That staticky hum really was just part of the deal back then, like you said. If you want to keep that old rotary as more than a decoration, you can get a small in-line amplifier for under twenty bucks that boosts the volume and cuts some of that background noise. Makes it usable for short calls without losing the nostalgic feel of dialing.

60 dollar unit just recirculates the damp air instead of pulling moisture out.

Wait, @the_anna said the rain evaporates too fast in Tucson to even rinse them? That's wild. I'm in a humid area where it actually rains, and I still have to clean mine twice a year. Tbh that Phoenix installer was just wrong.

Have you tried running a cutter rotation in reverse while flushing?

Three people fell asleep by page 50?