[AMRadio] Dreaded D-104

Thu Oct 6 10:45:03 EDT 2011

I use an ac voltmeter to compare output of d-104 cartridges

73, Warren W1GUD

On Oct 6, 2011, at 10:18 AM, Bob Macklin wrote:

> I'm just curious?
> 
> Does anyone know how to measure the characteristics of a microphone. I don't 
> suspect many (if any ) hams have what it takes to measure the 
> characteristics of a microphone.
> 
> Most of the measurements hams could do would be subjective.
> 
> Bob Macklin
> K5MYJ
> Seattle, Wa.
> "Real Radios Glow In The Dark"
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jack Dayton" <ka3zlr1 at yahoo.com>
> To: "Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service" 
> <amradio at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2011 4:57 AM
> Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Dreaded D-104
> 
> 
> You can say that Rob but all elements are not equal each has it's own
> 
> distinctive personality.Through the years I have amassed a collection
> of heads and spent a great deal of time with the Scope going through
> them I noticed some interesting responses. One of the reasons I pulled
> the element out replaced it. the HC5 does a much finer job.
> 
> 73
> Jack
> KA3ZLR
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com>
> To: Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service <amradio at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 11:29 PM
> Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Dreaded D-104
> 
> 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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