[Boatanchors] Fw: [AMRadio] Dreaded D-104

[David Knepper]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Knepper" <collinsradio at comcast.net>
To: "Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service" 
<amradio at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2011 8:02 AM
Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Dreaded D-104


> 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
> See us on Facebook:  Collins Radio Association
>
> ----- 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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>