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| Reviews Summary for Drake R-4C |
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Reviews: 11
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Average rating: 4.7/5
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MSRP: $500.00
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Description: Vintage Drake HF receiver for 1.6 to 30 Mhz
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More info: http://
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N6CIC
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 28, 2008 12:52
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PTO Sticking
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This is my second review of this fine receiver. As cold weather has set in, I found that the PTO tuning mechanism started to stick and was very stiff (my ham shack is in the garage). Once I got it unstuck it would turn but of course I had to reset the tuning dials. So I looked for a cure on the Drake Home Page, and found the article by Neil, K1VY-"Drake PTO: Smooth and Silky". It took several days of careful work, but now the PTO works like a charm. I also have even more appreciation for the excellent Drake engineering.
http://www.wb4hfn.com/DRAKE/DrakeArticles/PTO/Drake_PTO.htm
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G4DJC
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 6, 2008 01:17
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great rx
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I owned a R4C in the 70's & found it be a very reliable, great Rx.It wasn't modded at all, although I understand the Sherwood Filters mod was worthwhile for added selectivity. The "bluey" strip tended to go transparent due to the heat from the back light bulb, but apart from that & the occasional valve replacement. I had no problems at all. I don't know how they would fare against current rigs but I suspect, particularly on the LF bands, they would hold their own. 73, Dick. g4djc.
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VE4MM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 16, 2008 15:20
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Nice Vintage Receiver!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Just bought a new R4C off eBay for about $338.00
Yes......new.
Works really well.
Sure enjoy the analog dial!
73
Michael Mark, BSc EE, P.Eng. Life Member ARRL
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WW3QB
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 15, 2007 19:35
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Still Great After All These Years
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought mine in 1978 as a teenager when I got my first job. I wish I was still in such great shape! Get at least the 500Hz filter for CW. Also the INRAD 1800 filter is a good idea. I did not do any of the Sherwood mods. Mine does not drift after warm up. Very sensitive. Also receives the WARC bands with extra crystals. No 60 meters. This is still a wonderful radio!
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N4ARI
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Rating: 5/5
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May 23, 2005 14:06
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Ready for the 21st century
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My station consists of the Icom 746PRO and TT Orion, yet the addition of the R4C (and T4XC transmitter) rounded out my needs. 30 years after it was made, the R4C (with Sherwood mods) runs rings around the 746PRO. Except for weak signal or VERY crowded band conditions, the R4C it THE receiver OF CHOICE at my station. Drake made an amazing radio long ago that still rates as one of the best out there even today. It is my receiver of choice for ham and SWL even with the "modern" rigs at my disposal.
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WA9CWX
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 4, 2005 15:45
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Great after all these years.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned MANY Drake rigs, including three R4Cs. The stock ones with the CW narrow filter are quite nice. But my early R4C with the Sherwood filter, 250, 500 and 1500 filters and proper alignment is not surpassed by my Ft1000D's (3 with Narrow filters). If you do your OWN alignment, be careful, it can be deceptive, I have sent mine out for professional work. Even new out of Drake, SOME were not right. I have owned three R7s, full filters, etc. and the R4245 for ten years. My R4C is STILL my favorite, and outperforms them ALL on CW.
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VE4AMN
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 23, 2005 21:21
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Sherwood mods A++
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have a Drake R-4c, with the Sherwood mods and narrow SSB filter. This combination challnges my FT-1000mp for sensitivity and selectively. There is nothing like a vintage set operating at peak performance. The Sherwood modes, especially the product detector, are very worthwhile. I am toying with installing the a new first if filter (INRAD or Sherwood), which it is rumoured will make this radio even better. This my best vintage set (and I have a bunch - TMC, Hammarlund SP-600, Hammarlund HQ-180a...)
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WR4Q
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 1, 2003 17:27
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Still the BEST
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Its hard to find straight forward designs that
are easy to maintain that work 160 meters and the WARC bands that will transceive. My R4-C is loaded with Sherwood Mods. Still perhaps champ?
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KD2E
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 25, 2003 22:00
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Awesome
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had mine for about 10 years now. An 'S' line came and went, but the C line stays. It is in a whole league of its own, light years above the Collins.
I would not think of wrecking it with all those dopey mods. Mine works great, box stock. No hum, no drift, no microphonics....just flawless. It does not have digital filtering that can be screwed down to 50hz, but that tube sound at 250hz, with the passband is an unbeatable combination. And Drake had a noise blanker that after 30 years...Icom STILL can't beat!
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K6ZL
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Rating: 2/5
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Aug 21, 2003 02:28
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In stock form, a not so good receiver
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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When fully modified, with GOOD filters, this receiver is a wonder to behold. In stock form, not so good, especially the later versions with the "9 pin first mixer". Drake found a great place to mount the pass regulator transistor, right under the vfo assembly. Subjected to constant heat, R4C's never stop drifting. You're constantly "touching" them up. Beware the later units in stock form, collectors are paying premium for them. You'll spend as much as you pay for the radio for the mods, the extra filters, the noise blanker, etc. R4B's on the other hand, are cool as is!
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