Bummer Bummer BUMMER!!!!

[W1GUH]

Heil has discontinued it's D-104 replacment element (http://www.heilsound.com/amateur/products/hc104/index.htm). :(:(

[NQ6U]

Heil has discontinued it's D-104 replacment element

Is that what's in my Heil iCM mic?

[PA5COR]

Bummer
But there are enough microphoned left that work well ;)
My Yaesu MD-1 with EQplus, or the Heil HC-4 element works fine.
Using a boom microphone setting i don't care how it looks, as long the reports are just fine, and they are :)

[W1GUH]

"But there are enough microphones left that work well "

Yea, but if they've got the original crystal element, it's only a matter of time til it goes bad, too. I suppose a tiny capacitor mic from RS would do the job, especially with some EQ.

[edit] Oops....mis-read you post. Yea, there's bunches of good mics out there...but none of them are the iconic D-104.


http://www.radioblvd.com/hampix/d1041940.jpg

[PA5COR]

Since their replacement element is the HC - 5 and/or XT-1 transformer/or cap, you still can find the HC-5 elements on the market, as i did find a new unused HC-4 element.

Personally i find the Heil microphones too expensive for what they offer.
I ditched the HC-4 element, put it back in my unending supply of tried parts and got back to the 25 year old MD-1 from Yaesu.
I closely speak sideways in my boom mike, the EQplus need just to do a tiny touch up, and the unsollicitated excellent reports come in.

But you better get the HC - 5 now, the elements themselves are not sold anymore as well, just as complete microphone.:wtf:

[kd8dey]

If anything, at least I now know that Heil used a 30000 ohm output impedance transformer to feed the D-104's amplifier input.......

[W5RB]

According to this current thread over yonder , Glen claims that Mouser has a suitable replacement , about $5.00 US each.

http://forums.qrz.com/showpost.php?p=2039098&postcount=10

[W1GUH]

Thanks....that's good to know.

[KA5PIU]

Hello.

Yes, the elements do go bad.
I have a few of the D-104 microphones where exactly that happened.
I did not like the original element anyway, a carbon telephone type in the thing I have.
So, understanding that Motorola hand mics are dynamic element and transistor amplifier in one unit I kludged something together.
This works great for Motorola and telephone applications but GE mics are dynamic.
The Federal Signal Director siren can accept input from carbon, crystal, or dynamic elements, just a jumper setting.
So I decided to do something like this, but to the microphone element.
Fair Radio has the transformers cheap, or did.
I moved the amplifier to the base and use computer style jumpers and connectors.
From the base I can select dynamic at low or high Z as well as carbon emulation and crystal level output at high or low Z.
All from surplus.
Total cost for both the microphone AND the element and transformer was under $20,.
This was painted when I got it, it is now painted a bright blue. ;)

[W2NAP]

d104 good mic. also had a 1104c (reminds ya a bit of a turner) but also worked quite well.

[n2ize]

"But there are enough microphones left that work well "

Yea, but if they've got the original crystal element, it's only a matter of time til it goes bad, too. I suppose a tiny capacitor mic from RS would do the job, especially with some EQ.

[edit] Oops....mis-read you post. Yea, there's bunches of good mics out there...but none of them are the iconic D-104.


http://www.radioblvd.com/hampix/d1041940.jpg

True. It is a classic mic. But I never found it ideal for high quality audio. I prefer the condenser mics or high quality (as in broadcast or hifi quality) dynamic mics.

[w2amr]

I currently own 7 D-104's. Never had an element go bad. Go figure.

[W3MIV]

I think R&L may have a few of these Heil 104 elements in stock.

[W1GUH]

Saw one for $35 at Deerfield yesterday. Couldn't resist it, especially when the guy said "$35 now..but...". In other words he was inviting me to haggle. So I did...he took $30. Saw a bunch of others, too, in the price range.