LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
 
                            TO TENDER FOR EXCHANGE
                    10% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2004
                                      OF
 
                       COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
 
               Pursuant to the Prospectus dated February 2, 1998
 
 
 THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK
 CITY TIME, ON MARCH 5, 1998 UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE").
 
 
                PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE ATTACHED INSTRUCTIONS
 
 If you desire to accept the Exchange Offer, this Letter of Transmittal should
                             be completed, signed,
                     and submitted to the Exchange Agent:
 
                 NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
 
   By Registered or Certified Mail:             By Overnight Courier:
   Norwest Bank Minnesota, National       Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
              Association                            Association
             P.O. Box 1517                         Norwest Center
   Minneapolis, Minnesota 55480-1517          6th and Marquette Avenue
                                          Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479-0113
 
               By Hand:                      By Facsimile Transmission:
   Norwest Bank Minnesota, National       (for Eligible Institutions Only)
              Association                          (612) 667-4927
            Norwest Center
 
       6th and Marquette Avenue         Confirm by Telephone: (612) 667-9764
   Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479-0113
 
  DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMISSION VIA
FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER, OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A
VALID DELIVERY.
 
  FOR ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR FOR ANY ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION, YOU MAY CONTACT THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
 
  The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated February
2, 1998 (as it may be supplemented and amended from time to time, the
"Prospectus") of Communications Instruments, Inc., a North Carolina
corporation ("Company"), and this Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of
Transmittal"), that together constitute the Company's offer (the "Exchange
Offer") to exchange $1,000 in principal amount of its 10% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2004, Series B (the "Exchange Notes"), which have been registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant
to a Registration Statement, for each $1,000 in principal amount of its
outstanding 10% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2004 (the "Notes"), of which
$95,000,000 aggregate principal amount is outstanding. Capitalized terms used
but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.
 
  The undersigned hereby tenders the Notes described in Box 1 below (the
"Tendered Notes") pursuant to the terms and conditions described in the
Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal. The undersigned is the registered
owner of all the Tendered Notes and the undersigned represents that it has
received from each beneficial owner of the Tendered Notes ("Beneficial
Owners") a duly completed and executed form of "Instruction to Registered
Holder and/or Book-Entry Transfer Facility Participant from Beneficial Owner"
accompanying this Letter of Transmittal, instructing the undersigned to take
the action described in this Letter of Transmittal.

 
  Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of the Tendered
Notes, the undersigned hereby exchanges, assigns and transfers to, or upon the
order of, the Company all right, title, and interest in, to and under the
Tendered Notes.
 
  Please issue the Exchange Notes exchanged for Tendered Notes in the name(s)
of the undersigned. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "SPECIAL
DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS" below (see Box 3), please send or cause to be sent the
certificates for the Exchange Notes (and accompanying documents, as
appropriate) to the undersigned at the address shown below in Box 1.
 
  The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange
Agent as the true and lawful agent and attorney in fact of the undersigned
with respect to the Tendered Notes, with full power of substitution (such
power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an
interest), to (i) deliver the Tendered Notes to the Company or cause ownership
of the Tendered Notes to be transferred to, or upon the order of, the Company,
on the books of the registrar for the Notes and deliver all accompanying
evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Company
upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the undersigned's agent, of the
Exchange Notes to which the undersigned is entitled upon acceptance by the
Company of the Tendered Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, and (ii) receive
all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of the
Tendered Notes, all in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer.
 
  The undersigned understands that tenders of Notes pursuant to the procedures
described under the caption "The Exchange Offer" in the Prospectus and in the
instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the
undersigned and the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
the Exchange Offer, subject only to withdrawal of such tenders on the terms
set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Withdrawal
of Tenders." All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall
survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any Beneficial
Owner(s), and every obligation of the undersigned or any Beneficial Owner(s)
hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, representatives, successors, and
assigns of the undersigned and such Beneficial Owner(s).
 
  The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full
power and authority to tender, exchange, assign, and transfer the Tendered
Notes and that the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto,
free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges, encumbrances, and adverse
claims when the Tendered Notes are acquired by the Company as contemplated
herein. The undersigned and each Beneficial Owner will, upon request, execute
and deliver any additional documents reasonably requested by the Company or
the Exchange Agent as necessary or desirable to complete and give effect to
the transactions contemplated hereby.
 
