[Drakelist] TR-7 filters
I have been using a TR-7 line for about two months that sat on a shelf for quite a number of years. It had been working wonderfully, but this weekend everything went quiet. To get any receive signal through I have to have the pass band engaged. When the other two A+B=C filter are engaged I get a very weak signal coming though. This is the case in all modes AM, RTTY, CW, LSB USB. Anyone have any ideas what's wrong? Robert Spiva W6SJN___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] TR-7 filters
On Mon, 7 Dec 2009 10:28:59 -0800, Robert Spiva wrote: I have been using a TR-7 line for about two months that sat on a shelf for quite a number of years. It had been working wonderfully, but this weekend everything went quiet. To get any receive signal through I have to have the pass band engaged. When the other two A+B=C filter are engaged I get a very weak signal coming though. This is the case in all modes AM, RTTY, CW, LSB USB. Anyone have any ideas what's wrong? First idea, dirty/oxidized pins in the Molex connectors between the plugin boards and the parent board. This is probably the most common ailment with aging 7-line radios. The cure can be as simple as pulling all the boards and reseating them, but a good cleaning and sparing application of DeOxit doesn't hurt. When working with the aluminim card cage covers, DON'T overtighten the screws. They can strip easily. They need to be snug, but not lug-nut tight. Also check the various grounding tabs and fingers while you are in there. 73 -Jim -- It's an Earth food. They are called Swedish meatballs! It's a strange thing, but every sentient race has its own version of these Swedish meatballs! I suspect it's one of those great universal mysteries which will either never be explained, or which would drive you mad if you ever learned the truth! - G'Kar, Babylon 5 ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] TR4Cw band problem:
I just acquired a TR4C/w and everything works great except the only bands that work are 80m and 20m. I don't get anything on the other bands and was wondering if somebody could give me a starting point to try to find my problem. I know how to use a VOM and soldering iron and have worked on guitar amplifiers, etc. but not real sharp about radio gear. I can read a schematic. Thanks for any advice. Luke _ Get gifts for them and cashback for you. Try Bing now. http://www.bing.com/shopping/search?q=xbox+gamesscope=cashbackform=MSHYCBpubl=WLHMTAGcrea=TEXT_MSHYCB_Shopping_Giftsforthem_cashback_1x1___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] TR4Cw band problem:
Luke - Sounds like the crystal BAND oscillator is not running. Start by swapping out V1. If no luck, that circuit is most likely where your problem lies. Try exercising the BAND switch, DeoxiT on the associated switch wafers. 73, Garey - K4OAH Glen Allen, VA Drake 2-B, 4-B, C-Line TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs www.k4oah.com Luther Nallie wrote: I just acquired a TR4C/w and everything works great except the only bands that work are 80m and 20m. I don't get anything on the other bands and was wondering if somebody could give me a starting point to try to find my problem. I know how to use a VOM and soldering iron and have worked on guitar amplifiers, etc. but not real sharp about radio gear. I can read a schematic. Thanks for any advice. Luke ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] TR4Cw band problem:
Luke, Fairly sure that the TRany (I know the TR3 did) use the VFO and IF to create the 80 and 20 meter bands (aka 9Mhz - 5Mhz = 80 meters, 9Mhz + 4 Mhz = 20 meters). The other bands are gotten by adding a crystal oscillator to the mix. Use another RX to see if you hear the band crystal note when you have it on other bands. So look at the schematic and find the tube or transistor that is the xtal band osc. Drake's manual is pretty good on generally what is doing what and the theory of operation. Put a loop of insulated wire around the osc active device and into the antenna input of your receiver you are using to check the osc. You should hear a note on the frequency listed on the xtal give or take a little bit. It really sounds like you band osc is not osc, or the mixer is not mixing. But check the osc first. 73, Ron WD8SBB --- On Mon, 12/7/09, Luther Nallie lanal...@hotmail.com wrote: From: Luther Nallie lanal...@hotmail.com Subject: [Drakelist] TR4Cw band problem: To: drakelist@zerobeat.net Date: Monday, December 7, 2009, 3:35 PM I just acquired a TR4C/w and everything works great except the only bands that work are 80m and 20m. I don't get anything on the other bands and was wondering if somebody could give me a starting point to try to find my problem. I know how to use a VOM and soldering iron and have worked on guitar amplifiers, etc. but not real sharp about radio gear. I can read a schematic. Thanks for any advice. Luke Get gifts for them and cashback for you. Try Bing now. -Inline Attachment Follows- ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] R-4A working
