Hey (other) Don!
About the Group 5 handset:
No problem on readability. In fact they are probably a bit more "punchy" :-|
Yes, the mic is not operating at full output but I had to reduce mic gain to below 50 nonetheless. No pre-amps, environmentally stable, and all that. And I already had it in hand. Part of an old "what's that under the table" swap meet purchase. New in the box meant as a replacement I should imagine.
Aside from reducing the mic gain there was no other modification to the radio.
Even better would be an old military PRC-152 handset but that would take some modifying. Undoubtedly a bit lighter but truthfully I like the heft of this beast.
Although this does NOT fit in my pocket!
I prefer CW anyway. But it was fun.
72, Don
Don, ND6T