Ok here's the deal. Repaired many of them, tested many of them with radios for customers on the bench, wired them to radios etc. So I am familiar with this mic. (Astatic Road Devil).
However, what interests me, is that most of the mics out there are of the dynamic type. Believe it or not most of the CB and amateur dynamic mics lack in frequency response. It's the nature of the beast. Except for some Heil dynamic elements that I have ran in the past either in a genuine Heil mic or just swapping out the elements in a handheld mic most lack richness and lower tones.
I never cared for Astatic D-104 style power mics. For me, and my voice as well as preference, they always sounded tinny and didn't pick up bass very much, or rolled it off way too soon.
Once again, I could go with a Heil for mobile SSB and even AM operation but to shell out the money on one that I would want can get expensive, plus the ones I have had pick up background noise.
What interests me about the Road Devil, is its advertised frequency response on the back of the package and the fact that it would make sense since it uses an electret mic element in it. I could always build one and get the bias for the element from the radio, but I like the fact that it's all ready to go in one package, and adjustable output.
I have also tried them on the bench and do notice they have better bass response than even the RK-56 mics.
BUT-- how well do they hold up? I have read mixed reviews as far as quality and durability.
I also would like to see if I could dig up a schematic for the mic amplifier as well. It could be tailored in frequency response by changing some capacitors more than likely, or changing the electret element maybe to a better one (for only a couple dollars).
I have already broad banded (NOT HIFI--- just widened up) the mic audio chain in my rig for SSB, AM and FM, as well as some RX improvements and and aftermarket IF filter for my 2950DX so it would be cool to see if it would play nice.
My only other gripe is the bright, god-awful red casing on them, and the guy on the sticker that looks like he wants to devour my soul. Kinda tacky.
However, what interests me, is that most of the mics out there are of the dynamic type. Believe it or not most of the CB and amateur dynamic mics lack in frequency response. It's the nature of the beast. Except for some Heil dynamic elements that I have ran in the past either in a genuine Heil mic or just swapping out the elements in a handheld mic most lack richness and lower tones.
I never cared for Astatic D-104 style power mics. For me, and my voice as well as preference, they always sounded tinny and didn't pick up bass very much, or rolled it off way too soon.
Once again, I could go with a Heil for mobile SSB and even AM operation but to shell out the money on one that I would want can get expensive, plus the ones I have had pick up background noise.
What interests me about the Road Devil, is its advertised frequency response on the back of the package and the fact that it would make sense since it uses an electret mic element in it. I could always build one and get the bias for the element from the radio, but I like the fact that it's all ready to go in one package, and adjustable output.
I have also tried them on the bench and do notice they have better bass response than even the RK-56 mics.
BUT-- how well do they hold up? I have read mixed reviews as far as quality and durability.
I also would like to see if I could dig up a schematic for the mic amplifier as well. It could be tailored in frequency response by changing some capacitors more than likely, or changing the electret element maybe to a better one (for only a couple dollars).
I have already broad banded (NOT HIFI--- just widened up) the mic audio chain in my rig for SSB, AM and FM, as well as some RX improvements and and aftermarket IF filter for my 2950DX so it would be cool to see if it would play nice.
My only other gripe is the bright, god-awful red casing on them, and the guy on the sticker that looks like he wants to devour my soul. Kinda tacky.
