| Author |
Message |
    
Orion
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 5:08 pm: | 
|
I talked to a guy on 19 who had a base setup. He sounded thunderously loud with a tinny top end, and a bassy bottom end. SOunded so much like a D104 base I almost didn't ask him what mic he was using. Glad I did! It was a Silver Salute. There wwas a good deal of background noise, typical "fan in the background" super sensitive D104 type. He said it was pretty quiet where he was. I remember my Silver Eagle modulating near silence at %50 modulation until I got the hang of keeping it turned down. Seems to me, unless this guy lied about using a Silver Salute and was reeally using a D104, the ceramic SS is identical in audio to the crystal SE. Makes me wonder what the big deal of a crystal element is all about. Anybody out there owned both and can confirm virtually identical performance in sound and sensitivity? I'm thinking about ordering one now. |
Doublet246
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 9:30 pm: |
|
don't waste your money had one and sent it back nothing like the d104. |
CM 3885
| | Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 12:59 am: |
|
Ive heard they are cheaply made.. Made overseas i assume, like everything else CB related today... Not like the D 104 lines that were made in the good Ol U.S. Of A!! Get on Ebay and get yourself a real D 104 silver eagle or night eagle. They can still be had off of ebay. |
Orion
| | Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 1:39 am: |
|
I'm glad I asked. It's probably the local CB shop trying to generate some business by talking on a D104 and claiming its a Silver Salute. They got some deal going on it that place, they always leave me laughing. If I need something fast and cheap, like a 3 foot patch of mini-8 like I did two weeks ago, it's worth the laugh or two I get to walk in pay a few bucks too much and see a 148NW with a $300+ tag on it. SO much for entertaining the Silver Salute idea, I'm no guinea pig. I can get my hands on a virgin collectible for a very good price relative ot their MSRP. Unfortunately, I've got a feeling that when I get it I'll never use it and leave it in the case. Astatic, keep the case and drop the price! Thanks for the input guys. |
Xlaxx
| | Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 8:38 am: |
|
Orion-
I think Tech 808/Lon did a review on the Silver Salute. Check it out. As I recall, I think he and the 1st Sargeant really liked the product.
I personally like the D104's and have many but would be willing to try a Silver Salute after reading the product review.
Use the Keyword function to the left under SEARCH.
XLAXX |
Tech808
| | Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 9:26 am: |
|
Forum Members,
Please, read the Review I wrote on the Super Star Silver Salute Desk Microphone in the Subscriber (preview) Section.
This Mic was NOT given to me to do a review on.
I bought it and asked if I could do a Review on it.
I will not do a review on any item that I personally do not own. For the main reason that if I like it I will say so. If I do not like it or find problems with it, I will also state that fact.
This Mic is very well made and all of the components are very high quality.
How do I know?
Well, the Forummaster asked me to take every single part of it apart and test and compare it to the Astatic D-104. Before I wrote the Review.
He wanted my Honest opinion of it's Quality and Performance.
It uses NEW Technology to make it a very good Mic.
It is more stable than the 104's were and the quality of modulation is excellent when used with or without an AMP.
I highly recommend it. 
This is based on well over a 1000+ hours of actual use, and not from something I have heard.
Durable ~ YES
Nice Looking ~ YES
Reliable ~ YES
Quality Made ~ YES
Good Price ~ YES
Astatic D-104 series mics are also very good. I have an Astatic collection of over 80 different mics.
All mics are different, In Sound, Quality, Performance, Style. Not every mic will be liked by everyone.
For someone to SLAM a product that they have never used is completely Ludicrous, because of something they have heard!
Just my thought's.
