Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Astatic D104 upgrade kit

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 D104 upgrade kit
Reviews: 7MSRP: 15.00
Description:
This is a kit to get low end response from the classic D104 mic. It works very well. It replaces the crystal mic element with a condenser element. This kit was designed by Robert Langston W2ENY
Product is in production
More Info: https://www.w2eny.com/D104UpgradeKit/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0075
KO4YSJ Rating: 2022-03-24
Worth every penny! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Installed the kit in my 1980 Silver Eagle, along with a re-cap, new pot and new transistors in the TUP-9 amplifier board. Finished it off with a new piece of Heilwire and an 8pin to connect to my IC 718. The radio seems to love it and so does everyone who hears it. Nothing but excellent, unsolicited audio reports. It's right in the middle, not too bassey but none of the too much treble of the OEM crystal element. Excellent match-up to the 718. The mic pot is barely cracked open and the 718 gain @ 1/3 keeps the ALC happy.

The kit is super easy to install, all you need is a piece of foam to hold the cartridge, some shrink tube and a soldering iron. 20 minutes and you can keep that D104 going strong for years to come. Great buy.
W9XF Rating: 2017-12-11
Great Investment! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
If you do this mod, you'll need to crank your audio gain way back as it's MUCH more sensitive than the D-104's crystal element. Using it with the gain at the original settings will definitely distort your audio. My 5100B's modulation meter now barely moves, but I'm getting outstanding audio reports regardless. I'd say it's definitely worth the $22.95 cost.
K4CWO Rating: 2013-11-15
Great product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Installed the upgrade kit in my D-104 today (TUG8 base). Tested great on HF, even got a sound byte sent back to me (wav file) from a fellow ham on 40m.
Then tested same on VHF FM simplex with a fellow local ham and it sounded great to him. As with ANY condenser element, cut the mic gain way back to keep from over driving the audio. NO PROCESSING.
KB1SIC Rating: 2011-01-29
wonderful upgrade Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Received the kit and installed it in 10 minutes.Best thing since sliced bread.D104 looks great and now sounds great.
DJ0RD Rating: 2010-11-27
Great Kit with Great Support Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The D-104 was made in many versions, but the support in puzzling my version out was superb. Works great on my Elecraft K3. The audio is excellent.
KI4DTB Rating: 2010-11-27
Great & cheap Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Am using a d-104 and the w2eny electret mod with a pro2. This inexpensive kit comes with very full instructions with the kit. It is a great match for Icom rigs. I am getting good reports on the air, and AxB testing in comparision with the hc-5 cartridge of my proset plus yields friends reports that they can hear very little difference between the two. This is a best buy and a real keeper in the shack. 73. Doug
W8EZI Rating: 2009-07-08
Great improvement in audio quality for my old D104 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The instructions to install this kit are very clear with pictures. I installed it just as the picture instructed me. I got immediate feedback from the gang I talk with on 75 meters. They reported that I gained the low end response that the D104 is famous for missing.