Re: [Drakelist] Drakelist Digest, Vol 54, Issue 10
On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 9:28 PM, John King wrote: > Should you buy a TR3? I think the answer should be given after determining > what he plans to do with it. > I definitely agree with that. The TR-3 was the first rig I ever owned, but I wouldn't want to operate one on a daily basis - I'm 99.44% a CW op, and the TR-3 doesn't cut if for that mode. I do wish I had never sold the old girl though...but I wouldn't be using it much if I still had it. For the 60s Drake vibe, I've got an R-4 I listen on a bit...and every once in a while use as an RX with a QRP transmitter. 73 de Lee -- Lee Hiers, AA4GA www.aa4ga.com Submit your totals to the unofficial QRP DXCC standings - go to * http://www.aa4ga.com/p/qrp-dxcc.html* for more info! ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] Drakelist Digest, Vol 54, Issue 10 TR 3
The comment about the sideband filter in the TR 3 is not to be passed over lightly. If you have a problem there, you are in deep trouble. I carefully took the surrounding shield off my problem filter and repaired it, then put it together again. I was lucky I didn't break something. All the other comments, concerning historic equipment, TR 3 as a poor CW rig, etc, are spot on. Buy it anyway! These things keep us from going brain dead using multi-band CB equipment. 73, Bill, VE3AUI On 2012-12-12 3:28 AM, wrote: > Send Drakelist mailing list submissions to > drakelist@zerobeat.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > drakelist-requ...@zerobeat.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > drakelist-ow...@zerobeat.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Drakelist digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > >1. Re: TR-3 (Al Parker) >2. Re: TR-3 (Lee Hiers) >3. Re: TR-3 (John King) >4. Re: TR-3 (David Assaf III) > > > -- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:17:35 -0500 > From: Al Parker > To: lane denune > Cc: "drakelist@zerobeat.net" > Subject: Re: [Drakelist] TR-3 > Message-ID: <50c786cf.60...@ec.rr.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Hi, > The deal "killer" in the TR-3 is the SB filter. They often go bad > on > one sideband, still get some thru, but way low. Check output on 20m and > on 15m, they should be close, and above 125 watts out. Actual value > could be more (hopefully), but will depend upon alignment. Normally 15m > output will be a little less than on 20m, but not more than say 20 watts > less, if the final tubes are reasonably good. You should be able to > load up to about the same plate current on both bands. > Other than that possible problem, the TR-3 can be a good rig for > SSB > operation, usually at a good price, also. S-meter often seems stingy, > just turn up the AF gain if needed, signals are there. Definitely check > out the p.s. and replace the bias filter cap at least. > 73, > > Al, W8UT > www.boatanchors.org > www.hammarlund.info > > "There is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much > worth doing as simply messing about in boats" > Ratty, to Mole > > On 12/11/2012 12:09 AM, lane denune wrote: > > Hi Guys ; Considering a fully functional TR-3 from the owner of 15yrs. > > I've been invited to try it on the air at his shack before I take it. > > Being a relative newbie to Drake equipment, is there any particular > > areas to consider with the TR3 other than the obvious and general > > operating condition? > > I don't recall anything negative in particular about this vintage > > radio. I will upgrade the power supply and finals..Anything come to mind? > > Thanks 73 de n8aft. > > > > > > > > ___ > > Drakelist mailing list > > Drakelist@zerobeat.net > > http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist > > > > > > -- > > Message: 2 > Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:12:38 -0500 > From: Lee Hiers > To: drakelist@zerobeat.net > Subject: Re: [Drakelist] TR-3 > Message-ID: > 7nzbfs+eqfb4pgsgngmzow8jodkwph5dhyxcvfk8hx...@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 12:00 PM, > > > wrote: > > Being a relative newbie to Drake equipment, is there any particular areas > > to consider with the TR3 other than the obvious and general operating > > condition? > > ?I don't recall anything negative in particular about this vintage radio. > > > For one, it's a terrible CW radio...if that matters to you. > > 73 de Lee > -- > Lee Hiers, AA4GA > www.aa4ga.com > > Submit your totals to the unofficial QRP DXCC standings - go to * > http://www.aa4ga.com/p/qrp-dxcc.html* for more info! > -- next part -- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: < > http://mailman.zerobeat.net/pipermail/drakelist/attachments/20121211/5c1b2219/attachment-0001.html > > > > -- > > Message: 3 > Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:43:52 -0800 (PST) > From: John King > To: Lee Hiers ,"drakelist@zerobeat.net" > > Subject
