|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
| Reviews Summary for Drake 2B Receiver |
|
Reviews: 21
|
Average rating: 5.0/5
|
MSRP: $$279
|
|
Description: The DRAKE 2-B is an extremely versatile communication receiver designed to bring you top performance in reception of all modes of amateur transmission in a compact package. It is a triple conversion super heterodyne receiver employing crystal controlled high frequency oscillators, a highly stable variable oscillator tuning the same range on all bands, and for selectivity a steep-sided L-C filter at the 50 Kc I.F.
|
|
More info: http://www.dproducts.be/DRAKE_MUSEUM/2-b.htm
|
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this review.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
|
You can
write your own review of the Drake 2B Receiver.
|
KE0MT
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 5, 2009 12:06
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
FB Rig
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
A great Radio!
I use with a Johnson Navigator and TR switch. The Drake 2B/Q multiplier just works so well in QSK it handles the break-in just great.
I use 3-4 times a week on NTS Nets PAN TWN MSN.
I have the Henry Radio Mech Filter but don't think I'm going to install it. The rig just doesn't need any improvement in selectivity.
The 2B IF and Q Mult handles anything that I've run into. Its FB just stock. No problems with the 2B...
2B or Not 2B?...I'd say yes 2B.
|
|
K9EUI
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Dec 9, 2007 09:46
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great receiver!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I have owned two 2-B's over the years and they are superb receivers. I had an outboard switch box on one of them that had xtals to cover the entire HF range.
There are 2 disadvantages to the 2-B:
1) It would be nice to have a real noise blanker in it that worked for CW/SSB.
2) It would be nice if it covered 160 meters. There is a simple mod to change the "A" auxilliary band to cover 160 and I tried it but the sensitivity was way low, probably because of the Hi C to L ratio.
|
|
W6GF
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 26, 2007 20:50
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
The standard for high performance in a simple package
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I just had to write the review. I have a lot of ham gear. I have the latest and a lot of vintage equipment. In fact I have a dozen operating positions. But sitting just to my right at position #1 is a Drake 2B. If I can not hear it on the 2B, the signal is not there, and I turn everything off and read a book. I love my 2B.
George, W6GF
|
|
KE6YX
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 8, 2007 17:35
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
This is a fantastic receiver
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
This is a fantastic receiver.
I obtained mine used in the mid 70s from the estate of a silent key, along with a Johnson ranger, and a Halicrafters HT32B. The drake and the ranger were my novice rigs, and served me well.
Everything else is long gone, but I still operate the Drake 2B. It is now integrated to a Drake 2-NT Transmitter, and I am using a Johnson 122 VFO. I also have the Drake speaker, Q multiplier, and crystal calibrator.
I did a small mod to the Drake 2B, I added an RCA plug to the back of the chassis leading to the audio stage. This now allows perfect TR switching between the Receiver, and Transmitter using the 2-NT’s side tone. Whenever I key the transmitter, it mutes the RF section, feeds an adjustable side tone to the 2B's audio section, and switches the antenna. This is all internal and automatic. The side tone level is adjusted with a knob on the front panel of the Drake 2-NT as is the break-in delay.
I recently replaced all the caps, including installing the power supply filter kit mentioned in other reviews. It was easy to do, and now I know that this receiver will out last me.
I believe that anyone who owns a Drake 2B, and operates CW, should make a real effort to find a 2NT transmitter to pair with it. I will keep this set up forever!
|
|
WX4O
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 3, 2007 20:17
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Fond Memories
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
Had one as part of my novice station, along with a Heath DX-60 around 1969. Love that receiver!
Looking for a good one.
WX4O
|
|
NN7AA
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 3, 2007 19:57
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Solid Performer
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
While I was in High School in 1965 and 1966 operating as WA7AQD, I had a used Drake 2B and a used Johnson Navigator for less total cost than the price of a new 2B alone. I used a separate antenna for the receiver and transmitter with no T/R switch or RX blanking during transmit. It was true full break-in, and less expensive than using an antenna relay! The 2B was the first truly high performance receiver I had. It was far superior to the SX-111 that preceded it. The 2B was stable and selective. I remember the excellent reciver performance. I also remember operating above 20 w.p.m. with a straight key! The 2B was an excellent value.
|
|
K0JW
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 3, 2007 18:29
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Super performer!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I finally got my hands on a 2B and 2BQ and everything I have read about them is true, what a great receiver and with the 2BQ you won't find a better CW setup. Using this with my Navigator makes for lots of fun on the bands, and you don't need lots of space to enjoy this rig. If you can find a decent one I would recommend buying it and you won't be disappointed.
|
|
WA8QNJ
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 11, 2007 08:01
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
The Fabulous 2-BQ...!!!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
.
