[Elecraft] D-104 Mic Element Replacement

[Don Wilhelm]

I have used electric elements in the D104 and they worked quite well.
If you want a dynamic element, I suggest the HC4 or HC5 from Heil 
Sound.  I don't know if Heil is still selling those mic elements 
separately, but they do work well in the D104 (and other mics). Just add 
enough foam padding to keep the element in place and you are done.
I have a D104 frame with an HC5 element and it works quite well. I also 
have a vintage D104 with the original element with an FET in the base 
that also works well - the FET is powered by the bias voltage from my K3 
or K2.  I know that does not help if the original D104 mic element has 
gone bad.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/22/2022 8:19 PM, Dr. William J. Schmidt wrote:
> No replacement available...
>
> Well... that's not entirely True.  If you search a little, you can find
> places all over the internet where you can buy "old stock" or "removed" D104
> elements.  Just depends which one/ kind you want.   IN FACT just a few years
> ago I bought a hand full of "authentic Astatic, old stock" the later crystal
> replacements... brand-new... from one of the big electronic houses like
> Mouser or Digikey (can't remember which one actually).  I think they were in
> the $28 each...
>
> Just search.  Here are a couple that I found in 30 seconds:
>
> https://www.theharpmicshop.com/crystal---ceramic-mic-elements.html
>
> http://www.kenselectronics.com/lists/micpart.htm#Cartridges
>
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