| Author |
Message |
    
Swamper
| | Posted on Thursday, September 26, 2002 - 7:32 pm: | 
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anyone know why they stoped making D 104's ?????? |
bruce
| | Posted on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 3:55 am: |
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the stamping machine wore out and cost too much to replace |
Karatebutcher
| | Posted on Friday, September 27, 2002 - 11:17 am: |
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I sure don't understand why, unless everyone has one, I have two , a Tug8, and a TUG9 stand on them, got a new cyystal for the oldest one in case. maybe its supply and no large demand to repair the machines, they last forever. |
Bluegrass
Junior Member
Username: Bluegrass
Post Number: 44
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 25, 2004 - 9:32 am: |
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well that dosen't make any sense.the d104 was one of astatic's most popular mics if not THE most popular.it's the d104 series that made the astatic co. who it is today. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 4375
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 25, 2004 - 10:20 am: |
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Bluegrass,
Sorry but it makes a LOT of sense.
Astatic sales have dropped drastically over the years with many newer and better mics coming out.
They could not justify the Cost of around a million bucks just to make a single style of mic that had droped in sales and popularty.
I have over 150 Astatic Mic's in my collection and the DM-452 Hand mic out performs all of them on AM and SSB for Modulation, Clarity, and overall performance and the DM-452 is only $17.95
With the Newer Radios and Technology and Speech Processors and Compressors in the radio's now the Astatics were good for there time but that time has come and gone.
Just my personal thoughts,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Yankee
Intermediate Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 358
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 25, 2004 - 11:58 am: |
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The stamping machine broken is the story I got from the main office of Astatic, but for some reason it just didn't sound like a true reason. In resent years sales have dropped off for Astatic. Because of the imports from Japan and China selling a lot cheaper. Just my $.02 worth. |
Bluegrass
Member
Username: Bluegrass
Post Number: 50
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, December 26, 2004 - 1:34 pm: |
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well that stinks! |
Bob_p
Advanced Member
Username: Bob_p
Post Number: 608
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 27, 2004 - 10:57 am: |
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I have to wonder how one of the Heil mic's would sound on some of the radios with compression and speech processors? I know they come pre-wired for Ham rigs, but it seems that you could wire one for a newer radio especially something like the Magnums or the Rangers. The HM-10 with the HC-5 element is about $60.00, and it sounds pretty good on an HF rig.
Of course you would have to buy the cable and that's another $20.00 to $30.00 but as clean and crisp as they are on Ham rigs I wonder if they would work well on a decent export type of radio?
Just my thought's after waking up this morning.
|
Kb9ryi
Junior Member
Username: Kb9ryi
Post Number: 26
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 6:18 pm: |
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I have a question for the group...
Does anyone know how many D-104 FE (Final Edition) mic's were made?
I have one (#02320) Im using on my Robyn SB-540D. I keep changing from the D-104FE to a 575m6 trying go get an idea which sounds better. From the reports I have received so far, If I turn the TONE control up to the HIGH setting on the 575m6 most people cannot tell it from the D-104. Adjusting the TONE control to the LOW setting gives the audio more base and a little stronger modulation.
Personally I like the loud broadcast audio sound with the full range of the voice frequencies. Like the stations I hear on 75 meters late at might. Got to love "3930". Not the SCREAMING IN YOUR EAR ch6 sound. That gets very tiring after about 3 minutes. Its just NOT pleasnt to listen to.
Anyway Im thinking I like the sound of the 575m6 with the TONE set to the low side. Time will tell I guess.
And before you ask, YES I am using the D-104FE as a daily driver mic. I am NOT a lover of antique's that you have to sit on a shelf and keep dusting and polishing and never get to enjoy using. If I can not use it then I have no time for it. But thats just me.
Anyway I like using the D-104 mic but I think I like the sound of the 575m6 better.
I guess I dont know how I got off on all that but, now to get back to my question. . .
Does anyone know how many D-104FE mic's were made?
Thanks for your replies.
73 for now and God Bless, CEF 507, John
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 8814
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 7:21 pm: |
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Kb9ryi,
They stopped production of the Astatic Desk Mics because the the equipment was too old and worn out and needed to be replaced.
At several million to replace it and with their sales dropping drastically over the years it was not feasible to continue.
There were 5000 Final Edition D104 Silver Eagle Desk Microphones Manufactured.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1100
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 8:00 pm: |
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I also heard the mold used got broken
and would cost to much to replace...
JIM/PA/CEF 375 |
Kb9ryi
Junior Member
Username: Kb9ryi
Post Number: 27
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 8:28 pm: |
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Thanks Lon,
So I have number 2320 of 5000. Thats cool.
This mic came to me from the family of a friend who due to major health problems is unable to continue with his radio hobby. The mic was not ever used till I got it. Unfortunatly when his family packed up his stuff they had no idea what anything was or what it was worth so they just piled everything up in storage boxes and put it in a storage unit for a couple years. They did not save the paperwork or the display box. All I have is the mic with the FE logo's and serial number attached. It is in good condition but has a few light scratches hear and there. Really not "COLLECTOR QUALITY" so like I said before I believe things are made to be used and enjoyed. Not to sit on a shelf collecting dust.
So I am enjoying using it and plan to keep it even though I like the sound of the 575m6 a little better.
73 for now and may the Lord Bless you all in 2006.
John KB9RYI
CEF 507
Ham 71
Stargazer |
Crazybob
New member
Username: Crazybob
Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 9:46 pm: |
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Why did they stop making the popular 575 hand-held? Did they break the mold for that one too? |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 8818
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 10:03 pm: |
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Kb9ryi,
Good Deal. 
They are Collectors Items.
We have #520 and #1890. 
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN  |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 8819
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 10:19 pm: |
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Crazybob,
I could only guess they stopped making/producing the 575 because there are so many new mics on the market and their sales have dropped drastically in the last few years with all of the new products coming out at a more reasonable price.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1143
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 11:50 pm: |
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When will someone produce a base or handheld mic using surface mount parts in an RF tight enclosure that will provide multi-band compression? Perhaps even some distortion cancelled clipping?? That would be worth its weight in gold. |
Hollowpoint445
Advanced Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 980
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 7:38 pm: |
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I echo Tech833's desire for something better than simple compression in a microphone.
Until then I'll stick with stock microphones used in tandem with RF speech processors. |
Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 247
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 6:35 pm: |
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i too like the 575 hand mike |
Capt_hook
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 227
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 5:37 am: |
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Question iwhat is the diff between the Aries DM 452 and the Superstar DM 452 ??????????Capt Hook |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1216
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2006 - 11:54 am: |
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Capt hook- I have used both, they look the
same and have the same functions.
Both worked good. |
Al_lafon
Intermediate Member
Username: Al_lafon
Post Number: 220
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 1:00 pm: |
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Hello most you will just love the Heil Handi Mic
as i do but will need to mod the older cb radios
to use the Heil.O if you can find a Heil EQ box
it works very nicely had this on a Old GE SuperBase before i packed it away.
AL |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 11491
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, October 07, 2006 - 6:09 pm: |
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Astatic D-104 FINAL EDITION CERTIFICATE 2001.
Hope this help's,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9CEF
CVC#2 |
Spun
Junior Member
Username: Spun
Post Number: 19
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 - 11:13 am: |
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I have a final edition D-104 that I bought in an estate sale. I have the case and the paperwork. Is there anything on the mic itself that distinguishes it from the regular d104 silver eagle? |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2469
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, October 05, 2020 - 11:27 pm: |
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No. Just the serial number.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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