  The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the information set
forth in Box 2 is true and correct.
 
  By accepting the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby represents and
warrants that (i) the Exchange Notes to be acquired by the undersigned and any
Beneficial Owner(s) in connection with the Exchange Offer are being acquired
by the undersigned and any Beneficial Owner(s) in the ordinary course of
business of the undersigned and any Beneficial Owner(s), (ii) the undersigned
and each Beneficial Owner are not participating, do not intend to participate,
and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate, in
the distribution of the Exchange Notes, (iii) except as otherwise disclosed in
writing herewith, neither the undersigned nor any Beneficial Owner is an
"affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Company,
and (iv) the undersigned and each Beneficial Owner acknowledge and agree that
any person participating in the Exchange Offer with the intention or for the
purpose of distributing the Exchange Notes must comply with the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(together with the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the
"Securities Act"), in connection with a secondary resale of the Exchange Notes
acquired by such person and cannot rely on the position of the Staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") set forth in the no-
action letters that are discussed
 
                                       2

 
in the section of the Prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer." In addition,
by accepting the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby (i) represents and
warrants that, if the undersigned or any Beneficial Owner of the Notes is a
Participating Broker-Dealer, such Participating Broker-Dealer acquired the
Notes for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities and has not entered into any arrangement or understanding
with the Company or any "affiliate" of the Company (within the meaning of Rule
405 under the Securities Act) to distribute the Exchange Notes to be received
in the Exchange Offer, and (ii) acknowledges that, by receiving Exchange Notes
for its own account in exchange for Notes, where such Notes were acquired as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities, such
Participating Broker-Dealer will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements
of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes.
 
  Holders of Notes that are tendering by book-entry transfer to the Exchange
Agent's account at DTC can execute the tender through the DTC Automated Tender
Offer Program ("ATOP"), for which the transaction will be eligible. DTC
participants that are accepting the Exchange Offer must transmit their
acceptance to DTC, which will verify the acceptance and execute a book-entry
delivery to the Exchange Agent's DTC account. DTC will then send an Agent's
Message to the Exchange Agent for its acceptance. DTC participants may also
accept the Exchange Offer prior to the Expiration Date by submitting a Notice
of Guaranteed Delivery or Agent's Message relating thereto as described herein
under Instruction 2, "Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."
 
[_]CHECK HERE IF TENDERED NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED HEREWITH.
 
[_]CHECK HERE IF TENDERED NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF
   GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY DELIVERED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE
   "USE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY" BELOW (Box 4).
 
[_]CHECK HERE IF TENDERED NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
   MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY
   TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE "USE OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER" BELOW (Box 5).
 
                 PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
                     CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE BOXES
 
 
                                     BOX 1
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF NOTES TENDERED
                (Attach additional signed pages, if necessary)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                
                                                                           AGGREGATE
NAMES AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED NOTE HOLDER(S),                       PRINCIPAL          AGGREGATE
        EXACTLY AS NAME(S) APPEAR(S) ON NOTE            CERTIFICATE         AMOUNT          PRINCIPAL
                   CERTIFICATE(S)                      NUMBER(S) OF     REPRESENTED BY        AMOUNT
             (PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)                   NOTES*        CERTIFICATE(S)      TENDERED**
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           TOTAL
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
  *Need not be completed by persons tendering by book-entry transfer.
 
 **The minimum permitted tender is $1,000 in principal amount of Notes. All
   other tenders must be in integral multiples of $1,000 of principal amount.
   Unless otherwise indicated in this column, the principal amount of all
   Note Certificates identified in this Box 1 or delivered to the Exchange
   Agent herewith shall be deemed tendered. See Instruction 4.
 
