Animatronic Help

[bobmax]

OK, i'm trying to hook up an animatronic mouth to a costume head controlled by a mic inside the head and also hooked up to an external speaker. my problem right now is the stupid mic. i'm using a handsfree generic fits-around-yer-head mic from a surplus store (it's new). i hook it up to a diy 7.5 - 12v dc amp kit and to a speaker. it doesn't work. i hook it up to a 9vdc preamp then to the amp and it still doesn't work. But if i run a lead from the earphone jack of my radio straight to the amp and speaker i can hear the radio fine. any idea JUST WHAT THE H E DOUBLEHOCKEYSTICKS could be wrong? PPPPPPLLLLLEEAAAASSSSSSSSEEEHHHHHHEEEEEEELLLLLPPPP PP

[dnsey]

Your mic will almost certainly be an electret type, requiring a 'phantom' power supply.
Does it work OK when plugged into your computer soundcard, for example?

[bobmax]

ok i'll check, thanks for your reply! (what's a phantom power supply?)