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Message |
    
Capt_hook
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 164
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 6:08 pm: | 
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everyone I try to talk to says I have very low audio I have a A-99 antenna,president washington radio.all new stuff or are they pulling me leg ?????????Hmmmmmmmmmm |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 2727
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 8:02 pm: |
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some one may be jealous ..... |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 544
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 8:08 pm: |
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I can't hear you so I don't know.
Could your Modultion levels be low? |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 1941
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 7:36 am: |
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Cap'n what mike are you using,I used a d-104/tug-9stand,for a mike on my pres.Just opening the control on the bottom about 1/8th turn and man AUDIO,WHEW.More than 1/8th turn and you pick up ALL the background noise,including the wife screaming you're coming over the telephone.If you can find a d-104 grab it,it has a ceramic mike cartridge that is not equaled by anyother,the 10-dal head is a dynamic(voice coil)cartridge and thus mellower for rag chewing and/or ssb transmissions,I have both,good hunting.Bigbob |
Capt_hook
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 166
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 5:37 am: |
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Hmmm?? |
Hollowpoint445
Intermediate Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 319
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 6:00 pm: |
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If it's an MB8719 Washington with the limiter intact, odds are the radio isn't hitting 100% modulation on peaks. They have a fixed resistor that sets the limiting action and it's not the right value for 100% modulation. If you're handy with a soldering iron you can change it out yourself or you can have someone do it for you.
The resistor is part number R105 which is not marked on the PCB. It's 1.5K and located directly next to TR33 where it connects between TR33's base (the left leg, one end goes to a diode marking) and earth. Replace this resistor with a 500 Ohm fixed resistor or if you're going to align it on an oscilloscope - a 1K variable resistor to allow for precision adjustment.
I really recommend keeping the limiter active because it prevents splatter. If you don't like getting splattered, don't splatter anyone yourself. |
Yankee
Advanced Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 605
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 8:01 pm: |
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Bigbob: Most D-104s have a crystal element. It's very rare you'll find one with a ceramic element. |
Hollowpoint445
Intermediate Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 322
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 8:41 pm: |
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Yankees right. Most base D104s are crystal and the ceramic ones are labeled as a D104C.
The hand microphones are a different story. The D104M6 series are all ceramic because a crystal element is too delicate for a mobile environment.
I've got a D104C head. It's not quite the same as a crystal head. It's still pretty high cut, but the audio is a little thinner sounding. |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 553
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 9:28 pm: |
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Exactly, and thye are a mile apart.
On the Magnum 357, the Crystal D-104 sounds bad and the Ceramics are great. The D-1104-C is also a good mic for the 257 -so it must be the element. |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 1946
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 9:59 pm: |
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I talked to astatic directly 9 years ago and they said they haven't made a crystal cartridge since the late '50s,due to damage caused by desk mikes hitting the floor at police stations and the like so they developed a ceramic cartridge to replace it,much more rugged.But I must say that there is no comparison between the sound of the older hi-z crystal and the sound of the modern lo-z ceramic,the older is better.They never changed the nomenclature in the catalogues do to familiarity with the costomer.SO THERE. |
Capt_hook
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 167
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 8:14 am: |
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I have a stock mic on both radios .I plan to get two superstar 5 DM452for both radios the washington and RCI 2985 dx hope this helps. |
Yankee
Advanced Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 614
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 3:24 pm: |
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OK, who's correct on the base d-104s? I agree with Hollowpoint the fact that the ceramic D-104 is labeled 104-C. I have within the last 10 years ordered maybe 20 crystal cartidges for friends, direct from Astatic and the packageing had crystal cartidge printed on it. ??????? |
Hollowpoint445
Intermediate Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 325
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 5:49 pm: |
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Yes, they are crystal and the element part number was MC-320. The ceramic element part number was MC-321.