Hi all I promised to let you know what happened to my R-4A (13-tube). I made the pcb for the xtal oscillator that was missing (fiberglass, not phenolic , I'm not religious), collected the parts including a 2N3904 as a replacement for the 2N3394. After some experimenting, I ended up making the L4 on a toroid core. I tried the resistor approach, but it wouldn't oscillate on all bands. The toroid works fine. I removed the L4 from a R-4B, and measured it to ca 1.3 uH on the primary winding with my AADE meter. Now I will do a complete adjustment, and possibly change some of the tubes. I probably will have to change the 100kc calibrator crystal, as it does not work at all. So now my T-4X have a companion. Thanks for all help! 73s de Karl LA1CU la...@nrrl.no --- No trees were harmed in the sending of this message, but a lot of electrons were terribly inconvinienced Do not print this message unnecessarily! ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] R-4A working
Karl - Thanks for the info! Makes me wonder if the form that Drake used had a ferrite core of some sort. I'd never had occasion to measure one, so didn't question it. Good information for the data bank! If you haven't already, check the power supply for the calibrator. That's all it does. Also see if it's working at 100 kHz and the RTL dividers are dead. Let us know! 73, Garey - K4OAH Glen Allen, VA Drake 2-B, 4-B, C-Line TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs www.k4oah.com Karl Henrik Laache wrote: Hi all I promised to let you know what happened to my R-4A (13-tube). I made the pcb for the xtal oscillator that was missing (fiberglass, not phenolic , I’m not religious), collected the parts including a 2N3904 as a replacement for the 2N3394. After some experimenting, I ended up making the L4 on a toroid core. I tried the resistor approach, but it wouldn’t oscillate on all bands. The toroid works fine. I removed the L4 from a R-4B, and measured it to ca 1.3 uH on the primary winding with my AADE meter. Now I will do a complete adjustment, and possibly change some of the tubes. I probably will have to change the 100kc calibrator crystal, as it does not work at all. So now my T-4X have a companion. Thanks for all help! 73s de Karl LA1CU la...@nrrl.no ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] TR-7 filters
I agree Jim. My TR-7 was over 25 years old, and I pulled the boards, deoxited the pins (and all other connectors), band switch, and all my audio, digital readout, and low receive problems just went away. 73 Mark N5KAE - Original Message From: Jim Shorney jshor...@inebraska.com To: drakel...@.zerobeat.net drakelist@zerobeat.net Sent: Mon, December 7, 2009 12:44:31 PM Subject: Re: [Drakelist] TR-7 filters On Mon, 7 Dec 2009 10:28:59 -0800, Robert Spiva wrote: I have been using a TR-7 line for about two months that sat on a shelf for quite a number of years. It had been working wonderfully, but this weekend everything went quiet. To get any receive signal through I have to have the pass band engaged. When the other two A+B=C filter are engaged I get a very weak signal coming though. This is the case in all modes AM, RTTY, CW, LSB USB. Anyone have any ideas what's wrong? First idea, dirty/oxidized pins in the Molex connectors between the plugin boards and the parent board. This is probably the most common ailment with aging 7-line radios. The cure can be as simple as pulling all the boards and reseating them, but a good cleaning and sparing application of DeOxit doesn't hurt. When working with the aluminim card cage covers, DON'T overtighten the screws. They can strip easily. They need to be snug, but not lug-nut tight. Also check the various grounding tabs and fingers while you are in there. 73 -Jim -- It's an Earth food. They are called Swedish meatballs! It's a strange thing, but every sentient race has its own version of these Swedish meatballs! I suspect it's one of those great universal mysteries which will either never be explained, or which would drive you mad if you ever learned the truth! - G'Kar, Babylon 5 ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] TR7 questions
Hello to the group. Have a TR7 ...mid range serial number. Without tearing a bunch of stuff apart. also have a TR5 and a TR4c, the question ...is the pto action on the 7 stiffer than the other two. The 5 is like silk and the 4c feels just a tad stiffer than the 5. Per the archives ..the 7 pto is the same as the 4c, is the 5 the same? Next was a recent write up on an R7 that said there was a mechanical lever to release the gear on the pto to enable a mechanical alignment on the dial. Is that the same on the TR7? 73s Carl wd8nhk ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] Caps installed, still having RX problem w R4C
IF there IS a shorting plug inserted, there are a set of switch contacts and a bit of wiring that could give the same results, Yet another possibility is that the center contact of the chassis mount jack is spread out where it's not making contact. Last but not least, is your shorting plug REALLY shorted?? :-) 73, Garey - K4OAH Glen Allen, VA Drake 2-B, 4-B, C-Line TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs www.k4oah.com Jim Shorney wrote: On Mon, 7 Dec 2009 16:53:09 -0800 (PST), Brett Forehand wrote: Hello everyone! Received my cap kit from Hayseed Hamfest (my tech sends his compliments on the completeness of the kit). Caps are installed, but still having problems with the receiver going to a 20+ signal on the S meter when switched to ext. mute and nb. He said even w/disconnecting the noise blanker board, it still puts a 20+ signal on the S meter in either of these positions. Any suggestions as to what the problem might be? Is there a shorting plug in the EXT MUTE jack on the back? ISTR this as normal behavior with no shorting plug or T-4any present. ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] 2B vs. Hammarlund?
