[TenTec] d-104 and omni V

[George T. Baker]

Carl, when I bought my first D104 in 1947 (I still have and use the one
my wife bought me as a birthday gift in 1955) I really wasn't aware that
it had been made for CB radios. But, you may be right since I clearly
remember using it on NBFM on the 11-meter band in 1948 and making a few
contacts. Worked right well as I recall. Of course, it also worked on 75
and 20 and 10 meter phone (all we had in those days) so I guess it was
not too particular about radio frequency or license class.

I think that it is amazing that Astatic could have anticipated the CB
movement so *many* years before it ever happened. I think that they
actually designed and started making the D104 just before WWII started,
but I am not sure.

Tongue out of cheek: 

You should know that for many, many years the D104 was the nearest thing
to a "standard" ham mike that the average guy could afford. The frequency
response was specifically tailored to enhance the voice frequencies and
to provide a signal that could be read more easily in QRN and QRM. Many
DX stations used it as the standard for that reason. It did, however,
require that it be terminated in the proper load resistance in order to
sound "right" and it was a very high output device - better part of a
volt output. Most rigs in those days were designed for such mics and the
D104 worked perfectly well to the taste of almost everyone. 

When the CB craze came along, Astatic among other mic folks saw the
opportunity to cash in on the lack of technical sophistication of the
participants. So, they drummed up the *amplified* D104 (just had to be
better, ya know, since is was *amplified* and we only get 5 watts to
start with anyway!) and in a burst of marketing genius did two profound
things: (1) found someone who could *gold* plate the things for a song
and (2) promoted the all-too-catchy handle "Lollipop" for its name. The
earthier types in the CB ranks found Lollipop to be too tame so "Chicken
Choker" became the official moniker. Its place in history was then
assured . . . 

It is still a very good mic if properly used. Most rigs today are not
looking for high-output, high-Z crystal mics. They fail to terminate the
D104 properly and are readily overdriven by the high output. That largely
accounts for the bad rap that you are laying on this grand old mic.

'Tain't so, friend!    ;^)

72/73, George      	       
Fairview, TX   30 mi NE Dallas in Collin county
Amateur Radio W5YR, in the 54th year and it just keeps getting better!
R/C since 1964 - AMA 98452   RVing since 1972       Kachina #91900556


Carl Hyde wrote:
> 
> The D-104 mics are made for CB radios. They have a low
> frequency roll-off from about 1 KHz on down. They also
> boost higher frequencies. In other words they suck!!!
> But if you insist on using one there is a company that
> for $125.00 will make a D-104 sound like a real ham
> radio microphone. Or you can remove that nasty old
> Astatic element and put a Ten Tec element inside and
> wire it apropriately.  (For some reason people like
> the looks of a D-104) Otherwise get a Ten Tec mic for
> your Ten Tec rig. I've tried every conceivable mic and
> find the TTs are still the best.

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/tentecfaq.htm
Submissions:              tentec@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  tentec-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-tentec@contesting.com
Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm