Copper Talk » Product Reviews » Microphones » Astatic D104 Hand Mic vs. D104 Desk Mic « Previous Next »

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Bluegrass
Intermediate Member
Username: Bluegrass

Post Number: 158
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 8:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I just got an Astatic D104-M6B hand mic this year but now i have a desk for my radio equipment and i've been thinking about getting a D104 desk mic so i want to know if the desk mic is a better performer then the hand mic.I don't want to spend on the same thing i've already got.
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Bc910
Intermediate Member
Username: Bc910

Post Number: 327
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 1:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I LOVE BOTH!!!!
The lollypop has a different sound and a more potent amp built in so I would suggest you get just that or even better, A SILVER EAGLE!
Now remember they are all not being made any more and a silver eagle in good shape can fetch a pretty penny, but it's worth it. The other thing to think about is the Silver Salute desk mic sold by Copper. It seems to be pretty much the same thing and sound pretty close and its a lot less money.
BC
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Bluegrass
Intermediate Member
Username: Bluegrass

Post Number: 162
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 9:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

if i get a d104 desk mic i'll get it on an internet auction site.i'm not going to pay $250 for a mic i might be able to get for $60 or less used.
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Coyote
Intermediate Member
Username: Coyote

Post Number: 115
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 11:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Just watch some of those "used" ones. Mine looked good in a picture. But when I got it, the wiring had to be replaced and so did the element. It works pretty good now though.
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Mrbigshot
Junior Member
Username: Mrbigshot

Post Number: 22
Registered: 2-2005


Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2005 - 12:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

i have a small collection of astatics and for base use i like the d104's. older the better for me on certin radios. for example my 810e i need a earlier d104 amplied. the new style transistorized do not sound as good as the olders on that radio (that includes the silver /night eagles) but on my ts-440s it sounds much better with a newer style silver eagle over a early generation d104.

the difference between a d104 and a handheld are small but noticable, the handheld uses a much smaller capture area but its still not made to be used up to your mouth, 8"-16" away i have noticed works best. a desk 104 has a huge capture area, and need 12"-20" for best sound. never eat the mic unless its a noise canceling.
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Pig040
Advanced Member
Username: Pig040

Post Number: 707
Registered: 7-2003


Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 10:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Try to pick up some extra heads for the D-104 too, a lot of people dont realize the elements are not the same in all D-104's I have three, and all are different sounding, more base, less, etc. And the Dahl head works great on sideband, but not on AM.
Rich
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Bluegrass
Intermediate Member
Username: Bluegrass

Post Number: 165
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 11:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

i know what you mean,i have to hold my M6B about 2 inches from my mouth any further away and i can't hear myself thru my talkback.but a friend who has a desk d104 only talks about 16 inches from it but it sounds like he's right next to it.so thats another reason why i'm thinking about getting a desk mic.
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1861
Member
Username: 1861

Post Number: 90
Registered: 2-2004


Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 12:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

MY OLD GOLDEN EAGLE ( D-104 ) DESK MIC WORKS BEST AT ABOUT 26 INCHES , MY SUPERSTAR DM WORKS BEAST ABOUT I FOOT.
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Timebomb
Junior Member
Username: Timebomb

Post Number: 19
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Friday, February 25, 2005 - 2:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I love my Silver K Eagle, even though I hardly use the roger beep. It has the best audio of any of my many mics, without a doubt. I usually set my mic gain at about 3/4 of the way up rather than maxed, because if a pin drops in the other room, you WILL hear it in the background! It's unbelievable how sensitive these mics are.

I have a Night Eagle that is not nearly as loud as the Silver Eagle, and I'm not quite sure why...
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Pig040
Advanced Member
Username: Pig040

Post Number: 710
Registered: 7-2003


Posted on Saturday, February 26, 2005 - 10:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Everyone has their own way of doing thing, but the D104, like da bomb said, picks up mucho backround noise if you turn the mic up too high, I go about half way on the mic, and use the mic gain on the radio to control the mic.
Rich
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Bluegrass
Intermediate Member
Username: Bluegrass

Post Number: 169
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, February 27, 2005 - 10:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

WOW what a mic.
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Bc910
Intermediate Member
Username: Bc910

Post Number: 374
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 1:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I used to live in a 3 bedroom ranch style house with a two car garrage, and all the radio stuff was in the garrage. We decided to do a test one day, locked down the mic, walked into the farthest bedroom with a walkie talkie on the same channel, and spoke. Turns out with the mic and radio all the way up and the dead key set at about 1 watt I was able to hear myself! All I had to do was speak just a little bit louder than normal, not yelling mind you, just a little bit louder. I dont know how they do it, but they do!
BC
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Timebomb
Junior Member
Username: Timebomb

Post Number: 20
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, February 28, 2005 - 4:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bc910, that's hilarious! I believe it too!

Bluegrass, forgot to mention...I also have D104-M6B hand mic, and although it's a very nice mic, it's nothing like the Silver Eagle. So to answer your question, I would definitely go with the desk mic. Snipe one on Ebay, but be sure to ask questions to make sure it ain't a faulty one!!
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Bluegrass
Intermediate Member
Username: Bluegrass

Post Number: 175
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 - 8:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I don't know if i can afford a silver eagle i was thinking more along the lines of a tup-9 or a tug-9.Right now i can't afford a $70,$80,$90 or $100 mic.I've seen tup-9's go for as little as $15 on a well known auction site.
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Pig040
Advanced Member
Username: Pig040

Post Number: 715
Registered: 7-2003


Posted on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 - 10:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Make sure you get one with the smiley bar, that chicken choker is a pain unless you can find one of the levers for it, and they are getting hard to find.
Rich
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Red_devil
Member
Username: Red_devil

Post Number: 61
Registered: 10-2004


Posted on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 - 11:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bluegrass,

I LOVE my D104-M6B with My Galaxy DX959. I have NEVER heard a complaint. I recently picked up a VERY nice D104 T-UG8 (old school lolly pop) on Ebay for less than $40. It took me a while to get the one on Ebay since I didn’t want to pay what it was worth. My only complaint about the old school mic is that my radio is in my laundry room and when the wash is going I’ve got issues with background noise.

