Should you buy a TR3? I think the answer should be given after determining what
he plans to do with it. One reason to purchase a Drake TR3 is the historic
value to the hobby.I have been licensed for almost 54 years and have grown with
the hobby from 6AG7/807 tube transmitter and Hallicrafters S40A receiver. They
were wonderful for the purpose for which they were built and intended to been
used. They are not my gear that I use regularly, but they bring back wonderful
memories. I have one hundred of more radios from 1940 until present. I am NOT A
COLLECTOR but I accumulate tube type radios of all manufacturers because of
what they were and what they still are. Swan was pioneer in the transceiver
field and did a great job from the SW 175 and continued for many years, even
after being bought out by Cubic Communications.
The TR3 is historic because it was R.L. Drake's FIRST transceiver. I HAVE A TR3
THAT I BOUGHT REASONABLY OFF EBAY IN NON WORKING CONDITION AND VERY DIRTY.
Today it is a nice looking and working radio. Do I use it everyday....NO!! WHY?
I have the first model receiver that Drake built, the Drake 1A serial number
518 of 1000 built. When built, it was arguably the best receiver made in its'
day( I also own a Collins 75A1, 75A2, and 75A4, for comparison). l am not
bragging, just pointing out my perspective. I own a Drake 2A. Drake 2B, TR4
(that I use almost daily for net operation, R4, T4X,R4B,R4C,and T4XC and a
great Drake L4B amp. No, they are not the $10,000.00+, Icom or the latest
Kenwood, Orion or other solid state rig.
The TR3 basically popularized the use of transceivers. There are many hams
today who may not be able to operate separates. Other companies had gotten into
the transceiver production, but not as affordable and basic as the TR3.
My suggestion is that if you expect an almost "owner inability" rig to repair,
digital readout with 3,000 memories, 65 push buttons, DON'T BUY the TR3, BUT
"SOME DAY' you might wish you could find one to buy.
This is not intended to start a THREAD, it is just my opinion. If anyone wants
to attack my opinion, don't bother the reflector with it, feel free to reply
DIRECTLY to me. 73, John, K5PGW
<[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 12:12 PM
Subject: Re: [Drakelist] TR-3
On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 12:00 PM, <[email protected]> wrote:
Being a relative newbie to Drake equipment, is there any particular areas to
consider with the TR3 other than the obvious and general operating condition?
>?I don't recall anything negative in particular about this vintage radio.
For one, it's a terrible CW radio...if that matters to you.
73 de Lee
--
Lee Hiers, AA4GA
www.aa4ga.com
Submit your totals to the unofficial QRP DXCC standings - go
to http://www.aa4ga.com/p/qrp-dxcc.html for more info!
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