[Drakelist] Drake R-4C and T-4XC frequency problem when in transceive mode
Sorry for long post, but this will be a BIG issue for me for November SweepStakes CW. I have a problem which is noted when my R-4C is paired with the T-4XC. I tune in a CW station with the R-4C, switch a Sherwood 600 Hz roofing and 250 Hz filter and adjust the passband to clearly copy the station. As you know, with the 250 Hz filter, at 700 Hz, the signal is on the skirt of the filter and is down significantly (or even out of the passband). The frequency of the audio of the CW signal needs to be in the 500Hz (plus / minus) range to be able to hear the station. I also prefer a 500Hz "tone" when receiving CW. I then "spot" the xmitter to the same frequency such that I can hear the spot signal in the tight passband. The receiver and xmitter is on the same frequency and the other station can hear me just fine when I transmit. The problem arises when I use the R-4C PTO as the master oscillator (tranceive mode). I can tune in an external carrier generated by a Kenwood transceiver on the R-4C such that is in the passband and is solid copy. I then use a completely different receiver (Drake R8B) to receive the same carrier(using different antenna of course) such that it is in the R8B passband and at the same tone (500 Hz). I use a Timewave 599ZX with center frequency set at 500 Hz and the bandwidth knob to10 (ten) Hz for the three conditions below. Very Narrow Audio! If I then: 1. Turn T-4XC to spot mode (xmitter osc.), tune the mxitter VFO so the spot signal can clearly be heard on both the R-4C and the R8B, and through the Timewave. No Problem. 2. Transmit carrier with the T-4XC xmitter (xmitter is master ocs.), I can clearly hear the T-4XC xmitter on both the R-4C and the R8B, and through the Timewave. No Problem. 3. If I then turn the switch so the R-4C is the master oscillator (transceive mode), transmit a carrier, and listen to the R8B, the signal is no longer in the passband! Problem. I need to tune the R8B lower in frequency by 300 Hz to hear the carrier. The 300 Hz difference is significant and I do not get return calls when using the C-Line in transceive mode. If I spot the T-4XC and call the station then, I get return calls. I checked the carrier oscillator signal from both the R-4C and T-4XC and they are within 18 Hz of each other. I do recall having this issue before when I first got the C-line "back in the day" and did an adjustment to one of the rigs such that the receive and transmit frequence were the same when using the R-4C as the master oscillator (transceive mode), but do not recall what I adjusted. Any and all help / comments greatly appreciated. Jim WA9ZBV ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] L-7 screws?
Hello, I've been searching for 2 screws for my L-7 amp. They are the ones that secure the platic side covers to the cabinet. They've been quite a challenge to locate! Was wondering if anyone knows of a source for a suitable replacement or if anyone had any extra of these type of machine screws they'd be willing to sell. Thanks again for all the advice and help I've received from this list! Joe WS8X Sent from my iPhone ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] Receiver Comparison Question
Maybe I don't understand the problem...but who needs fancy filters and Q multipliers if you are using 6kHz BW IF??? Please...'splain it to me. Curt Don Cunningham wrote: Well said, Jim Add my vote for the R4B since it contains all that nice filtering for free! Beautiful audio too, once fixed. One will likely need some TLC to get it going unless it's a daily user. 73, Don, WB5HAK ___ 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
Re: [Drakelist] Receiver Comparison Question
Well said, Jim Add my vote for the R4B since it contains all that nice filtering for free! Beautiful audio too, once fixed. One will likely need some TLC to get it going unless it's a daily user. 73, Don, WB5HAK___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] Receiver Comparison Question
Everyone has an opinion and here is my input: If AM is your thing (I'm very active in AM on 3870 KHz weekly) then locate one of the older receivers that were designed to receive AM such as National HRO-50 or 60 receivers, nothing wrong with a hallicrafters or Hammerlund many great receivers available and you can find them restored for a great price. Actually being part of the AM guys they want to help others keep these units on the air so they are very helpful in this area. I have a TR4C, R4C, TX4C and frankly I've tried to use them on AM, yes they work, but my Johnson Viking II and HRO-60 works much better without modification both transmit and receive, the audio I get out of my HRO-60 is second to none, besides the Drake radio really were not designed for AM operations. Again my opinion, 73's de WA6HYQ. From: drakelist-boun...@zerobeat.net [mailto:drakelist-boun...@zerobeat.net] On Behalf Of Jim DiMauro Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 2:11 PM To: k...@comcast.net; drakelist@zerobeat.net Subject: Re: [Drakelist] Receiver Comparison Question Kevin: I can't share any first hand experience with the Drake 2-series receivers, but I have experience with Drake (R-4B and C), Hallicrafters, Hammarlund and Collins (S-Line and A-series) receivers. First, if AM is your thing, you don't need to spend your money on Collins. Collins pretty much abandoned AM in the early '50s and they tailored their equipment to SSB. Audio quality is as good as it gets (or needs to be) for SSB communications, but you'll never get hi-fi AM from a stock Collins radio. I've owned a 75A-3, 75A-4 (still have it) and a 75S-3, all with 6 kc filters. Great radios all for what they were designed for, but it wasn't AM. Limiting my comments to the radios you mentioned, I think the 4-series Drake would be the best overall choice in terms of audio quality, QRM fighting ability and reasonable price. I've had both the R-4B and R-4C, and I think the B would be your best value. With all due respect to the other companies and their fans, I don't believe that Hallicrafters or Hammarlund are in the same league as Drake or Collins, so if you can afford Drake 4-series I say go for it. Jim W2BVM From: Kevin Nathan To: drakelist@zerobeat.net Sent: Fri, October 1, 2010 2:14:17 PM Subject: [Drakelist] Receiver Comparison Question Hi All, I would like your thoughts on the following concerning