D-104 Death

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Here is a link to my thread about my 240D. It has some good info about the d104 element and other microphones. My D104 quit, and I accidentally fixed it and it still works. I took the element out of the head and laid it face down on the diaphragm for about a week. I guess it pushed the diaphragm back into the armature and the wax stuck back together.

https://www.worldwidedx.com/threads/robyn-t-240d-executive.233524/

 

[Staybolt]

I've had a few heads die on me too. I used the element from an old 1960s turner crystal handmaid. They sound a tad different but will work.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

If your only choice for a D104 is to replace the element, then you gotta check this out:

https://www.worldwidedx.com/threads/unexpected-interesting-reward.243490/

 

[Mark Malcomb]

Ok, over the holiday I was able to take the head off a D104 mod (W2EY) I had. I tacked in the 10 k resistor on a failing mic swapped heads and bomb I got my swing and TX back. Canada was wide open skipping in to AZ yesterday. I guess I must replace 2 elements. I dont know what would be a good element replacement. The W2ENY off EBAY was a gamble. It works. Don't know of the quality. If there is a good sounding replacement that you all recommend, I would be grateful.
Mark

 

[The20poundhammer]

I bought a couple of the W2NEY elements for a couple dead D104's i have. One sounds good on ssb to much bass with my voice on am. The other mic sounds like crap on both so its got other issues.

 

[Mark Malcomb]

Hmm makes me apprehensive to buy any more of those. I have not got a good radio check on the sound quality. Thanks for your input.
Mark

 

[BJ radionut]

Radical rebuild of an Astatic D-104 | Page 2 | WorldwideDX Radio Forum

 

[Mark Malcomb]

Hello Tokin, I bought a couple high impedance mic elements on Ebay for 16 bucks.
What the heck, if I throw them in and somebody says I sound like shit, I'm out a twelve back of beer. I get burned out working on aircraft instruments every day for 30 years.
Going home to work on my own stuff is overload. I've NEVER worked on the Radios, Just the digital tuners.

 

[Crawdad]

Hmm makes me apprehensive to buy any more of those. I have not got a good radio check on the sound quality. Thanks for your input.
Mark

FWIW I rebuilt a D104 w/ the W2ENY electret kit for the TUP-9 base and it works very well. Great audio reports on SSB. Definitely more bass than the crystal element. I don't know if the OEM element is good or bad, never tried it, too much impedance for my rig. IMO W2ENY sells quality stuff. He responds quickly to email questions through his website.

 

[Mark Malcomb]

Well I only know what reviews from folks say. They may be haters. I haven't really asked for a audio check with the W2ENY. That mic was for a unique Washington I have with built in 9 Volt supply. I did notice it swing very good. Hell now I'm stumped, maybe I should have bought those. Oh well. Thanks for the review

 

[Holydvr]

I have converted a few over to a Philmore LM101S crystal tape recorder mic. I just took the front grille off and cut foam to suspend it. Other than that, it was “drop in”. Since it us hi-z no other mods were needed at all. It is smaller than the stock element, but I was rather surprised how it sounded to be honest. I know its no longer a D104, but it is more than usable. 13.00 on fleabay. There are a few sites that have them cheaper also.

 

[Mark Malcomb]

I bit the bullet and bought another W2ENY. I compared it to a HI-Z crystal element on Fleabay. It seemed to swing much better and sounded OK on another radio I set up behind my test point. A good radio check would help me a bunch. There is no locals in my area to call on..........Mark

 

[Crawdad]

I bit the bullet and bought another W2ENY. I compared it to a HI-Z crystal element on Fleabay. It seemed to swing much better and sounded OK on another radio I set up behind my test point. A good radio check would help me a bunch. There is no locals in my area to call on..........Mark

Any public SDR's near your QTH? You might be able to hear/record your transmissions.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

I bit the bullet and bought another W2ENY. I compared it to a HI-Z crystal element on Fleabay. It seemed to swing much better and sounded OK on another radio I set up behind my test point. A good radio check would help me a bunch. There is no locals in my area to call on..........Mark

If you have a spare radio, you can set it up as a station monitor. I have a Cobra 148 that I use with no antenna and headphones. It is really helpful for setting the mic gain to make sure I don't sound crunchy. I always check my audio every time I power up. I would not operate my station without it.

 

[Mark Malcomb]

I have 3 radios set up. It was so damn hard to hear any quality when I talk in one and try t0 listen to the other. Ah Ha headphones! Brilliant. Thanks Bud. Now on the other post
Believe or not I dont know what a SDR or QTH mean. I've seen these before acronyms
can elude me. I do apologize for being lame.