[Boatanchors] [AMRadio] Dreaded D-104

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On Thu, Oct 6, 2011 at 10:18 AM, Bob Macklin <macklinbob at gmail.com> wrote:

> Most of the measurements hams could do would be subjective.

Bingo. Few take the time to properly assess and compare. It's more a
case of 'This one is my favorite, so it's better' for the most part.
Along the same lines as the endless Best Receiver discussions. Without
proper testing, aging ears will give different preferences as will the
intended service.

I've never heard a 664 or 444 on AM that didn't sound rather muffled
or muddy without some additional compensation, compared to the
crispness of the D-104. They both work better on SSB than AM by far,
where fidelity isn't an issue. The presence rise of the crystal D-104
is designed that way for a reason, which is why they penetrate the
noise so well with more recoverable audio. They are indeed "peaky"
(mid-range to high peak). If they sound tinny, something is wrong.
Unless it's SSB, of course.

True, they don't have a big low end, but that wasn't a concern until
the last couple decades when folks focused more on 'broadcast quality
audio'. It was wasted energy in the communications field.

There's a reason there are so many of them out there. This was the
case long before the CB scene, too. Just look through old QST photos
and other publications. It's not my favorite mic, but it's hard to
argue with success. The rebuilt RCA-77D ribbbon sounds much fuller
after it's been properly equalized and preamplified to the
transmitter. I can't just plug it in and go though, nor can I move it
to the next transmitter and enjoy similar results without readjusting
the additional box needed to make it sound good.

~ Todd,  KA1KAQ/4