Rebuild the Stellar Turner +3 Microphone

[oldgeezer]

The Tuner +3 is a fine microphone for communications. Besides being amplified, it has an audio compressor inside that makes for louder average modulation without over-modulating your radio. This microphone was briefly made in the early 1970s. Problem today is the microphone is old with failing electrolytic & tantalum capacitors inside. The original ceramic capacitors are good- they never fail.

Rebuilding the microphone to sound better than new only requires a few select parts. These are parts known for audio quality & sound better than ordinary parts. The parts are:

2x 22uF @ 16 volt Elna Silmic II capacitors (replaces 20uF & 15uF)
2x 4.7uF @ 25 volt Elna Silmic II capacitors (replaces 5uF)
1x 2.2uF MKC 1862 poly type capacitor (replaces 5uF from volume control wiper to white wire audio output)
2x .47uF Panasonic Poly type capacitors (replaces tiny blue tantalum capacitors.

The poly type capacitors are larger, but will fit. Move the transistor slightly (bend over) and place the MKC 1862 capacitor on its side. The Elna Silmic are very fine audio grade capacitors and the poly types are great for audio. The original Tantalum are terrible sounding caps. Remember proper polarity with the new Silmic II capacitors. The poly types have no polarity, cannot install backwards. The schematic is on the internet.

Your microphone will sound more clear than ever with the new parts plus get back those nice high frequencies with the deep & powerful bass.

 

[oldgeezer]

BTW- parts are available at Mouser.

 

[Steve_Buckeye]

Thanks for the info!

 

[Dirty Diaper]

Thank you

 

[Riverman]

BTW- parts are available at Mouser.

oldgeezer,

Just noticed you are a new member and want to say "Welcome". With your knowledge you will be a great addition to the site.

 

[oldgeezer]

Although a Ham. I like CB just as much- go figure.

 

[oldgeezer]

BTW- Any model Wima 2.2uf model MKC or MPK will work, but cannot be more than 5/16" thick due to space limitations.

 

[Sonar]

The Tuner +3 is a fine microphone for communications. Besides being amplified, it has an audio compressor inside that makes for louder average modulation without over-modulating your radio. This microphone was briefly made in the early 1970s. Problem today is the microphone is old with failing electrolytic & tantalum capacitors inside. The original ceramic capacitors are good- they never fail.

Rebuilding the microphone to sound better than new only requires a few select parts. These are parts known for audio quality & sound better than ordinary parts. The parts are:

2x 22uF @ 16 volt Elna Silmic II capacitors (replaces 20uF & 15uF)
2x 4.7uF @ 25 volt Elna Silmic II capacitors (replaces 5uF)
1x 2.2uF MKC 1862 poly type capacitor (replaces 5uF from volume control wiper to white wire audio output)
2x .47uF Panasonic Poly type capacitors (replaces tiny blue tantalum capacitors.

The poly type capacitors are larger, but will fit. Move the transistor slightly (bend over) and place the MKC 1862 capacitor on its side. The Elna Silmic are very fine audio grade capacitors and the poly types are great for audio. The original Tantalum are terrible sounding caps. Remember proper polarity with the new Silmic II capacitors. The poly types have no polarity, cannot install backwards. The schematic is on the internet.

Your microphone will sound more clear than ever with the new parts plus get back those nice high frequencies with the deep & powerful bass.

I own a +3, but after trying it out on my Madison (SSB) I was disappointed. I got poor reports.
I also had (gave away sice) a +2.
I got poor reports with that one too.
Both showed strong pep when modulating on my autek wm1.
I've read and was told how good these mic's sound (especially on ssb.)
I wrote it off as the Turner's just don't make a good match for my voice characteristics.
That was almost three years ago. Now that I know a little bit more about how microphones and the equipment we use work, I'm guessing my voice characteristics had nothing to do with the poor audio reports I was receiving while using both the +2 and +3.
Is it possible my plus 3 needs to be restored as per your restoration guidelines? I still have the plus three and would like to give it another try. I cannot do the work myself and would have to send it to the person who works on my equipment. In your opinion do you think restoring it is what it needs and possibly the reason why it didn't sound good? Thanks. 73

