The Old Days, Recaptured!
Alan Jones (W4LGH)
on
June 22, 2006
View comments about this article!
Don't get me wrong, new radios are GREAT, and I have my share, including my FT-100MP-MKV. But over the past few weeks, I have been having a ball operating my old Drake 4B line. I have the Drake R4B & the T4XB, with MS-4 Speaker, and AC-4 PS. Over the past year, I have worked on finding original parts, and restoring these to as close to original as possible. The cases have been powder coated, which is tougher and better looking.
Over the past 10 days or so, the 20-meter band has been open well into the night and early morning, and I have probably put more hours on these radios in this past week, then the entire time I have owned them. It has been a blast to make contacts all over the world on a pair of 40 year old radios. Ones you have to dip and peak if you move 25kcs or more. No synthesizer noise, no DSP noise, and NO digital readouts. About as close to operating as I can get to that of 30+ years ago.
I realize that this is NOT for everyone, and there are some of you that will think its a total waste of time, but then I really think there are some of you who'll appreciate where I am coming from. It's been a real blast, keying the radio, calling CQ and have someone answer you on the other side of the world. Almost as much fun as it was the very first time.
I am just curious as to who of you out there appreciate the DRAKE for what it was, and still is today. Also as to those of you out there who really enjoy firing up the old boat anchors and actually using them! Not just a collection, but a working collection.
Not that I will ever stop collecting and restoring old radios, but I am sure, this operating phase will pass, or slow down, but it sure has been a BLAST from the PAST!
For those interested, you can take a virtual tour of my shack online. Not that it's all that special, but I am proud of it, and still very proud of my life long hobby.
My website is located at:
http://www.w4lgh.com/
73 to all, de W4LGH - Alan
(Trying to re-capture the past, one day at a time)
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by K4JF on June 22, 2006
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Hope your flame suit is on. You are actually using - gasp - tubes!! :o)
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by KC8JX on June 22, 2006
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Great. I have the same combination. Wonderful radios to use.
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by KX8N on June 22, 2006
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"I realize that this is NOT for everyone, and there are some of you that will think its a total waste of time, but then I really think there are some of you who'll appreciate where I am coming from."
Some people may think it's a waste, but no matter what you are doing, there are people who will think it's a waste: QRP, SSTV, contesting, rag chewing, CW, SSB... There's at least one person who will read this and think that one of the things I've mentioned is a waste.
Do what you love! Feel free to get passionate regardless of what it is you are doing. I've been a ham for about 6 years now. I'm just now starting to get serious about learning CW, not to pass a test, but to use on the air. Why? I think it would be fun. And we all know what debates THAT issue brings up.
I say good for you. Have fun!
Dave
KX8N
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by KK9H on June 22, 2006
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I have a Collins KWM-2A that I like to fire up from time to time for exactly the same reason. I hope we bump into each other on the air sometime.
Don
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by GRETA on June 22, 2006
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Great thoughts and article. Simple is what ham radio used to be. The rigs you mention are no longer made because the new hams don't know how to make them work. About the only thing that I see the new one have over the older radios is smaller size, less idle power required and a little better frequency control. After that its just the ease of operation thing. (dial in and squeeze the pickle)
So many new hams are wrapped up in the idea of just talking that they miss a lot of the fine points of being a ham. Its not about who has the best equipment but who knows how to get the max perfromance from with they have.
I was in conversation with a ham out west. The bands were bad and the other party in the shack was saying that they couldn't hear who we wanted to talk to. We could tell they were in their but no intelligence. I switched to cw and we snapped a few filters on. We got the message through and got the answer back that was needed. When done the guest said how basic. I replied that had we not known the code we would have never known the answer.
So there is something to be said for the old ways that are much more simple and not as complex. Same with your radios. I find that most are sold for pennies, yet they perform almost as good, if not better, than the new ones costing hundreds more. So a new ham need not have large sums of money to enjoy the hobby. Just need to learn how to walk before they run.
I like your saying. its not the class of the license that makes the ham but the class of the person who uses it.
I just did a study and found that the average age of the hams today is inching up to the 50's. Must be saying that as they get older they have more time to enjoy the hobby.
Next will come the heathkit boys who also use the old tube stuff. Followed by the Collins group tha also have their older tube radios.
Only problem I can see is that tubes are limited to what is still in someones closit. After that what happens?
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by AI2IA on June 22, 2006
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I had an old Hallicrafters S-85 Seven Tube plus Rectifier Receiver. The thing weighed about twenty-eight pounds and was the size of a small breadbox. I considered it a piece of clutter. One early evening I blew the dust off it and fired it up. Without realizing it, I spent hours late into the night listening on it.
My point is this: Although my space is very limited, and I can't keep a collection of old gear, my viewpoint was changed by one experience. So, if you have the space and time, get yourself an old rig of any kind, fix it, clean it, tune it if need be, and fire it up. There is real pleasure in this sort of thing! You will never really know until you try it.
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by NI0C on June 22, 2006
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Nice writeup about some really fine ham gear. During the late 60's, I operated from apartments, using a Drake 2B receiver. I always thought it looked a little cheesey (especially the array of slide switches on the front panel) but it really was a good performer-- probably as good as anything I've owned since then.
73,
Chuck NI0C
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by WB2WIK on June 22, 2006
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The Drake B-line was good stuff: Pretty, affordable, worked well. You have to like those blue lighted dials.
I no longer have a "4" line at all, but still use my Drake TR-7, circa 1978, almost daily. The only thing that's ever failed in that rig, after 28 years, are the pilot lamps in the S-meter and PTO dial. I replaced them and added 27 Ohm resistors in series with them. They're a little dimmer now but ought to last the rest of my life.
The TR-7 also has the blue dials, and they still look cool.
WB2WIK/6
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by KB9CRY on June 22, 2006
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I'm not a Drake person but can appreciate the mystique and awe of operating old radio gear. You'll hear me on occasion using my very first TS-520S and many times using my backup rig, a TS-830S.
Don't know how many times someone has commented on "Your audio sounds great." Sometimes I think the other station is taken aback when I tell them what I'm using. As far as tubes, I've got enough spares to last me and then some.
Many of my Amateur friends cut their teeth using Drakes and all have commented highly.
One buddy tells the story of how you could drop them off at the factory in Dayton when going to Hamvention and they'd realign/fix whatever and deliver them back to the hamfest before you left for the weekend.
Phil KB9CRY
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by W4LGH on June 22, 2006
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-----------------------------------------------------
"The Drake B-line was good stuff: Pretty, affordable, worked well. You have to like those blue lighted dials.
I no longer have a "4" line at all, but still use my Drake TR-7, circa 1978, almost daily......
The TR-7 also has the blue dials, and they still look cool.
WB2WIK/6"....
-----------------------------------------------------
I hope one day to find a nice TR-7 to add to my collection. That was the last of Amateur radio for Drake. The resistor will drop the voltage and make the bulbs last longer. Could have also used a diode to drop it 1/2volt. I put 1847 dial bulbs in my 4B line, which is a long life #47. I also re-placed the BLUE filters. There is a guy up north that re-manufactures a lot of old Drake stuff, and does a great job at it.