AS A FOLLOW UP TO WHAT I WROTE ON THE DRAKE
2-B RECEIVER...
.
THE DRAKE 2-BQ MULITPLIER-NOTCH SPEAKER COMBO UNIT IS A MANDITORY PIECE OF DRAKE GEAR TO USE WITH THE 2-B... IT BRINGS THE DRAKE 2-B INTO A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF CW RECEIVING CAPABILITY, IN FACT IT IS HARD TO BELEIVE WHAT THE 2-BQ DOES TO FAINT CW SIGNALS IN THE MUD... WOW, IS ALL I CAN SAY...!!
|
|
WA8QNJ
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 10, 2007 22:25
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
SIMPLY THE BEST.....!!!!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
.
HAD TO ADD MY COMMENTS TO THE TREMENDOUS REVIEWS THIS LITTLE CLASSIC RECEIVER HAS GOTTEN...
.
MY FATHER BOUGHT MY DRAKE 2-B AND 2-BQ SPEAKER COMBO FROM BOB DRAKE PERSONALLY IN MIAMISBURG OHIO IN 1965. MY FATHER WAS BUSINESS FRIENDS WITH BOB. I HAD JUST RECEIVED MY NOVICE TICKET, WHAT A LUCKY KID I WAS TO HAVE THIS RECEIVER ON MY DESK ALONG WITH A CLASSIC VIKING RANGER I...
.
STILL HAVE THE OLE CLASSIC 2-B AND 2-BQ IN MY SHACK AFTER 42 YEARS... IT'S ABOUT THE ONLY THING I STILL HAVE FROM BACK THEN, AND IT'S NOW MATCHED UP WITH A CLASSIC JOHNSON ADVENTURER XMTR AND JOHNSON 122 VFO... THE XMTR AND RCVR ARE BOTH ALMOST IDENTICAL IN SIZE AND MAKE FOR AN AWESOME VINTAGE CW COMBO...
.
DRAKE HAD A WINNER WHEN THE 2-B WAS BORN, AND THE LEGEND CONTINUES TO PERFORM FLAWLESS... AMAZINGLY, MY 2-B HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED, OR EVER HAD A TUBE REPLACED SINCE I GOT IT IN 1965 ...!!
.
I THINK OF MY FANTASTIC DAD, WHO IS NOW A SILENT KEY, EVERYTIME I FIRE UP THIS OLE VINTAGE STATION...!!
|
|
WB6MYL
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 23, 2007 19:47
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Finally got one
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
Twelve (12) reviews and all fives! What does that tell you. My dream station in '63 was a 2b and Viking II that WA6WWW was selling for $300; there was no way a 13 year old kid mowing lawns could afford that. So I kept my Howard 435 and AT1 for another few years which was fine.
Now 44 years later, thanx and a hat tip to good friend and "king of the deal finders" Larry Tinkler (K6LXT) who found me not only a nice 2B but a 2bq speaker/q-multiplier (the latter is only on loan from Larry). I love Drake equipment and love using my TR-7 and B line; I have in front of me an Icom 7800, 9000, Collins 51S1, Harris 590, and a Racal 6790, but I choose to listen to the 3900 net on the 2B. This is the receiver that put Bob Drake on the "map". I repainted both cabinets and they are sitting in the prime spot on my desk looking as if it knows my favortism for this rig; that slow avc and tooobey audio is nice to listen to... No, I am not saying it is nearly as sensitive as the others and substantially less selective, but this is just fun to band surf. using this rig takes me back and I can almost feel my face breaking out again.
Highly recommended and uh-oh, I just increased the value another $50... Best wishes.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
