Astatic D104M6B Amplified Power Microphone CB / Ham Radio + Audio Modification 

I really appreciate this tidbit of info. I've used the M6B for nearly three decades in my mobile set ups. I'll definitely be giving this a try in the near future. Always love your vids.

Clipping the resistor did result in more bass.

I clipped the resistor and the FET went into cutoff and disabled all audio. I then soldered in a 10 meg resistor in series with the 270k and now it sounds great with much better lows. Apparently the results vary due to varying internal resistances of the mic. element and at least some resistance is needed. I also noted that the schematic for the Astatic Trucker II mic uses the same circuit but uses a 15 meg resistor instead of the 270k. Now that makes more sense.

Thanks I tried this and it really does add more bass and not so much twang and treble. Street Sweeper south Florida - thanks for the tip

Just did this mod a few nights ago and it worked as advertised.

There are a couple other mods I recall seeing where the resistor is replaced by one of a different value to add bass to the microphone audio, and yet another where the fixed value resistor is replace with a variable (too much work for me). I hadn't heard about this one, and it's sure a lot easier than the other two - Thanks for documenting your results with this video 👍

Way better modulation 👍

Simple and right to the point! Thanx for the info! 👍

In the 90's I remember the guys running the D104M6B mics always sounded really good. i like the sound clipped resistor

Seems better base when clipped. Now going to clip mine!!

Surprised no-one is making an Inline Amplifier Module to use with any Stock Microphone - the parts to build an Amplifier for a Microphone are dirt cheap - yet the Microphone Manufacturers are charging a fortune for them. The Schematics for the Old Turner and Astatic Microphones are still available for anyone to build their own Custom Circuits by varying Resistors and Capacitors to your own desired Frequency Response.

Superstar T747 Microphone Tester - works great for wiring your own Microphone Cords and allows you to hear the sound of the Microphone. This is a must have for anyone checking to make sure their Microphones sound right and prevent Radio Damage from a Microphone that was wired Wrong.

Sweet vid. Always gotta get some xtra bottom.

That comparison between the ca-73 and the d104 has me sold on a d104.

I tried one of these on 2 different radios! It would squeak & squeal. Especially if I inadvertently touch my lips with it. I had to reverse 2 of the solder joints in the connector to make it work on an old Royce Unit. I ordered a "Pro-Tucker" which uses an AA Battery. It came without a connector but there is a little pamphlet indicating what wire is for what. So I connected it up and it works perfectly! I would recommend the Pro Trucker over this one!

I experienced a weird phenomena by clipping that resistor. I would be talking and after a minute or two, the modulation would start dropping rapidly until there was nothing but carrier. I thought the battery was going out, but checked it and it was still 100%. I Tried a factory mic to be sure it was not the radio experiencing some issue, and all was good. I then put a 1 meg ohm (brown, black, green) resistor back in the empty holes and got super nice audio results. Still experimenting, but for now, I believe by clipping that resistor out of circuit, it may be overloading the transistor and causing it to shut down. Just a thought, and I am not yet conclusive on this.

I still have an original hand held d104 m6b not made in China. It's a great little mic. I switch between that and my Xtreme 2018 road noise

I had one a long time ago, it was a D104 MB and had a push bar not a little button

I got this mic from D rail and he did the mod for me. Locals say my mod is loud clear and more bass

I keep my d104 on 1 and my gain on my 955 wide open and people say it sounds loud and clear.

I have the same with Magnum s9. A couple of people are trying to kill me for what this microphone is doing. Top gun modulator and this microphone is something amazing. I will never sell it

sounds better.

Did sound better clipped 👍

Nice to see you back at it! Have you tried the W2ENY replacement element for the 104 desk mic?

