Hi Guys,
All this talk about S-meters for the R-4 receivers, etc., reminded me of this
ad posted on The Ontario Swap Shop website:
Gaetan VE3AZQ [613-212-1365] in cornwall ON has listed the following
(05-15-2013 15:27:54):
For Sale(last updated 05-15-2013, listed 04-04-2013)
Manufactur
Hi Guys,
Here's an ad that I stumbled across on THE ONTARIO SWAP SHOP pages (NOTE: the
usual dis-claimers apply)...
~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
Jack VE3JSW in Hagersville ON has listed the following (03-29-2013 17:09:13):
For Sale(last updated 03-29-2013, listed 03-29-2013)
Manufact
Good Day Again All,
Many thanks to all who took the time to respond to my request for compactron
test parameters / settings for my tube tester...
I am happy to note that I have now secured the information that I was seeking,
thanks to a most helpful & generous Amateur.
Again, I sincerely appre
On 2013-02-19, at 1:32 PM, GALE STEWARD wrote:
> I have suspected for a number of years that the plate meter in my L4 was
> reading a bit low. Today I had the amp opened up to make a minor repair and I
> decided to check. Using a variable power supply, a series resistor, and a DMM
> in series,
On 2012-09-18, at 10:56 AM, Charles Ring wrote:
>
> On 9/18/2012 0948, Kirk Smith wrote:
>> Being new to this page...
>> I'm receiving great support to my questions & am wondering ifwhen I
>> reply to one person, am I actually replying to all at the same time??
>>
>> Thank You!!!
>>
Hi
On 2012-08-20, at 8:41 PM, Robert Ladden wrote:
> With leaving the manufacturing equipment behind, perhaps they are off-shoring
> their manufacturing. Sad if true.
>
>
Why not...?
It's a double-edged sword at play here: move the jobs off-shore because it's
supposedly too costly to manufact
On 2012-05-03, at 4:26 PM, Eugene Balinski wrote:
>
> All kidding aside, I am not sure that there are any more
> tube manufacturers left in the US with the possible
> exception of Eimac (?)
>
Hi Guys,
Didn't the Western Electric Company get back into limited tube production of a
specific ty
Hi Guys,
I agree with the earlier post: a robust 6AH6 will beat a tired 6HS6 tube every
time!
~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
___
Drakelist mailing list
Drakelist@zerobeat.net
http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
On 2012-04-22, at 3:27 PM, Thom LaCosta wrote:
> Folksyou really amaze me.
>
> In response sent privately to Gary, I told him not to pollute the list.
>
Hi Thom.,
With all due respect, it seems that the main "raison d'etre" of the Drakelist
was OM Garey himself!
While I personally shall
On 2012-04-22, at 1:37 PM, Jim Shorney wrote:
> On Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:24:29 -0400, Garey Barrell wrote:
>
>> Apparently I've become 'persona non grata' over there.
>
>
> Seriously? Who in their right mind would give Obi-Wan Barrell the boot? That's
> just WRONG.
>
Hi Jim,
Have I missed so
On 2012-03-02, at 11:42 AM, Charles Ring wrote:
> Is this list functional? Nothing in it for a week here.
>
Hi Charles,
There is now...! Hi Hi
~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
___
Drakelist mailing list
Drakelist@zerobeat.net
http://mailman.zerobeat.ne
Hi Adrian,
My recommendation would be simply to mount whatever you might have right
available atop the rig, so that it's blowing the hot air generated in the final
PA cage OUTWARD...
I did some tests awhile back & shared the results with this Reflector on how
very beneficial the addition of a
On 2012-01-03, at 8:35 AM, Curt wrote:
> I could not afford a TO or any other keyer, so I built one in Electronics
> class.
Hi Curt,
Back in the very early 70's, I had occasion to meet VE3CSK in London, Ontario,
while I attended university there...
Zenon used, exclusively, a homebrewed an
On 2012-01-01, at 7:50 PM, Curt Nixon wrote:
> Just picked up a Hallicrafters TO keyer for the vintage desk also. Same
> keyer basically.
