I wired up a D-104 to my Flex 6300.
The PTT keys up right away but audio is not accepted for 1.5 seconds both on AM and SSB
On SSB you don't even got ANY RF for 1.5 seconds. ON AM when I key PTT the carrier is immediate. but audio is delayed 1.5 seconds. The FHM-1 mike works normally.
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Posted 4 years ago
Ken - NM9P, Elmer
I unkeyed the 20DB icon in the setup and the delay stopped, why? ( I did have to max out the gain).
Ken - NM9P, Elmer
Perhaps the +20 dB preamp over dives the compressor, resulting in overshoot until the compressor catches up? In any case, I'd you can get adequate drive without it, leave it off.
Ken - NM9P, Elmer
One way to avoid the impedance issue with the D104 is to use the Heil conversion kit. The new element fits in to replace the old one - a little bit of construction is required. My D-104 restoration was mostly about nostalgia, although I do use the mic from time to time. I have always got excellent reports with my restored D-104. Mine does not have a pre-amp, it's one of the 1960s models.
Here's one source for the Heil HC-104 restoration kit at DX engineering. http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/hls-hc51retrokit
This is my D-104 after I refurbished it and put it into use when I still had my 5000.
Here's one source for the Heil HC-104 restoration kit at DX engineering. http://www.dxengineering.com/parts/hls-hc51retrokit
This is my D-104 after I refurbished it and put it into use when I still had my 5000.
I had a Heil PR-781 and the unmodified D-104 got better reports
Jay -- N0FB, Elmer
Possibly better reports because the impedance of the D104 was a closer match with the rig you were using at the time than the 781. If you have a large impedance mismatch, your audio is going to be awful. This is not a statement about the Heil element, it is about using the appropriate mic for the job.
I know you can can wire the D104 to the Flex, the question is why would you want to? That you can do a thing, does not mean that you must or should do a thing.
I know you can can wire the D104 to the Flex, the question is why would you want to? That you can do a thing, does not mean that you must or should do a thing.
In my case, going to the trouble of restoring a D-104 was just for the nostalgia of having a mic that's been around since the 1930s hooked up to a modern radio and working. I also did a lot of cosmetic work, buffing out the chrome to a gleaming shine. I replaced the cord with shielded audio cable and an 8-pin connector for to fit my Flex. I don't use this daily because I don't like using the grip-style PTT switch, but it's more of a novelty in the shack - much like my restored, vintage Vibroplex bug.
Because I got reports that the FMH stock mike sounded like I was talking on a telephone.
Ken - NM9P, Elmer
The FHM-1 will never sound as good as a quality studio Mike, but compared to many hand mikes it is pretty good. Here are a few hints to improving the sound quality...
1) make sure the slide switch is in the "wide" response position.
2) use the TX EQ to balance the audio response , cutting bass and boosting treble as necessary. Use the zoomed pan adapter to visualize the pattern as you make adjustments. Listen in a second receiver, preferably recorded and played back, and eliminate peaks and holes in your audio until it sounds good.
3) use appropriate amounts of compression (NOR, DX, DX+) to keep levels steady and Increase average talk power.
4) talk across the face of the Mike at a distance of about 2 inches.
Ken - NM9P
1) make sure the slide switch is in the "wide" response position.
2) use the TX EQ to balance the audio response , cutting bass and boosting treble as necessary. Use the zoomed pan adapter to visualize the pattern as you make adjustments. Listen in a second receiver, preferably recorded and played back, and eliminate peaks and holes in your audio until it sounds good.
3) use appropriate amounts of compression (NOR, DX, DX+) to keep levels steady and Increase average talk power.
4) talk across the face of the Mike at a distance of about 2 inches.
Ken - NM9P
You know your stuff. My mike is not marked wide, just #1 #2.
Tone setting 1, which is the default setting has a flat frequency response of 60Hz -16kHz and Tone setting 2, which rolls off some of the low-end frequencies (-6 dB @ 300 Hz) along with a +3 dB increase at 2 kHz for optimum articulation needed for DX/Communication quality audio.
It was set at #2, so for best quality, #1 would be better?
Ken - NM9P, Elmer
I would suggest setting up a "rag chew" profile using setting #1 and saving it. Then modify it to a DX profile by boosting the treble a LITTLE at 1 & 2K and perhaps raising the low TX cut odd to 200 Hz, depending on your voice and increasing the Compression to DX or DX+. Let the TX EQ do the work and leave the Mike switch in full range #1 setting.
Be sure to save it as a separate TX profile.
Be sure to save it as a separate TX profile.
(Edited)
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
The FHM-1 microphone has a tone control switch on the back of the microphone that is used for adjustment of the microphone's frequency response.
Setting the Tone switch to the "1" (left) position will enable a wider frequency response, resulting in higher fidelity audio. It is recommended that the Tone switch be set in the 1 position and use the software EQ to tailor the tonal qualities of the microphone with your voice.
Setting the Tone switch to the "2" (right) position will roll off the bass frequency response resulting in more audio energy in your transmitted signal. However the same effect can be achieved by setting the Tone switch to the 1 position and using the software EQ to reduce frequencies in the 50-400 Hz range.
Setting the Tone switch to the "1" (left) position will enable a wider frequency response, resulting in higher fidelity audio. It is recommended that the Tone switch be set in the 1 position and use the software EQ to tailor the tonal qualities of the microphone with your voice.
Setting the Tone switch to the "2" (right) position will roll off the bass frequency response resulting in more audio energy in your transmitted signal. However the same effect can be achieved by setting the Tone switch to the 1 position and using the software EQ to reduce frequencies in the 50-400 Hz range.
Ken - NM9P, Elmer
Just noticed that "cut odd" in my previous post should read "cut off" frequency..... I hate auto correct!
I just rebuilt my D 104 Silver Eagle with a W2ENY kit, and had the same delay issues. After reading the posts here, I began experimenting with various levels and found that when I adjusted the mike preamp gain to about mid point, turned off the 20 dB boost on my 6700 and set the mike gain with a default profile at about 30, the delay went away. Seems odd that the input circuitry is responding like this, but the adjustments fixed the problem and the mike sounds reasonable ( in the monitor circuit, haven't put it on air yet.) I do find it is now very sensitive to breath noises, so I am going to open the head back up and add a layer of thin foam rubber ahead of the element, like a pop filter on a handheld mike in hopes to get rid of that problem.
Tim - W4TME, Customer Experience Manager
To address the delay, make sure that the mic cable shield is connected to the Foster connector shell and that it is asl connected to mic-; the input is unbalanced and if the cable shield is not grounded, it makes a good antenna.