Absolutely hated those microphones. I've had 2 of them and I took out that spring metal bar because the PTT button killed my thumb. Very tinny sounding and the PTT switch soon started to rustle in both of them. Loved the Road Devil though. Although the Road Devil was slightly tinny on FM, it sure did shine on SSB on my Dirland Superstar. I would buy the RD again.. 👍

5/12/21 Very suttle to no differance .You should try the gain at 6 or 7 for a better comparison.But thanks I did not know about this mod.I might try it with a veriable pot.I have two of these that I put heavy duty cords on and scanniing bottons .One for a Uniden 5pin Lincoln2510 and one for a 6pin Ranger2950.I also have two of the hard 2 find Astatic575's that have a tone control that works very well.Also the desk top1104c has tone controll. l

Bear in mind that the clipping of the resistor also increases output level. For whatever reason, Astatic chose to use a much lower value resistor for this model, it's usually a 1.5M ohm. They were probably preventing rfi by over modulating. The ceramic likes to see a high input impedance in this fet circuit for a natural tone and transfer of energy.

Many have complained the on the new ones the PTT as it's being pushed creates a scratchy sound , I have found out that with a few drops of oil directly into the switch its seft will fix this . Other than that it's a real good mic , 73s unit 21 NYC ch 22

Thanks for great video. I have a radio that only accepts RJ45 plug so I need to fit one of those to this microphone. do you happen to know which coloured core in this microphone does what so I can wire mine correctly please? I have looked online but unsuccessful. many thanks

I been looking for good close up of the wire harness snap clip my wires got pulled out from the snap piece I hope as a standard color pattern they use same and I can get those re attached it was the best mike response on my Galaxy 99v2 but as I said some how cord tugged out of plug

Hi there, i need some help...how i can make the microphone from Anytone 6666 to sound thiny...has to much bass...thanks

Is this the same resistor mod for the rd104

How come when you key up you get feed back on the d104 handheld

I have an Astatic 575-M6. I was going to sell it with my RCI RG-99 but then I saw what the mic is selling for on eBay and decided it won't go with the radio. :-)

I know this is kinda old but I just recently came across it and decided to try the mod. Well I clipped the wire at the top of the resister and lost audio. Any ideas? Thanks

has anybody had a issue with the cable rotting and falling apart? it isnt just a simple go in and re-soldier a new cable it has a plug on the inside of the mic and astatic wont sell the replacement to joe smoe you have to be a "CB" shop! anybody had any luck replacing the cable?

Hi, I need a information, is made in USA o China??

EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT VIDEO!!

Did this and my locals say its the best sounding mic I have and I've got d104 silver eagles and a turner +2 and they say it sounds better then those

Has anyone tried this mic on the Lincoln 2+?

What's the difference between the D104M6 vs the D104M6B? (other than the B)?

The D104M6 and M7 are good microphones but are tiny without a small mod.

I just got mine delivered this morning. If I touch my lip to the mic screen it will squeal pretty bad. Is that normal for a powered mic?

since cb radio channels are NOT used that much, what about a modification for VOX? VOX so you can hook it up to a computer and use for SSTV, or any other digital mode(s) used in the ham radio.

That's crazy lol

It works for a little while then you have the ptt switch on the board needs to be replaced

Clipped a bit louder

I can here the difference when my phone that has two speakers are turned sideways.

I did this now mine isn’t working?

I didn’t hear any difference from inline & out.

as of now 3 23 24 i havnt found a plug and play replacement cable for the m6b. i ordered one from ebay that said it was for a yaesu because it looked so close but nope not even close. so back to 2 m6b`s with rotted cables.. ive been buying turner mobile mics screw astatic ill sell the 2 for a few bucks and be rid of the crap..if anybody has a working turner + 2 or +3 mobile and wana trade the 2 m6b`s let me know

Arrrdio! 🤣

The new astatic mic's are terrible don't throw your money away, get an older one on eBay in good condition and you will be a lot happier

my experience of over 30 years those microphones have been troublesome piles of s*** the new Switch on them tend to be all scratchy so they sound like s*** as well

Didn't hear no different.

THE ORIGINAL VERSION IS WAY BETTER

I didn’t notice enough difference to talk about

Switch on these mics are terrible

I don't rate these mics at all. Absolute rubbish. 575 m6 teardrop is the way to go. Job done right

nope sounds exactly the same

Big deal

I have a few of them... Good mic but that square PTT gets sore on the fingers after a while.