Hi Curt,
I think that the one major difference betwixt the EICO & the Hallicrafters TO
keyer is that very same "...weak link" in the chain that affected m
Hi Jim,
On 2012-01-01, at 2:41 PM, Jim Shorney wrote:
> Did your 1/4" measurement include the wire terminal on the end, or just the
> glass body of the reed?
I'm very glad that my little "hint and/or kink" re. the EICO 717 keyer touched
an appreciative nerve with you!
In answer to your questio
Hi Guys,
To-day I just discovered something that is specific to the old EICO Model 717
electronic keyer---but it just *could* be applicable to any other gear in your
possession that utilizes a field coil / reed relay to accomplish rapid circuit
switching...
Anyway, FWIW---delete if unintereste
Hi Garey,
Yes, a VERY good point, indeed! Thanks for adding that "PS"...
It never ceases to amaze me, whenever I'm looking for possible "subs" in my
books like that here, at just how many tubes seem to be so very much
alike---yet they have different numbers. You have to really examine their
in
On 2012-01-01, at 8:06 AM, rhule...@comcast.net wrote:
> I myself had wondered whether a 6AU6 would function as a replacement in a
> pinch. Disappointed because I just bought a "NOS" 6HS6 (!?) for 15 USD, and
> could have bought a 6AH6 for less than 3USD.
Hi Curt,
Always remember this very
On 2011-12-30, at 10:33 PM, kc9...@aol.com wrote:
> Thinking of running some AM on the Drake.
> Have a T-4XC and L-4b...
> Suggestions please from those that have done it
Hi Lee,
One immediate comment you'll get from the folks you work is that your AM signal
will sound like you're using VO
Good Day All,
Many thanks for the many FB responses that I received here my recent query in
the matter of GLYPTAL insulating paint / anti-corona dope...
Yesterday I visited my jobber in Toronto, & some eleven-plus dollars later
exited with 2 ounce bottle of "MG Chemicals"-brand "RED INSULATING
A Good Christmas Day, All...
Many thanks to all who responded to my query re. "GLYTAL" anti-corona paint...
Based upon some of the tips that I received, I'm going to contact the local
automotive shops in the coming week to see if they might sell the stuff in
small quantities---and if worse come
Hi Guys,
Does anyone know of a good substitute for the old reddish-brown anti-corona
brush-on dope that was sold under the trade name of, I believe, "Glyptul"...?
My local jobber has re-located---I'm curious if there might be some kind of
common automotive "...reasonable facsimile" that I'm una
On 2011-12-22, at 12:54 PM, Curt wrote:
> All looks ok EXCEPT..the one tube that was bright has a small suck-hole thru
> the side of it. It got so hot, the glass melted and a hole was sucked thru
> the side without breaking the rest of the tube. YIKES>
Hi Curt,
That happened to me one time
On 2011-12-21, at 7:46 AM, Steve Wedge wrote:
> I'm going to nominate this as the most-abused, nastiest-looking piece of
> Drake gear I've ever seen:
>
Hi Steve,
I (glub!) second that nomination! (glurp!).
~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
___
Drakelist
t; From: Eddy Swynar
> Date: December 13, 2011 10:47:58 AM EST
> To: drakelist@zerobeat.net
> Subject: T-4X Parts Rig FOR SALE
>
> Hi Guys,
>
> I just spotted this little gem on the website of THE ONTARIO SWAP SHOP:
>
>
>
> Martin VA2ZO in Quebec QC has listed
Hi Guys,
I just spotted this little gem on the website of THE ONTARIO SWAP SHOP:
Martin VA2ZO in Quebec QC has listed the following:
For Sale(last updated 12-09-2011, listed 12-09-2011)
Manufacturer: Drake
Model: TR4
Price: 75
For parts
Missing knobs
Could be just the ticket f
VE3XZ
***
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Eddy Swynar
> Date: December 8, 2011 8:17:45 AM EST
> To: drakelist@zerobeat.net
> Subject: Drake Station For Sale
>
> Hi Guys,
>
> A
Hi Guys,
Anyone looking for an upgraded & complete "C" line here in "VE3"-land...?