Re: [Drakelist] TR-3
Hear, Hear!. I agree with John. What we do with these old radios vary with the number owned and sold: endless. But for me, I enjoy the simplicity and the warmth that using a piece of history gives me. Have a few radios, the old tube ones are the favorite. I say go for it and fix it and clean it and learn to love it. On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 5:43 PM, John King wrote: > Should you buy a TR3? I think the answer should be given after determining > what he plans to do with it. One reason to purchase a Drake TR3 is the > historic value to the hobby.I have been licensed for almost 54 years and > have grown with the hobby from 6AG7/807 tube transmitter and Hallicrafters > S40A receiver. They were wonderful for the purpose for which they were > built and intended to been used. They are not my gear that I use regularly, > but they bring back wonderful memories. I have one hundred of more radios > from 1940 until present. I am NOT A COLLECTOR but I accumulate tube type > radios of all manufacturers because of what they were and what they still > are. Swan was pioneer in the transceiver field and did a great job from the > SW 175 and continued for many years, even after being bought out by Cubic > Communications. > > The TR3 is historic because it was R.L. Drake's FIRST transceiver. I HAVE > A TR3 THAT I BOUGHT REASONABLY OFF EBAY IN NON WORKING CONDITION AND VERY > DIRTY. Today it is a nice looking and working radio. Do I use it > everydayNO!! WHY? I have the first model receiver that Drake built, the > Drake 1A serial number 518 of 1000 built. When built, it was arguably the > best receiver made in its' day( I also own a Collins 75A1, 75A2, and 75A4, > for comparison). l am not bragging, just pointing out my perspective. I own > a Drake 2A. Drake 2B, TR4 (that I use almost daily for net operation, R4, > T4X,R4B,R4C,and T4XC and a great Drake L4B amp. No, they are not the > $10,000.00+, Icom or the latest Kenwood, Orion or other solid state rig. > > The TR3 basically popularized the use of transceivers. There are many hams > today who may not be able to operate separates. Other companies had gotten > into the transceiver production, but not as affordable and basic as the TR3. > > My suggestion is that if you expect an almost "owner inability" rig to > repair, digital readout with 3,000 memories, 65 push buttons, DON'T BUY the > TR3, BUT "SOME DAY' you might wish you could find one to buy. > > This is not intended to start a THREAD, it is just my opinion. If anyone > wants to attack my opinion, don't bother the reflector with it, feel free > to reply DIRECTLY to me. 73, John, K5PGW > > > > > *To:* drakelist@zerobeat.net > *Sent:* Tuesday, December 11, 2012 12:12 PM > *Subject:* Re: [Drakelist] TR-3 > > On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 12:00 PM, > > > wrote: > > Being a relative newbie to Drake equipment, is there any particular areas > to consider with the TR3 other than the obvious and general operating > condition? > ?I don't recall anything negative in particular about this vintage radio. > > > For one, it's a terrible CW radio...if that matters to you. > > 73 de Lee > -- > Lee Hiers, AA4GA > www.aa4ga.com > > Submit your totals to the unofficial QRP DXCC standings - go to * > http://www.aa4ga.com/p/qrp-dxcc.html* for more info! > > > > ___ > 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 > > -- David Assaf, III W5XU ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] TR-3