Yes sir..having a real BLAST from the Past...and just aquired a Drake TR-3 that I will be cleaning up and getting on the air!
Solid State is Great, but there's something about a radio that GLOWS in the dark!! (As long as we can find replacement tubes!!)
73 all....W4LGH - Alan
www.w4lgh.com
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by AA4PB on June 22, 2006
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I agree - there is something to be said for the days when you had to tune up your radio and antenna. When you could understand how the thing acutally worked by reading the schematic. When you could go in there with a VOM and locate and replace a defective component. Modern day hams miss a lot with the "push and talk" radios with everything done for them automatically.
QRP seems to be the last holdout for the DIY people.
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by AA4PB on June 22, 2006
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How about turning on the rig 30 minutes ahead of time so that it would stop drifting by the time you wanted to use it? Anyone remember the Eico 753?
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by PD0AC on June 22, 2006
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Nice article! No old Drake's here but Yaesu's, such as the FT-225RD, FT-901DE and the FT-7B. Still great tranceivers.
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by W8ZNX on June 22, 2006
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Hello
If it was not for old gear
would have droped out of amateur radio years ago
modern solid state xceivers are wonderfull
BUT
they have no JU JU
there is no romance running a modern rig
old tube radios seem to me like living things
Drake line not realy old
Drake 4 line can more than hold it's own
have and run rigs from late 20's to mid 60's
RME, National, Hallicrafters, Collins,
Heathkit, Home Brew and small bit of surplus
80 meters late winter night
band good and long
lights turned down
cans on head, slaping 70 year old bug
1948 HRO 5 RA1 receiver
6AG7 6L6 MOPA transmitter
built from 1947 Radio Handbook
that is romance of Amateur radio to me
real radios glow in the dark
also sail 55 year old wood race dinghy
few years ago my xyl asked
why i loved old stuff/junk
looked at her
was about to say
something about her beeing old
but
my brain kicked in and sayed nothing
Mac
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by W5GNB on June 22, 2006
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Most of my old vintage gear is setting on the same desk as my new "HighTech" stuff and I use it regrlarily.
I also have a old AM station out in the garage that runs a Viking II, SP-600, and a old WRL Globe 175. I use the garage station mostly on 10 and 75 meter AM.
For us OLD guys, the tube stuff is still a lot of fun and you would be suprised how the eyes light up in the younger hams that see this old stuff in operation.
73's
Gary - W5GNB
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by N1ZPP on June 22, 2006
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Quoting GRETA, "The rigs you mention are no longer made because the new hams don't know how to make them work. ... So many new hams are wrapped up in the idea of just talking that they miss a lot of the fine points of being a ham."
Oh, really?
In 50 years when I'm a smelly hold ham, I'm going to spew the same garbage. "These new hams, they don't know how to properly adjust a DSP any more, and they can't even navigate through setup menus either! I bet none of 'em could even build a rig control cable if they had to."
I think it's rather ignorant to discredit "new hams" simply for not understanding outdated technology. I think it's great that people are still nostalgic about old gear and find great enjoyment in using it, but c'mon -- that's just one niche of a very diversified hobby. I could turn it around and complain about how all these old hams don't understand PSK, or SDR techniques.
It's a 2-way street, and unfortunately, it's the younger "new hams" that usually get dumped on most. AND that usually comes from the same people who complain about the death of ham radio! It's obvious to me... stop dumping on new hams.
What I'm really saying, is that I get enjoyment from the hobby by doing the things that interest me. I don't need your brand of Ham(tm).
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by WB6MYL on June 22, 2006
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Hey, I could have written this article and I am sorry I didn't; sir, you are preaching to the choir; the article personifies what amateur radio is all about: having fun! I have an Icom 7800 which I love to use, but I get such a thrill making contacts and rag chewing on the Drake B line (have a C line also, but prefer and use the B line more); some of this may be reliving simpler times and the tooobey sounds and looks of old American tube equipment conjours up memories of a kid looking and dreaming of owning this stuff in the sixties... I relate with the Drake euphoria with the author, but you could subtitute "Drake" with those out there using Heath, Hallicrafters, Collins, National, etc....
Warm Regards, Phillip W. Harris, PhD.
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by K4WH on June 22, 2006
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Yes, some of the classics still do as good, or near as good as many of the newest rigs. Maybe there is much more complex, internal, noise, phase shifts, and mixing problems, than we like to admit.
I currently have a Drake C-Line that is as close to new as you can get, and one of the very last made, as well as a set of Drake 7 twins, the TR7A, and R7A. All work well now, but if problems arise, there are several very talented people who can service them. That is true of most of the older rigs. The old Collins R390A is perhaps the best receiver that has come down the pike, can still be serviced, and accept for being tedious to use, but has signal capturing abilities not found today.
In the past I have owned a C-line that had every Sherwood Engineering mod offered, plus a full complement of Drake and Sherwood filters. It always amazed me how that C-line would out perform ( after repairs ), 781’s, 775’s 1000D’s, Mark V’s, Ten Tec’s, and other “high end” radios that might happen to be in the shack at the same time.
One word of possible advice. For years I had owned ( on and off ), many of the Drake “4” line, old S-lines and the like. I never quite felt the awe that some owners spoke of until I purchased a second hand station that really needed some professional help. Off the radio went to John Kriner in Ohio, one of the very best at Drake repair. Considering that he had to work around all the Sherwood mods, the price was fair and worth every penny. When the rig was returned, I finally heard what others had raved about. Bottom line is, most older rigs, tube, and solid state, often need a good alignment, tweaking and cleaning, to work their very best.
Having been off the air now for over 18 months, makes me wonder if I want to hold on to the old C-line and 7 line. Hard choice to make. Well maybe not. A nice Drake L4B with a pair of nicely glowing 3-500’s would make me lean towards keeping them, and on the up side the old rigs keep the shack nice and warm on those cold nights.
Now, where can I find a good tubed keyer.
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by WA1RNE on June 22, 2006
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I also have a Drake 4-B line but it's currently in storage.
As a Novice and later a General, circa 1973, this was my "dream" rig.
They were still being manufactured at that time, with the C-line soon to follow. I was about 13 then, and at $1200 not including the MS4, it was way out of my price range. I ended up with a Yaesu FT-101B purchased new from Harrison Radio (remember them?) which I didn't regret and still own it.
Finally around 1979, I found a B-line in nice shape and went for it. I still can't part with the B-Line, but there isn't room for them at the moment.
It's a shame that Drake got out the HR business, especially considering the great performance of the TR-7 and L-7 that followed. ICOM, Kenwood and Yaesu slowly pushed Drake out of the picture.
Reminds me of the automotive industry and what Toyota and Nissan are doing to GM today......
BTW, anyone have an L-7 they want to unload???
73, Chris
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by WB2WIK on June 22, 2006
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>RE: The Old Days, Recaptured! Reply
by W4LGH on June 22, 2006 Mail this to a friend!
I hope one day to find a nice TR-7 to add to my collection.
