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Reviews For: Astatic D104M6

Category: Microphones for ham radio

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Review Summary For : Astatic D104M6
Reviews: 19MSRP: 54.99
Description:
Handheld version of the famous D104 desk mic.
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00194.8
N8FVJ Rating: 2022-04-21
No Bass Response Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This Astatic is a clear sounding microphone. but lacks bass response. I believe lower bass is about 400Hz. I am using the Astatic into a 600 ohm load.
Frankly, I prefer a Power Comm amplified microphone that has about 200Hz to 6000Hz response and costs $16.95 on eBay or about 1/3 the cost of the Astatic D104-M6B. The Power Comm is as clear sounding as the Astatic and is a noise cancelling design.
N2MDV Rating: 2017-02-03
The best $45.00 upgrade that you can add to your rig. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've got several of these D104-M6B mics and have used them on all sorts of rigs. On an original RCI-2950 10M rig, I work anyone I hear and almost always get back, "Not a strong signal, but great audio quality!". Not just SSB, but on AM and FM modes as well. Just as a try, I've modified one to be powered by the +8VDC that comes out of the mic sockets of Kenwood 8 pin rigs. It took a while of trial and error to get it right, and to keep out RF feedback, but did it, and never have to buy another 9V battery again for it. (I've written up that modification on www.mods.dk ) . On Kenwood TS-60S and TS-2000, that mic helps me to shine on 6M all-mode. Heck, listen for yourself, check out W5VB Youtube VID's with the 50.400AM QSO with N2MDV. I don't see why this +8VDC mic power modification wouldn't work with Yaesu, Icom, Alinco, Ten Tec, Elacraft, etc. One change that I don't like is the newer mics made in China. They have a cheaper switch that goes bad in it sooner. Still, sounds great, like the ones made in Ohio, but the ergonomics are a compromise. But, don't let that stop you from getting a great voice upgrade that I've applied these mics to.
VA3UMA Rating: 2015-04-18
Great Mic ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I highly recommend this mic to hams using the older classic rigs. I use these on my TS-520, FT-101ZDMKIII, and FT-902DM. A very big difference !
Although I do have the stock mics for the above rigs, the Astatic D104-M6B does better than the stock dynamic mics – especially for my bassy-voice.

Try one, and I’m positive you’ll not regret …..you can save your $$ on linears. Yes ! The above rigs with a stock-dynamic-mic + a 400W linear is the same as a barefoot operated with this mic.
KD8GTP Rating: 2013-01-27
great mic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought one used on EBAY, paired it with my Connex 10m radio and a little 100w kicker. I get great audio reports all across 11m and beyond (hihi)
OE5BFM Rating: 2013-01-27
Great sounding! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own two of this mikes, the older one is more than 25 years old. It´s really great sounding, in my case even in SSB and FM. Also it is rather handy and not so big as some other amplified mikes are. The amplifier is rather simple. No compressor, only the ceramic capsule and a one transistor ampflifier.
The modulation has a pitch at abt. 2,7 KHz which produces a crisp modulation.
The cable is made from rubber and very robust. The mike-casing is metall-coated inside.
Of course I tried a lot of mikrofones. Meanwhile I have two of this D104M6, it´s still the best in my opinion.
W5NNN Rating: 2012-11-16
w5nnn Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'm pleased with my purchase. It is cheap, and it works better than the factory mic. My yaesu 817 only puts out about 1 watt with the stock mic using SSB. This product gets it closer to the advertised 5 watts. It was simple enough to hook up the 4 pin connector to the yaesu modular jack using a 4 pin male chassis mount connector from Radio Shack for a few dollars and a sacraficial ethernet cable - just solder 3 wires, a little heat shrink tubing, and there is your adapter.

I set the mic dial to '2' and the FT-817 SSB mic gain to 35 - good results for me.

KB6LED Rating: 2012-06-01
EXCELLENT Time Owned: N.A.
For the cost this is an all-around great mic, I paired one up with my Kenwood TS-480HX and it gives nice punchy audio that really seems to cut through when band conditions are poor. The Astatic D104M6 is a great value and you can find them new online for $30 to $40 price range.
VA3MLV Rating: 2011-12-24
nice mobile mic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
used one and still have it with a 2510 in the mobile and it worked good. 73
M0CRU Rating: 2011-02-03
EXCELLENT Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
i was about to buy a yaesu mic for my ft100d and guessed it would not be cheap.
Then i changed my mind and bought "astatic", the D104 M6 was a real good choice and i saved a furtune too.
it sounds great people regularly comment positively.
K4SPS Rating: 2010-05-01
A Microphone Made By Dedicated Microphone Manufacturers Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought a new one from E-bay for $39 delivered to my door. It is still made in America - Conneaut, Ohio

Can't tell you how impressed I am with its performance. Maybe it was just a good day, but as soon as I got a modular plug on it and used it on my Yaesu Ft-450, I got an answer every time I put out a call. Put in a fresh battery and I set the mic gain midway on 5. Its permanent home is to be on my FT-857D.

The difference/improvement over the stock hand mics is really unbelievable. (The junk mic I got with this Yaesu Ft-450 radio, I trashed after I robbed its modular plug.)

I will always from now on use powered microphones as I now understand what they are all about. And that is SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE! Like Heil says, "It all starts with the microphone!"

Keep up the excellent reviews on E-ham. Thanks, K4SPS