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Reviews For: Drake 2A

Category: Receivers: Amateur Radio

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Review Summary For : Drake 2A
Reviews: 2MSRP: $265
Description:
All purpose receiver
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0024.5
K8DE Rating: 2022-03-17
Decent receiver on progression to the 2B Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is the receiver that followed Bob Drake’s first production receiver, the 1A. Following the 2A is the much more well known -and more commonly found Drake 2B.

This is essentially a 2B, minus the selectable bandwidths. It has one filter at 2.1 kHz, but it does have the excellent passband tuning of the 2B.

I have owned four examples of the 2B and only one 2A. That was the only 2A I have seen in 45 years, so I assume few were made. If you aren’t a cw operator this is a nice radio. It will also accept the Q-multiplier speakers- both the 2AQ and the 2BQ.
STEVEQ Rating: 2009-08-27
Sensitive and sharp Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Well after many years away from "radio" I jumped back in as a SWL. While in the U.S. Navy I learned Morse Code and worked signal intercept. So I am back taking code and having a great time. Ok enough of the background, I wanted a vintage tube receiver so the first Drake I acquired was the 2A with all the extras including 10 xtals.

I am using only a long wire and this little Drake hears like it just came out of the factory. It can dig out code from any crowded band, though I have to admit I am still waiting to hear the 10 meter band, lets go sunspots.

While not as advanced as the later Drakes, I am looking for a good R-4B, I am completely pleased with its sensitive performance and lack of drift. The only downside I would say is getting a clear voice when I hear a rag chewing transmission. Voice does come in but not as well as I want, but then again I am only using a long wire. But as I mentioned I am interested in code not so much voice.

If you want a nice "little" sensitive rig for not a lot of money, find a good, clean 2A you will not be disappointed