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Reviews For: Drake 2B Receiver

Category: Receivers: Amateur Radio

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Review Summary For : Drake 2B Receiver
Reviews: 41MSRP: $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.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.dproducts.be/DRAKE_MUSEUM/2-b.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
25414.9
KC8JX Rating: 2004-01-01
I cannot brag enough about this radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I cannot brag enough about my Drake 2B receiver. I am surprised that no reviews have yet been posted on this receiver…is there a cover-up?

Similar to its siblings, the 2A and 2C receivers, this is a triple conversion receiver with less than .5 mv sensitivity and with selectivity of three passbands: .5 kc, 2.1 kc and 3.6 kc. This radio may not have sharp crystal lattice filters; however, it receives CW, SSB or AM signals with very excellent audio quality. A typical performance factor of older radios is stability. I’m amazed at how stable all my Drake equipment is…even after all these years; certainly a testament to quality design and workmanship. When used with the accessory 2AC calibrator and the indispensable 2BQ speaker/Q-multiplier and notch filter (a 2AQ can also be used, I believe), this radio definitely outperformed many receivers of higher price tags in the early 60’s. It has a built-in noise blanker to be used in AM mode. In addition, it has the capability for coverage of all of 10 meters, with appropriate crystals, and internally, it can house up to five additional 600 kc segments of the HF spectrum…what an idea back in the early 60’s…future ham radio expansion. WWV, on 15 mc, is even accessible with no modifications to the radio. The side rule dial is calibrated in 10 kc divisions, however, the tuning dial has 1 kc divisions; so pretty close dial accuracy can be achieved. The 2B and 2A (as well as the 1A) were sold in the era of big bulky receivers…bigger is better – right? Well, weighing in at 14.5 pounds and with dimensions of 12” wide X 7” high X 9” deep, this receiver is no ‘boatanchor’.

I am continually impressed at the weak signal reception and selectivity of this radio from the early 60’s. For CW and SSB this receiver is hard to beat; it even sounds great when receiving AM. This receiver certainly rivals all the bigger, bulkier and definitely more hi-profile receivers of the era. This receiver occupies a very prominent position on my vintage table and is paired with my Heathkit HX-10 Marauder.
In all other ways this receiver certainly a keeper. More details can be found at: http://www.dproducts.be/DRAKE_MUSEUM/2-b.htm