|
I will start the tour with an old (almost as all the microphone that will appear here), almost vintage microphone. This one was manufactured in the 80’s and after by Altai of Japan. Mine was offered to me by a good friend . It was sold under several brand and model names.
So you can find it under:
Ham International TW-232S
Monacor TW-232S.
Leson TW-232.
Maas TW232DM.
COBRA CA-72
Ham-master 4200
Mine was sold by Ham International, a Belgian based company.
The TW-232S is a base station dynamic (even if somes said its a ceramic insert) microphone with amplifier and speech compression.
“Nutrition facts”
Year : 1980
Type of microphone : Dynamic
Microphone characteristic : omni directional
Sensitivity : -25dB (0dB = 1Volt/microbar)
Nominal Output : 482mV
Max output :
Output at mid Range : 70mV
Output impedance : 4.5KOhm or less.
Frequency response : 200Hz - 5kHz
Amplifier voltage gain : 30dB
Compression : 37dB
Meter : No
Echo : No
Lock switch : Yes
Tx LED : No
Battery : 9V
Remarks, -25db (0dB=1Volt/microbar) is a quite old reference system used mostly by non european manufacturers. -25dB(0dB=1Volt/microbar) is equivalent to -5dB(0dB=1Volt/Pa) the now used reference. This means that if you speak loud (not cry) in your microphone from about 2 inches a distance you should get 562mV(max output) at the output of the microphone (at 1KHz and 600Ohm load) . I measure 482mV with a fresh battery, so not that bad.
Ham international said from this microphone, sic, “The TW-232S is a versatile, omni-directional base station microphone with incorporated speech compressor amplifier. Excels not only by its rugged and elegant design, but also by the high modulation level capability. It is provided with a high quality dynamic element, and a special lock switch. The extreme voice clarity makes this microphone very suitable for local as well DX-communication. The TW-232S of almost legendary reliability can be used with all types of transceivers.
My opinion, a good microphone which does the job, silent pedal switch, full metal jacket, reliable, compression could have been stronger, more low tones could have been fine.
Seen price: 30€ (poor conds) to 120€(mint to mint boxed)
My opinion : 4.1 stars from 5
Listen to the TW-232S modulation’s (potentiometer at mid range, 70mV).
|
