Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Astatic D-104 with W9AC FET Transformer mod.

Category: Microphones for ham radio

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Astatic D-104 with W9AC FET Transformer mod.
Reviews: 4MSRP: 39.95$ plus S/H
Description:
A small circuit board mod custom fitted for the D-104 T-UG8 base that allows full response of the mic element with a modern solid state radio. User "vibroplexkeys" on Ebay
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ebay.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0044.3
PD0Q Rating: 2021-10-22
Great solution Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Made my own circuit boards from W9AC's shared gerber file as can be found on his site and ordered all used components locally ..Added a finished board to a 1960s Hi-Z D-104 with a G stand (so not a pre amped model at all original).
This board is not a pre-amplifier , its a impediance transformer and it does that very well.

Works great IMHO ..picked 8v from the radio mic connector (not used a 9v battery). Tested it on a "modern" TS-870 and was pretty happy with the outcome..Its not soft, theres no hiss . no hum..no crackle .... and not the typical nosey Astatic sound at all anymore . Just "Crystal-clear" very nice audio on AM/FM/SSB .A great design , i love it .
W0BTU Rating: 2018-11-26
NOT for SSB. Probably OK for AM Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is an AM preamp. I wasted a lot of time trying to make it work for weak-signal SSB work. The stock Astatic preamp is far better for SSB.
Too many lows for SSB. Even when I put a ~100K resistor across the mic element, it does not work well when I needed to make myself heard over the noise.
The stock Astatic preamp is far better for SSB into a low-Z solid state mic input.
See http://www.w0btu.com/ssb_audio-weak_signal.html
KG8LB Rating: 2016-03-31
Positive Update Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Since writing the last review I have been given another shot at trying out the W9AC FET buffer. The results this time were quite different. The amplifier is working very well. I must admit to being a bit harsh and would like to actually have the last review stricken. Looks like I sold the product support short. I probably should have contacted the maker when having trouble even though any warranty had expired . This is indeed a very high quality , well thought out product that works just fine . Product support is second to none and the multi page instruction sheets are excellent. Also , unit is shipped in a Priority Mail / Flat Rate package . The shipping is at actual cost , no overcharge !
I will be buying a couple more of these !
W8AAZ Rating: 2014-11-14
Vintage mics for modern rigs Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Obtained this unit from "vibroplexkeys" seller on ebay. This unit is a custom made "transformer" that mounts just like the old circuit board in the T-UG8 base. Allows the vintage crystal or ceramic element to operate practically unloaded, unlike with the original amp board. This gives a better response and does not sound tinny or harsh. The mic sounds like it was originally supposed to with tube rigs due to the impedance conversion. Installation was pretty easy and quick. Mounts right on the same posts as the original board. Was harder work to get the 8 pin connector attached to the base cable for my Ten Tec OMNI VII. You have the option of leaving the battery in the base or taking power from the radio, which I chose. Complete documentation and diagrams of how to install the board are included. I tried my regular Turner +3(great reports) and also an EV RE-27 on the air as comparision. The consensus was the modified D-104 sounded best to the people on the net. This unit could be used to also adapt any sort of old vintage High impedance mics to your modern rig, in a suitable enclosure. And there are a lot of them out there to try, just waiting to get back on the air. So finally I have a cool looking D-104 for my rig and can take pride in the sound. Recommended!