Solid State is Great, but there's something about a radio that GLOWS in the dark!! (As long as we can find replacement tubes!!)<
::True, true. And the TR-7 doesn't have any tubes. It's all solid state uses a PLL to generate all the fixed injection signals. But it sure is reliable. 28 years of using it, haven't even had to spray contact cleaner in any of the switches. Funny thing is when I put it next to (physically) most of the modern gear, including high-end stuff, and A:B compare using antenna switches, it's funny how often the TR-7 comes out on top. It lets me operate within 3 kHz of very close legal-limit neighbors (literally neighbors, within a few city blocks) when most of the modern rigs won't let me do that.
::I kept the blue filters, I still think they look cool.
-WB2WIK/6
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by K4BKD on June 22, 2006
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I've used Drake gear since 1972 when I got a used
TR-3. Then the RV-4, B Line, MN-2000. Still use the B-Line and the tuner, even though I have the FT-1000MP.
It was and still is great gear.
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by W8KQE on June 22, 2006
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Nice article! As a young 16 year old, 'newly minted' Ham way back then, I lusted after the Drake line of radios, and could simply not afford them. I saved every dime I could to then purchase a very decent Yaesu FT-101EX, which provided me countless years of fun HF'ing. I can still remember the glow of the tubes and dial in a pitch black bedroom in the middle of the night as I fed my awestruck fascination with wireless. This was, of course, before the days of PC's and cell phones, so I too have a 'soft spot' for classic tube rigs. My High School radio club had a Heathkit SB-102 which introduced me to the hobby/service.
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by SSB on June 22, 2006
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Hams better get their jollies with the old stuff now because the Jap radios from the 70's, 80' are the worst junk produced and I don't think anyone will want to restore and use them in the future. The radios produced since the 90's are unfixable with all their surface mount parts and parts you will never find if you need them. In 10 years or so I think the old tube stuff will die from being just too old to keep working and tubes seem to be getting scarcer now and much too expensive.
Having no old stuff to play with will be a sad day for radio people.
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by N5XM on June 22, 2006
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Alan, I feel the same way. I had wanted some Drake gear for 6-8 years, and about a year ago, I found a near mint TR-4, and boy is it fun to use. It ain't my Orion, but I love the looks of the radio, and it is quite sensitive. It's 99.9% CW for me, and I've worked a lot of people using Drake gear, and it has the sweetest note on CW. I'm not an audiophile, but I can recognize a Drake. I cut my teeth on the 520 Kenwood, and have had a 530, and an 830, and they are wonderful rigs. Now, if I can only inherit a mint S-line...oh well, it never hurts to dream! 73...Richard
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by W4LGH on June 22, 2006
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The Collins S-line is no doubt a great series of radios, but supply and demand, make them worth far more than they really are, or at least to me. Small bit of triva you may or may not know...Robert Drake
design the product detector for Art Collins! Hence putting Collins into the SSB business.
Yes the imports helped put Drake out of the HR business, but it was really RL Drake's death that really sent it spirally downward. His wife and son gave it their best to try to continue, but the import
market was the final nail! I really think if RL Drake had lived longer, Drake might have made it thru the import revolution. He had a knack for being able to pull his company out of the hole and back on its feet, and did many times.
For those of you are truely Drake fans, pick up and ready the book, "RL Drake, A Family Affair" It all about how it started, the trials and tribulations they went thru etc. Also have some GREAT photos of all the equipment they made, the factory, and most of the workers! Really a nice read.
.....
And to the guy that posted to stop dumping on NEW HAMS, no one is dumping on you sir. We all had to start somewhere at sometime, and these were the radios we started with. Radio was the "HI-TECH" of the 50's, 60's and early 70's. Just like the younger generations can make computers do things no one ever thought of today... It's all about a time frame, and not whether you are new to ham radio, or been a ham for 75years. Just like back in the 60's ,if you wanted to do RTTY, you had to find a teletype machine, big ugly and very noisy (altho I loved hearing them bang out type) and today you use your laptop to do RTTY/PSK & many many other digital modes.
Again, its a time frame, what you had to work with.
So if you a new Ham, GREAT, we need more New Hams, and I wish you many years of great rewarding fun in your new hobby!
73 all...de W4LGH - Alan
www.w4lgh.com
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by WF7A on June 22, 2006
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Nice post, Alan! Another feature about tube radios is that in case of a nuclear attack they'll still work whereas the solid state stuff won't. So, if we're nuked I'm coming over to your place. :)
Seriously, there's something about tube radios that's both romantic (nostalgically) and Zen-like: you're one with your radio, so with extra skill and patience comes the reward of a well-deserved contact. It kinda reminds me of the line from the film, The Flight of the Phoenix (the original one, not the remake which bites), where Jimmy Stewart says about flying, "In the old days we took great pride in just getting there." The same holds true with tube radios.
I _still_ miss my TS-830...
*wistful sigh*
Rich
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by KX8N on June 22, 2006
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"And to the guy that posted to stop dumping on NEW HAMS, no one is dumping on you sir."
He was referring to Greta's statement of:
"The rigs you mention are no longer made because the new hams don't know how to make them work. "
Yes, that is indeed dumping on new hams. It's a thinly veiled attempt to belittle new hams, by saying they aren't intelligent enough to operate older rigs. All because testing requirments are different now than they used to be. Very, very sad to have to resort to such statements in an otherwise pleasant article.
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by N5YPJ on June 22, 2006
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One of my happiest days in ham radio was when my Tempo One got replace with a HW-5400. Nowadays I have two old Hallicrafter receivers that I regularly fire up, funny thing is I can spend hours listening on these but don't even care to SWL on my IC-728! THere is something magical about tube type radios that never seems to completely fade away.
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by AD5X on June 22, 2006
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Great post! I have a Johnson Ranger/Drake 2B combination that I operate at least once/week. The Drake 2B receiver is absolutely superb. I wanted this combo when I was a kid, but couldn't afford it then.
Phil - AD5X
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by N1GXC on June 22, 2006
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Nice article and a lot of fun to read. I do not own any old gear but I have a deep appreciation for it. I found your link to your shack to be very entertaining. You have a nice cross section of old and new gear. Alan, thank you for inviting us in to your shack and giving us a very fine tour. Best wishes to you and your family.
Dan WZ1P
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by WAYNEW on June 22, 2006
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Now I feel really bad Alan :), I sold my complete 4B line about 32 years ago and have been qrt since. It was the best rig I had in my active years, including an S line. Sure wish I could have kept the Drake. It was a great rig.
Times change - starting over with a new Ten-Tec I just ordered.
Hang on to that good stuff!
73,
Wayne
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by KG6TT on June 22, 2006
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My cousin Randy is terribly fond of Drake and has the 'B' line. I've never owned a Drake myself. My anchor has always been Ten-Tec. I have owned, used, sold/traded away Kenwoods, Icoms, Yaesus and always returned to my Ten-Tecs.
Having said that, and adding that I have 10 working Ten-Tec transceivers in my shack (and I use them) I have yet to buy an Orion (but a close friend has one... I use it... its nice) and I had a Jupiter. But my daily 'fun' comes from firing up the older rigs. My only tubes are in the amps these days, but I have a 30 years old Triton IV that has the most open and pleasing audio of any rig I have ever heard. Heck, I am listening to it now. I suppose it helps that I had one NEW 30 years ago, but in my journey to have the latest and geatest I eventually left it behind.
