CureMode

You can use a non powered mic with the Radioshack amp with one minor modification to the amp. You have to jump the power to the Mic lead so that the Mic is powered by the Amp. Otherwise you have to use a powered Mic with the Radioshack Amp. Here is a photo of where I did the jump, notice the small red jump wire on the lower left, and where it is soldered. Thanks to my ECG mate, Eric Seeman who showed me this trick. -----------

I have tried some dive mask anti-fog drops I got at a Scuba shop. It works pretty well but it leaves a kinda oily film on the lenses. I also tried a spray on solution called liquid spit, and that seemed to work as well. However with both of these you seem to need to re-apply them each time you use the helmet.

I bought this exact helmet 4 months ago. I was not happy with it, it was poorly painted, it had very washed out features (due to it being a recast), the lenses were way too light, it had a sloppy polyurethane coating that had drip marks in spots, and the mic tips were total crap. Also it was not screen accurate, its idealized not wonky, and the guys here identified mine as a possible RT-Mod 2 recast. I complained to the guy and he ended up giving me a $20 refund. I also learned why Fiberglass may not be the best material for an "everyday" helmet. The helmet has developed some hairline cracks on the face part and around the edges, that are irreparable unless I wanted to repaint and sand the whole damn thing. I ordered a really nice ABS helmet kit from Tray, I am working on that right now for use while trooping. Get ABS right off the bat, it cost the same if you can do some of the work yourself, and you will be much happier with it. Here is a shot of my fiberglass one...

I use that exact GigaWare PC Mic from Radioshack ($12.99) and it works great. You can use it with the Radioshack amp with one minor modification to the amp. You have to jump the power to the Mic lead so that the Mic is powered by the Amp. Otherwise you have to use a powered Mic with the Radioshack Amp. Here is a photo of where I did the jump, notice the small red jump wire on the lower left, and where it is soldered. Thanks to my ECG mate, Eric Seeman who showed me this trick. -------

Here's my favorite stuff... Older Core Alternative Stuff... The Cure and Depeche Mode (Obviously) The Smiths / Morrissey Joy Division / New Order Stereolab NIN Echo and The Bunnymen Bettie Serveert Throwing Muses Pulp The Stone Roses Bauhaus The Pixies The Psychedelic Furs The Swirlies Radiohead Siouxsie and the Banshees Lush Curve The Wedding Present Th' Faith Healers The Jesus and Mary Chain Newer Stuff... Interpol Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Stellastarr Electrelane The Strokes Say Hi to Your Mom The Radio Department The Editors The Kaiser Chiefs Autolux Bloc Party Broadcast Pedro the Lion / David Bazan British Sea Power The Apples in Stereo I found a lot of these newer bands using a free custom radio station called Pandora.com. You put in all the Bands you like and it plays stuff that's similar. It also lets you mark whether you liked the selection or not, and if not you can skip to the next one. I've found almost all the newer bands I like using Pandora over the past 5 years.

I use this... ------ Its around $50, it has a zipper down the front, and the decals come off pretty easily. It is also machine washable, an important feature after you sweat your an impolite person off in it on a hot day. It also has thumb loops and foot straps too keep it in place. It breathes pretty well considering and mines been washed about 4 times with only minor signs of wear.

I use Nylon/Neoprene Diving gloves, they breath a bit better then all rubber ones. The ones I got from NeoSport are all black except for a logo on the back that is covered by the hand plate. They have a nice grip surface and wrist strap that keeps them on really well. They have them for $14.99 on 123scuba.com..... ---------- They also carry a nice Lycra Dive suit for $46, you may want to consider that for heat conditions. The Dive suit is really thin and breaths very well. It zippers up the front, its one piece, and it has foot straps to keep the legs in the boots. It also has only one visable decal on the chest that you can black out with a sharpie, or in my case I used a hairdryer to loosen it and I peel it off cleanly. ---------

I currently have a set up a wireless system, with Radioshack amp and receiver in the chest piece and the transmitter and mic in the helmet. For me the back of the helmet is a good spot for the transmitter, its attached with industrial Velcro and the mic with hot glue. I have an RT-Mod 2 type fiberglass helmet and I am working on getting a AP ABS one. In the new helmet I am planning to use either the Radioshack amp or a WalMart Voice changer, with Stompers Mic tips. ------------

You inspired me to do the same sort of thing for my laptop background.. Here is a small version of my mock up. Please let me know where you found that Death Star photo, the one I used was a rendered one.

