Re: [Drakelist] Drake 2B
Steve: This site has a free download of the 2B manual, although I'm sure quite sure what you have to do to download it: http://www.mods.dk/manual.php?brand=drake This site has a legible version of the 2C manual, including alignment instructions: http://www.wb4hfn.com/DRAKE/DrakeManuals/2C/Manual_2C.htm That's a nice receiver, Steve. Enjoy it! Joe Connor > > From: Steve Voigt >To: drakelist@zerobeat.net >Sent: Thursday, March 7, 2013 8:09 AM >Subject: [Drakelist] Drake 2B > > >Does anyone have alignment instructions for the 2B? BAMA has one for 2C and is >hard to read. >___ >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] Wanted 2-B Band Crystals
Darrell: Try Bryan Carling (http://www.af4k.com/index.html). I bought some Drake crystals from him to get SW coverage on my Drake 2B. I was quite satisfied. He's a good guy. Joe Connor > >From: Darrell Bellerive >To: drakelist@zerobeat.net; drakera...@yahoogroups.com >Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2013 11:50 AM >Subject: [Drakelist] Wanted 2-B Band Crystals > >I am looking for the following band crystals for my Drake 2-B. I want to >expand coverage to all amateur bands from 160 meters through 10 meters. I >already have the 160 meter conversion for the "A" band. I am hoping to find >used crystals rather than have new ones built, but have the feeling these will >be scarce on the used market. Here's to hoping though... > >9.0 MHz for 60 meter band on switch position B >14.0 MHz for 30 meter band on switch position C >14.5 MHz for 17 meter band on switch position D > >Third overtone type: >21.0 MHz for 12 meter band on switch position E >24.5 MHz for 10 meter band on switch position 10-1 >25.6 MHz for 10 meter band on switch position 10-3 > >Please contact me off list. > >73, Darrell VA7TO > > > > >-- Darrell Bellerive > >___ >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] [Boatanchors] Drake 2B General Coverage (Addition)
I should add that another shortcoming of the 2B is that it cannot receive below 3.5 mhz without a special low frequency converter. That's a shame because it seems this would be a great set for BCB DXing. Here are some details on the converter: http://www.dproducts.be/drake_museum/2-lf1.htm If anyone has one for sale, please let me know. Joe Connor From: Joe Connor >To: Mail List - Drake Gear Drake Gear >Cc: "boatanch...@mailman.qth.net" >Sent: Wednesday, July 6, 2011 8:01 PM >Subject: [Boatanchors] Drake 2B General Coverage > >OK, guys, I have been using my Drake 2B as a general-coverage receiver for a >week now and I wanted to report back on my experiences. This is a receiver >that you folks helped me out with about a month ago. To repair it, I had to >install a 6BF6 tube (easily obtained) and replace the filter cap can. >> >>I made it a general-coverage receiver by using the accessory crystal sockets >>B, C and D. A 10 mhz crystal gives me 49m, a 13.5 mhz crystal gives me 31m >>and an 8.0 mhz crystal gives me 25m. The stock crystal for 40m includes the >>41m band. The receiver's sensitivity and selectivity are very good. The >>tuning is spot-on accurate. While the audio does not rival that of an SX-28 >>or NC-183d, it is more than acceptable. I am really impressed. This receiver >>is a keeper. I have this set in my study and use it for general SWLing as >>well as monitoring the ham bands. It's a fun set to use. >> >>There are shortcomings: >> >>(1) you have to buy the crystals for each SW band; >> >>(2) it's a royal pain to change crystals. The 2B's top does not open, which >>would make changing the crystals less of a chore. Thus, I am pretty much >>limited to the SW bands listed above. This is a significant limitation. For >>example, I would like to be able to monitor the 19m band; and >> >>(3) I have yet to master the 2B-Q Q multiplier. >> >> >> Joe Connor >__ >Boatanchors mailing list >Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >Post: mailto:boatanch...@mailman.qth.net > >List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF >** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com ** > > >This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > >___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] Drake 2B General Coverage
OK, guys, I have been using my Drake 2B as a general-coverage receiver for a week now and I wanted to report back on my experiences. This is a receiver that you folks helped me out with about a month ago. To repair it, I had to install a 6BF6 tube (easily obtained) and replace the filter cap can. > >I made it a general-coverage receiver by using the accessory crystal sockets >B, C and D. A 10 mhz crystal gives me 49m, a 13.5 mhz crystal gives me 31m and >an 8.0 mhz crystal gives me 25m. The stock crystal for 40m includes the 41m >band. The receiver's sensitivity and selectivity are very good. The tuning is >spot-on accurate. While the audio does not rival that of an SX-28 or NC-183d, >it is more than acceptable. I am really impressed. This receiver is a keeper. >I have this set in my study and use it for general SWLing as well as >monitoring the ham bands. It's a fun set to use. > >There are shortcomings: > >(1) you have to buy the crystals for each SW band; > >(2) it's a royal pain to change crystals. The 2B's top does not open, which >would make changing the crystals less of a chore. Thus, I am pretty much >limited to the SW bands listed above. This is a significant limitation. For >example, I would like to be able to monitor the 19m band; and > >(3) I have yet to master the 2B-Q Q multiplier. > > > Joe Connor___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] Drake 2B Crystal Confusion