I HIGHLY recommend both of these microphones.

CEF 447
Red Devil - 392
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Bluegrass
Intermediate Member
Username: Bluegrass

Post Number: 178
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, March 02, 2005 - 11:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Red devil.
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Racer_x
Member
Username: Racer_x

Post Number: 73
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, March 02, 2005 - 2:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The D104M6B uses a ceramic element while the vast majority of base D104's use crystal elements. There is a difference in the voice responce. I have a D104C head (the "C" means ceramic) for my base use and it sounds different from the crystal heads I own. I'd describe the responce as a little thinner and even more high cut than the crystal element.

I don't care for D104s on the air because most people turn them up WAY TOOOOO FAR. For most radios you just need to crack on the amplifer in the base to get plenty of output, but noone uses it that way. Instead they crank it up and dial down the mic gain on the radio. The result is what BC910 was talking about in his anecdote. You hear the TV, kids, dog, aquarium, flourescent lights and the paint drying just as well as the person talking.

You should close talk (2"-4") every microphone, speak in a slightly softer than normal speaking voice, and only raise the gain to the level necessary to fully modulate the radio with the radio's mic gain on full. This will minimize background noise, cause fewer RF and AF squeals, prolong battery life, and put your best sounding voice on the air. The farther you speak from the mic element, the more detail of your voice is lost. Your voice sounds thinner and weaker. Sound decays with distance, and it happens fast.

I know some of you don't believe me, so check out Bob Heil's website. While I don't own any of his products, he knows his audio and manufactures stuff that people think a great deal about.
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Timebomb
Junior Member
Username: Timebomb

Post Number: 22
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, March 02, 2005 - 2:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah, keep your eye's open on the Intermet aucion sites. I saw a Silver Eagle come up the other day, "Buy it Now" for 45 bucks! I couldn't believe it when I saw it, and sat there thinking about buying, but saying to myself...I've already got 2...and by the time I refreshed the screen, SOLD!!

Good luck!
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Bluegrass
Intermediate Member
Username: Bluegrass

Post Number: 186
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 11:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Oh man i hate when that happens.And Racer X i have my D104 M6B set on 3 and my radio mic gain on 2 because my Mobilemax is like a power mic itself my audio sounds great with the gain where it is.
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Racer_x
Member
Username: Racer_x

Post Number: 83
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 5:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bluegrass - Do you have the Mobilemax that has the 9 roger beeps or the one with the long recording time? How do you like it? I'm not really an echo and roger beep person, but they've always appealed to me for some reason.

Yeah, with no variable output level I guess you don't have a choice. I wonder why they made it that way? It couldn't cost too much to put a pot on the back to turn the output up and down.
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Bluegrass
Intermediate Member
Username: Bluegrass

Post Number: 190
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 11:45 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It's the pre 2001 model with 7 ets tones. They said it has 9 but a couple are the same and if you put it on #9 it just switches to a differnt tone each time you unkey so it's kind of a ripoff.
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Bluegrass
Intermediate Member
Username: Bluegrass

Post Number: 263
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 8:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I just got an Astatic D104 desk mic and it sounds really good.So if your having trouble deciding which to get it depends on your setup.If you have your station on a desk get a desk mic and if it's in a bookshelf or other place where theres no flat work area go with a hand mic.
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Hotwire
Intermediate Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 214
Registered: 1-2005


Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 10:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I picked up an old D104 desk mic from a thrift store. Put a plug on it and works great. Paid 2 dollars for it! This mic is older than dirt though. I;m thinking its from the 60's or 70's. Anybody know what this mic is worth?
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 5346
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 11:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hotwire,

Used Radio Equipment & Mics are only worth what someone is willing to pay.

I tried selling over 500 Hand mics including probably 50 or 60 Astatic hand mics on a internet auction site and NO one met the $100.00 minimum bid and the 1st Sargant said TRASH TIME.

We hauled them and over 300 mobile radios to the Dump.

And she says another load will be heading that way shortly.


Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Bc910
Intermediate Member
Username: Bc910

Post Number: 479
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 12:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lon, my house is so much better than the dump....
I'll even make you lunch!
I bet tho dump don't do that!
BC
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Racer_x
Intermediate Member
Username: Racer_x

Post Number: 215
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2005 - 1:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sounds like you have a great reason to attend a hamfest Lon! Take all the old stuff and put up a sign that says $1 each - and I bet you'll sell it all. If you don't, toward the end of the day change the sign to 3/$1 or whatever it takes so you don't haul it home.
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Bluegrass
Intermediate Member
Username: Bluegrass

Post Number: 268
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, March 27, 2005 - 8:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Works for me.Last year i was at the Greater Louisville Hamfest and Computer show in Shepardsville,KY. and i picked up a used Kenwood TR-2500 2 meter HT for $10 and all the seller said that was wrong with it was it needed a new battery.I don't know if he was telling the truth of not because i haven't gotten a battery for it yet.
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Hotwire
Intermediate Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 216
Registered: 1-2005


Posted on Monday, March 28, 2005 - 8:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Really! That should be a crime. Someone could make a killin at a populated truckstop at a few bucks each.

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