Great Interview!!

Can they please use one of these two photos for the profile. These are two of the original 3MP images to use....

BTW: Just got my custom TK plate, now with that and my CureMode plate all I need is my FISD decals...

Here's the Hasbro with the 7th track added..

I would probably do the same with mine for trooping. I would be more than willing to add the 7th track, I agree it would look much more accurate that way, without having to do a crazy an impolite person mod (Yes Lou I mean you!). Let me know on that, and if it may become the new official Elite Hasbro compromise.

It does have the 6 as Lou mentioned with the side opposite the magazine row of holes covered. I could add a 7th track to cover the mag side holes, but I thought it had to be 6. If there is any issue at all with the Hasbro, I could use my resin one as my primary.

Holy crap... you read my mind, already ordered them last week, waiting for them to arrive. Man, I came to the right place to find like minded individuals... I may do the TRU thing in NYC, still waiting on more details from our garrison. I signed up for the NER forum and I have to figure out what to do from there...

I also have a Resin Blaster I would like to make sure can be approved. I troop with the Hasbro because it's lighter, but the resin one is more accurate, please let me know. Also there is a shot of my communicator which I was going to use before I decided to go with the stunt configuration, and some shots of the armor interior. Here are some final additional shots of the armor inside...

Well its been a ton of work, but I think I finally got my armor up to an Elite level. I have done extensive upgrades all around to my FX armor, and purchased a more accurate fiberglass helmet. Thanks so much to everyone on this forum for the advice, guidance, and resources that helped me make these modifications. Here are some of the upgrades, not all apply to Elite status.... Cut the butt plate Raised the Thermal Detonator so its just over the cut Installed an almost complete snap system No rivets on the shoulder straps E-11 Hasbro with mod kit with 6th track and D-ring Covered side gaps with ABS Canvas Belt (Gundamzeppelin's) Replaced ab buttons (VaderDaves's) Replaced holster (SuperTrooper's) Attached holster from behind Replaced drop box straps with white ones Cut the cod piece Attached the belt with snaps and screws Replaced the helmet Green lenses and more accurate tusks added Installed wireless sound amp system Black lycra/rubber gloves Lycra undersuit White boots with the U Additional shots are in the following posts, please let me know if I missed anything and if you guys need any further details..

Has anyone used wax (turtle wax) to shine up painted helmets? Just wondering because I have a few rub spots on mine and I am looking for a way to cover them up without repainting or using a gloss coat. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Are the tube stripes Black?? I thought it was well established by now that they were blue.

Thanks for the feedback, just ordered a wireless tie clip type Mic. If that works it will be even better since I will not have a wire from the helmet to the speaker if I put it in my chest armor.

I just got the Radio Shack mini amp, but it doesn't appear to work with an unamplified Mic (PC headset with a mic). I tried it with an MP3 player and it was pretty good. What type of Mic can be used with it and what model do you use?

I was just wondering if anyone has used this Radio Shack Amp for their voice amplification.. ----- It looks pretty good and its only $18.19. I already have a good mic to use with it, and it only takes one 9V. Currently I am using a Wal-Mart voice changer I modified to fit in my existing FX helmet. I am getting a new fiberglass one that is much smaller and I would prefer not to mess with trying to fit everything in it. I was either going to use a spare Wal-mart one I have, a Newton, or this thing under my chest piece. Any feedback from anyone who has used this or the Newton would be appreciated.