Well, the work on this set is proceeding well. I installed a replacement filter-cap can and the radio sounds good. It's sensitive and has surprisingly good audio. I am, however, confused about crystals. When I bought this radio, there was one extra crystal: a crystal marked 4605.000 kc in the A socket. When I turn to A, I hear a fair number of amateur SSB broadcasts. However, I am not sure what frequency range I'm on. Am I correct that 4605.000 kc is 4.605 mhz? WIth a crystal in the A socket, the manual seems to indicate that I should subtract 4.1 mhz from the crystal frequency to determine the frequency that I'm hearing. That would bring me to 505 khz, which makes no sense. Can someone please tell me what's going? As always, thank you for your help. > > Joe Connor___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] Drake 2B Update
I have some good news. If you recall, my 2B had a 6BE6 installed as V-6, the AM detector. Yesterday, I got a NOS 6BF6 and plugged it in. It made a very big difference. The set now performs extremely well in Diode/AM mode. It also performs well with the Product Detector and BFO on. I've been receiving a lot of amateur transmissions, mostly SSB, on 80m, 40m and 20m. So far, 15m and 10m have been relatively dead. Does that sound like an issue of propagation or does it suggest a receiver problem? My signal generator comes in loud and clear on both 10m and 15m. I received a new electrolytic can and plan to install that today. The can currently in the set is rated for only 150 WVDC and appears to be original. That voltage rating seems a bit low to me. The new one is rated for 250 WVDC. I bought the new one at http://www.hayseedhamfest.com/ I've located a few crystals at a reasonable price and hope to receive them soon. They should give me coverage of the 49m, 25m and 31m bands. At the hamfests this summer, I'll keep my eyes open for more crystals. I would like to have the 19m band, as well as the broadcast band. Eventually, I plan to buy the "good" manual that contains all the details etc. at http://www.k4oah.com/Drake_new7/index.html Finally, I'd like to thank you all for your help. With your assistance, it looks like I'm well on my way to having a real "keeper." I'll keep you posted on how the general-coverage crystals work out. Joe Connor ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] Drake 2B Update
Thank you to all who gave me advice and guidance on this radio. I picked up this set (and the Q multiplier/speaker) at a garage sale for $10. It was filthy and looked like it had not been used in 40+ years. But it looked intact, it is a Drake and the price was right, so I bought it. I hoped all that it needed was some TLC and a new home. It's my first Drake. 1. The set is now working on all bands. A NOS 6U8 helped accomplish that. 2. The set is playing pretty well. I found, however, that a 6BE6 had been subbed for a 6BF6. I have a 6BF6 on order and I hope that the correct tube will improve performance even more. 3. I have a replacement filter cap can on order. I'll feel more comfortable with new 'lytics installed, although I can't detect any hum. 4. I was so impressed with the set's performance on 41m SW broadcasts that I've ordered crystals that will help me receive other SW bands. After spending a couple of evenings fiddling with this set on the ham bands and on 41m, I'll be keeping an eye open for Drake sets at all future hamfests. This one is a keeper. Joe Connor___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] Drake 2B
Today, I picked up a very beat-up Drake 2B at a garage sale, and I need some help and advice: 1. The set works well on 80m and 40m but does not seem to work well on 10m, 15m or 20m. What should I be looking at to diagnose the problem? Am I correct in suspecting the crystals for those bands? (For the record, I had to replace the 6U8, which had lost vacuum, and I have to replace the 6BF6, which tests bad). I used a signal generator and could get a signal through on 10m, 15m or 20m only intermittently. I tried several different 6U8s. 2. Eventually, I would like to use this receiver for SWLing. Can anyone recommend a source for crystals? Anyone have any extras for sale? 3. Are there any other known issues with the 2B or any suggested mods that I should be aware of? 4. Are there any diagrams showing the numbers of the the coils and transformers used for alignment. For example, the manual says to adjust L-9 as part of the crystal oscillator alignment. How do I know where L-9 is? As always, thank you for your advice and guidance. Joe Connor ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
