[Boatanchors] D-104 Replacement Element

Sun Feb 16 10:00:31 EST 2014

My experience has been that the Kobitone cartridge gets slightly better reports than the original Astatic D-104 cartridge.  I have a Kobitone cartridge in my "goose neck" microphone on my main console and can use my D-104 just by unplugging the "goose neck" microphone and plugging the D-104 into my "patch box" on the console.

The "goose neck" microphone is an older Radio Shack model in which the original cartridge went bad some time back.

I normally use the "goose neck" on my Collins 32S-3, 32S-1, Heath SB-401, and SB-110A.  I can use it on my Eldico T-102, Heath DX-100, WRL Globe Champion 350A, and Hallicrafters HT-20.  Most of my operating is with my 32S-3 for 80-meters through 10-meters (including the WARC bands and 60-meters).  I use my SB-401 with transverters for 160-meters, 2-meters, and 222 MHz.  I do have a 6-meter transverter but usually use my Heath SB-110A.

Although I don't have an article on replacing the D-104 microphone cartridge with a Kobitone on my website, I can do such an article.  I will try to get it done sometime today and on the website.

Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com

On Saturday, February 15, 2014 7:36 PM, David Knepper <collinsradio at comcast.net> wrote:

I have used the Kobitone cartridge and it does not compare to the original 
D-104 cartridge in over-the-air tests that I have conducted.

But you knew that already.

I have a box of original cartridges here at the Collins Radio Center that I 
will be offering up in the very near future.

David Knepper - W3CRA/W3ST
Collins Radio Association
www.collinsra.com
Join the CRA today
-----Original Message----- 
From: Glen Zook
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2014 7:53 PM
To: Rob Atkinson ; Richard Solomon
Cc: Boat Anchors List
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] D-104 Replacement Element

The Kobitone 25LM022 makes a excellent replacement for the original Astatic 
cartridge.  One does have to make something to hold the cartridge in place 
because it is smaller in diameter.  I use a styrofoam sheet cut to the 
diameter of the microphone and then cut a hole for the cartridge in the 
center of the sheet.

However,  I believe that Kobitone has stopped making these cartridges. 
Mouser used to handle them but stopped well over a year ago.  I don't know 
if Allied, or another of the large parts suppliers still have any around.

I still have a couple of these cartridges but am being selfish in that I am 
keeping them to replace in my D-104 when the Astatic cartridge goes bad.  I 
was fortunate in that I was able to obtain one of the last replacement 
cartridges available from Astatic.

The factory cartridge in the D-104 is relatively fragile and can be easily 
damaged by dropping the microphone, by hitting it soundly, and by high 
humidity.

Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com

On Saturday, February 15, 2014 5:16 PM, Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo at gmail.com> 
wrote:

As far as I know the best thing is another working Astatic element.
You have to suck it up and go to hamfests and look for D104s.   Hope
you get a good one.

You can maybe get another old crystal mic and get the element out of
it.   Astatic and Electrovoice? made xtal mics for things like tape
recorders in the 1950s.
There are Japanese xtal mics made in the 1960s that turn up.  Those
Kobetone elements that were around a few years ago have a reputation
for not being all that good.

73
Rob
K5UJ

On Sat, Feb 15, 2014 at 5:04 PM, Richard Solomon <w1ksz at earthlink.net> 
wrote:
> I need to replace the element in my NON-amplified D-104. What
> do folks recommend I use ?
>
> Tnx es 73, Dick, W1KSZ
> ______________________________________________________________
> Boatanchors mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
>
> List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF
> ** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **
>
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

______________________________________________________________
Boatanchors mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net

List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF
** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

______________________________________________________________
Boatanchors mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net

List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF
** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 

______________________________________________________________
Boatanchors mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net

List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF
** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html