 

[oldgeezer]

I own a +3, but after trying it out on my Madison (SSB) I was disappointed. I got poor reports.
I also had (gave away sice) a +2.
I got poor reports with that one too.
Both showed strong pep when modulating on my autek wm1.
I've read and was told how good these mic's sound (especially on ssb.)
I wrote it off as the Turner's just don't make a good match for my voice characteristics.
That was almost three years ago. Now that I know a little bit more about how microphones and the equipment we use work, I'm guessing my voice characteristics had nothing to do with the poor audio reports I was receiving while using both the +2 and +3.
Is it possible my plus 3 needs to be restored as per your restoration guidelines? I still have the plus three and would like to give it another try. I cannot do the work myself and would have to send it to the person who works on my equipment. In your opinion do you think restoring it is what it needs and possibly the reason why it didn't sound good? Thanks. 73

I believe the mic is good for AM, not so much for SSB. Turner made SSB mics.

 

[Sonar]

I believe the mic is good for AM, not so much for SSB. Turner made SSB mics.

The d104 (silver eagle) I use on my Madison has a fet mod.
The mod lowered the bass response. The Madison is my SSB radio and I rarely use it on AM.
I know these mic's have different audio, but since I already own it I would like to put it to use.
I'd still like to see how the +3 sounds in comparison to the fet modded d104.
I like the look in the feel of the + 3.
Can you tell me what type of audio reports would lead me to believe the +3 would benefit from the restoration you have shared with us?
Is there something specific in an audio report that would Leeds me to believe that the replacement of the parts you suggest? 73

 

[oldgeezer]

The Turner +3 produces sound thru two poor tantalum & one low end electrolytic capacitors. These capacitors are replaced with polypropylene type film capacitors. The audio is much more accurate like studio quality sonics in high-end audio systems. The highs are also increased. The mic becomes more accurate than the radio can modulate. So, ultimate sound is up to your radio, but the mic will not hold it baack. In other words the mic may or may not produce better sound. Tube radios seem to be more accurate vs SS up to 100% modulation.

 

[w9cll]

I own a +3, but after trying it out on my Madison (SSB) I was disappointed. I got poor reports.

You probably would have been better off with the Super Side Kick which was designed for SSB. I never liked Turner mic or more so the over all audio quality of them. Every one I heard (old memories now) sounded muffled and had no brightness to it. My go to mic has always been the Astatic 1104c or the 575 for mobile.

 

[oldgeezer]

See my Turner +3 rebuild post. The highs are there after rebuild. However, I use audio quality film caps, not the nasty electrolytic and tantalum caps in the audio chain. Those caps kills the high-end. Largest pull for me on the +3 is the audio compressor that works so well.

 

[Sonar]

You probably would have been better off with the Super Side Kick which was designed for SSB. I never liked Turner mic or more so the over all audio quality of them. Every one I heard (old memories now) sounded muffled and had no brightness to it. My go to mic has always been the Astatic 1104c or the 575 for mobile.

Those 1104c's have an excellent reputation.
I've never heard one on air, but all those great reviews can't be wrong.
I bid on one a few years ago but after $90 dropped out.
73 update: After reading those reviews, and online info (once again) on the 1104c I'm going to keep my eyes out for one. If anybody has an 1104c for sale or trade let me know. 73

 

[w9cll]

If anybody has an 1104c for sale or trade let me know. 73

I have three of them now (no not for sale), one is on my 101ZD and I am always being asked what mic I am using. I run the gain low on the mic and a very small bit of compression. I have tailored the tone to my voice. I watch the ALC meter and keep it at a level where its barely moving. If I need to break through a pileup I will crank the drive up and keep the ALC in the green zone. I also have a scope attached to the rig and I monitor my output on that as well.