Most recent purchase was a "mint" Omni C with a broken crystal carrier. They are no longer available from any source, including the factory. So, the "C" won't function on 30M. The on-off switch was also broken, not really an issue because use the PS switch anyway, but those not available either. Band switches are notorious and well-known issue for the 540-546. Replacements not available. Dial light for the 509 no longer available from any source.
Of course, to be fair there are surely Drake parts that aren't available anymore ( like switch decks I suppose ). But, so fa e for me personally, I've had nothing break that couldn't be replaced with readily available parts. ----- Original Message ----- From: "mike bryce" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2011 10:05:58 AM Subject: Re: [Drakelist] Ten-Tec and Drake Compared I have a bit of issue with that... with the exception of some solid state devices, RF transistors for the 444 amp comes to mind, I've never found ten tec did not stock a part, or had a working replacement for it for a radio I've have on my service bench. Sure, some parts or assemblies are long gone. I mean, when was the last time Drake sold a PTO for TR3? granted, you can't get cosmetic parts like knobs or front panels, but you can't get those from drake either. You can still get a PTO rebulid kit for a ten tec argonaut 505, built in 1973, so, I'd say, ten tec has a pretty good supply of parts for older radios, and if you have the money, they will be more than happy to install, and bring to factory specs that 505. mike bryce [email protected] On Jun 18, 2011, at 2:27 PM, [email protected] wrote: I own and enjoy both. Drake 4 line and 2B. Ten-Tec 509, 540, 544, 545, 546, 588. All except last purchased used of course. Only ones needing work were the Drakes and the newest Ten-Tec. The 588 recently revisited the factory for repair when 3 years old, of course Ten-Tec fixed it quickly but repair cost more than paid for any of the other rigs listed. I'm not capable of repairing the 588. If any of the old stuff breaks, I'd be forced to fix myself because the shipping would cost more than the rig is worth. One thing about the older Ten-Tec rigs, many of the failure-prone parts are unobtanium. So far, the items that have failed on the Drakes have been easily replaced. _______________________________________________ Drakelist mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
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