Motorola (handheld) Microphone question(s)

[airboss]

So, I have a couple of Maxtracs (one is 16 pin, one is 5 pin) that are working superbly. One has the larger 1035C mic that requires (rear hanger) grounding in order to scan, fine - I knew that. The other mic is a smaller 1056D that works perfectly, and does NOT require grounding for the scan to work (on either machine) - just discovered this. Grounding the 1035C is kind of a pain here in the shack.

Apparently these mics are wired slightly differently.

I prefer both of these rigs on (user) scan all the time.

So, is there any problem going with the 1056D (not sure what was original equipment here).?

thx

de W7EJT

[Will]

Apparently these mics are wired slightly differently.
So, is there any problem going with the 1056D (not sure what was original equipment here).?
thx de W7EJT

The mic that is staying 'hung-up' probably has a broken spring contact.

Both mics are wired the same electrically.

[majorminor]

Would replacing a mic be too costly?

[airboss]

Well, both mics work perfectly. Still, I will buy another smaller (1056D). They are less than $20 on eBay and compare...

[RFguy]

The other mic is a smaller 1056D that works perfectly, and does NOT require grounding for the scan to work (on either machine)

Technically, both mics do need to be grounded for scan/monitoring to work. If you look close, the 1056D has 2 parts to the hang-up button, separated by an insulator. the actual post and then a second ring around the back of the mic with some fingers. that second ring is grounded, by hanging the mic up on a metal (conductive) mic clip, the circuit is connected between the grounded ring and the back post.

If you had a mic clip made of plastic, you would find that hanging up the mic would not make your radio go into scan.

So either mic does the same thing, just in slightly different ways.

PS: As a technician, we hated the 1056D when they came out. They were sealed and no way to repair them. We were horrified that we would have to throw away the whole mic if the PTT switch went bad. As time went on, we realized they were very reliable and inexpensive to replace. As a bonus, the mic cable is a simple change. They turned out to be a very good mic.