There was one just listed on The Ontario Swap Shop for $600.00:
http://www.kwarc.org/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/kwarc/arcdbs
Please note that I have no financial / personal interest in this listing
whatever---I offer it m
On 2011-11-30, at 3:13 PM, Paul Gerhardt wrote:
> The fan test is interesting I have thought about putting a fan
> on but never have. If I do it would be nice to have a nice quiet fan.
> Is there an advantage to a DC fan? It seems a AC fan might be easier
> to wire up?
Hi Paul,
I used whatever
Hi Again All,
At the specific suggestion of Garey, I went ahead & completed a 3rd stability
test on my Drake T-4X transmitter PTO...
I essentially repeated everything that I did in the very first test, i.e. I
used the ICOM 751A as an umpire, both it and the T-4X were started at the same
time (
Hi Curt,
A sort of an elaborate "...temperature-compensating-oscillator-heterodyning"
scheme...! Hi Hi
We could call it "The Rube Golberg" method of frequency stabilization!: >)
~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
ugh the cabinet.
>
> As this is a T-4X, it is a bipolar PTO. The T-4XB and C had a FET PTO, "for
> better stability". The receiver PTOs switched from bipolar to FET early in
> the 'B' series.
>
> 73, Garey - K4OAH
> Glen Allen, VA
>
> Drake 2-B,
Hi All,
Well, this morning I essentially duplicated my previous stability tests with
the Drake T-4X here, only with a minor change: as was suggested to me earlier,
this time I let the "umpire" rig---my ICOM 751A transceiver---warm-up, alone,
for a full hour...
Before getting to the results, I
of
> another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.
> -Ayn Rand.
>
> All my computers have my signature with various pearls of wisdom appended
> thereto.
>
> From: Eddy Swynar
> Sent: Saturday, November 26, 2011 8:13 AM
> To: captc...@flash.net
> Cc: drakelist@
Digi, or Spectran, (or
> Spectrum Lab if you are really into it) can help you plot very good reference
> information using WWV at 2.5, 5, or the CHU frequency infor. They plot using
> an audio reference from your rig. pretty simple really and easy millihertz
> accuracy right out o
nd TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
>>
>>
>>
>> Steve Wedge wrote:
>>> I always assumed it was a 30 minute warmup, because I seem to remember the
>>> alignment procedures spec 30 minutes warmup before doing an alignment.
>>>
>>> Steve Wedge, W1
Hi All,
The manual for my T-4X states that stability is "LESS THAN 100 CYCLES AFTER
WARM-UP". My question is simply this: how long, exactly, is an accepted period
of "warm-up"...?
After all of the hoops that I've jumped through in stabilizing the PTO in my
rig (re-buiding it almost, actual
Hi Guys,
Not intending to flog a dead horse here, or anything, but I do feel compelled
to let everyone in on my latest---and hopefully FINAL!---attempt at taming the
squirrely PTO in my T-4X transmitter...
Last week I extricated the PTO board from its enclosure & mounts, and I
outright replace
On 2011-10-26, at 3:28 PM, ron wrote:
>
> Personally I do not see how anyone can "make 12,000 a month" or something to
> that effect unless you're a CEO with outrageous bonuses to boot.
> (smile)
>
Hi Ron,
That, or selling high-end vacuum tube parts & equipment to "discriminating"
audiofool
On 2011-10-26, at 1:16 PM, Steve Wedge wrote:
>
> Removing the PTO - at least with the A's and B's - requires removal of the
> front panel. This is a good time to clean it as well as the fiducial window.
> Use only dish soap for the window or you'll take off the red line!
>
Hi Guys,
Wel
Hi Bob,
My PTO is from a T-4X transmitter...
My most recent "fix" to it was the complete replacement of all of the frequency
determining capacitors in it (the bad solder joints were all dispatched
earlier, one by one). I recently took to monitoring the actual PTO signal on a
separate general c
Hi Bob,
Don't even START me on this topic!!!: >)
~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
*
On 2011-10-26, at 10:32 AM, Robert Fish wrote:
> Hi Guys,
>
> I have been ignoring an issue with my T-
Hi Steve,
My T-4X is the same here...
