Garey Barrell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the drakelist gang ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Keith -
The "best" receiver of the group you mention would be the R-4B. It is the refinement of the R-4 series through about 11-12 revisions. Some of the revisions consisted of replacing tube-type, non-signal path stages with solid state. The "late" R-4A converted the Product and AM detectors and low level AF stages from tube to solid state, which some say was a "downgrade". Personally I've never been able to measure or hear the degradation.
The biggest difference between the 2-B and R-4(any) is the dial calibration. The 2-B is a VFO tuned receiver, resulting in a non-linear dial. The marks on the knob skirt of the R-4(any) are almost exactly one kHz each, across the band, while the similar marks on the 2-B skirt are "approximately" one kHz. The 2-B marks are fairly accurate over narrow ranges, but not at all main dial positions.
The other difference, which applies to your specific needs, is the much more flexible additional coverage offered by the R-4(any). The 2-B has provisions for only five additional "bands", with the added restriction that each position only covers ONE _segment_ of the 3.5 - 30 MHz frequency range. The R-4(any) has ten additional crystal positions, each of which can be used anywhere in the 1.5 - 30 MHz range of the receiver.
Some claim the R-4 was the best, continually degrading with each successive "refinement". Whatever supposed superiority was enabled by all tube stages was offset, (at least in my opinion,) by the improved stability (tube vs FET) PTO, and reduced heat.
Any of the above should be available for less than $200. The 2-B is probably the most expensive, especially if you consider the 2-BQ as a part of the package. It IS a very worthwhile addition to the 2-B, especially for CW.
If you decide to complete the station, the "color-coded' crystals were introduced late in the R-4A run through the R-4B. This is of no importance unless you want to transceive with the pair. The "transceive alignment" tended to wander on the earlier versions, resulting in complaints of "off frequency" operation when transceiving on SSB.
Now you have ONE opinion, mine. Hopefully you will receive others! :-) 73, Garey - K4OAH Atlanta Drake 2-B, 4-B & C-Line Service Data <http://www.k4oah.com> Darwin, Keith wrote:
"Darwin, Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> made an utterance to the drakelist gang ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Greetings folks, I'm contemplating buying a Drake receiver and figured it would be wise to subscribe to the list and get some info. Years ago I had a mint condition B-line which right now I'm wishing I had kept. I've also had a couple of C-lines so I am familiar with the gear. What I'm looking for a is a receiver that can be used for ham reception (to monitor the TX signal from my other rig for testing, etc.) as well as occasional SW broadcast reception. The rig does not need to be a contest capable rig, just a good receiver. I'm especially interested in low noise and clean sounding SSB and CW audio. If I enjoy it enough, I may spring for a matching transmitter and assemble a nice boat anchor station. I'm leaning toward R-4B but am also wondering about the R-4A or even R-4. I'm not really sure what the differences are between them. Then there's the 2B. I tend to think the R-4A or B would be a better choice since they come with a built-in calibrator plus they apparently don't have quite as much collector appeal (i.e. they're a better value). The 2C doesn't really appeal to me due to the lack of an IF shift knob :-( So my questions are pretty simple. 1. Which is the better receiver, R-4, R-4A or R-4B? 2. How does the R-4B compare to the 2B? My goal is a receiver in good working order for $200 or less. If I'm dreaming, please wake me gently :-) 73! - Keith KD1E - P.S. A bit about myself. Ham off and on for 30 yrs, mostly CW but I'm still not that fast (20 wpm). Current rig is Elecraft K2 driving a simple vert. antenna. These days I'm having fun with the straight key and rag chewing rather than chasing DX.
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