coffelt2 wrote:

D-104C had a "ceramic" crystal element which was far more tolerant of
moisture, shock, etc.
I can't remember just now what the frequency response was (compared to the
original) but when
I used one, I was looked down upon as a traitor to tradition.

You can no longer get either the original crystal element or the ceramic
element, but Astatic will sell you a dynamic replacement.

The dynamic is a whole lot smoother and less brittle sounding, but maybe
that's a bad thing in a pileup.

What was good about the D-104 types, was that you didn't have to speak
directly into it. One
could just walk around the shack, and in some instances, around the house
with little loss of
readability.

They were very, very omnidirectional compared other communications mikes
back then. The good part of this was the effect you note. The bad part
is that noise sources like fans and people yelling in the background were
also very readable on the air.

I am currently using an old Turner microphone and like the way it sounds.
Also I am a fan of some of the older EV desk microphones, which still turn
up cheaply at hamfests. If you find a low-Z mike that you like, there is
no reason you can't just stick a step-up transformer in the base to drive
the Viking.
--scott

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