'd like to find one to complete my setup.

TU es 73,
Tony W1TTL

I claim no expertise, but the lines of it suggest a Shure product- maybe a 520??  

I don't know if Shure produced variations or different models of this mic, but it looks exactly like my Shure CR-41, which utilizes a controlled reluctance element.

ka8gef

Here's a link that might help.

https://images.app.goo.gl/dbE4aeTt2vxU6xev8

Gentlemen,

Thank you so much!  All your responses helped.  Based on what you told me, I also found this:

https://greenbulletmics.net/shure-microphone-photographs/

73,
Tony W1TTL

Looks like a Shure microphone on a S-36 stand.  Maybe a green bullet on the s-36 stand?  Those microphones are getting pricey and many (if not most) have bad or weak elements.  Replacement crystal elements are virtually non-existent.

as I recall that is a shure 520 which was the predecessor to the 444 .... zinc castings instead of molded plastic .... the controled reluctance mic cartridges in the 520 are sought after by harmonica players to get that 'down home sound'  ;D

That mic was supplied by GE Two Way radio for base station applications and by other two way manufacturers. Same element as the 444 series. They don't do well on AM unless you want to sound like a stock Apache. I have several new elements and they don't sound any better than the crappy 60 year old used ones I have. Huge proximity effect and very bad inductive hum pickup.

Yes, as above.  That was called the Shure Dispatcher.  They used to be used on GE Pre-Progress VHF police base stations and RCA used them too, along with DuMont and Aerotron.  Common wisdom is that they make lousy ham mikes.  I think the mobile radio industry ones had dynamic elements, no amplifier (1950's) and were low impedance(?)  I never got around to trying them on my ham rigs.  They are a handsome looking mike, but looks doesn't always translate to good function.