[Elecraft] Astatic D-104 Microphone

[Don Wilhelm]

Dale,

You will have to be more specific - there are several types of D-104 
microphones.
The original crystal element which is very high impedance and will not 
work well directly with modern transceivers with a nominal 600 ohm input 
impedance.
Then there was the ceramic element which has a high impedance and is 
similar to the crystal element.
Then with the advent of CB, the amplified D-104 came into being. That 
microphone can be used on modern transceivers, but be careful with the 
gain setting so you don't sound like the audio overdriving CBer with a 
lot of distortion.

If you have either the crystal or ceramic element D-104, I can send you 
a schematic for an FET buffer amplifier that works quite well with the 
K2 or K3.  Send me a private email since the reflector does not accept 
attachments.

I am a bit confused by your question about the PTT.  The normal D-104 
G-stand has a bar which activates PTT when you grip it.  There is a 
sliding "bit of metal" that can be moved up on that bar to keep it 
locked in.   There are other D-104 stands that have some bars on the 
base which can provide PTT, but I have not investigated those.

As for the colors of the wires, I do not recall.  I suggest you do a 
Google search to find the colors for your specific D-104 microphone.  
You might find some relevant information at 
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/rg4wpw/d104.html, but that is for the 
amplified version.  I believe the colors from the non-amplified head are 
the same as those shown as inputs to the amplifier.

The D-104 is still a great microphone when adapted to modern low 
impedance rigs.  I personally use a classic with the G-stand and the FET 
in the base of the microphone.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/27/2014 8:01 PM, Dale Gray wrote:
> All,
>
> I recently was given an Astatic D-104 mic. I have not opened the mic yet and it has been modified with a ptt switch.  I assume to lock the mic in transmit without holding the grip.
>
> I have the pin out for the K3 connector but I was wondering if anyone has used this mic.  If so, what were the wire colors to the 8 pin K3 connector.
>
>