I received my second Heil Classic 5 microphone today via UPS, which I'll squirrel away I guess. I'm waiting for my 4-pin XLR plug to arrive from my eBay vendor, then perhaps I'll try it out.
I'm getting very good reports with my OSP reproduction Shure 55S microphone, and I'm not exactly chewing at the bit to get the Classic set up on the boom. They're still available from AES for the closeout price of $99.99, so get one while they last.
I also found an eBay seller that had mic flags with lettering for the Heil Classic, and mine arrived today in the mail. I had one made with the call letters in the “normal” orientation, and the second with the call letters inverted, which is how I want them displayed when I put the Classic on the boom. They seller suggests using Krazy Glue to install the inserts — yikes! No, no Krazy Glue … I might use some rubber cement or something that isn't quite so permanent.
Speaking of microphone stuff … while on eBay I found that W2ENY — who sells what he calls “hi-fi” replacement mic elements for Heil headsets and mics — also sells a very inexpensive kit to retrofit a D-104 with an electret mice element. The kit only works with the D-104 with the amplified base, and I have several of these. I think its $15 with associated parts, which is overpriced, but if it works it's worth it.
Speaking of microphones part II — I am going to make a mic break out box for the Icom 706 so I can plug in any of the bargain-priced computer headsets that use the electret element. Working the CQ WW VHF contest is a chore when you have to keep using a hand mic.
And more about mics … W2ENY also sells retrofitted D-104s equipped with an electret mic element and wired for your rig … for $70, which isn't too bad for plug-and-play. I'm about microphone poor, so if I buy another D-104, it'll have be be $30 or less before I spring for it, and even then its only for conversion. Heck, I don't think I need to buy one, I have several around here, just need one that has the amplified base.
Sometimes the D-104 seems like a better idea than it really is … it gets cumbersome to use at times. I love the look and feel of it. I still enjoy boom-mounted mics like my Shure 55S clone. You know, I probably could convert my old Shure 55S with an electret element for use with my 706 … very classy setup!
Enough mic talk … I need to use the things rather than collect them. I'm out of here for now … 73 es CUL … de KY4Z dit dit …