Tactical Throat Mic: The Pros & Cons

Last time, one of my colleague ask me about the tactical throat mic. At first, i don't even know what is that gear until I google it and found some info on it. Well basically, the tactical throat mic itself is New Generation Technology, delivering clear speech even in high noise environments. The hypo-allergenic silicone rubber housing is held comfortably in place with a slip-resistant, expanding neck band, adjustable to anyone's neck size. These components are all of rugged construction, completely waterproof, durable and easily cleaned and disinfected between uses.

Tactical Throat Mic

This revolutionary Push-To-Talk throat mic is designed specifically to be used for people wearing facemasks, breathing apparatus and protective suits that also require portable radios for communicating during their day-to-day responsibilities. Cost: Lightweight Throat-Mic: USD$280.00

The PTT switch is easily located in the exact same position as the microphone, thereby guaranteeing that the mic is in the most optimal range for transmission when the switch is activated. In other words, the microphone will be positioned right up against the throat when the PTT is depressed by the user’s finger.

History Of Throat Mic

The following picture is the typical headphone set-up used in the Soviet tanker's helmet of WWII. In this case, the mike has been removed from its black throat strap, but the metallic intercom switch is still hanging on his right collar, with its distinctive aluminum receiver/transmitter switch. The black headphones fit into pockets on the side of the helmet, and there are flaps that can be buttoned closed to cover the holes when the headphones are not installed. During the first few years of the war, helmets were constructed of a similar pattern of brown leather and were subsequently hot, uncomfortable, and disliked. By 1942, most of the leather helmets had been replaced with these cooler black cotton types for use in the summer months, and insulated cloth/wool types that were worn in the winter, all with padded ribs in a similar manner. As a general rule, antennas were mounted close to the radio set inside the AFV. If the radio was located in the hull, the antenna would be attached nearby, and if it was up in the turret, the antenna would be mounted up there. This is because a slip ring for radio transmissions was not available or was too cumbersome for use in most WWII vehicles. Also, the shorter the antenna lead could be kept, the better the reception and the less interference there was with the transmitted signal. (Mike Kendall)

The 10-R mounted in KV-1 tanks included a TPU-4 telephone system for the crew, and below illustration shows the throat microphone used for both the intercom and the 10-R/9-R sets. The throat mike was very uncomfortable, and you will often see Soviet tankers with the mikes hanging off their necks or the commander holding them in his hand while speaking. The binding strap was not elasticized, and it was not only very uncomfortable against the throat, but it had to be repeatedly adjusted in the field as the strap slipped. The straps were black, like the helmet, and the mike was aluminum colored. The 10-R also had provisions for a buzzer system connected to a button mounted on the outside rear of the vehicle. Supporting infantry could get the attention of tank crew inside by using this button, and basic signalling codes could be worked out to direct the tank's action in small ways. By 1944 an improved model was available for SU-152, IS-1, ISU-122 and ISU-152 vehicles, the 10-RK. This unit looked similar and the main improvement was a slightly extended range and more rugged components. (Mike Kendall)

However, some of the individual claimed that this kind of new technology comes with a problem with the sound and intonation of the user itself. I'm can't be sure that this rumour is true because I still don't have those mic and tested it yet but the following video will show you one of the advantages of this throat mic. Again, I can't say that this video source is true and accurate because the result is all depend on the person who already tried the throat mic itself. Check out those video on the newest technology of throat mic and its challenges on the second video.

This video covers the US Special Forces Throat Mic and the options available for it.

A comparision of recorded sound between a headset microphone and a throat microphone.

I will try my best to find the local sources to try myself this throat mic and then I will give my own personal view about the pros and cons of this type of mic.

Sources:
http://www.earinc.com/
http://www.wlhoward.com/ with Permission of Mike Kendall
RAP4: US Special Forces Throat Mic
Throat microphone comparison