robert440 wrote:

The Silver Eagle version of the D104 has an amplifer (to work with modern
radios), so impedance is not an issue.
The mic does have a very high output (requires a 9V battery) that may easily
overload the mic input of a mixer, even with a pad engaged. There is a gain
control on the bottom of the mic.

Just for reference, where does info on the mic come from? Given the
built-in amplifier, it's obviously a recent version. Is it now
manufactured or sold by a company other than Astatic? I was surprised
not to find any data on the mic on the Astatic web sites other than a
mention in their company history article.

I'm familiar with the ham radio version of 50 years ago (which was
indeed a crystal element). It seems that while the basic model number
and appearance haven't changed significantly over the years, the inner
workings have evolved substantially.

I always thought the 104 would make a really cool housing for a DIY
ribbon mic...

wrote:
I always thought the 104 would make a really cool housing for a DIY
ribbon mic...

There's no room inside there for the magnet assembly, though. The actual
element on the D-104 is pretty tiny.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Scott Dorsey wrote:
There's no room inside there for the magnet assembly, though. The actual
element on the D-104 is pretty tiny.

The one in my parts drawer is about 1-1/2" diameter x 3/8" thick. Aside
from the dimensions, wouldn't a ribbon need an open back?

--
St. John, whose ribbon experience starts and ends with RCA 77 and 44 series

St. John Smythe wrote:
Scott Dorsey wrote:
There's no room inside there for the magnet assembly, though. The actual
element on the D-104 is pretty tiny.

The one in my parts drawer is about 1-1/2" diameter x 3/8" thick. Aside
from the dimensions, wouldn't a ribbon need an open back?

It would help. You could build a baffle behind the ribbon to make it a
cardioid or omni, but that would require more space inside.

St. John, whose ribbon experience starts and ends with RCA 77 and 44 series

You can make a ribbon assembly smaller than that these days, but the problem
is that the field needs to be uniform so whether the ribbon is fully forward
or fully back it's bathed in the same flux. This means the pole pieces on
the side need to be pretty deep. You can make them less wide by using
modern rare earth magnets but it's hard to reduce them in size and get an
even field, without making the ribbon smaller. Then, if the ribbon is
smaller the output is reduced.....

I think a Beyer assembly might just barely fit. The Shure SM33 assembly
won't.
-scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

wrote:
I always thought the 104 would make a really cool housing for a DIY
ribbon mic...

They are a neat looking mic..I'd like to make a one hit bong out of one.

ps. I have an un-amplified model that I still use from time to time. (not
bong material)

In article .com, "Mike Rivers" wrote:

robert440 wrote:

The Silver Eagle version of the D104 has an amplifer (to work with modern
radios), so impedance is not an issue.
The mic does have a very high output (requires a 9V battery) that may easily
overload the mic input of a mixer, even with a pad engaged. There is a gain
control on the bottom of the mic.

Just for reference, where does info on the mic come from? Given the
built-in amplifier, it's obviously a recent version. Is it now
manufactured or sold by a company other than Astatic? I was surprised
not to find any data on the mic on the Astatic web sites other than a
mention in their company history article.

I'm familiar with the ham radio version of 50 years ago (which was
indeed a crystal element). It seems that while the basic model number
and appearance haven't changed significantly over the years, the inner
workings have evolved substantially.

Come to think of it, I have a version of the mike. Its came on the Astatic
Road Talker hand mic. Used the same ceramic as the D-104 but I believe
it had some kind of baffle to make it a noise canceler and has a built
in amplifier. I still have the schematic at home. The store I purchased it was very near the
factory in Ohio.

I was on the Astatic web site a while back and I thought it was strange also.

greg

In article , (GregS) wrote:
In article .com, "Mike
Rivers" wrote:

robert440 wrote:

The Silver Eagle version of the D104 has an amplifer (to work with modern
radios), so impedance is not an issue.
The mic does have a very high output (requires a 9V battery) that may easily
overload the mic input of a mixer, even with a pad engaged. There is a gain
control on the bottom of the mic.

Just for reference, where does info on the mic come from? Given the
built-in amplifier, it's obviously a recent version. Is it now
manufactured or sold by a company other than Astatic? I was surprised
not to find any data on the mic on the Astatic web sites other than a
mention in their company history article.

I'm familiar with the ham radio version of 50 years ago (which was
indeed a crystal element). It seems that while the basic model number
and appearance haven't changed significantly over the years, the inner
workings have evolved substantially.

Come to think of it, I have a version of the mike. Its came on the Astatic
Road Talker hand mic. Used the same ceramic as the D-104 but I believe
it had some kind of baffle to make it a noise canceler and has a built
in amplifier. I still have the schematic at home. The store I purchased it was
very near the
factory in Ohio.

I was on the Astatic web site a while back and I thought it was strange also.

I'm pretty sure my Road Talker came with a response plot.

greg

Mike Rivers wrote:

Just for reference, where does info on the mic come from? Given the
built-in amplifier, it's obviously a recent version.

There have been versions of the D104 with built-in preamp
circuits since at least the mid '70s. Possibly an outgrowth
of the CB 'power mic' craze of the time.

rd

Mike Rivers wrote:
Just for reference, where does info on the mic come from? Given the
built-in amplifier, it's obviously a recent version. Is it now
manufactured or sold by a company other than Astatic? I was surprised
not to find any data on the mic on the Astatic web sites other than a
mention in their company history article.

Used to have an old D104 with the amp inside and this setup easily goes
back to the 70's. That's when I had mine. Used it with a couple of CB
rigs. I believe the last version of the 104 made was a special one in gold.

--
de Jack N2MPU FN20
Modeling the NYC/NYNH&H in HO and CP Rail/D&H in N
Proud NRA Life Member