[AMRadio] Dreaded D-104

Thu Oct 6 10:48:18 EDT 2011

Use an audio generator, feed its output into a speaker, and observe the 
microphone output on an oscilloscope.

The other method is to READ the manufacturer's DATA Sheets.

It gives the output voltage or dBm, AND the frequency response.

It isn't rocket science.

Bob - N0DGN

On 10/6/2011 10:45 AM, Warren Elly wrote:
> 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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