The Astatic D104 Crystal microphone holds a legendary status among amateur radio operators and enthusiasts of shortwave communication technologies. Within these circles, it is affectionately known as the “Lollypop”, a nickname earned due to its round head and elongated stand. This distinctive design became iconic and remains instantly recognizable even today.
The D104 is incredibly sensitive, capable of picking up sounds from an entire room. Operators tested its capability by leaving it switched on and exiting the room—yet their voices remained crisp and audible, even from the far end of the house.
Originally developed based on experiments with Rochelle salt crystals, which were used in early microphone technology, the Astatic Microphone Laboratory’s founders refined these studies to create the D104. Thus began its legendary journey, one that lasted an astonishing 68 years, from 1933 to 2001—an absolute record in the history of microphones.