Pye M201 Microphone Help - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

kirdford · 23rd Jul 2013, 1:15 pm

I recently inherited a Pye M201 Radiotelephone which I want to use as an airband radio station for an airfield (read as long bit of grass!). I've managed to get it working and can receive transmissions but I don't have a microphone. There's a picture of the back of the machine here:

[img]http://farm8.*****************/7452/9351435560_c313529e64.jpg[/img]

I have all the relevant qualifications/licences to use it but need some help sourcing a microphone. Can anyone help me please?

G6Tanuki · 23rd Jul 2013, 2:27 pm

I reckon you'll find the M201 is *well* past its CAA type-approval period for any kind of UK airband use.

They're certainly no longer type-approved for private-mobile-radio use (and haven't been for at least the last fifteen years).

kirdford · 23rd Jul 2013, 2:32 pm

Actually I've had it certified for use and have approval from the CAA. Just need to know what mic I need, can you help?

AC/HL · 23rd Jul 2013, 2:47 pm

As far as I know the microphone from any Pye mobile will work, certainly the earlier ones.

gohunter · 23rd Jul 2013, 2:55 pm

I have one and have sent you a PM with my number to call later.

G6Tanuki · 23rd Jul 2013, 3:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirdford

Actually I've had it certified for use and have approval from the CAA. Just need to know what mic I need, can you help?

Am surprised it passed the CAA approval!

The microphone usually used with the Olympic series radios (and also with some of the military 'MOULD' stuff I had a lot of experience on) was nicknamed the "shaver" microphone because it has an angled head with a silver grille on the end which looks rather like an electric shaver.

It has a bright orange PTT button, and uses a 3-terminal Electret insert which needs a +10V supply from the radio to operate.

http://highfields-arc.co.uk/construc...cpye/pye03.htm

Note that some of these mics have a timer circuit built into the microphone that limits the PTT operation to something like a minute - after this it reverts to receive even if you have the PTT button pressed - the idea being to stop the channel being jammed if someone sits on the PTT.

Hope that helps.

--G6Tanuki

Restoration73 · 23rd Jul 2013, 3:48 pm

There is a conventional type microphone as well as the shaver version. Usually there is
a small label on the cable indicating FM or AM, the latter usually has an extra capacitor
as a low pass filter. Pye became Philips RCS became Simoco so other brand labels may
work.

kirdford · 23rd Jul 2013, 4:24 pm

Thank you all, especially gohunter. Managed to sort this out and should have it all working in a few days. I found a letter from the CAA along the lines of "that's really old but if you get it tested then I guess that's OK". Luckily I managed to find the follow up letter granting approval!
I'm amazed that this was sorted out in a few hours, what a great forum!

AC/HL · 23rd Jul 2013, 4:43 pm

Just as a follow up, I've checked Chris Lorek's book and it gives the connections as:
1. Mic
2. Screen
3. PTT
4. Earphone
5. PTT

23rd Jul 2013, 1:15 pm	#1
kirdford Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: West Sussex Posts: 3	Pye M201 Microphone Help I recently inherited a Pye M201 Radiotelephone which I want to use as an airband radio station for an airfield (read as long bit of grass!). I've managed to get it working and can receive transmissions but I don't have a microphone. There's a picture of the back of the machine here: [img]http://farm8.*****************/7452/9351435560_c313529e64.jpg[/img] I have all the relevant qualifications/licences to use it but need some help sourcing a microphone. Can anyone help me please? Attached Thumbnails

23rd Jul 2013, 2:27 pm	#2
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 14,006	Re: Pye M201 Microphone Help I reckon you'll find the M201 is well past its CAA type-approval period for any kind of UK airband use. They're certainly no longer type-approved for private-mobile-radio use (and haven't been for at least the last fifteen years).

23rd Jul 2013, 2:32 pm	#3
kirdford Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: West Sussex Posts: 3	Re: Pye M201 Microphone Help Actually I've had it certified for use and have approval from the CAA. Just need to know what mic I need, can you help?

23rd Jul 2013, 2:47 pm	#4
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Pye M201 Microphone Help As far as I know the microphone from any Pye mobile will work, certainly the earlier ones.

23rd Jul 2013, 2:55 pm	#5
gohunter Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Birkenhead Posts: 2	Re: Pye M201 Microphone Help I have one and have sent you a PM with my number to call later.

23rd Jul 2013, 3:48 pm	#7
Restoration73 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Surbiton, SW London, UK. Posts: 2,801	Re: Pye M201 Microphone Help There is a conventional type microphone as well as the shaver version. Usually there is a small label on the cable indicating FM or AM, the latter usually has an extra capacitor as a low pass filter. Pye became Philips RCS became Simoco so other brand labels may work.

23rd Jul 2013, 4:24 pm	#8
kirdford Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: West Sussex Posts: 3	Re: Pye M201 Microphone Help Thank you all, especially gohunter. Managed to sort this out and should have it all working in a few days. I found a letter from the CAA along the lines of "that's really old but if you get it tested then I guess that's OK". Luckily I managed to find the follow up letter granting approval! I'm amazed that this was sorted out in a few hours, what a great forum!

23rd Jul 2013, 4:43 pm	#9
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Pye M201 Microphone Help Just as a follow up, I've checked Chris Lorek's book and it gives the connections as: 1. Mic 2. Screen 3. PTT 4. Earphone 5. PTT