Phil, Its not always easy to see the plate dip on the TR-4 plate meter, especially at low plate currents. Over time you will get an idea where the controls normally sit for a given band. I start out by setting the PLATE LOAD and TUNE controls in a ballpark position. Then I peak the receiver noise with the RF TUNE control. Then I put the transceiver in CW mode and adjust the XMTR GAIN control just enough to see an increase in plate current. Keeping the transceiver keyed only for brief periods I then adjust the RF TUNE and PLATE controls for maximum output. Next step is to bring the XMTR GAIN to 12:00 and adjust everything for maximum output. I tune all my Drakes this way. You really need to invest in a watt meter even if its just a relative output meter and not calibrated.
73, Gary