 
                                       3

 
 
                                     BOX 2
 
                              BENEFICIAL OWNER(S)
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  STATE OF PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE OF EACH  PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF TENDERED NOTES HELD
   BENEFICIAL OWNER OF TENDERED NOTES       FOR ACCOUNT OF BENEFICIAL OWNER
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
                                     BOX 3
 
                         SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                         (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 5, 6 AND 7)
 
 TO BE COMPLETED ONLY IF EXCHANGE NOTES EXCHANGED FOR NOTES AND UNTENDERED
 NOTES ARE TO BE SENT TO SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE UNDERSIGNED, OR TO THE
 UNDERSIGNED AT AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THAT SHOWN ABOVE.
 
 Mail Exchange Note(s) and any untendered Notes to:
 Name(s):
 
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (please print)
 
 Address:
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (include Zip Code)
 
 Tax Identification or Social Security No.:
 
 
                                       4

 
 
                                     BOX 4
 
                           USE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
                              (SEE INSTRUCTION 2)
 
 TO BE COMPLETED ONLY IF NOTES ARE BEING TENDERED BY MEANS OF A NOTICE OF
 GUARANTEED DELIVERY.
 
 Name(s) of Registered Holder(s): ____________________________________________
 
 Window Ticket No. (if any): _________________________________________________
 
 Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: _________________________
 
 Name of Institution that Guaranteed Delivery: _______________________________
 
 If Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer:
 
   Account Number with DTC: __________________________________________________
 
   Transaction Code Number: __________________________________________________
 
 
 
                                     BOX 5
 
                           USE OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
                              (SEE INSTRUCTION 1)
 
 TO BE COMPLETED ONLY IF DELIVERY OF TENDERED NOTES IS TO BE MADE BY BOOK-
 ENTRY TRANSFER.
 
 Name of Tendering Institution: ______________________________________________
 
 Account Number: _____________________________________________________________
 
 Transaction Code Number: ____________________________________________________
 
 
                                       5

 
                                     BOX 6
 
                           TENDERING HOLDER SIGNATURE
                           (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 5)
                   IN ADDITION, COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
X ___________________________________    Signature Guarantee                   
                                         (If required by Instruction 5)        
                                                                               
X ___________________________________    Authorized Signature                  
                                                                               
  (Signature of Registered Holder(s)     X ___________________________________ 
       or Authorized Signatory)                                                
                                         Name: _______________________________  
Note: The above lines must be signed                  (please print)           
by the registered holder(s) of Notes                                           
as their name(s) appear(s) on the        Title: ______________________________ 
Notes or by persons(s) authorized to                                           
become registered holder(s)              Name of Firm: _______________________ 
(evidence of such authorization must      (Must be an Eligible Institution as  
be transmitted with this Letter of             defined in Instruction 2)       
Transmittal). If signature is by a                                             
trustee, executor, administrator,        Address: ____________________________ 
guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer,                                           
or other person acting in a                       ____________________________ 
fiduciary or representative                                                    
capacity, such person must set forth              ____________________________ 
his or her full title below. See                           (Zip Code)          
Instruction 5.                                                                 
                                         Area Code and Telephone Number:       
Name(s): ____________________________                                          
                                         _____________________________________ 
Capacity: ___________________________                                          
                                                                               
Street Address: _____________________    Dated: ______________________________  
                                       
                _____________________
                                       
                      (Zip Code)         
                                       
Area Code and Telephone Number:
       
_____________________________________                                       
                                       
                                       
Tax Identification or Social                           
Security Number:                      

_____________________________________


                                     BOX 7
                             BROKER-DEALER STATUS
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 [_] Check this box if the Beneficial Owner of the Notes is a Participating
     Broker-Dealer and such Participating Broker-Dealer acquired the Notes for
     its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading
     activities. IF THIS BOX IS CHECKED, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU ARE
     TENDERING BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER THROUGH ATOP, AN EXECUTED COPY OF THIS
     LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MUST BE RECEIVED WITHIN THREE NYSE TRADING DAYS
     AFTER THE EXPIRATION DATE BY COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUMENTS, INC., ATTENTION
     RAMZI A. DABBAGH, FACSIMILE (704) 628-1711.
 
