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Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 911
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 8:24 am: | 
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Hello fellow radio enthusiests! I have owned many Astatic hand mics as they are my favorite. Some of you may know how an Astatic starts getting that scratching sound when you key it after about a million times. Well instead of tossing one out this time I investigated. I carefully took apart the spring loaded switch in the mic. I found that the contacts get a deep scratch across them. There are 2 of them and they look like the head of a nail. So what I did was clean out the goo inside and postioned the contacts so that the scratch goes up and down now instead of side to side. The force of the spring holds them in place after I carefully put the switch back together with a dab of dielectric grease I had. Presto! The mic works as good as new now! Not sure how long it will work but all I can say is IT WORKS! Be sure not to bend the tabs down to tight or the switch will not move freely!
Note: I could have possibly resufaced the contacts with some fine grit sand paper. Will try it on the next mic tonight. |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1189
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 9:23 pm: |
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cool trick! that can probably be done to other mics too 'eh?
matt |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 923
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 12:51 pm: |
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I'd imagine it could KV. Last night I tried it on a much older 636L mic. They are a little different than the newer ones as far as the ease of putting the switch back together. The spring that puts tension on the key is a bit longer and stronger. No spots to hold it in place to help get it together. I sanded the contacts a bit. No more silver coating just bare copper now. The little humps that the contacts ride on were almost flat probabley from wear. I used this mic 2 hours a morning for 2 years. The results were diapointing this time. Got rid of the scrathing a little but now it gives one big poping scratch when key fully unless I key it real fast like. The mic works fine but is just too old and worn out for flawless performance.
My conclusion when doing this to an Astatic 636L. Sand contacts only if really neccasary. Turning them I think will work better. The spring holds them in place. Cleaning the switch inside around the contacts is probably the most important thing to do. Weird but I had all kinds of gunk in mine. The grease is not neccasary and is messy, Probably just attracts debris. One of the wires is gonna break loose so have solder ready to go. Patience and carefulness is reqiured when putting the switch back together. Do not over tighten the tabs that hold the switch together. Its a 50\50 chance the mic will work like new!
I also found that a mini pair of vise grips gives the best leverage for the switch tabs.
I know alot of you guys know this stuff but a lot of people think and have been told that an Astatic mic cannot be repaired this way. I believe if you have the inclination anything can be done! |
Hyperno_1979
Junior Member
Username: Hyperno_1979
Post Number: 14
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 1:30 am: |
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Guys,
This is only my opinion so don't take as written in stone. I always used a tiny bit of Vaseline to lube my mics, now we can get Dielectric grease it should work better. Just a dab every couple of months after a degrease with contact cleaner and your mic should last for years. But as i said, only my opinion.
Cheers & Beers,
CEF#703, Bob. |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 998
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 7:34 pm: |
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Hyperno I agree. I was using a little to much dielectric making a mess. Just a dab will do ya. 73 |
Bulldogunit777maine
Junior Member
Username: Bulldogunit777maine
Post Number: 10
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 8:23 pm: |
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I own 3 Astatic 636L's. The black, Flag "Stars & Stripes" and "Silver Edition". No problems here.
Bulldog
Unit 777
Central Maine
"Make Everyday Your Best Day"
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Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1517
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 11:48 am: |
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there ok but i perfer rk56 or skythumper65dx
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Bulldogunit777maine
Junior Member
Username: Bulldogunit777maine
Post Number: 11
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 12:57 pm: |
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Every microphone is a good microphone in their own right!
CEF #1039
Reno "Bulldog"
Unit 777 in Central Maine
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