I think Bigbob has some history confused. Originally they used Rochelle Salts for the crystal, but it was delicate and could easily be damaged. So they switched to a different crystal a long time ago. I can't find when on their site as it appears their forum is down, and that's where I read the history which was posted by an Astatic representative.
If you look at the specifications for the Silver Eagle Final Edition it clearly states that the element is crystal. It also mentions it in the description more than once:
D-104 Silver Eagle "Final Edition"
Description
The TUP9-D104SE Silver Eagle is a combination of the original super talk-power D104 crystal microphone with a transistorized rugged, versatile TUP9SE Stand. The Silver Eagle is entirely chrome plated and features a grip-to-talk bar and a press-to-talk bar. The TUP9-D104SE is compatible with our "G" series of microphones. The microphone head plugs into the top of the mast and is locked on by means of a union nut.
The TUP9SE stand has a built-in two stage silicon transistor amplifier having high impedance input. The output impedance is suitable for the inputs of all commercial transmitters or transceivers. The TUP9SE stand is entirely chrome plated.
The D104SE crystal head features an engraved eagle on the rear of the head and is entirely chrome plated.
Specifications
Type: High quality amplified crystal
Frequency Response: Adjustable, See Frequency Response Curve on left
Maximum Output Level: -20 dB below 1 volt per microbar at 1 kHz into 1 megohm load
Amplifier Voltage Gain: 26 dB
Impedance: 5000 Ohms max. (matches all transmitters)
Cable: Five conductor (one conductor shielded) coiled cord that extends to 2.3 m (7 1/2 ft.)
Housing: Die Cast Zinc Alloy
Finish: Polished Chrome.
Battery: Standard 9 Volt Battery (Not Included)
Battery Drain: 1.2 ma
Size: TUP9-D104SE: 305 mm (12") high x 135 mm (5 1/4") diameter
D104SE: 103 mm (4 1/16") high x 77 mm (3 1/32") wide x 29 mm (1 1/8") deep
TUP9SE: 210 mm (8 1/4") high x 135 mm (5 1/4") diameter
Weight: TUP9-D104SE: 1.22 kilograms (2 lbs. 11 oz.)
D104SE: 255 grams (9 oz.)
TUP9SE: 964 grams (2 lbs. 2 oz.) |
Crackerjack
Advanced Member
Username: Crackerjack
Post Number: 563
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 6:17 pm: |
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I sent Bob links today for replacement Crystal elements for the 104. But I couldn't get them posted here (commercial policy). |
Capt_hook
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 168
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 9:07 pm: |
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wow I feel like the forgotten person here LOL |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 1957
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 30, 2005 - 6:51 am: |
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Sorry captain hook.The dm452 is the hottest mike on the board so far as I can see,have heard nothing but good reports from those that use them,I'll check into them for my own use too.P.S.I won't say another word on the astatic mike elements other than I talked to a sales rep and a tech at astatic before they stopped production,maybe they were lying about who they were or just lying,but for 2 dozen years the crystal thing was a marketing gimmick to prop up sales to the end,they knew they were in trouble back then,the manufacturing equipment was shot and they weren't making enough on the base mikes to justify retooling,don't get me wrong I love my astatics and will buy up as many as I can as cheaply as I can. |
Capt_hook
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 169
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 30, 2005 - 9:51 am: |
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that's ok . any special d-104 or with one to getthere are differant one's that I know of anything with a amp is good I guess.not shure. |
Kid_vicious
Intermediate Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 452
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 02, 2005 - 8:28 pm: |
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capt hook,
has that washington been modified?
if so, there is a chance that the radio has downward modulation.
are you using a stock mic?
what is your swr?
what do you know about the history of the washington?
help me help you.
matt |
Capt_hook
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 181
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 07, 2005 - 8:36 pm: |
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well I got this D-104 for $15.00 lon helped me wire it up and bam worked great so I looked under the base plate solid opened it up and there was a volume control system no batt so i put one in and it worked perfect this radio rocks now |
