[AMRadio] Dreaded D-104

[David Knepper]

The D-104 is not the best choice for AM or for that matter on SSB.   A 
better choice in microphones is the Shure 444 or Electro-Voice 664, or a 
Behringer.

Recently, I tested six Astatic D-104 heads and found that over the air 
comparisions from several stations, revealed that all six had varying 
degrees of asymmetrics.

If you must have a D-104, then, make sure you buy one with the ceramic 
element and not the "older" crystal element.  There is no way of telling 
except to take the covers off - the crystal element bears the marking MC-151 
and the ceramic element is an MC-127.

Now that cooler weather is sweeping across our region, I am thankful that my 
microphone exhibits that  "warm" sound."

David Knepper, W3CRA/W3ST
Collins Radio Associaton - Join Today
www.collinsra.com
Editor of the Collins Journal
Secretary of the Collins Radio Association
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark K3MSB" <mark.k3msb at gmail.com>
To: "Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service" 
<amradio at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 11:34 PM
Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Dreaded D-104


> I've no problems with my D-104 sounding tinny.
>
> Mark K3MSB
>
> On Wed, Oct 5, 2011 at 11:29 PM, Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com> 
> wrote:
>
>> they probably sound "tinny" when they are mismatched for the rig's
>> audio input stage.
>>
>> My recommendation is go to hamfests looking for D104s.   But not any
>> one.  ignore the ones with coiled cords, preamps in the base, gold
>> leaf, "special editions," and "eagles" and look for the oldest
>> crustiest ones you can find.  They are pretty easy to take apart and
>> clean up.  If they lack PTT that's even better.   At the Indianapolis
>> Hamfest last summer there must have been at least 30 of them for sale.
>>  It seemed every other table had at least one; many had half a dozen.
>> If you find an old one it might go for 20 bucks.  That's probably your
>> best bet for finding a ceramic old Astatic high Z element.  Obviously
>> you'll have to buy more than one unless you get lucky.
>> That's the only way I know of.  I tried buying a vintage 10 meg xtal
>> element tape recorder mic and doing a transplant but you get into
>> issues trying to get a non-D104 element to fit and it usually doesn't
>> work out.  I wound up breaking the cartridge I had trying to get it to
>> fit.
>>
>> Rob
>> K5UJ
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