Now, I think I am smarter and more relaxed about this great hobby. And for me there is something about using what works for me.
Should I ever discover some 'space' in the shack I would love to have a TR-7A station. Thought about it a lot, but am very much into QSK CW and not that many of the older ones can do that. Heck, not many of the newer ones can either for that matter. :)
As a very active VE in the Silicon Valley area I am often asked by newly licensed hams 'what rig should I buy.' Here I take the unpopular stand in that I always suggest one with a few miles on it! They have character and will get you to where you want to go till you better understand what the hobby offers and what is important to you.
Keep the tubes glowing!
73,
Jerry, KG6TT
Fairfield, CA
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by K0BG on June 22, 2006
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You all can check with Don, W8AD about this if you please (he was sales manager at Drake at the time), but I had the distinction of selling the last C line shipped out of Drake's factory. It was sold to Tom Thompson, WØTO. I don't remember the actual date, but it was late 1978 if my memory is correct.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by W4LGH on June 22, 2006
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well TEN-TEC's are great radios. Ipersonally never owned one, but I have many ham friends that do. One of them has 2 Orions The I & II, and says the only problem with it is...it used to be if he could hear them ,he could work them. Now he said the receiver is so good, he can hear things he never heard before. Personally I think he needs a better antenna! (grin)
There's just something special about getting an old rig, re-building/restoring it and putting it back on the air. Its kinda like the first time you said CQ and somone answered you. Now (don't take this the wrong way, as I am not bashing or picking on anyone) but anyone can go out and buy a new rig, hook it up and make contacts. Again, I am NOT picking on anyone , as I too have a lot of new rigs in my shack.
I do dearly love my FT-1000MP MarkV, that I gave myself for Xmas. Lots of bells and whistles, and a super quiet , extemely low nosie floor receiver.
You know, its like a saying we have with motorcycles...RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE! Same applies to Ham Radio, Operate what ya Got, Just Operate!!
I have enjoyed the many emails I have gotten from you guys. And really glad to know there are a lot of Hams who really enjoy firing up the old stuff. I hope to work each and everyone of you on the air real soon!
73 es cul de W4LGH - Alan
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by W4DL on June 22, 2006
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Hello Alan and Wingfield,
nice setup all; I like the 4 line and the RF plumbing as well. That National is very cool. Wingfield would get along with Radio Rex my shack pal who hangs out on top of the 4 C line and seems to enjoy the shack in general. The vintage BC band radios are a nice touch. I use my 4 C line regularly in conjunction with an Icom for 6 and 440. Viva Valves!
Good Dx,
Mike W4DL
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by K7SU on June 22, 2006
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I enjoyed your article. Seems like the older we get the more we want to relive the past..and there's nothing wrong with that. I have an old Drake 2NT that I use quite often on CW, along with the vintage Heathkit HD-1410 keyer. It's a blast. It's not fast and sleak, but it's kinda like an old Power Wagon...it may be old and clunky but it will get you where you want to go. Years ago I parted with my Hallicrafters HT-37 transmitter and National NC-300 receiver. I wish I had them back!
73
K7SU
www.k7su.4t.com
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Kenwood Twins here...
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by WB4M on June 22, 2006
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I feel the same way, but instead of Drakes, I have a pair of Kenwood 599 Twins. Mine are also in great condx and I have owned a pair of Twins since 1979. They are fun to use but cant compare to the new rigs :)
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RE: Drake TR4CW with RIT
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by K1OU on June 22, 2006
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It was my first good radio, my dad bought it for me in 1979. The day after I got the radio, I mysteriously fell ill and had to miss school for a couple of days.
A couple of days of big fun on 10 with some DX, and I was good as new! Still have the rig, and I still turn it on occasionally, and I wouldn't sell it for any amount of money.
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by WS4Y on June 22, 2006
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I have an R4B I pair up with a TS-430. Using the
xverter socket you can hook up a separate RX with
the TS-430 and still use the TS-430 rx as well. In
the cw mode I turn down the TS-430 RX audio. In
the cw mode I do not mute the R4B in transmit
and monitor my off air sig in the R4B.
Also using the manual send switch on the TS-430
with the Vox enabled also the TS-430 will produce
enough signal in the key up position to spot your
self in the R4B. Then flip the manual send back
off and use the vox. It works slik. I have all
the warc band xtals for my R4B plus the 160 meter
xtal plus all ten meters segs. It is a keeper.
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by K0BG on June 22, 2006
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Anybody remember the Gonset twins???
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by W4LGH on June 22, 2006
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Yes I remember the Gonset Twins. Never used them, but
several ham buddies had them in their shacks many years ago.
You know it amazing how many AMERICAN Companies made radios....and now, I don't think any radio is made in this country, not even Motorola.
Keep the old Radios going! There is a place for them.
Have a Drake TR3 coming..looking forward to getting it up and running, and then I need to find info on how to re-calibrate the mechanical dial on my National NCX-5. It works good, fairly hot receiver in to too, but the dial after warmup is about 2KC off.
de W4LGH - Alan
www.w4lgh.com
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by KB1GMX on June 22, 2006
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Drake twins and Transceivers. Over the years I've played with them and thought them excellent.
If someone gave me one at me I'd keep it and do as you did, and refurbish it. I did that with a HW101 and HW12. Properly maintained those Drakes were fine radios. Even by current standards they will still
catch the DX with the best of them.
As to tubes and old tubes, there are massive stocks of them out there still. A properly designed and adaquately cooled tube circuit tendeds to have amazing lifetimes. I rarely worry about tubes but things like bearings, switches, caps and resistors are more susceptable to failure. I have an RCA AC/battery
TUBE AM broadcast portable that still works like
new. At 50 years old it's still the best AM radio I have.
Keep doing it. Be it commercial radios, vintage, new or homebrew out of an old handbook, it's still radio.
Allison
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by K3TJ on June 22, 2006
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I personally lusted after the Collins line back in the late sixties and all through the seventies. Who knew you only had to join MARS to have one handed to you?
As for "hollow state" gear, I love it. My FT-1000 MP has the bells but nothing sounds better than a KWM-2A with a good 312B-5.
Toss in a 30L-1 and you actually have a darn nice back up rig.
My opinion.
Respectfully, Ed k3tj
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by KE5EOT on June 22, 2006
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The Drake and Collins radios were never in my price range, but I did have a Swan 250 that I bought when I was a novice on my way to tech (and then general). Alas, I didn't make it back then. Marriage and family came first and the radio went away. Now, nearly 30 years later, I'm a ham again and having a blast. Some day I'll find another 250 and maybe a 500cx to go with it. Why? Because I remember the feel and the smell of a tube rig warming up. Because the memories of a young man fascinated with the possibility of talking around the world haven't faded. Because with all of the hustle and bustle of the modern world, the thought of a simpler time in a simpler part of my life is comforting.
