pverrando Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 I have one of these units, still works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrd456 Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 Let's see a picture of yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Reineke Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 I like Fig. 2, item #6 (low profile plug). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pverrando Posted February 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 The battery pack uses two 30 volt batteries for B+ and 2 AA's for filament voltage for the two miniature pentodes. Operating frequency is about 35mHz. The microphone is actually a capacitor microphone, which is in a tank circuit with the coil, that frequency modulates the oscillator. The patent/promotional literature from 1957 states that the "microphone is permanently mounted on top of the case and faces the upper air behind a decorative hankerchief that conceals it." The battery pack rides on the inside pocket. No need to ever wire a female, apparently! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pverrando Posted February 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pverrando Posted February 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 Deeper down the rabbit hole.... As mentioned in the above article, CBS used concealed wireless microphones for the live "Person to Person" series of Edward R. Murrow that ran from 1953 to 1961. This show was a technical feat for its time, utilizing line-of-sight microwave relays to transmit from the featured guest's location to the tv studio. Could this be one of the few uses of the Stevenson microphone shown above? Episodes are viewable on youtube, and while clothing noise is occasionally apparent, the mics sound surprisingly robust. I've read some tales here, in the past, of use of Vega's early wireless hidden in the neckties of one or two early feature films of the 60's. Any info? The first Vegas were simple 4 transistor FM transmitters with dynamic mic elements and a mercury 6.4 volt cell that helped maintain frequency stability, as there were no crystal oscillators used. These were used extensively in the coverage of the political conventions of 1963 and 1964. They also offered a ridiculous helmet antenna accessory for increased range, but the interviews conducted with these were always ruined by unintentional smirks and laughter. (see photos below ) Hilarious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenn Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 That is very cool. Thanks for sharing. Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old school Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 Very interesting. CrewC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 Was this the wireless that was used for Rex Harrison's "Never Let A Woman In Your Life" live record on the set of "My Fair Lady"? I read about this awhile back (695 quarterly?) but the brand of the wireless wasn't mentioned. The article did say that it was a tube system, and that they had rented it from a local TV network affiliate. I think that shoot was in 1963. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prahlad Strickland Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 Did it have never clip. This is very cool. A tube wireless mic system. I want one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pverrando Posted February 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 The Vega-Mike was indeed used on Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady, and generally recognized as the first use of wireless in film production. If you watch his various musical numbers from the film on youtube, you can spot the cigar-shaped transmitter hidden in his tie. Unlike many actors, he was bad at lip-syncing, and declined to pre-record his musical numbers. As a partial solution, film sound pioneer George Groves adopted the wireless. The transmitter uses four transistors and a 6.5 volt mercury battery to help with frequency stability at 35 mHz. The receiver was the 17 lb vacuum tube model shown in the pictures above. The Vega manual advises the user to maintain "a firm grip" on the handheld mic (pictured above), as the case contact with the hand comprised the counterpoise for the whip antenna. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmfsnd Posted February 28, 2015 Report Share Posted February 28, 2015 Neat-o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Mills Posted February 28, 2015 Report Share Posted February 28, 2015 Showed this to our cast and on set costumer last night... they are even more appreciative of sanken COS11 mics and modern miniature transmitters than they were before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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