Lon
Tech808 
|
Czar
| | Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2003 - 6:40 pm: |
|
I have a silver salute on a old cobra 142 that I use on am and everyone I talked to said the audio was excellant,Lon is right the mike is VERY well made,mechanically and electrically,just like the D-104's sounded like ••••,total ••••, on SOME radios,this silver salute may also sound like •••• on SOME radios,but for the 90% of the rest of the radios it will sound extremely good.It is electrically superior in every way to the D-104,those mikes were 70's technology but their time has long since gone.BTW I was a solid D-104 user and believer,I have had 8 or 9 over the years,this mike is better in almost every way. |
CM 3885
| | Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 1:26 am: |
|
I have a silver eagle made in June of 1977 and it is still going strong today in fact it is one of the best mikes i have to use on the base radios i have.. Both talk quality and overall quality is superior even 25+ years later so just because something was made a few years back doesnt make it outdated junk.. Some of the old stuff made back then is still going strong today and ill bet you a dollar for a donut most of the stuff today will not be around 10 years from now... JMHO..... |
nemo
| | Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 9:06 am: |
|
When I have a choice of buying something new with newer technology and is less expensive than bidding on something used with older technology and is more expensive I think it's a pretty easy choice. How many times have you heard someone with a strong opinion of a product that has never seen or used one? CM3885 I bet your computer or your television wasn't made in the 70's. |
CM 3885
| | Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 12:42 pm: |
|
I though we were talking CB and mikes not TVs and Computers... |
Orion
| | Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 12:49 pm: |
|
Hmm, what to do.. what to do? Somehow, $90 is what it's going to take to find out how its going to work for me and my particular set-up. Certainly, the radio it's run behind is a big factor and to be fair, that's a consideration. Well, if and when I do get one I'll be sure to post, in long winded and precise character , a little over 2 cents on it, maybe a whole half a bucks worth! |
Doublet246
| | Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 5:22 pm: |
|
well good luck sending it back to copper if you don't like it orion i had a hard time sending mine back they wanted me to send it to workman not them bought it from them copper that is??? lol |
Czar
| | Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 5:24 pm: |
|
Nemo made a good point ,why use a 70's mike on a 90's or 2000 radio ??? Computers were out in the mid 70's but I will bet no one here is using any of those.The d-104 had its time and place,it is now gone.{except to some collectors} |
Orion
| | Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 8:43 pm: |
|
Well, as I said "if" I get one and it's a shop of horrors everyone will know. If I have ot send it back to Workman then so be it, policy is policy as long as it's understood prior to purchase. I will hold it to D104 standards in both quality and audio. The manufacturer made the mic unmistakably targeting D104 loyalists and I will therefore hold ir to that standard. I can tell you that I'm a picky guy with a keen eye for detail, not easily won over. Once again "dunce, dunce dunce! why did I ever part with it!" THen again, good points have been raised. Most people are resistant to change, especially when something comes on the scene ot replace a legend. Who knows, it might be a superior product as some have stated, it might not be as others have. There are good samples and bad samples too so you never know if all experiences are typical. I think that's got to be the case here with the inconsistency of claims. Well, by the time I make up my mind they'll be selling Silver Salutes in plexiglass collector cases anyway. |
Xlaxx
| | Posted on Friday, June 13, 2003 - 9:00 pm: |
|
Czar-
I use a Night Eagle on my Lincoln (vintage 2002),... top-shelf and treetop tall (so I have heard). hehehehehe
XLAXX |
CM 3885
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 3:22 am: |
|
Ill keep my old D 104s and use them on my 2003 era radios thank you very, very, much... And ill keep my 1970s Avanti antennas and use them too tahnk you very much!!!!!!! LOL So what if the stuf was made in the 1970s if it still works then use the darn things!!!
|
Highlander
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 6:43 am: |
|
I have one of each Astatic base (except the 1104c and emax2000) NIB, in storage! In addition, I run a TUP-9SP base with either the 10DAL head or the regular SP crystal head on most of my radios (Using the adapters that Copper sells!) I also have a Silver Eagle stand (that I got from Copper) with a Fentone 500c "tokyo rose" dual element crystal head. I like d104's so much, I bought the company!! LOL |
Kc0gxz
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 7:14 pm: |
|
Orion
Why would you use a D-104 as a "standard" when comparing microphones. I'm quite surprised hearing that come from you. The Astatic D-104 is a very poor standard. The amplified 104 produces nothing more than "raw", unprocessed audio. It amplifies anything and everything it hears at a pitch so high that it makes a dog cringe. The best combination Astatic ever came up with as far as amplified stands go, was the t-ug8 stand with the 10-DA head. It produced a far more mellow sound. At the correct volume, that combination and the Silver Salute sound much alike. Want a real cool sounding 104? Pak a Heil HC-5 element in a 104 head.
Yes, the D-104 is kind of cool looking and yes, many CBer's still think they were the best mic that was ever designed and produced on this planet. I hate to bust their bubble but they were NOT the best mic ever designed and produced on this planet. They hold the record for being the most popular, cheapest-to-build-most-mass-produced mic on the planet. What a lot of people don't know is that the stand and element is pretty much unchanged since the early 1940s. The biggest change for Astatic came when they put a amplifier in them. Astatic found cheaper and cheaper ways to produce it and at the same time found more and more reasons to raise the price.
By the way, these mics are farrr from being rare. In reality, they won't fall into the Rare Status Catagory" for another 20 years or more. And why? Because millions and millions of them were made. There are more Astatic D-104s around than anything else. Think about this. The popular Turner Super Sidekick is far more rare today than any D-104. The Astatic D-104 rare? Hardly! They are rare ONLY, and I DO mean ONLY, on Ebay.
