D-104 Mics... how many kinds?
 

I'm looking on ebay for a D-104 microphone to use with my Heath Marauder
transmitter, and I need to make sure I get the right one.

There seems to be differences between models... some are amplified, some
are not; some are high impedance, and some are low.

The sellers for these mics are highly unlikely to know anything worth
knowing about them it seems... so, which one do I need for my Marauder and
how do I make sure I'm getting the right one?

Thanks...

D-104 Mics... how many kinds?
 

Rick (W-A-one-R-K-T) wrote:
I'm looking on ebay for a D-104 microphone to use with my Heath Marauder
transmitter, and I need to make sure I get the right one.

There seems to be differences between models... some are amplified, some
are not; some are high impedance, and some are low.

The sellers for these mics are highly unlikely to know anything worth
knowing about them it seems... so, which one do I need for my Marauder and
how do I make sure I'm getting the right one?

Thanks...


The Heath Marauder normally accepts a high-Z mic, something at or above
a nominal 8-10k Ohms. A non-amplified D-104 will do the trick, nicely.
You may, however, also use an amplified D-104 by setting the gain of the
mic and the transmitter such that it does not flat-top (overmodulate),
as observed on a 'scope. I use both models but prefer the standard
model for the likes of older Johnson-Viking and Hallicrafters
transmitters. My take on the issue.

D-104 Mics... how many kinds?
 

Rick (W-A-one-R-K-T) wrote:
I'm looking on ebay for a D-104 microphone to use with my Heath Marauder
transmitter, and I need to make sure I get the right one.

There seems to be differences between models... some are amplified, some
are not; some are high impedance, and some are low.

And some of the high-Z ones have crystal elements, while others have
dynamic alements with step-up transformers.

The sellers for these mics are highly unlikely to know anything worth
knowing about them it seems... so, which one do I need for my Marauder and
how do I make sure I'm getting the right one?

You need a high-Z unbalanced input. You do not want a crystal element
mike, because the elements fail and cannot easily be replaced. Beyond
that, there are a bunch of variants that will work fine.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

D-104 Mics... how many kinds?
 

"Rick (W-A-one-R-K-T)" wrote in message
.. .

I'm looking on ebay for a D-104 microphone to use with my Heath Marauder
transmitter, and I need to make sure I get the right one.

There seems to be differences between models... some are amplified, some
are not; some are high impedance, and some are low.

The sellers for these mics are highly unlikely to know anything worth
knowing about them it seems... so, which one do I need for my Marauder and
how do I make sure I'm getting the right one?

Thanks...


He may be cleaning up the scans -- but here they a
http://barovelli.com/index.php?blog=...&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

D-104 Mics... how many kinds?
 

Thanks to all for your help with the D-104 question.

I hear you about the crystal elements... I have had a few D-104's back in
the day, and I remember that the crystal elements were somewhat subject to
failure (although, even so, they seemed to hold up pretty well).

A half hour or so ago I bought a D-104 on ebay for $40, so we'll see
what happens when I pick it up and actually plug it in. The seller is
just a few towns over from me so I'm going to go pick it up tomorrow night.

Hopefully it'll work and be a nice addition to my fledgling boat anchor
station (see my page on qrz.com...).

Rick WA1RKT

D-104 Mics... how many kinds?
 

Rick (W-A-one-R-K-T) wrote:
I'm looking on ebay for a D-104 microphone to use with my Heath Marauder
transmitter, and I need to make sure I get the right one.

There seems to be differences between models... some are amplified, some
are not; some are high impedance, and some are low.

The sellers for these mics are highly unlikely to know anything worth
knowing about them it seems... so, which one do I need for my Marauder and
how do I make sure I'm getting the right one?

Thanks...


Hmmmm. Crystal elements are, as pointed out, subject to failure
arguably far more frequently than dynamic and other types. I continue to
have good success with crystal D-104's, albeit I do take care of them.
Suitable replacement elements are still available at reasonable cost and
D-104's can sound very good on vintage AM gear. If the mic is purported
to work, the mic head and UG or TUG stand are in observably nice
physical condition, the price you paid is quite reasonable. If it turns
out the element is defective, and onsidering the cost of a replacement
element, you'll still be OK... and, have a "new" mic.

D-104 Mics... how many kinds?
 

K3HVG wrote:

Hmmmm. Crystal elements are, as pointed out, subject to failure
arguably far more frequently than dynamic and other types. I continue to
have good success with crystal D-104's, albeit I do take care of them.
Suitable replacement elements are still available at reasonable cost and
D-104's can sound very good on vintage AM gear.

Where are they available? The last I heard, CAD/Astatic was replacing
the crystal elements with dynamic ones if they came in for repair, claiming
they couldn't make the original crystal any more.

The crystal itself is sealed with a flexible goo... as long as that stays
sealed, it's fine, but as soon as it develops a small crack, atmospheric
moisture gets in.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

D-104 Mics... how many kinds?
 

Scott Dorsey wrote:
K3HVG wrote:
Hmmmm. Crystal elements are, as pointed out, subject to failure
arguably far more frequently than dynamic and other types. I continue to
have good success with crystal D-104's, albeit I do take care of them.
Suitable replacement elements are still available at reasonable cost and
D-104's can sound very good on vintage AM gear.