Anyone own both a Drake 2B and an Hammarlund HQ-145 and can describe how the two compare. While obviously made with different purposes in mind, I am curious as to how the two compare at receiving signals. The 2B really impresses me on CW, but I find the bandwidth a bit narrow for AM. I suspect the Hammerlund would be much better for AM, but wonder how it does on CW. Is it as stable or as selective. I do have the 2BQ Q-Multiplier and find it is wonderful for CW. -- Darrell Bellerive Amateur Radio Station VA7TO Grand Forks BC Canada ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] TR7 questions
Carl - Dunno about the '5, never got my hands on one. I suspect it is different, may even be synthesized and using an optical encoder. Much better stability spec. The lever is on the '7 also, but it is not easy to get to. Like most everything else, it's UNDER the DR-7 board. For your 'C, it may suffer from the lubed nylon gears syndrome. Or the rear bearing may just be tightened too much. See: http://www.wb4hfn.com/DRAKE/DrakeArticles/PTO/Drake_PTO.htm 73, Garey - K4OAH Glen Allen, VA Drake 2-B, 4-B, C-Line TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs www.k4oah.com gypsym...@aol.com wrote: Hello to the group. Have a TR7 ...mid range serial number. Without tearing a bunch of stuff apart. also have a TR5 and a TR4c, the question ...is the pto action on the 7 stiffer than the other two. The 5 is like silk and the 4c feels just a tad stiffer than the 5. Per the archives ..the 7 pto is the same as the 4c, is the 5 the same? Next was a recent write up on an R7 that said there was a mechanical lever to release the gear on the pto to enable a mechanical alignment on the dial. Is that the same on the TR7? 73s Carl wd8nhk ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] 2B vs. Hammarlund?
Darrell - That's kinda like comparing apples and horses..! The 2-B is optimized as a CW and SSB receiver, and has a suitable IF shape for those modes. It is ultra stable, both temperature and mechanical. You can pick it up with one hand. Very sensitive, and relatively overload capable for the time. The HQ-145 is a terrific receiver for AM signals on an uncrowded band. It has a nice wide IF, and the Q-Multiplier does help when you need a little more selectivity. It is not particularly stable, either temperature or mechanical. You would have difficulty picking it up with both hands! Very sensitive, not quite as overload capable as the 2-B. The '145 was about the pinnacle of Hammarlund technology, it was downhill from there to the '170. I bought a '170A in 1961 and used it for about three days before taking it in and trading it for a 2-B. Best trade I ever made. The way it was drifting, in spite of the always on VFO tube, it's probably a microwave receiver today.! For outstanding AM, take a look at an HQ-129X or HQ-140. The 2-B was what the pundits call a paradigm shift, when ham receivers changed from bigger, heavier, built like a battleship to better, smaller, and a lot lighter. We used to demo the 2-B by tuning in a CW or SSB signal, then tilting the front of the receiver up until it was about three inches off the table and then dropping it. You might hear a little waver at impact, but then right back on frequency. Try that with any of the Hammarlund (or Hallicrafters) receivers of the day and you'd be lucky to be able to FIND the signal again. 73, Garey - K4OAH Glen Allen, VA Drake 2-B, 4-B, C-Line TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs www.k4oah.com Darrell Bellerive wrote: Anyone own both a Drake 2B and an Hammarlund HQ-145 and can describe how the two compare. While obviously made with different purposes in mind, I am curious as to how the two compare at receiving signals. The 2B really impresses me on CW, but I find the bandwidth a bit narrow for AM. I suspect the Hammerlund would be much better for AM, but wonder how it does on CW. Is it as stable or as selective. I do have the 2BQ Q-Multiplier and find it is wonderful for CW. ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] R-4A calibrator
Hi all My R-4A I was telling you about has the old type calibrator, with a 12BA6. That was one of the changes to the B, the introduction of integrated circuits in the calibrator. As I said, there is no signal at all, I have resoldered, changed the tube and the trimmer cap and still there is no life. The next step is to try another crystal from a TR-4 or R-4B, and see if it works. Ill keep you posted. 73s de Karl LA1CU la...@nrrl.no --- No trees were harmed in the sending of this message, but a lot of electrons were terribly inconvinienced Do not print this message unnecessarily! ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] T4XB
Anyone have any junker T4XB's they want to sell? Or better yet, just the filters and IF xfmrs? 73, Mike WB0SND ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] 2B vs. Hammarlund?
Then there was the infamous Hallicrafters Boinngg! 73, John, W4AWM ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
