My first rig actually was a Drake - a TR-3. I was happy with it at the time, it and an AC-3 and MS were pretty cheap back in 76.
Knowing what I know now, yes, I probably would have gotten something else. The worst part of the TR-3 was that it was a terrible CW rig: no filter, no break-in (not even semi), no RIT, and no sidetone. I made do by using a code practice oscillator as a sidetone, but the T/R switching was terrible. I got a Yaesu FT-101EE within a year and sold the Drake. The Yeasu was really more fun to operate than the TR-3. But I always liked Drake stuff and used it a good bit at other stations, so I imagine I would much rather have had a pair of Drake twins....OTOH, the price of the TR-3 really made getting on the air do-able. I doubt I'll ever own another TR-3 as almost all of my operating is CW and the TR-3 was just so unpleasant on CW. Which is probably why I've gotten an R-4...same vibe as the TR-3, but much better to operate...particularly when I match it up with a T-4X, which I hope to do someday. 73 de Lee, AA4GA -- Lee Hiers Have dobro will travel...and traveling!
_______________________________________________ Drakelist mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