Where are they available? The last I heard, CAD/Astatic was replacing
the crystal elements with dynamic ones if they came in for repair, claiming
they couldn't make the original crystal any more.

The crystal itself is sealed with a flexible goo... as long as that stays
sealed, it's fine, but as soon as it develops a small crack, atmospheric
moisture gets in.
--scott

OK... I probably should have been a bit more clear when I spoke of
replacements. What I meant was a crystal or dynamic element that would
fit the D-104. Your comments about the old Rochelle salt mic elements
are, of course, entirely correct. For further amplification of my post,
I just bought a couple of crystal elements from Mouser to replace an
element in a D-104 and a 10D head. They appear to work OK with adequate
output and good frequency response, especially given the usage on AM.
They are not original nor as big ones as in the original D-104 but with
a fabricated adaptor ring, they are good to go (and inexpensive!).
de K3HVG

D-104 Mics... how many kinds?
 

K3HVG wrote:
OK... I probably should have been a bit more clear when I spoke of
replacements. What I meant was a crystal or dynamic element that would
fit the D-104. Your comments about the old Rochelle salt mic elements
are, of course, entirely correct. For further amplification of my post,
I just bought a couple of crystal elements from Mouser to replace an
element in a D-104 and a 10D head. They appear to work OK with adequate
output and good frequency response, especially given the usage on AM.
They are not original nor as big ones as in the original D-104 but with
a fabricated adaptor ring, they are good to go (and inexpensive!).

I had no idea anyone was still making them! I'll check out the Mouser
catalogue just for grins! Thanks!
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

D-104 Mics... how many kinds?
 

Scott Dorsey wrote:

I had no idea anyone was still making them! I'll check out the Mouser
catalogue just for grins! Thanks!
--scott


Scott, The Mouser p/n for the best one that they have is 25LM025. There
are others in that particular group, though, both ceramic and crystal.
Again, you can't beat the price.....!

Jeep/K3HVG

D-104 Mics... how many kinds?
 

K3HVG wrote:
Scott Dorsey wrote:

I had no idea anyone was still making them! I'll check out the Mouser
catalogue just for grins! Thanks!
--scott


Scott, The Mouser p/n for the best one that they have is 25LM025. There
are others in that particular group, though, both ceramic and crystal.
Again, you can't beat the price.....!

Jeep/K3HVG


Well... spit.... that one is now out of stock. The one above it doesn't
have quite the high freq response but works fine, too. I use both.
Don't know why they don't have both in stock. But... 10kHz is certainly
high enough freq response for tx audio, don't you think?
Jeep/K3HVG

D-104 Mics... how many kinds?
 

K3HVG wrote:
Well... spit.... that one is now out of stock. The one above it doesn't
have quite the high freq response but works fine, too. I use both.
Don't know why they don't have both in stock. But... 10kHz is certainly
high enough freq response for tx audio, don't you think?

Yeah, the thing about ceramic and crystal mikes is that they all have all
sorts of wacky peaks and dips within the voice passband... the response
is very ragged and that results in the characteristic sound of the mike.
Even if you chop off everything outside of 300 to 4000 Hz, you can still
tell a dynamic D104 from a crystal one.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

D-104 Mics... how many kinds?
 

On Oct 28, 5:29 pm, "Rick (W-A-one-R-K-T)"
wrote:
I'm looking on ebay for a D-104 microphone to use with my Heath Marauder
transmitter, and I need to make sure I get the right one.

There seems to be differences between models... some are amplified, some
are not; some are high impedance, and some are low.

The sellers for these mics are highly unlikely to know anything worth
knowing about them it seems... so, which one do I need for my Marauder and
how do I make sure I'm getting the right one?

Thanks...

A while back I was able to pickup a clean D-104 at a garage sale from
a guy that called it a "chicken choker". Anyway I got it for $20.00
and it had the amplifier in the bottom of the stand. I removed all the
amplifier and rewired the terminal strip in the bottom. Put on new mic
cable and wired it into my Johnson Ranger. It works like a champ. I
get good audio reports with it.
73, Randy, W5KCM

D-104 Mics... how many kinds?
 

"Scott Dorsey" wrote in message
...
K3HVG wrote:

Hmmmm. Crystal elements are, as pointed out, subject to failure
arguably far more frequently than dynamic and other types. I continue to
have good success with crystal D-104's, albeit I do take care of them.
Suitable replacement elements are still available at reasonable cost and
D-104's can sound very good on vintage AM gear.

Where are they available? The last I heard, CAD/Astatic was replacing
the crystal elements with dynamic ones if they came in for repair,
claiming
they couldn't make the original crystal any more.

The crystal itself is sealed with a flexible goo... as long as that stays
sealed, it's fine, but as soon as it develops a small crack, atmospheric
moisture gets in.
--scott

Scott -

Mouser carries the Kobitone (Far East) crystal element (see their on-line
catalog)
They are a bit smaller than the original Astatic -- BUT work fine

gb