Should you buy a TR3? I think the answer should be given after determining what he plans to do with it. One reason to purchase a Drake TR3 is the historic value to the hobby.I have been licensed for almost 54 years and have grown with the hobby from 6AG7/807 tube transmitter and Hallicrafters S40A receiver. They were wonderful for the purpose for which they were built and intended to been used. They are not my gear that I use regularly, but they bring back wonderful memories. I have one hundred of more radios from 1940 until present. I am NOT A COLLECTOR but I accumulate tube type radios of all manufacturers because of what they were and what they still are. Swan was pioneer in the transceiver field and did a great job from the SW 175 and continued for many years, even after being bought out by Cubic Communications. The TR3 is historic because it was R.L. Drake's FIRST transceiver. I HAVE A TR3 THAT I BOUGHT REASONABLY OFF EBAY IN NON WORKING CONDITION AND VERY DIRTY. Today it is a nice looking and working radio. Do I use it everydayNO!! WHY? I have the first model receiver that Drake built, the Drake 1A serial number 518 of 1000 built. When built, it was arguably the best receiver made in its' day( I also own a Collins 75A1, 75A2, and 75A4, for comparison). l am not bragging, just pointing out my perspective. I own a Drake 2A. Drake 2B, TR4 (that I use almost daily for net operation, R4, T4X,R4B,R4C,and T4XC and a great Drake L4B amp. No, they are not the $10,000.00+, Icom or the latest Kenwood, Orion or other solid state rig. The TR3 basically popularized the use of transceivers. There are many hams today who may not be able to operate separates. Other companies had gotten into the transceiver production, but not as affordable and basic as the TR3. My suggestion is that if you expect an almost "owner inability" rig to repair, digital readout with 3,000 memories, 65 push buttons, DON'T BUY the TR3, BUT "SOME DAY' you might wish you could find one to buy. This is not intended to start a THREAD, it is just my opinion. If anyone wants to attack my opinion, don't bother the reflector with it, feel free to reply DIRECTLY to me. 73, John, K5PGW To: drakelist@zerobeat.net Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 12:12 PM Subject: Re: [Drakelist] TR-3 On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 12:00 PM, wrote: Being a relative newbie to Drake equipment, is there any particular areas to consider with the TR3 other than the obvious and general operating condition? >?I don't recall anything negative in particular about this vintage radio. For one, it's a terrible CW radio...if that matters to you. 73 de Lee -- Lee Hiers, AA4GA www.aa4ga.com Submit your totals to the unofficial QRP DXCC standings - go to http://www.aa4ga.com/p/qrp-dxcc.html for more info! ___ 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] TR-3
On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 12:00 PM, > wrote: Being a relative newbie to Drake equipment, is there any particular areas > to consider with the TR3 other than the obvious and general operating > condition? > ?I don't recall anything negative in particular about this vintage radio. For one, it's a terrible CW radio...if that matters to you. 73 de Lee -- Lee Hiers, AA4GA www.aa4ga.com Submit your totals to the unofficial QRP DXCC standings - go to * http://www.aa4ga.com/p/qrp-dxcc.html* for more info! ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] TR-3
Hi, The deal "killer" in the TR-3 is the SB filter. They often go bad on one sideband, still get some thru, but way low. Check output on 20m and on 15m, they should be close, and above 125 watts out. Actual value could be more (hopefully), but will depend upon alignment. Normally 15m output will be a little less than on 20m, but not more than say 20 watts less, if the final tubes are reasonably good. You should be able to load up to about the same plate current on both bands. Other than that possible problem, the TR-3 can be a good rig for SSB operation, usually at a good price, also. S-meter often seems stingy, just turn up the AF gain if needed, signals are there. Definitely check out the p.s. and replace the bias filter cap at least. 73, Al, W8UT www.boatanchors.org www.hammarlund.info "There is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats" Ratty, to Mole On 12/11/2012 12:09 AM, lane denune wrote: Hi Guys ; Considering a fully functional TR-3 from the owner of 15yrs. I've been invited to try it on the air at his shack before I take it. Being a relative newbie to Drake equipment, is there any particular areas to consider with the TR3 other than the obvious and general operating condition? I don't recall anything negative in particular about this vintage radio. I will upgrade the power supply and finals..Anything come to mind? Thanks 73 de n8aft. ___ 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
