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| Reviews Summary for Drake R-4B |
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Reviews: 27
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Average rating: 4.9/5
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MSRP: $475.00
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Description: Amateur hybrid reciever. Also covers ten, 500 Khz portions of the HF spectrum
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Product is not in production.
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More info: http://
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K3MEJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 16, 2011 16:36
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WOW!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just bought a Drake R-4B and MS-4 speaker off of Craigslist. It’s in perfect condition and has 10 optional crystals installed. All I can say about this receiver’s frequency stability and audio quality is WOW! I have bought and sold countless receivers over my long life, but this one blew me away. If you ever get a chance to buy one grab it.
Merlin
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WB0RXL
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 25, 2011 15:52
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Fantastic Audio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Back in the 1970's I had experienced the excellent audio from a Drake receiver at another ham's QTH, but when I finally earned my license in 1976, money dictated I go the Heathkit SB-102 route. That transceiver served me well through the years. Later I upgraded to various models of Icom and a Yaesu 747. Two years ago my wife suggested I should buy a radio "for her" knowing full well that I would be the primary user. (Grin) As I checked some units on E-Bay I wondered if the Drake twins had really sounded as great as I remembered. After some research I decided to buy a set formerly owned by K2LWR. After opening the box and setting up the receiver I decided YES - the Drake R-4B receiver has a unique quality that makes you think "wow!" I still use the Yaesu for digital work and an Icom for for mobile. But when I want to sit down and give my ears a treat, I choose the Drake R-4B.
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KD7UAK
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 17, 2010 15:57
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Superb receiver!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've owned two R-4Bs for more than 6 years, and never cease to be amazed by their performance. I use one as a daily monitoring receiver next to my kitchen table, equipped with several extra crystals to cover the SW broadcast bands. The other R-4B is part of a complete 4B twin setup that was my first ham station and now serves as a backup (a TR7 is my primary station). There's not much I can add to all the accolades already posted, except to say they are all true. The R-4B is one of the all-time greatest receivers ever made.
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WA7UHR
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 18, 2010 10:39
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Great Receiver
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Dollar for Dollar, still one of the all time great receivers out there. No shack should be without one.
Fred.
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K9FON
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 11, 2010 15:55
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wonderful!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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One of the best receivers made. I got mine with a T4X which needs some TLC but i have been using the R4B in transceive wih my TR4 and it works FB. The receiver in the R4B is miles better than the receiver end in my TR4. Overall, im a Drake lover and the R4B will stay in the shack.
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W4ET
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 5, 2010 06:39
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Great Receiver
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned three R4B's and all of them worked well after a good cleaning and going over.
These are great receivers and I like to listen to the R4B as much as I like to listen to my 756pro. I also own a Drake R4A and the two receivers are a lot alike. If anything, the R4A might have better audio than the R4B. The R4B is very stable (after warm up). Unlike the R4B, the R4A continues to drift a little no matter how long it is on.
If you are interested in vintage equipment, you can't go wrong with either one of these receivers if you can find one in good condition.
73 - Ron - W4ET
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N4UE
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 27, 2009 15:49
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Another R-4B added
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I was one of the first 'reviewers' of these fine old radios. Since that first review, I have added 2 more R-4Bs, a SPR-4, and a nice R-2C. I suppose I should be jaded by now, about the GREAT performance of the Drake receivers, but I'm constantly amazed.
Recently a friend offered me my third R-4B. I hesitated, because I need another like another hole in the head, but the price was too cheap to pass on. To my surprise, the radio was near 'perfect'. It even has the inspection tag still on the power cord. The chassis was 'dusty' and only had 2 of the smallest possible spots of corrosion. All tubes were good, and the alignment was almost perfect.
Right now, it's tuned to the CW portion of 20 Meters and in the ".4" KHz position. Almost no background noise and the CW signals just 'jump' out at you. Like ALL my radios, I have a small muffin fan blowing into the radio (no holes mod). I can leave a Drake (or other) radio on for 8 hours and the covers are JUST above room ambient.......
Everyone should own a nice example of these radios. They are wonderful.
I also just acquired all the Sherwood boards for my R-4C. It will be interesting to see how the two match up... I have always considered the R-4C as a 'cost reduced R-4B'....
We will see..... Have fun!!!!
ron
N4UE
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IK1LBL
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 27, 2008 07:15
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Im vy HAPPY !
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Finally i have aquired my first Drake line !
I have buy this gears on very poor conditions, after a quik Refurbishment the RX sound great !!!
Just a discovery of a new world !
SSB is amazing, i make fine CW DXing on crowed 40 meter band, whit this R4B its easy...
Just need few attemp to take confidence on working whit separate RX-TX and let's go on real HamRadio enjoyment !!
This line have abt my age... 40!
After 20 years of HamRadio finally i have join what i have always looking for !!!
sri for my poor english....
Many people waste a lot of money on black box loosing many important things...
I have just sold out my ICOM PRO3 one years a go and i don't miss him...
Here few pics of my DRAKE
http://ik1lbl.blogspot.com/2008/12/drake-b-line-refurbishing.html
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W0OGH
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 8, 2008 10:36
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One of my favorites
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought an R-4B, my first SSb capable receiver back in the early 70's. Man on man did i love it. In the Mid 70's i bought a T-4XB. During the 1974-1980 time frame i used them on CW and RTTY. That receiver could do more things with an rtty signal on crowded bands than anything else around. Why i sold the pair, i guess it was to upgrade but i've not found a replacement for it. I have an R-4C which i really don't care for. It's loaded with filters and extra xtals, gimme another "B".
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W8ZNX
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 8, 2008 10:39
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Bob made a winner
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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i have owned many receivers over the years
from RME-69, to Collins S line
and modern rice box radios
don't care for the backwards tuning
the noise blanker does not do much
and i don't like how it looks
but
it is one of the best dam receivers
ive ever used
plug in the cans
close my eyes
tune around the bottom of 80 cw
and
i forget how ugly it looks
a R-4B will be sitting
front and center my desk
till the final SK estate sale
mac
dit dit
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