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by KU2US on June 22, 2006
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You guys are making me cry..The dumbest thing I ever did was sell my two tube rigs in 1979..A Hallicrafters HT-37 Transmitter and the SX-111 matching reciever. The HT-37 weighed in at about 60+/- pounds. I had the set-up in my attic and they heated up the place just fine. A hams dream (at least mine)-getting up at six AM, firing up the tubes, rigs light up, come to life, the smell of the electronics (or dust burning off the tube glass), A hot cup of coffee waiting for the local sunrise, pounding on the key when the sigs start to pop out of the speaker,having a good rag chew, trying to "zero-beat" when the "rare" one comes across the dial, Bagging him, filling out the QSL card, taking a leak and going back to sleep...AAAHHH the good ole days. Hey look, you younger hams that are into the digital/computer stuff-keep it going, and you older hams, keep the old gear in shape, if you use it, it will NOT fade away and most important-live your dream. The old days we experienced will come back to life in US. Feel privledged and lucky you had, and still can have the experience.
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by N0AH on June 22, 2006
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I think Drake radios are the opposite of QRP.
They can hear you just fine but...............
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by WA2TTP on June 22, 2006
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Alan,
I currently have the Gonset twins which work very well. I have used them on 75 and 10 meter AM. lots of fun. Back in the day, 40 years worth of days, I ran the Gonset Superceiver system for receive, it consisted of 6 band converter that fed it's IF into a separate IF/audio/power supply unit. This made a pretty good mobile receiver. I used it with a homebrew 100 watt AM transmitter. The power supply and modulator were in the trunk with just the RF section up front next to the Gonset. I had allot of fun with this setup running around Long Island but then the car was stolen (1967 Olds 442) and that was the last I saw of the car or the rigs, ouch!! I love modern radios but allot of fun can be had with older equipment. You just have to have realistic expectations from the older gear.
Steve
WA2TTP
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by K5EH on June 22, 2006
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Listening to 75 now on a Swan 350. Have recently acquired a Drake R4A/T4X combo. Lost my 44 year old Collins S-Line in hurricane Ivan. Excited about getting the old stuff back up and running. And with arthritis in the hands getting worse, it's nice to place them atop the cabinets and absorb the warmth. Another side benefit of the old stuff! I've already taken the cabinets off, and cleaned the contacts on the t/r relay. Replace a few tubes, tweak the alignment and be good to go! I'll leave my Yaseu alone, and will probably have to send it off if it ever goes tango uniform.
Enjoyed this thread. 73, Jim, K5EH (ham since '58)
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by W6GF on June 22, 2006
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I am a collector. I have a lot and I mean a lot of the "old stuff". The old gear has a nice clean look and they are a wonderful throw back to the good old days. But I have todays latest as well. So, when the going gets tough, guess what I use. I love when a jammer puts a solid carrier on a frequency I am using. I suppose his rig does not have an auto notch filter...a push of a button he is gone...Yes I love the old radios, but the latest stuff is too good to be true.
George, W6GF
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by NS6Y_ on June 23, 2006
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I'm finding older radios can be fun too! I got ahold of a Watkins-Johnson 8709 that I got cheap because the bottom panel on the case was missing. A bottomless rig! It works fine though, and I replaced the bottom panel today thanks to a piece of perforated aluminum sheet and some snips I got at the hardware store. It's got one stylin' bottom side now! This rig pulls in signals, many of them, where my FT-897 just hears mud. Home is mainly a listening post for me right now, and this is a listening post radio so it all works out all right. It sounds great with my Cannon No. 15 "can" headphones. Generally though I just use a little Motorola mobil speaker I picked up somewhere.
My other WJ is a 901B, with nuvistors! It's great for listening to the pilots at the airport on, great audio. There was enough dirt on it to grow crops when I got it, (and still is, inside, I need to clean it inside) but before I realized what I had, I just knew I had to get it since it had handles on the back *and* on the front - to me lots of handles is a good sign.
My first I guess halfway decent reciever was a Hallicrafters S-40B, nothing says magic like pale green dials.
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by PA3BFK on June 23, 2006
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My first rig was an FT101B, which is now being restored after 20 years of gathering dust.
Can't wait to get on air again with it. I just hope I remember how to "dip".
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by VE3GNU on June 23, 2006
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I started hamming with a Heathkit GR54 General Coverage receiver (my first attempt at building anything electronic) and a borrowed Heathkit DX 40---with the outboard VFO.
After a year I entered, what I called then 'Ham Heaven' after acquiring a second-hand Drake 2B. Now that was one-heck-of-a-receiver---with the sweetist-sounding CW note I ever heard!
At the time---(in the early '70's) with educational, mortgage, and family commitments, the closest I hoped to get to anything new Drake was via the ads and brochures---while not forgetting the Allied Radio catalogue, where the Drake Twins were labelled as 'hard-working'.
Owing my first-ever new and affordable FT 200 a year later---and feeling that I had reached a level of sophistication that I could afford to sacrifice my 2B to an aspiring ham (my brother)---who, by the way, failed the exam, failed to get his license, and I failed to retrieve the 2B.
Every now-and-then, and especially after reading posts like these---I wonder whatever happened to that fine piece of American engineering!
I really enjoy these posts----and thanks for rekindling the spark in all of us.
VE3GNU
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by WA4UF on June 23, 2006
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Quoting K4LGH: "You know it amazing how many AMERICAN Companies made radios....and now, I don't think any radio is made in this country, not even Motorola."
Well, the Ten Tecs are still manufactured just down the road from Dollywood up there in Tennessee, and I guess you could consider Elecraft as "made in USA", at least if you build the kit in the States :-). There's also a slew of QRP rigs on the market from smaller concerns all over the place.
As far as old rigs go, I've got the (not quite working yet) S-Line stuff that Mom bought Dad the summer before I was born, plus the HRO receiver from Dad's teenage years, and my main radio is a TS-830s. Viva the old rigs that actually had KNOBS to twirl! :-)
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by K3UD on June 23, 2006
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I had at various times a very nice Drake B and C line. I would love to have either of them back. It sounds like you are having a ball using yours.
73
George
K3UD
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by W4LGH on June 23, 2006
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WA4UF..you are 100% correct sir. I completely forgot about Ten-Tec, and I had even mentioned them in an earlier post. But they are American Made. Not sure about Elecraft...they may or may not be, but they too are an American Co.
Anyway...I have been estatic over the replies here as well as my email. Its really nice to know there are many others out there who enjoy the old boat anchors!
Keep the tubes glowing!
73 to all...Fire the tube up for Field Day!!
de W4LGH - Alan
http://www.w4lgh.com
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by WA5OES on June 23, 2006
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That's a great writeup. I also enjoy tinkering with radios.
Art, WA5OES
http://home.comcast.net/~winterbauer/ham/shack.html
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by KA1MCD on June 23, 2006
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I had a Drake TR4cw connected to an 20m x beam and a 80m horizontal loop. This sat along side a KDK2030 and a Kaypro II computer. Boy were those the days. Now I have a XYL and three harmonics 2, 5, and 7. They keep me pretty busy. I think the oldest one is ready to get on radio now that he reads well and has basic math skills.
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by AB9LZ on June 23, 2006
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....and my main radio is a TS-830s. Viva the old rigs that actually had KNOBS to twirl! :-)
And when you change bands, you have to twirl just about every one 'em!