As far as popularity goes, yes, they out-sold all other brands. In my opinion, the biggest mistake operators make is using them on todays high powered 10 meter radios. That is unless you really know what you're doing and really understand audio. These radios WILL put out far more than 100% modulation with the stock hand mic that comes with them. The only 104s out there that sound good on these 10 meter radios are the ones that are turned down to a little less than 1/4th volume. There is no reason to crank it way up to half volume or more and lean back in a chair and talk to it. You can be in a dead-silent room and the 104 will still throw a bunch of "background" noise over the air.
Most of the 104s and 10 meter radios that I have to listen to around here are so tinny and crappy sounding it's a shame. These operators haven't got a clue that there is a right way and a wrong way to use a 104 on them. Or on any other radio for that matter. What seems to be most important to them is to see the needle on their meter swing, caused by the massive high pitched audio coming from that D-104.
But on the other hand, there are the 104 users that have them turned down and are talking much closer to them. These are the ones that just sound great on those 10 meter radios. They have that untinny, solid, "in your face audio" that makes it hard to believe that they are even on a D-104.
And speaking of audio and modulation, I have a question for those of you that do the NPC mod on their radios. I'm not trying to insult anyones intelligence here but does anyone know how to calibrate their modulation meter in order to read a "NEAR" accurate measurement of modulation AFTER the NPC mod is done? And there is something about these Astatic, PDC, Dosy, etc, etc meters that many people aren't aware of. It has to do with reading downward modulation. I'll tell you about it when I see some answeres to the question I asked. Your just going to love this!!
Getting back to the D-104, I also use a varity of them myself that I have specially customized in both appearance and audio. My favorite is a vintage Silver Eagle that I bought new for $39.00 from a CB shop where I was working back in 1977. A few years back I decided to take 2.5 inches off the stem. I'm using a vintage 1941 (I bet Tech808 has one in his collection) Astatic T-3 head with a Heil #5 element in it. After some modification to the T-up9 amplifier, the audio is very solid and smooth.
Please don't get me wrong about the Mighty and Beloved Astatic D-104. It's just that people are not fairly comparing them to the rest. And just what are they comparing them to? Have they compared the D-104 to a Yaesu MD-1C8, or a MD-100A8X? Or perhaps a Kenwood MC-60 or 80? Any Icoms? I didn't think so.
But the Astatic D-104 (without a doubt) WILL go down in history as the most popular, mass produced, economically-built microphone ever. Some operators hate them, some love them. I only like them. Love, hate, like? Who cares? They're still cool.
PS... If anyone wants to know what a Astatic T-3 head looks like, email me at and I'll show you what one looks like on a customized Silver Eagle. And don't forget the "Meter Calibration" question I asked.
73s my friends.
Jeff, kc0gxz. |
CM 3885
| | Posted on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 11:04 pm: |
|
Once and again ill keep my D 104s. They sound tottaly awsome on AM!!! I have a turner plus 2 and plus 3 and several power mikes made by tuner and i love them as much as the D 104s. The plus 2 handmike is awesome! |
Tech808
| | Posted on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 12:10 am: |
|
Jeff,
I have them all except 1 model,
The one I do not have yet is the Model 820 Crystal "The GLOBE" from 1946
I have two of the Final Edition Silver Eagles # 00520 & 1890.
About two months ago I was lucky enough to get a like new DN-50 "The Commentator" Gray Hammerlin with the chrome grill. 50-10,000Hz.
It replaced three other's I had that was in good shape but this one was like brand new with original cord.
Right now the 1st Sargant and I have about 150 total most stored. This will be our gifts to our kids when we go to radio heaven.
Lon
Tech808 |
Orion
| | Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 11:13 am: |
|
Kc0gxz,
If I called them the standard I meant to me and on AM. But I might as well go ahead and call it "The standard" because as you've noted they have out sold all the rest. Standard transmission as opposed to automatic never implies it's better, just that at the time it's label was coined it was the standard equipment, just in the same way you'll see more D104's gracing desks than any other single type of mic.
The tinny sound, crackly bass audio is what I like about them. Think of it like champagne, some people love it and shell out a fortune for a dusty bottle, but when you think of it, it's resmeblance in taste is almost exactly like acidic vomit. Nothing sounds like a D104, good or bad is a matter of opinion, nostalgic preferences, etc,. I like the over sensitivity of it and as far as running them right, I've posted in other areas of the forum where it was my habit to run it at 1/4 and the mic gain at 1/3. It was still blaring but that's what I wanted without going over board.
Some like tinny, others bassy and that's why there are tone controls on stereos. But for AM, 11-meter and run correctly nothing sounds better than a D104. And that they've been little changed since 1940 does nothing to change that. I like the idea of that for some reason, you can still grab a piece of history and use it. That is my opinion, my standard.
On comparisons to the S. Salute. It's a legitimate target. When the D104 fell, it appeared designed to draw the eye of D104 enthusiasts knowing it's not only looks they were after but similar audio. Maybe the Salute sounds different and maybe it sounds really good in a different way too but I'm betting that the majority of folks who buy them hook them up expecting to hear a D104.
