[Boatanchors] D-104 Question

[rbethman]

I have to agree with Bob Peters.  The info regarding Lo Z, did NOT say 
whether it was due to the element or the amplifier.

However, all the FINAL Editions have the Stand PTT "arc" and the side 
squeeze PTT.  The quality when compared to earlier D-104s, is obviously 
lacking, even in the fit and finish of even the squeeze bar.  It has 
rough unfinished edges simply plated over.

The amplifier is of poor quality, along with the switches.  The labeling 
on the top of the element housing is a cheap decal, along with the 
"Silver K Eagle" decal on the front of the base.  The stamped Eagle on 
the back plate of the head isn't exactly wonderful either.

As I said earlier, it simply sits on a shelf.  I "may" check the 
element, as I have one of the earlier ones with a hammertone base that 
now has a bad element.

Bob - N0DGN

Bob Peters wrote:
> In the D-104 history  They went from a simple Hi Z
> Xtal mike with a single PTT from the early 40's
> through the 80's with the same concept... In the
> 80's Astatic decided to go with the Power Mike
> hence the amplifier... It was still a Hi Z
> mike..During the 90's since Xtal Elements were
> getting worse in audio quality the decided to use
> the amp as an EQ device to make the mic sound good
> and give it extra power but still stayed with Hi
> Z... There has never been a low impedance D-104
> made... Since it had the amp the amp would drive
> the Low Z circuit of the newer Radio's... The
> FINAL Edition is as well a Hi Z mic... In the 90's
> the CBers wanted a PTT on the base of the stand
> and they came out with the stand PTT... Big
> mistake as the hams hated it so they stopped
> buying those mics... The Silver Eagle Final
> Edition if you look at it is really bad Plastic
> Parts on all the PTT both side and base... They
> look nice but are really a bad mic... The amp is
> sloppy and not made like the earlier edition..
> Astatic sold out the CB part of the company back
> around 2004 to a company called Workman that still
> sells the D104 but terrible quality..Being a mic
> collector I have about one of each style. Really
> only missing the original D104 made in the 30's
> with no G Stand...
>
>
> Very Best 73's,
> Bob W1PE
> Mesquite,TX
> http://www.w1pe.com
> http://www.myhamshack.com/W1PE/
> Blog
>