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by KK4ZY on June 23, 2006
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Great reading all the comments about old tube rigs! Especially about using them to heat the shack. I built a new shack in my two car garage in a house I owned in N. FL a few years ago. Had about three feet of space at the end one of the floor plans had reserved for heating, AC, and water heater, but I had a laundry room, so I had spare space, just enough for a ham shack. I made sure the insulation was good, and when I moved the equipment in, I found that my old Hallicrafters SX-110 would heat up the shack just fine. My new Icom couldn't do that! As for replacement tubes, I don't know if there are even any US manufacturers of the old tubes now, but guess what? Since the Russkies are a little behind the rest of the world, you can get Svetlana tubes from RF Parts company. All the big tubes for your linear are in stock, and a bunch of receiving tubes, too. My only maintenance problem with the SX-110 is about every 15 years or so I have to replace the multi-section electrolytic filter cap in the power supply! I guess due to the light usage during the last few years the tubes are all fine to date!
Always wanted some of the Collins gear, of course couldn't afford it years ago, now all of a sudden, the formerly low prices of a few years ago have again shot upward, I guess due to the interest from all the collectors around now. I got to use the KWM-2 and outboard VFO (great for DXing!) when I worked on a military installation that was using the KWM-2 as the main rig for the MARS station. (One reserve unit I was in had a closet full of them, packed in the custom Samsonite carrying cases.) Unlike the days of old, I found that when I joined MARS in the 80's, there wasn't a snowball's chance in Hades for us to get any gear from MARS. They just couldn't get it from the military to give to MARS ops. Luckily, I had my own gear to use. Hey, I remember the Gonset twins, too! Back in the mid-60s I worked for a radio station as a DJ, and our chief engineer was a ham who ran the Gonset twins in his Comet station wagon for HF mobiling as he ran around checking on the other stations who also hired his engineering services. Just wish he and I had both had time to work on me getting my ham ticket. Would have REALLY been eligible for the QCWA by now!
Cheers,
Ed, KK4ZY
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by WA0TTN on June 23, 2006
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I recently acquired a complete Collins S-line and it's the only gear I use on HF anymore. I love the classic look and feel, and really enjoy the cozyness of operating in the evening with the room lights low, so that the glow from dial lights and tube filaments can really be appreciated.
I've got the old (new) appliances to fall back on for WARC, etc. But it's much more enjoyable to look at the Collins gear when I'm QSOing.
73, Dave, WA0TTN
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by W5JRT on June 23, 2006
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Good article Alan!
I am a new Ham however I was exposed to the glowing tubes as a teenager.
The results of those encounters are that I fully understand and appreciate the romance of glowing tubes.
I now own a complete Collins S line station, a Drake L4B, and 2 drake MN-2000 tuners. I have yet to add a Drake Tx4cw to match but soon will I hope.
All in all I now own 5 HF rigs and the newest and only fully transistorized one in the bunch is a Kenwood TS-130s.
This is not to say that I do not enjoy the DSP and modern receiver offerings of the newer rigs. I have my eyes set on a TS-870s and IC-706MKIIG to fill those voids, I just have not made those "buys" yet.
Hope to catch you on the airways!
73
Jim
W5JRT
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by W2XS on June 23, 2006
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I inherited a really nice T-4X, R-4A, and MS-4. It is a wonderful rig for CW rag chews with 150W output. I use a B&W electronic TR switch for QSK. The dials are still accurate and the sound is great. A passive audio filter keeps the hum out of the speaker. Those 24 tubes keep the shack warm.
73, John W2XS
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by W5HTW on June 23, 2006
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Back in the early 1970s a friend of mine bought a complete B-line. He was elderly, and soon developed health problems. He needed to sell the radios, and made a really wonderful offer to me. I had just purchased a new TR4C with AC4/MS4, but the opportunity to acquire a T4XB and R4XB, with another MS4 and AC4 at the price he offered I could not miss.
During overseas duty I sold all those Drakes, and other equipment as well. Some five years ago I acquired again, a very nice R4B/T4XB/AC4 and MS4. Since then, it has been my primary rig for CW and SSB. I am trying now to acquire from a friend a TR4CW, with RV4, AC4 and MS4, but have not yet managed to make the right deal. It is still pending. Would love to put that back on the air.
There is a photo of my shack, with the T4XB/R4B station, on my web page. Would sure love to add the TR4CW station to that photo. It may not happen.
The R4B digs out the signals as well as any radio I have ever used. Mine is equipped with several non-ham crystals for SWLing, and both the rx and the tx are equipped for 160, 30, 17, and 28.000 operation as well, though for 160, only in transceive mode.
One photo on my web site shows the T4XB on its side, as it is currently undergoing an alignment touchup. Hope to finish that after Field Day. That is a good bit of the enjoyment of owning these old radios, being able to get into them, repair them, adjust and align them, and understand how they work. I do agree with some others that is one of the things the new hams miss, never learn about. I don't ridicule those hams, but I do find it sad they, at least many of them, have no idea what is "under the hood" of their radios.
Ed
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by W4LGH on June 23, 2006
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The response to my original message has been, well to say the least, overwelming. I have enjoyed all the emails as well as the posts on here, and its really GREAT to see how many Hams enjoy my passion as well.
I have a page on my website that shows off other Hams
Shacks. I am more than willing, if you guys would like to share photos of your vintage equipment, to setup a SPECIAL page just for Vintage Shacks or Shacks that have Vintage Equip. in them. If you guys would enjoy this. Just email your photos to:
w4lgh@w4lgh.com , and I will get the page started asap. Also you cansend photos of your regular shack, if you'd like them on my regular Shack Showcase page.
Well 20M is OPEN again, and the B line is over there talking like crazy, so I am gonna go make a few contacts while it wide open.
73 to all...and keep the emails coming. I truely enjoy reading them.
de W4LGH - Alan
http://www.w4lgh.com
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by KC8VWM on June 23, 2006
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Yup gotta love them valve's.
Now I know dem dere modern day Icom 7800 microprocessor rigs with DSP are all that swanky stuff in dem but you really can't beat one of dem dere R/390a room heaters.
I restore them and many other radios just for the halibut. My other favorite is that military BC348 rig thing with that big spin dial cruiser thing on it.
Can't seem to find enough of dem dere radios to swap or can I finds a few resitorators or orange dips to keep em runnin da way I like em.
Just a technician here but I am a bit of a hardcore boatanchor collector meself. Call me an old fasioned SWL or even no code dumbed down tech or sumthin if you wan't.
Have a look at my shack cause god knows my wife won't have anythin' to do with it I reckon.
http://www.wideopenwest.com/~kc8vwm/boatanchor/MVC-010F.JPG
73 , 72 de kc8vwm
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by AD3G on June 23, 2006
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Nice article Alan...I guess I have the same sickness....my Drake B & C lines sit next to my FT1000MPmkV field & TS 870.......and get just as much usage as the newer rigs. Nothing quite like the glow of an old tube rig........I can smell the heat coming off the tubes in my B line as I type this.......and those blue dial filters...ha cha cha !!
Best 73
Paul
AD3G
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by VE3ES on June 24, 2006
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Right on! I purchased a Drake C-line a year ago and have never looked back. Gave up on all the "Brand-J" stuff. Too easy to operate, too boring to use. Love the C-line. Also have a R-4B on the desk which I purchased new for SWL'ing back in the mid-70s or thereabouts. Something about the glow of tubes I guess.