I had a similar experience many years ago on 10 with my old Heathkit SB-400
transmitter: no matter what I did, I was lucky on a GOOD day if I could get
some 30-watts outta that rascal on 28-MHz, even with a fresh pair of properly
neutralized 6146As. At one
Hi Neil,
A coupla years back I MADE one, using a 2-pole 16-position(!) rotary switch! I
mounted it right on the LH side of my R-4 receiver, attaching it to the
enclosure...
It worked well enough, but NOT on all crystals---I guess the capacitance of the
length of coax cable that I used to inter
On 2011-09-23, at 9:46 AM, Garey Barrell wrote:
> Eddy -
>
> I 'think' you're barking up the wrong tree unless you have already replaced
> the two 45 pF cap. If the frequency of the PTO shifts several kHz or tens
> of kHz, that small, (probably less than 10% of the total resonating
> capaci
, that small, (probably less than 10% of the total resonating
> capacitance,) isn't likely to correct it.
>
> By the way, many small ceramic trimmers are temperature compensated, usually
> coded by color. Many ceramic compression trimmers you see are N750, so be
> careful w
gt;
> 73, Garey - K4OAH
> Glen Allen, VA
>
> Drake 2-B, 2-C/2-NT, 4-A, 4-B, C-Line
> and TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
>
>
>
> Eddy Swynar wrote:
>> Hi Guys,
>>
>> For a look-see at the suspect tubular capacitor that I am referring to in my
>&
Hi Guys,
For a look-see at the suspect tubular capacitor that I am referring to in my
T-4X PTO, go to this website:
http://www.wb4hfn.com/DRAKE/DrakeArticles/TechTips/PTO-Repair.htm
Scroll down half the page to where you see the heading "ELECTRICAL FAILURES":
the photograph with the arrowed
out on the bench. It would move a bit more when the AC vent above it blew
> cold air on it, but safely ensconced in, and bolted to, a nice warm receiver
> chassis I believe it will meet original specs.
>
> Keep us posted.
>
> 73, Garey - K4OAH
> Glen Allen, VA
>
> Dr
Hi Guys,
Am I cursed here, or what...?!
After literally weeks of flawless, dependable service, the PTO in my Drake T-4X
transmitter has returned to its good ol' wobbly self again (SIGH!). It started
last night---thinking that maybe the PTO signal was being affected by something
external to it,
Hi Guys,
I *used* to believe that the hermetically sealed HC-6 type of crystals were
impervious to aging & changing frequency over time---until I started to
seriously play around with the old Heathkit SB-line of receivers &
transmitters, that is! (THAT'S when I learned why the hairline cursor o
>>
>>
>> I finally got a chance to take a look at Steve's PTO. As I suspected the
>> frequency jumping is caused by the large (main) tubular cap. I don't know
>> of anything special about that cap, it's marked as an NP0, so I just stuck a
>> Dur-Mica in it's place. I'm sure Drake had a rea
Hi Guys,
Yesterday I took my R-4 receiver & T-4X transmitter---the one with the ailing
PTO---to the lakeside cottage for a bit of a field trip operation on 40-meters,
to validate the effectiveness of my "fix" to the frequency stability...
After some 5 hours of off & on CW operating---and all-t
l it shorts that cap.
>
> 73, Garey - K4OAH
> Glen Allen, VA
>
> Drake 2-B, 2-C/2-NT, 4-A, 4-B, C-Line
> and TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
>
>
>
> Eddy Swynar wrote:
>> Hi Again All,
>>
>> Well, to-day I could have SWORN that some demon had t
Hi Again All,
Well, to-day I could have SWORN that some demon had taken possession of the PTO
in my T-4X transmitter, & that it was sent to this earth with the express
purpose of taunting me...!
I mentioned before that last week I re-soldered a visibly bad connection of the
33-pfd. temperature
Hi Gang,
To those of you reading this who may still be in the "...contemplating" stages
of somehow incorporating a cooling fan into their "C"-line rigs, allow me to
share an experience that I just went through here this morning...
I am in the process (still!) of validating that my latest-and-gr
I'm monitoring the output on my K3 and can
> easily detect it the output is changing.
