Need help with a mic for my truck

[Lost Ram]

I have bought a couple, well, three Astatic Road Devil Red Power & Noise Cancelling mics based on some info I read. I got them thinking I could use one in the truck and one on the base plus have a spare for an extra when needed for what ever.
All three are JUNK IMO. The problem is not the mic sound or performance, that works great! The problem is the mics make a terrible crackling noise due to the noises the mics make while being handled with the key down. You have to hold the mic like a sharp shooter holding onto a target other wise you get this noise coming from the key making noise. I have three with this issue so I am sure its a known problem as I got them from different places over a couple weeks time. My mic I replaced was a Turner Expander 400, its just old and needs someone to refurbish it. Wish I knew this person!!! Maybe I am spoiled to the Turner? I now only have one of these mics, I gave one away with a radio sale so I could keep the stock cobra type and the other I threw into the trash while camping because it made me upset.
Ok, so the question is this? Is there a fix for this **Censored** or so I buy something different? I have taken it/them apart and the key is just sloppy. I love the power and noise cancelling due to the fact my truck is loud. Its got tire noise and exhaust so a cancelling mic is great.
This mic is used with my RCI 2970N2. I need a fix, a recommendation for a great mic, or a suggestion on a person that does vintage mic repair. This old Turner Expander 400 is the handheld version of the 500 desk mic.
Thanks in advance.

[1206FL]

The RF limited 2018 extreme are a pretty nice mic. Many new models of mics aren't what they used to be quality wise. That is what I have seen anyway with these mics. The old astatic 575 is another great mic but are not easy to get anymore. The stock rci mic didn't cut it for you? My bud runs ones and uses stock mic, sounds just fine to me. I've not used the red devil, but have a few 636's and I don't like them myself. Gotta be about biting the mic to get the audio right lol. I like my icom mic and that is what I use now. Along with an optima mk3. A real made in Japan one, not the clone HM36. Works great. Anyway, maybe try to fix the slop in the mic. Also changing elements in the mic might help with audio quality. Good luck.

[MDYoungblood]

The problem with the Road Devil's is a cheap PTT switch, the switch itself is about 30 years old (old stock, they must have made a billion of them) and being installed in these new mics. Since you don't have them anymore it's a mood point to tell you to take the back of the mic and give the switch a shot of "DeoxIT D5", that will clean up and lubricate the contacts in the switch.
I never cared for that mic, even though they had good amplification and noise cancelling, they just felt cheap, light, plastic was kind of thin, and the fact that you had to almost eat it when talking.
For your radio I would recommend the RF Limited CR577, good power and it doesn't pick up a lot of background noise, same as the Extreme 2018 but doesn't have all that unnecessary junk in it.

3's

Greg

[Buzzweiser]

If you can find one (or 2) the Ranger SRA-198 are great noise cancelling microphones. Not a power mic but they don't need to be for good loud clean audio. Built heavy and well they work great on almost every radio. When available they are only around 30 bucks.

[Lost Ram]

Thanks for the suggestions, those are the two I was looking at. I have one left so maybe I will try to clean the ptt switch. I checked copper and both of them are out of stock, I really felt the RF mic was going to be my pick fallowed by the 198.
Kerry

[MDYoungblood]

The CR577 is getting hard to find, I believe that they are no longer being produced, non of the sponsors have any as well as a few non sponsors I checked with. Looks like an internet game to find one.

3's

Greg

[Lost Ram]

I figured as much, I will keep checking. For now the stock Ranger mic is pretty nice for what it is but, I am just picky I guess.

[Space Ghost]

Years ago I had a similar issue. I quit using the mic for a long time until one day when I got to "thinking" about it. I applied a lubricant for plastic called Dry Slide. I used it on the hinge for the PTT button and the opening of the case where the button fits. I then tightened all the interior mounting screws and packed all the free space with black adhesive backed foam. No more noises!
Dry Slide lube for plastics. I'd check online these days. A very thin coat is all you need. Avoid graphite. Dry Slide is white when applied to plastic surfaces.