[TenTec] D 104 and Argonaut V

[Robert & Linda McGraw K4TAX]

I've used D-104 mikes with the crystal element and the G-Stand (UG version) 
since about 1959.  As to the PTT bar on the side, I simply slide the base 
clamp up the stand and let the VOX in the radio do the work.  The hand never 
gets tired this way.

The D-104 and the TUG-Stand on my Omni VI Plus gets excellent audio reports. 
This does require the stand with the transistor amplifier [TUG-Stand] in the 
base as the input Z of the radio is in the order of 50K ohms, thus much too 
low for the mike element to drive direct.

A point for all to note, the crystal element used in the D-104 is extremely 
delicate with regard to temperature and moisture.  Either will cause serious 
problems which typically results in poor or thin audio reports.  That of 
course presumes the element isn't dead completely.  There is the D-104C 
which uses a ceramic element thus eliminating these concerns, but it's not 
noted for a great sound, and is usually described as a bit thin.

I really believe that many folks get bad audio reports for 1 or more of 3 
basic reasons: (a) the element is bad {see above}; or (b) the very high 
impedance element is trying to drive a low impedance {much less than 1 
megohm} input; or (c) the preamp gain in the mike base is driving the front 
end mike stage of the radio into distortion at which point, the mike gain 
located after the first audio stage, is not effective.

The attraction of the D-104 is the fact that it has a very high output level 
under normal voice conditions.  With tube type audio stages, less 
amplification was then required and thus less hum being introduced and less 
likely for RF feedback was the underlying benefit.  Frequency response is 
typically tailored to the male voice with a bit of rise in the upper mid 
range to improve speech intelligibility.  Frequency response then dropped 
off rapidly above 3 KHz which minimized the amount of wasted energy in the 
transmitter modulator stages and provided "self limiting" transmitter 
spectrum utilization.

The hand mikes are reported to be of ceramic element content and do not 
sound as full as the "lollypop" version.

73
Bob, K4TAX


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Geoffrey S Mendelson" <gsm at mendelson.com>
To: <CATFISHTWO at aol.com>
Cc: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 3:21 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] D 104 and Argonaut V


> On Tue, Dec 27, 2005 at 03:44:20PM -0500, CATFISHTWO at aol.com wrote:
>> I am just curious, but I have personally [never] cared for the D-104
>> mic setup. I
>> have had several over the years and currently have 2, one set up for a 
>> swan
>> three drifty, and the other set of for my Orion.  These are big  heavy 
>> mic's
>> hard to hold by hand , take a ton of pressure to key, and take a lot  of 
>> desk
>> space when not in use.
>
>> can someone please explain the attraction of a D-104
>
> Are you refering to the hand mike or the stand mike?
>
> I've never even seen a hand version in person, But I have several of the
> stand version.
>
> They do get in the way but I've gotten into the habit of putting the ones
> that are not in use up on top of my second shelf of transceivers as I only
> talk on one at a time. :-)
>
> As a stand mike they are IMHO excelent, though I prefer for SSB the
> 10-DA dynamic head which is interchangeable. I especialy like the
> "deluxe" version that has a push bar on the base along with the sequeeze
> handle, which I do find anoying.
>
> I'm a bit of a tinkerer and have taken apart several hand mikes and 
> replaced
> the springs with softer ones.
>
> Many older rigs do not need the impedance matcher, so with a little 
> rewiring
> you could remove it (not very heavy) or the 9v battery, much heavier. This 
> may
> also be a good reason to "steal" DC from the rig.
>
> If you do have a hand one working or not, that you don't want, I'd gladly
> take it if you would send it to me for free. :-)
>
>
> Geoff.
> -- 
> Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel gsm at mendelson.com  N3OWJ/4X1GM
> IL Voice: (07)-7424-1667  IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 
> 1-215-821-1838
> The trouble with being a futurist is that when people get around to 
> believing
> you, it's too late. We lost. Google 2,000,000:Hams 0.
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