>
> W1ES/4
>
> -Original Message-
> From: Eddy Swynar
> Sent: Aug 24, 2011 9:20 AM
> To: Steve Wedge
> Cc: Richard Knoppow <1oldle...@ix.netcom.com>, drakelist@ze
On 2011-08-24, at 8:40 AM, Steve Wedge wrote:
> The thing that's really puzzling me is that the PTO that's currently
> installed was rock-solid in the T-4XB it was in, and I did test the operation
> (alas, the PTO control seemed to be the only function of that transmitter
> that worked, but I
On 2011-08-23, at 7:47 PM, Steve Wedge wrote:
> Next is to try running an external 11V supply to the PTO. If it still
> warbles, I'll have to figure out how a good PTO went bad just from moving it.
Hi Steve,
I think THAT move will surely "...tell the tale" in this sad, sad exercise that
you'
Hi Henry,
I was surprised some time ago after a session of CW operating with my T-4X at
the amount of heat that was being radiated upward from the cage containing the
final PA tubes! (if you look inside that enclosure, you'll see that those RF
amplifiers share some very close quarters)...
On t
their own.: >)
~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
****
On 2011-08-21, at 5:16 PM, Eddy Swynar wrote:
> Hi Steve,
>
> Well, I'm almost hesitant to say this, but ever since I re-soldered that
> connection of the 33-pfd. temperature compensating tubular
Hi Steve,
Well, I'm almost hesitant to say this, but ever since I re-soldered that
connection of the 33-pfd. temperature compensating tubular capacitor in the PTO
of my T-4X transmitter, I have not---FINGERS CROSSED!---experienced anymore
warbling of my signal...
...In fact, I just checked it
> diode/cap (D7/C134) does it's job of 'yanking in' the VOX and TR relay to
> capture ALL of that first 'dit'!!
>
> 73, Garey - K4OAH
> Glen Allen, VA
>
> Drake 2-B, 2-C/2-NT, 4-A, 4-B, C-Line
> and TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
>
>
&
rtunately there are several coding systems so it's a kinda 'guess' or
> 'most likely' process.
>
> IS there a paint daub on one end??
>
> 73, Garey - K4OAH
> Glen Allen, VA
>
> Drake 2-B, 2-C/2-NT, 4-A, 4-B, C-Line
> and TR-4/C Service Supplem
ave to check one of my older HANDBOOKS to de-cypher its actual
value, but I'm wondering if it might be the same as those in others...?
~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
*****
Hi Steve,
YES, there is, indeed, an on-line AM mod for the T-4X that I came across some
time ago...but I ignored it because it was rather extensive & besmirched all of
the rig's "originality"...
~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
*
On 2011-08-15, at 6:52 PM, Steve Wedge wrote:
> If anyone here has the equipment and time to look at a challenge, I'll gladly
> ship the PTO to you if you'd like to have a go.
Garey (K4OAH) this is your golden opportunity...!!!: >)
~73!~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
_
Hi Gang,
Early this morning I removed the shield cover from the PTO of my Drake T-4X
transmitter, & listened to its raspy / "wobbly" signal on my nearby Yaesu
FT-980 transceiver...
I then pulled the power plug of the thing, & looked at the solder connections
of the small white tubular temperat
On 2011-08-15, at 12:05 AM, Don Cunningham wrote:
> I too would be interested in the L4B's performance/use on AM. I may use the
> DX-60 or T4XC as the driver, but same question, hi.
> 73,
> Don, WB5HAK
> ___
> Drakelist mailing list
> Drakelist@zerobe
Hi Guys,
I bought my FIRST "QRO" rig from AES back n 1975 when I upgraded to SSB that
year---it was a used Heathkit SB-400, which I purchased for the then-princely
sum of $250.00, I believe...
Ray, it seemed to me at the time, bore the look of a Jethro Bodine in
glasses---whom I liked very muc
solidly' engaged. Maybe just a weak spring? It
> should take a definite effort to stretch the spring to hook it. Also any
> dirt or corrosion on the rider bar can cause 'bumps'. It should be 'clean
> and dry'..