 
                                       6

 
 
           PAYORS' NAME: NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Name (if joint names, list first and circle the name of
                    the person or entity whose number you enter in Part 1
                    below. See instructions if your name has changed.)
                  -------------------------------------------------------------
 
                    Address
 SUBSTITUTE
                  -------------------------------------------------------------
 
 FORM W-9           City, State and ZIP Code
                  -------------------------------------------------------------
                    List account number(s) here (optional)
                    PART 1--PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TAXPAYER            Social
                    IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ("TIN") IN THE BOX       Security
                    AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING      Number
                    BELOW
 
 DEPARTMENT OF    -------------------------------------------------------------
 THE TREASURY
                                                                    or TIN
 
 INTERNAL
 REVENUE SERVICE    PART 2--Check the box if you are NOT subject to backup
                    withholding under the provisions of section 3406(a)(1)(C)
                    of the Internal Revenue Code because (1) you have not
                    been notified that you are subject to backup withholding
                    as a result of failure to report all interest or
                    dividends or (2) the Internal Revenue Service has
                    notified you that you are no longer subject to backup
                    withholding. [_]
                  -------------------------------------------------------------
 
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    CERTIFICATION--UNDER THE PENALTIES OF          PART 3--
                    PERJURY, I CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION
                    PROVIDED ON THIS FORM IS TRUE, CORRECT AND
                    COMPLETE.
 
                                                                   Awaiting
                                                                    TIN [_]
 
 
                    SIGNATURE                   DATE
 
 
 
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
     OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER. PLEASE
     REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER
     IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
 
                                       7

 
                       COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUMENTS, INC.
 
                     INSTRUCTIONS TO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
 
                   FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
                             OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
  1. DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND NOTES. This Letter of
Transmittal is to be completed by registered Holders of Notes if certificates
representing such Notes are to be forwarded herewith pursuant to the
procedures set forth in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures
for Tendering," unless delivery of such certificates is to be made by book-
entry transfer to the Exchange Agent's account maintained by DTC through ATOP.
For a holder to properly tender Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, a
properly completed and duly executed copy of this Letter of Transmittal,
including Substitute Form W-9, and any other documents required by this Letter
of Transmittal must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth
herein, and either (i) certificates for Tendered Notes must be received by the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein, or (ii) such Tendered Notes
must be transferred pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer
described in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Procedures
for Tendering" (and a confirmation of such transfer received by the Exchange
Agent), in each case prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date. The method of delivery of certificates for Tendered Notes, this Letter
of Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent is at
the election and risk of the tendering holder and the delivery will be deemed
made only when actually received by the Exchange Agent. If delivery is by
mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is
recommended. Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended that the Holder
use an overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, sufficient time
should be allowed to assure timely delivery. No Letter of Transmittal or
Tendered Notes should be sent to the Company. Neither the Company nor the
Exchange Agent is under any obligation to notify any tendering holder of the
Company's acceptance of tendered Notes prior to the closing of the Exchange
Offer.
 
  2. GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES. If a registered Holder desires to tender
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer and (a) certificates representing such
tendered Notes are not immediately available, (b) time will not permit such
Holder's Letter of Transmittal, certificates representing such tendered Notes
and all other required documents to reach the Exchange Agent on or prior to
the Expiration Date, or (c) the procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be
completed on or prior to the Expiration Date, such Holder may nevertheless
tender such tendered Notes with the effect that such tender will be deemed to
have been received on or prior to the Expiration Date if the procedures set
forth below and in the Statement under "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures" (including the completion of Box 4 above) are followed.
Pursuant to such procedures, (i) the tender must be made by or through an
Eligible Institution (as defined), (ii) a properly completed and duly executed
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form provided by the
Company herewith, or an Agent's Message with respect to a guaranteed delivery
that is accepted by the Company, must be received by the Exchange Agent on or
prior to the Expiration Date, and (iii) the certificates for the tendered
Notes, in proper form for transfer (or a Book-Entry Confirmation of the
transfer of such tendered Notes to the Exchange Agent's account at DTC as
described in the Prospectus), together with a Letter of Transmittal (or
manually signed facsimile thereof) properly completed and duly executed, with
any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by the
Letter of Transmittal or a properly transmitted Agent's Message, must be
received by the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading
days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. Any
holder who wishes to tender Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedures described above must ensure that the Exchange Agent receives the
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery relating to such tendered Notes prior to 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Failure to complete the
guaranteed delivery procedures outlined above will not, of itself, affect the
validity or effect a revocation of any Letter of Transmittal form properly
completed and executed by an Eligible Holder who attempted to use the
guaranteed delivery process.
 
  3. BENEFICIAL OWNER INSTRUCTIONS TO REGISTERED HOLDERS. Only a holder in
whose name Tendered Notes are registered on the books of the registrar (or the
legal representative or attorney-in-fact of such registered
 
                                       8

 
holder) may execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal. Any Beneficial
Owner of Tendered Notes who is not the registered holder must arrange promptly
with the registered holder to execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal
on his or her behalf through the execution and delivery to the registered
holder of the "Instructions to Registered Holder and/or Book-Entry Transfer
Facility Participant from Beneficial Owner" form accompanying this Letter of
Transmittal.
 
  4. PARTIAL TENDERS. Tenders of Notes will be accepted only in integral
multiples of $1,000 in principal amount. If less than the entire principal
amount of Notes held by the holder is tendered, the tendering holder should
fill in the principal amount tendered in the column labeled "Aggregate
Principal Amount Tendered" of the box entitled "Description of Notes Tendered"
(see Box 1) above. The entire principal amount of Notes delivered to the
Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise
indicated. If the entire principal amount of all Notes held by the holder is
not tendered, then Notes for the principal amount of Notes not tendered and
Exchange Notes issued in exchange for any Notes tendered and accepted will be
sent to the Holder at his or her registered address, unless a different
address is provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal, as
soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.
 
  5. SIGNATURES ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL; BOND POWERS AND ENDORSEMENTS;
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the
registered holder(s) of the Tendered Notes, the signature must correspond with
the name(s) as written on the face of the Tendered Notes without alteration,
enlargement or any change whatsoever.
 
  If any of the Tendered Notes are owned of record by two or more joint
owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal. If any Tendered
Notes are held in different names, it will be necessary to complete, sign and
submit as many separate copies of the Letter of Transmittal as there are
different names in which Tendered Notes are held.
 
  If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of
Tendered Notes, and Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor are to be
issued (and any untendered principal amount of Notes is to be reissued) in the
name of the registered holder(s), then such registered holder(s) need not and
should not endorse any Tendered Notes, nor provide a separate bond power. In
any other case, such registered holder(s) must either properly endorse the
Tendered Notes or transmit a properly completed separate bond power with this
Letter of Transmittal, with the signature(s) on the endorsement or bond power
guaranteed by a Medallion Signature Guarantor (as defined below).
 
  If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder(s) of any Tendered Notes, such Tendered Notes must be
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, in each case, signed as
the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the Tendered Notes, with
the signature(s) on the endorsement or bond power guaranteed by a Medallion
Signature Guarantor.
 
  If this Letter of Transmittal or any Tendered Notes or bond powers are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations, or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and, unless waived by
the Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so act
must be submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.
 
  Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a recognized
participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York
Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion
Program (each a "Medallion Signature Guarantor"), unless the Tendered Notes
are tendered (i) by a registered Holder of Tendered Notes (or by a participant
in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of such
Tendered Notes) who has not completed Box 3 ("Special Delivery Instructions")
on this Letter of Transmittal, or (ii) for the account of a member firm of a
registered national securities exchange, a member of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") or a commercial bank or trust company
having an office or correspondent in the United States (each of the foregoing
 
                                       9

 
being referred to as an "Eligible Institution"). If the Tendered Notes are
registered in the name of a person other than the signor of the Letter of
Transmittal or if Notes not tendered are to be returned to a person other than
the registered Holder, then the signature on this Letter of Transmittal
accompanying the Tendered Notes must be guaranteed by a Medallion Signature
Guarantor as described above. Beneficial owners whose Notes are registered in
the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee
must contact such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other
nominee if they desire to tender such Notes.
 
  6. SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. Tendering holders should indicate in Box 3
the name and address to which the Exchange Notes and/or substitute Notes for
principal amounts not tendered or not accepted for exchange are to be sent, if
different from the name and address of the person signing this Letter of
Transmittal. In the case of issuance in a different name, the taxpayer
identification or social security number of the person named must also be
indicated.
 