What can I say, like Harley Davidsons that leak oil, break down, rattle off bolts and vibrate excessively, it's the character of the thing that brings the affection to it. I love'm... D104s that is. I gotta Suzuki |
CM 3885
| | Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 12:34 pm: |
|
Orion you said it so eloquently!! I agree 100% Yes the D 104 was pretty much the standard for CB use and ham use for 75 years or more.. Ive seen more D 104s on CB ops desks then any other mikes but, Then again just as many Turners. Me myself I like the old Turners just about as much as the D 104s with a very slight tilt to the plus 3 and the SSK for SSB use . Give me a good working Plus 2, plus 3, SSK, or Silver eagle or night eagle and im a happy camper! So what if the mikes are old school technology like I always say "if it works then dont worry about it". |
Kirk
| | Posted on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 3:56 pm: |
|
Jeff and everyone else makes some good points here, but when it comes down to it....it all ends up as "subjective." If you like it, run it. I've had many of the Jeff mentions (like the 100A8X...which personally I thought sucked), Heils, AKG's, Shures, Sennheisers, etc. You can make them all sound good if you know how to. I think the D104 sounds best on the old rigs (like before audio processing came to be standard on Ham rigs) and I agree it sounds the best IF you are rag chewing using the 10DA head. But if I want to bust a pile up, then I want the upper freq. "tinny sound" produced by the standard head. In all, if you enjoy it, use it! That's why this stuff is fun!!--73 Kirk AB8BC |
CM 3885
| | Posted on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 12:59 am: |
|
Heres a point.. I used to run a D 104 M6B mobile mike in the mobile and i ran it on a Ranger RG 99 ( boy do i ever miss that radio!!) and it worked well, OK. I replaced it and put a turner plus 2 handmike on it and boy ohhhhh boy, it really woke up the radio!!! Audio to burn!! I dont know why but every radio ive put that mike on made the radio loud as heck!!! I also have 2 Mint with boxes Turner mikes a JM plus 3 and a roadking power mike. They talk great too but that plus 2 handmike is twice as LOUD!!!!! :-D |
Orion
| | Posted on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 7:15 pm: |
|
Thanks for the good words CM 3885. There's also the point that I'm in Brooklyn, NY where breaking into a conversation was at one time like getting a parking spot. •••-wee stock mic got little noticed but when I upgraded to a Silver Eagle "BREAK" meant that they better let me in or no one would be allowed to talk LOL. Yeah, well... I was young and did my share of bringing grief on those who wouldst not bow to my will! Seriously, you're first good thing is always going to be the best whether it is or not in reality. Like Kirk says, "it's subjective". |
Kc0gxz
| | Posted on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 10:01 pm: |
|
Orion
Very nicely put. You have a eloquent way with words. And you made some good points that I didn't even think of.
The Harley Davidson and the Astatic D-104? Well, my money is on the Harley. And that's only because it sounds better and I think it may be a tiny bit louder than the D-104. lol. But like them or not, as you (in your way of wisdom) reminded me Orion, both ARE a piece of work AND a piece of history.
73s my friend. And again, well put.
Jeff, kc0gxz. |
Kc0gxz
| | Posted on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 10:20 pm: |
|
Tech808
Maybe you can clear something up for me. I have 2 DuKane mics on Astatic UG8 stands. One of them is a DN-50 and the other is a DN-500. What is the difference in the two since they both look alike.
And who was DuKane and what was their relationship with Astatic during the 40s and 50s?
Thank you for your time.
73s
Jeff, kc0gxz. |
Tech808
| | Posted on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 12:34 am: |
|
Well,
Astatic was started in 1930 by W8WR - C.M. Chorpening & W8AHW - F.H. Woodworth.
Now for the good part I am sure you will like.
Astatic made mics for the commerical line of DuKane.
They used the DN-50 heads and maybe the DN-500.
If these have the Name DuKane and and Model Number 7C40 on them they are worth around $300.00 to $500.00 depending on condition.
They used the UG-8 stands.
Lon
Tech808
|
Orion
| | Posted on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 2:18 am: |
|
Thanks Jeff. The Harley analogy came to me when I thought of some guys who rode them that I met on a road trip stop. They, about 4, surrounded me and looked at my Suzuki and asked me about it(I'm all ready to punch and run LOL). It ended up they were a friendly albeit motley looking lot. The impression I got was that they loved Harley more than anything but when leaving they said "be sure to wave when you pass us at the repair shop". I don't know.. had to chime in with one last post, thought it was funny. |
CM 3885
| | Posted on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 12:20 pm: |
|
Harleys are cool to look at and hear but gimme a Honda any day!!!! |
|