>
> 73, Garey - K4OAH
> Gle
Hi Guys,
To-day I had occasion to take the top cover off of my T-4X transmitter, &
examine the PTO mechanics a bit...
Question: how "normal" is it for the frequency to "jump & jiggle" whenever even
the lightest of physical force is applied to the yoke...? Is this expected, or
should the freque
ration, linearity,
etc.
~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
***
On 2011-07-29, at 1:17 PM, Richard Knoppow wrote:
>
> ----- Original Message - From: "Eddy Swynar"
&
On 2011-07-29, at 11:10 AM, Garey Barrell wrote:
> The yoke is probably THE most sensitive mechanical point of the PTO. The
> yoke / rider bar must be clean and unlubricated so that a constant ground is
> present. Yes, even with the braid jumper ground added, some seem to still be
> sensitiv
he original value as a total, you need two
> parallel caps of 1/2 the original value.
>
> Surprised no one else picked this up.
>
> Maybe you just wrote it wrong but worth a check...don't want to add a problem
> to the PTO that adds to the first problem!! :)
>
> Cur
Hi Tim...
On 2011-07-29, at 9:19 AM, Bolbach, Timothy wrote:
> Check the fiber guide washer on the back of the PTO. It gets loose and needs
> to be glued back in. I have experienced the same problem you are having. The
> glue gets old and dry after 30-40 years.I spent a month of evenings tr
*
On 2011-07-29, at 7:58 AM, Eddy Swynar wrote:
> Hi Steve,
>
> I've been reading the posts re. your "progress"(!) in this maTTER with great
> interest, because your experience basically mirrors that of my own here in
> the matter of the PTO travails tha
Hi Steve,
I've been reading the posts re. your "progress"(!) in this maTTER with great
interest, because your experience basically mirrors that of my own here in the
matter of the PTO travails that I continue to have with my T-4X transmitter...
To summarize, here's what I did with mine in hopes
Hi Steve,
The frequency of my T-4X PTO jumps upward almost exactly 100-KHz with the cover
removed...
I've tried several different "tricks" in futile efforts at trying to tame mine,
including (A) unplugging the cooling fan that I added to allow everything
inside to "heat soak" properly in the c
Hi Joe,
NOW I understand---thanks for the clarification.
I *think* those style of capacitors are called "tubular"
temperature-compensating types---but the design is so very old I don't think
they're even manufactured anymore...?
My first "fix" with my PTO was traced to a bad solder connection
can't complain, but sometimes I still do."
> - Joe Walsh
>
> If the above message appears, it came from Steve's Son of Laptop!
> - Original Message -
> From: Eddy Swynar
> To: Steve Wedge
> Cc: drakelist@zerobeat.net
> Sent: Monday, July 04, 2011 4:53 P
Hi Joe,
Are you referring to one of the silver mica capacitors in your reference to
"dumb bell" cap, or a bypass / disc ceramic capacitor...?
Also, was this cap right inside of the PTO can itself, on the PTO circuit
board...?
I'm very seriously contemplating swapping-out ALL of the discreet co
Hi Steve,
Please tell me more about the frequency "jumpiness" of your PTO...
I had the very same thing happen to the frequency of my T4X transmitter,
thought I had it cured, & then discovered yesterday, to my complete chagrin,
that it has returned with a vengeance.
BTW, the zener diode in the
On 2011-06-17, at 3:07 PM, Darrell Bellerive wrote:
> So if you knew then what you know now, what would have been your first
> station and what year would it have been?
Hi Darrell,
In truth & in hindsight, I don't think that I would have changed a single,
solitary thing from the early days of
ted, stay tuned...!
~73~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
****
- Original Message -
From: Eddy Swynar
To: drakelist@zerobeat.net
Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:46 AM
Subject: R-4 Receiver Enhancement
Good Morning All,
I'm curious if anyone on this list has ever attempted to hoo
Good Morning All,
I'm curious if anyone on this list has ever attempted to hook-up a Q-multiplier
to his/her Drake R-4 receiver, in order to enhance its selectivity/sensitivity
for weak signal CW reception...?
I have a spare Heathkit QF-1 here that I'm thinking of "padding" down to the
50-KHz
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