Had a great time at the Drake forum at Dayton this year. Full house and a lot of enthusiasm about some of the best in ham radio!!!
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by VE3ES on June 24, 2006
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Bought a Drake C-line last year. As I type this, my Yahoo, Icon and Kenmore junk is up for sale! Really!!!
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by G3RZP on June 24, 2006
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Someone asked 'what happens when we run out of tubes?'
When will that be? Back in 1936, just before he got his licence, my father, who became G8ON in 1937, bought a pair of 6L6G's for what he said was the equivalent of then 50cents each. He went SK in 1984, and one of those 6L6Gs gravitated to screen grid regulator service in my home brew linear. It's still going strong. I do use the amp, too - only one country needed for DXCC Honor Roll #1 spot! At the age of 59, that pair of 6L6G s are not only older than I am, but are likely to see me out as well as dad!
After all, hams are renowned for being mean, and I want the OM's money's worth out of them....
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by WB9AUJ on June 25, 2006
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I have a "C" line just "resting" right now. I got it for $100.00 when I worked on the East coast. Been thinking about doing a 6146 conversion on the transmitter, but I just can't get started on butchering a great rig. I do wish somebody would make 6JB6 tubes again. Keeping the Drake's company, is one of the engineeing prototype Hallicrafters SR-2000 table top 1Kw rigs. Recapped the power supply. Now, if I could find a good price on 8122 PA tubes.
Guess I'll have to stick with the TS-480 for a while. I was using the C line on PSK31 for almost 2 years.
If it don't glow, it ain't real radio.
John WB9AUJ
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by WR8D on June 25, 2006
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Its just what ever floats ones boat. I love the old tube rigs too. Have a complete c line that is mint and a tr4cw-rit, lots of collins stuff also. Real rigs do glow in the dark as they used to say. They're just a blast to operate and maintain. Now for you snoots i also have the modern stuff, new alphas, icoms, and a big ole 5k classic floor model. These old babies are just lots of fun to operate and own. I turned my c line loose on 40 cw a few weeks ago and scared myself, hi hi..it put one hell of a signal on the wire of the loop. Its one of those ole lazy days here, raining and cool. Looking forward to running the c line again this afternoon. Life is so nice when we can keep it simple, and that applies to just about all of it when we can approach it in this way. WR8D "mine don't drift either" solid as a rock after a little warm up. WR8D
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by KZ5I on June 25, 2006
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That's what ham radio is about..having fun !!
'73 Emmett KZ5I
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by WA7CS on June 25, 2006
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Yup, them Drake are nice.
I've got a B-Line myself that is on the air regularly.
As CW OP, I can usually recognize the distinctive Drake note.
There is a photo of my shack on QRZ.com, and here at my site: http://webpages.charter.net/crstrode/arswa7cs.html
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by N5AX on June 26, 2006
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I had the Drake 4B TX and RX -Loved them as a start on SSB.
But would I go back to them from my IC-756 ProIII ? --
No way!
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by W4LGH on June 27, 2006
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Well the TR-3 came in yesterday. Someone had painted the case a funky gray color, but I sanded it down and powder coated it back to black. Seem to work pretty good for the short period I had to operate it yesterday. Will find out more about it more today.
As for replacing my newer equip?? Not meant to, just another area of the hobby that is a lot of fun. Its also a different way to operate, a little more challenging, sometimes fustrating, but all in all FUN!
New photo of it is posted on my Virtual Shack Tour...
73 de W4LGH - Alan
http://www.w4lgh.com
Keep the Tubes GLOWING, and the RF Flowing!
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by K3JVB on June 27, 2006
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Looking for some Drake stuff..
But I , at present use a Swan station. 500cx, Swan Mark-2, and a St-2 tuner. (click on)
...I do venture into the early days of solid state with a circa 1986, Fox-tango 767gx, and FL 7000amp. But I have to confess ..the tube stuff gives the shack mor character..
And great heat sorce !
JohnB
73
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by AC5AA on June 28, 2006
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I share your interest in the old Drake gear. It was well made, as is testified to by all the rigs still operating today. I have too many, actually. From an original 4-Line (complete with original manuals and boxes) to a 4A line, and a 4B line. In fact, I'm getting ready to sell the original 4-Line. Soon, I keep telling myself!
73, Duane
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by VR2AX on June 29, 2006
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I could not resist adding a few comments about the "B" line, even though I rarely contribute to eham forums. I saw my first line (R4B, T4XB and L4) in the summer of 1969 at a college club station in UK. Previously, although I had already obtained my licence, I had only seen and operated rather more basic (but still good) gear, such as the British KW range and homebrew and ex-military surplus (WW2) stuff. The club station also had a yagi up around 80 feet, and this was the time of the sunspot maximum.
Talk about being 'wide eyed in Babylon', I was immediately stricken. The experience changed forever my perspective of ham radio. I still remember the beautiful hue emitted by the 'twins' in a dimly lit shck, the S meter pinned beyond S9+40 with W/VE stations calling on 10 metres, and the beautiful (near incandescent) glow from the 4-400z tubes in the L4.
In UK money of the day, Drake gear was comparateively very expensive. The late W1BB topband king was often featured in UK ham magazines with pictures of his "B" line. They really hit the world press at about that time when the late King Hussein of Jordan got his ""B" line (a present from his then wife, result of a shopping trip to the US, as I seem to recall from an article that appeared in 73 magazine).
I subsequently bought by own "C" line around 1973 complete with a L-4B. While they were great, in some ways they never quite matched up in my mind to those original "B"s. I sold the "C" mint and hardly used in 1976 and bought a sports car.
In the last few years I have rebuilt a small collection of Drakes, including a T4X, R4B, R4C, TR4 (with AC4 and MS4), L4, L4B and L75.
73,
Wyn
VR2AX/GW3YGH
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by WD8NBK on June 29, 2006
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Very nice article Alan. The 4line was and still is a really solid radio system. I still have my first station sitting in the shack. It is the 2C receiver along with the the companion 2NT transmiter. I haven't fired up the 2NT for a long time ,but will fire up the 2C just to get the dust out. The transmit crystals have disappeared over the years as I loaned out the station to folks just getting started in ham radio. The radios were considered the dream station for many a novice. With a good antenna and just the 75 watts the transmitter put out you could truly work the world.
I up graded both the station and my license grade and bought the TR-7. I still have the 7 and get on the air with it. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles, still a solid radio.
Bill Frost did a seminar about the older Drake radios at the Dayton Havention. I didn't make it to the seminar ,but I understand that it was interesting.
Thanks again Alan for a good article.
Frank
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by W5XU on June 29, 2006
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Agree. I have the B line and the Sherwood C line. Great radios. With about 50 active devices in them, they do the same thing as the ones that have millions. That has always fascinated me. I use the tube equipment whenever the joy of operating needs to be enhanced; I love the look, the feel and the heat and smell.
Drake, and I am sure, the other tube based radios have an elegant design that every active device was precious and well thought out. I appreciate that.