  7. TRANSFER TAXES. The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any,
applicable to the exchange of Tendered Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
If, however, a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the transfer
and exchange of Tendered Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount
of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or on any
other person) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory
evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with
this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed
directly to such tendering holder.
 
  Except as provided in this Instruction 7, it will not be necessary for
transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Tendered Notes listed in this Letter
of Transmittal.
 
  8. TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. Federal income tax law requires that the
holder(s) of any Tendered Notes which are accepted for exchange must provide
the Exchange Agent (as payor) with its correct taxpayer identification number
("TIN"), which, in the case of a holder who is an individual, is his or her
social security number. If the Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct
TIN, the Holder may be subject to backup withholding and a $50 penalty imposed
by the Internal Revenue Service. (If withholding results in an over-payment of
taxes, a refund may be obtained.) Certain holders (including, among others,
all corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these
backup withholding and reporting requirements. See the enclosed "Guidelines
for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9"
for additional instructions.
 
  To prevent backup withholding, each holder of Tendered Notes must provide
such holder's correct TIN by completing the Substitute Form W-9 set forth
herein, certifying that the TIN provided is correct (or that such holder is
awaiting a TIN), and that (i) the holder has not been notified by the Internal
Revenue Service that such holder is subject to backup withholding as a result
of failure to report all interest or dividends or (ii) if previously so
notified, the Internal Revenue Service has notified the holder that such
holder is no longer subject to backup withholding. If the Tendered Notes are
registered in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner,
consult the "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on
Substitute Form W-9" for information on which TIN to report.
 
  The Company reserves the right in its sole discretion to take whatever steps
are necessary to comply with the Company's obligation regarding backup
withholding.
 
  9. VALIDITY OF TENDERS. All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility
(including time of receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of Tendered Notes will
be determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination will
be final and binding. The Company reserves the right to reject any and all
Notes not validly tendered or any Notes the Company's acceptance of which
would, in the opinion of the Company or its counsel, be unlawful. The Company
also reserves the right to waive any conditions of the Exchange Offer or
defects or irregularities in tenders of Notes as to any ineligibility of any
holder who seeks to tender Notes in the Exchange Offer. The interpretation of
the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including this Letter of
Transmittal and the instructions hereto) by the Company shall be final and
binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects
 
                                      10

 
or irregularities in connection with tenders of Notes must be cured within
such time as the Company shall determine. Neither the Company, the Exchange
Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of
defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Notes, nor shall any of
them incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of
Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or
irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Notes received by the Exchange
Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or
irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange
Agent to the tendering holders, unless otherwise provided in this Letter of
Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.
 
  10. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The Company reserves the absolute right to amend,
waive or modify any of the conditions in the Exchange Offer in the case of any
Tendered Notes.
 
  11. NO CONDITIONAL TENDER. No alternative, conditional, irregular, or
contingent tender of Notes or transmittal of this Letter of Transmittal will
be accepted.
 
  12. MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED NOTES. Any tendering Holder whose
Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact the
Exchange Agent at the address indicated herein for further instructions.
 
  13. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions and requests for
assistance and requests for additional copies of the Prospectus or this Letter
of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address indicated
herein. Holders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust
company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange Offer.
 
  14. ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERED NOTES AND ISSUANCE OF EXCHANGE NOTES; RETURN OF
NOTES. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, the Company
will accept for exchange all validly tendered Notes as soon as practicable
after the Expiration Date and will issue Exchange Notes therefor as soon as
practicable thereafter. For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall
be deemed to have accepted Tendered Notes when, as and if the Company has
given written or oral notice (immediately followed in writing) thereof to the
Exchange Agent. If any Tendered Notes are not exchanged pursuant to the
Exchange Offer for any reason, such unexchanged Notes will be returned,
without expense, to the undersigned at the address shown in Box 1 or at a
different address as may be indicated herein under "Special Delivery
Instructions" (Box 3).
 
  15. WITHDRAWAL. Tenders may be withdrawn only pursuant to the procedures set
forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Withdrawal of
Tenders."
 
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