David Assaf, III >From W5XU Desktop _____
From: dassaf [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 9:04 PM To: '[email protected]'; '[email protected]' Subject: RE: [Drakelist] C-line vs TR-7 The C line is a more capable radio when several modifications are applied to it. So, assuming that we are comparing the stock version of the units, the -7 may be better for you. Lets examine the dilemma: There is no doubt that the ease of changing bands is an advantage with the -7. The unit also has a bit more power out than the -C line for those who run barefoot. When confronted to run the WARC bands and any other "new" band, with the AUX 7 board or the FAR modification board, the -7 is the easiest to get on the other newer bands. The -C line can do the same with additions of the aux crystals. What is significant HERE IS THAT EITHER CAN DO IT; not SO WITH MOST OTHER RADIOS. That is a feature that goes mostly unnoticed until you want to get on the other bands. No older radios but the Drakes (to my knowledge) can do that. There is little difference in the 2 units when you are doing a casual qso in good band conditions. With Sherwood's modifications, however in a weak signal or in a contest realm, the -C line is a clear winner. I have done many an A- B test with mine and each time the modified -C line is the better radio. Some will go into the stability of the respective VFO's and some will feature the fact the 7 does not have a notch; all of these are truisms but do not change the flavor of the radio. Look at them, do not you see that the C line is a unique and still after 40 years a great radio? In the words of Drake, the -7 line was to be a solid state version of the TR4C radios. In fact they were made in the same factory at the same time. They use essentially the same VFO and share the same logical operation, so any comment on one in the VFO realm, is the same for the other. Drake had a hassle to develop the synthesized version of the VFO, so they stayed with what had worked since the 60's and so all of the Drakes have more or less the drift issues. So what? in the DX world, for me that is a non issue since any drift is only noticed over a long length of time. It is like making a decision to purchase a car on the fact that is can go 100 MPH. How often would that be handy?. It is no contest that the -7 line is far easier to use. But for the aficionado, the - C line is the choice. They both look great but there is something unwritten, genuine, easy, appealing to look at the -C line. It is, in my opinion, what a radio should look like. It has that charm that is not imposing and not intimidating. You can sit at a C line and intuitively know how to operate it. The -7 is not necessarily so. On and on we can all go. So, to help in your dilemma, I would go to retain both. You would then have 2 ways to satiate your mood instead of one. Likewise, you would have no regrets that you sacrificed one to get the other because as they are 2 different radios, the mood swings are not universally satisfied. If your seller is in the mode, ask him to treat the purchase as a car note. It will double the ownership pleasure. Mine are side by side, just as they should be. Eventually you will love the C line, and eventually you will be pleased with the 7 line. See the difference? Welcome to the world of Drakes. Good luck! David Assaf, III >From W5XU Desktop _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 2:31 PM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Re: [Drakelist] C-line vs TR-7 Max, Well, I can firmly say, "it depends". I've had several B and C lines, as well as 7 lines. I currently use the 7 line and C line. It sort of depends on your preferences and needs. The 7 line is auto tune, while the C line is manual tune. The 7 line can be easily adapted to general coverage transmit/receive, the C line needs a lot of crystals or the FS-4 synthesizer. It would be best to compare the two alternatives, feature for feature, to see what matches your needs and preferences. The 7 line does not have the sticky paint in the later serial numbers. Cabinets can be repainted at Hartzell for $50 per piece. The 7 line is somewhat more stable than the C line, but unless you use the RV-75 digital VFO, it will drift to some degree also. Right now, I am down to three TR-7As, one R7A, and two R7s. All of them drift within specs, but they do drift. I've probably owned another 10-12 of them over the years, and none were ever "rock solid" as so many claim, for me; others' mileage may vary. But the RV-75 corrects the drift issue. Have done side by side comparisons between the C line and 7 line, and receivers aren't dramatically different. Than again, I'm not into weak signal work nor contesting, which are demanding applications. The comparisons were based upon properly aligned gear and I'm happy with both systems. The C line is sure nice in the winter where you get a little extra heat from the tubes, you can see the glow of the tubes in a darkened room, etc. You won't be disappointed with either, I hope, I'm happy with both. 73, Evan -----Original Message----- From: AirRadio <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tue, Mar 9, 2010 1:14 pm Subject: [Drakelist] C-line vs TR-7 Dilemma time... I have been offered a TR-7 but I have to sell my C-line to make room, now, comparisons, is the TR-7 any better than the C-line or the same, apart from the normal cosmetic issues (sticky paint etc) am I going to gain in the rx dept, also any other faults etc, the TR-7 seems to have a good write up etc though, but so does the C-line. 73 Max _____ I am using the Free version of SPAMfighter <http://www.spamfighter.com/len> . 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