As a Drake fan, I have the B line, the C line, the TR7 and TR7a, the TR4cw/rit (the very last of the tube transceivers), the TR6 (600 made) and the UV3. All working and all displayed... all next to the Orion.
See you on Straight key night.
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by KD5NR on June 30, 2006
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Lots of good comments here.Got a Viking II/ HQ-170 station representing 1950s high tech, a TR-3 (who could not love that old Drake blue dial glow)from the 60s, and a Tempo 2020 from the 70s. I do not agree with the poster who said that all the rice burners in the 70s and 80s were junk....come on, man. Ts520, 820, 830 and FT-101 and especially the 901, and the Icom 735, 745, 751...junk ?
Some folks have no soul.
73
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by WA2JJH on July 2, 2006
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Yup, earned my Novice ticket at a club with a B line.
It's nice tube audio and great front end made the B and C lines classics!
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by NL7W on July 3, 2006
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Great article! No Drake equipment here, but maybe someday... My mint FT-101ZD Mk III is keeping me company right now.
And yes, real radios do glow in the dark.
73.
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by WA2JJH on July 3, 2006
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I cut my teeth on a Drake 2NT/R2C combo. I also still relish the fact that I had hundreds of QSO's with the infamouse EICO-753!!!!
30 YEARs later....
The Drake R-7A is a real kick butt RX! No DSP needed! I use it with one of 3 TX/RX rigs.
1)TS-850SAT all filters added
2)TR-7
3) HARRIS OR RACAL Commercial HF rigs. (RF-3200,TWT-100)not bsd for bipolar transistor rigs!!!!!!
I would love to buy a nice tube FT-401DX.
73 n have a Great 4th of JULY!
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by KD5ZER on July 3, 2006
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I got a Drake TR4CW from a friend of mine the other day. It has great rx. I have not wired a mike for it yet so I don't know how well it works on phone. I have received good reports on cw though.
73
KD5ZER
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by WA2JJH on July 5, 2006
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If your TR-4CW worked well on CW...It will work well on phone. If not...there is much repair and mod data on DRAKES.
One can make a transistor rig glow too. Take a few tips from those that mod. their PC's.
I just got a 1 watt array of blue/white L.E.D.'s for my PC.
The Drakes use those pilot lights that blow out.
I am putting in an ultra intense Blue L.E.D. array for my R-7A's meter and VFO.
I guess I can call them tubister's!
Some of the old radio's sell for more than their NEW price.
Someone pleaded with me to buy the TR-4CW instead of the TS-520 thirty years ago. I purchased the TS-520.
Sorry, I did not buy the triple tubed final TR-4CW!
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by KD5ZER on July 5, 2006
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WA2JJH, You should have got the drake rig! My tr4cw still has the original 6jb6s in it. I still get about 150w out on 80-20m cw. I usually turn it down to about 100w though. Maybe if I'm lucky they will last another 30 years.:)
73
KD5ZER
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by W4LGH on July 6, 2006
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What can I say, If we'd all bought Drakes back then, maybe they'd still be in business. Who knows. I am curious as to the post about the blue led's and how they work out. Have thought about that many times myself. I have changed out all the bulbs on meters with white led's and they work great. Be SURE to put a .01 across the LED for RF protection!!
Was thinking about breaking a #47 bulb open and putting the led's in it, with dropping resistor
and .01 cap. Would be a neat installation, and retain
the original dial lite arrangement.
Going back to the AIRWAVEs..as the Drakes are glowing!
73 de W4LGH - Alan
http://www.w4lgh.com
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by WA2JJH on July 6, 2006
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Looks like your finals are good too. The TR-4CW was rated for 180W SSB PEP and 150W CW out.
So, if it aint broke...love it!
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The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by K8BBE on July 6, 2006
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Have to say, it is fun. I get a kick out of firing up my old H/B 6146 oscillator and BC-224 receiver on 40 meters and pound the key. It was my first Novice transmitter I built and operated on 7173. I have played with several old transmitters I built running from 1 watt up to 10 watts. Hope to hear more on someday. 73's Chuck K8BBE
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by W4LGH on July 7, 2006
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Its really great to hear about all the old radios, and its really fun to operate them. I have really enjoyed all the emails as well. My hats off to all of you who bring the old rigs to life!
As for the finals in my TR-3...they were replaced before I got it, as they are RCA 12JB6's and Drake
pretty much used Sylvania tubes exclusively. I can get between 170-175watts peak on 20 meters, if I really tweak it. Usually run it around 145-150W mark, sometimes a little less. The 6JB6's in my 4B are original, dated 1967, and still will pump out 110 honest watts. I do have an extra pair, used but still
good, if needed. For that matter I have a complete extra T4XB transmitter. It works fine on all bands but 20M. For some reason it won't mix, and xmits on the fundamental freq. Thought it was the band switch, but that seems to be ok..since I had a 2nd xmitter, figured I would keep it around for parts. Maybe one day I will tear into it and see whats going on. Hate to tear it up for parts.
73 de W4LGH - Alan
http://www.w4lgh.com
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by K6YE on July 7, 2006
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Great article and feedback. I have a TR4C and love it. I am selling my Collins 75S3 receiver in order to acquire a T4XB/R4B combo. While I have an FT-100D and IC-775DSP, there is something about Drake gear that still so attractive.
Semper Fi,
Tommy - K6YE
DX IS
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by K5RIX on July 8, 2006
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That's great, Alan! My first "big" radio was a very used Drake TR-3. Grid block keying and all. It was just wonderful, and it had a lot more punch than the HW-8 I built which was my very first rig. I eventually donated the TR-3 to the WB2JKJ school project.
I am currently stationed in Japan and have just very recently acquired a Ten Tec model 525D ArgosyII station. While it doesn't require peaking and dipping like the Drake, it still has the charm and great sound of a non-digital radio.
Good luck to you, Alan, and all who enjoy their gear. Using vintage equipment is a lot of fun, and it really validates the true value built into these gems.
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RE: The Old Days, Recaptured!
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by W4LGH on July 9, 2006
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Well it looks like this thread is about to come to an end on the main page, but I have had a super time reading all the great replies and emails from everyone
that enjoys the beauty and operations of the older equipment.
I have posted a 2nd in my adventures, not sure if they will make it public or not, but certainly hope so. We'll see if we can keep this alive.
Also remember if you'd like to display your shack, send me a photo, my email is on the website, and we'll get it posted. It can be new or old equipment.
73 to all, and I am proud to be in the brotherhood of Ham radio.
de W4LGH - Alan
http://www.w4lgh.com
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by KD7RDZI2 on July 9, 2006
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Have a t4xb as well, plus a 2c and a few of solid state receivers. My opinion is that these old tubes allow the operator to learn a lot and give the advantage to the operator to make repairs fairly easily whenever necessary. Moreover this "old technology" may allow the operator to modify and improve the performance according to the operator's taste. In few days I came across with a drake 2c I was able to get full coverage on all HF beyond 3Mhz with new DDS technology and truly no noisy IF-DSP converting the second IF stage to 12Khz for all mode demodulation and RF filtering through a soundblaster (not just a audio DSP!!!) rendering this old tube a modern Software Designed Radio with unsurpassed performance and pure pleasure in finding a perfect match of the old and the newest technology.
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