receivers. A friend thought this might be the best place to air this discussion and I agree. Below is the basic set of questions I asked him but I welcome any and all feedback from you guys. Earlier this summer I bought a Drake 2B and I have been using it as my primary AM receiver for a month now and like a lot of things about it including sensitivity, stability and its selectivity on SSB and CW. The one thing I find less than pleasing is the narrow bandwidth of the 3.8 kHz AM filter. I have a couple of questions surrounding that. First, do you know of any mods to widen the bandwidth a little on AM? The other question is regarding differences between receivers. Since most of you have used both the 2B and R4, how would you describe the differences between them? Is the R4 better in terms of AM fidelity? What kinds of QRM fighting tools are available on the R4 similar to the Q multiplier of the 2B? I am seriously thinking of perhaps selling this 2B as a stepping stone to something nicer. The R4, possibly the Hallicrafters SX-100, Hammarlund HQ-140x or HQ180 and Collins 75S series come to mind but I think the Collins is probably out of my price range. What do you think? Thanks much for your opinions and very 73. Kevin :) Amateur Radio: K7RX ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] Receiver Comparison Question
Kevin: I can't share any first hand experience with the Drake 2-series receivers, but I have experience with Drake (R-4B and C), Hallicrafters, Hammarlund and Collins (S-Line and A-series) receivers. First, if AM is your thing, you don't need to spend your money on Collins. Collins pretty much abandoned AM in the early '50s and they tailored their equipment to SSB. Audio quality is as good as it gets (or needs to be) for SSB communications, but you'll never get hi-fi AM from a stock Collins radio. I've owned a 75A-3, 75A-4 (still have it) and a 75S-3, all with 6 kc filters. Great radios all for what they were designed for, but it wasn't AM. Limiting my comments to the radios you mentioned, I think the 4-series Drake would be the best overall choice in terms of audio quality, QRM fighting ability and reasonable price. I've had both the R-4B and R-4C, and I think the B would be your best value. With all due respect to the other companies and their fans, I don't believe that Hallicrafters or Hammarlund are in the same league as Drake or Collins, so if you can afford Drake 4-series I say go for it. Jim W2BVM From: Kevin Nathan To: drakelist@zerobeat.net Sent: Fri, October 1, 2010 2:14:17 PM Subject: [Drakelist] Receiver Comparison Question Hi All, I would like your thoughts on the following concerning receivers. A friend thought this might be the best place to air this discussion and I agree. Below is the basic set of questions I asked him but I welcome any and all feedback from you guys. Earlier this summer I bought a Drake 2B and I have been using it as my primary AM receiver for a month now and like a lot of things about itincluding sensitivity, stability and its selectivity on SSB and CW. The one thing I find less than pleasing is the narrow bandwidth of the 3.8 kHz AM filter. I have a couple of questions surrounding that. First, do you know of any mods to widen the bandwidth a little on AM? The other question is regarding differences between receivers. Since most of you have used both the 2B and R4, how would you describe the differences between them? Is the R4 better in terms of AM fidelity? What kinds of QRM fighting tools are available on the R4 similar to the Q multiplier of the 2B? I am seriously thinking of perhaps selling this 2B as a stepping stone to something nicer. The R4, possibly the Hallicrafters SX-100, Hammarlund HQ-140x or HQ180 and Collins 75S series come to mind but I think the Collins is probably out of my price range. What do you think? Thanks much for your opinions and very 73. Kevin :) Amateur Radio: K7RX ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] Receiver Comparison Question
Hi All, I would like your thoughts on the following concerning receivers. A friend thought this might be the best place to air this discussion and I agree. Below is the basic set of questions I asked him but I welcome any and all feedback from you guys. Earlier this summer I bought a Drake 2B and I have been using it as my primary AM receiver for a month now and like a lot of things about it including sensitivity, stability and its selectivity on SSB and CW. The one thing I find less than pleasing is the narrow bandwidth of the 3.8 kHz AM filter. I have a couple of questions surrounding that. First, do you know of any mods to widen the bandwidth a little on AM? The other question is regarding differences between receivers. Since most of you have used both the 2B and R4, how would you describe the differences between them? Is the R4 better in terms of AM fidelity? What kinds of QRM fighting tools are available on the R4 similar to the Q multiplier of the 2B? I am seriously thinking of perhaps selling this 2B as a stepping stone to something nicer. The R4, possibly the Hallicrafters SX-100, Hammarlund HQ-140x or HQ180 and Collins 75S series come to mind but I think the Collins is probably out of my price range. What do you think? Thanks much for your opinions and very 73. Kevin :) Amateur Radio: K7RX ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] FS-4 Synthesizer Dail lights intermittent
Doug - The bulbs are connected, in parallel, directly across one-half of the power transformer secondary. So the most likely problem is a bad ground on the bulb connections. You can verify by measuring the 'ground' side of one of the sockets. They should all read '0' ohms power off, and '0' volts with power on. Or you can just find the ground connection for the bulbs, and if it's a ground lug or other connection that is bolted to the chassis, just slightly loosen and retighten the bolt. 73, Garey - K4OAH Glen Allen, VA Drake 2-B, 2-C/2-NT, 4-B, C-Line& TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs douglasny...@aol.com wrote: Hello to the group. My FS-4 Synthesizer dials lights are intermittent. They all work for awhile, then all go out at the same time, then come back ON all at the same time. I have checked the wires and solder joints for condition. No problems found. The synthesizer works normally even with this problem. Thanks for your consideration. Doug ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
