[drakelist] L4-L4B-L7
Karl Henrik Laache [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Hi group The L-4 amp came standard with 3-400Z tubes and chimneys. The L-4B came with 3-500Z tubes and chimneys. In addition the -B included measurement of SWR. The L-4/B had axial air-flow cooling. The L-7 was another construction, more like the SB-220, without chimneys, but with the fan blowing at the side of the tubes, radial air-flow. It was delivered standard with the 3-500Z tubes. I would think that the L-7 construction was the cheaper one compared with the L-4/B with their centrifugal blower and chimneys. The chimneys in the L-7 was probably added by someone who was mis-guided, believing that the chimneys was removed. The advantage of the L-7 over the L-4/B is the added 160 + WARC coverage. I'm not sure, but I think there is a difference between the chimneys for the 3-400 and 3-500 tubes. The 500s are slightly higher than the 400s, and the chimneys for the 500s don't have the tapering at the top, where the chimneys for the 500s are cylindrical. 73's de LA1CU Karl email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Submissions:drakelist@www.zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net --
Re: [drakelist] Drakes wanted
I have an early L7 (serial 184) that does not have chimneys and uses 3-500Z's. If you don't block the airflow in the rear, the fan doesn't hit high gear often. I replaced the caps in the PS and placed a slow turning fan on top of it. That should go a long way toward component lifetime. Dennis AE6COn 1/11/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: MyL-7 came with chimneys and the seller made a big deal about telling me that they were included. After looking things over, I realized that they were not helping anything due to the fan placement and the heat from the amp dripped appreciably when I removed them. They were almost touching eachother, too. I am really surprised that I didn't melt the solder outof the pins.Guess he didn't use it much and I didn't either before removing the chimneys. At least I have a pair of spares in case I get butterfingers when playing with the L-4B. 73, John, W4AWM-Original Message-From: Ron Baker [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Cc: drakelist@www.zerobeat.netSent: Wed, 11 Jan 2006 23:03:01 -0500Subject: RE: [drakelist] Drakes wanted Ron Baker [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang --Are you sure the L7 had chimney's for the 3-500Z. I have a later versionwhich did not have then because the rear mounted fan blew air directly across the tubes.I Know the L4B had chimneys, but the L7,???Also, check out my TR7A article. I have a later release on my website withlots of updated information. I'm not sure if the other sites having my article have the latest version. Here is the link.http://www.wb4hfn.com/DRAKE/DrakeArticles/TR7_Comparison_Article/TR7_Idenity -01.htm73, Ron / WB4HFN-Original Message-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 9:59 PMTo: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Cc: drakelist@www.zerobeat.netSubject: Re: [drakelist] Drakes wantedHi Richard,One thing you need to watch for when purchasing a TR-7A is that it is notactually a TR-7 in disguise. For a period of time, Drake sold spare face plates for the A model to anyone who wanted one. Many folks bought one toupgrade their TR-7. Other than the face plate, there is no outwarddifference in appearence between the 2 models on the front panel. There is a small difference on the rear panel and several items were added insidewhich were accessories on the A model. Here is a link to WB4HFNs page inthe Drake museum which will explain all this in detail: Click here: Page 1 http://www.dproducts.be/DRAKE_MUSEUM/page_1.htm Depending on where you get your TR-7A and the physical and electrical coindition it is in, any additional filters and the PS-7 power supply, Youcan xpect to pay anywhere from $800.00 up. Obviously, a rig that is notpristine will sell for somewhat less, but frankly, a TR-7 is a much better deal, especually if it has the NB-7 noise blanker installed. That and the AMfilter were the most expensive accessories.The L-7 is a fine little amplifier, but be sure to get one that has theoriginal power supply if you can. The amps were shipped with either 3-400 or 3-500Z tubes. If you can find one with 3-500, they are the betterchoice, but I would not turn down one with 3-400s at a slightly lower price.If it has been well cared for, the amp is pretty bullet proof, as long as the finals are in good shape. The original caps in the PS should be replacedat some point for safety and the fusable resistor power rating shouldincreased. A replacement capacitor kit may be available from The Heathkit Shop. Be sure that the glass chimneys are present. Here again, condition ofthe rig and tubes go a long way in determining the price, but a bottom lineof 800 and up is reasonable.If you find one and have it shipped, be prepared for sticker shock because the PS weighs a ton! Have the seller remove the finals and chimneys andpackage them separately and do not have them shipped in the same box withthe amp.The tubes should preferably be shipped in a vertical configuration. Hope this helps.73, John, W4AWM--Submissions: drakelist@www.zerobeat.netUnsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of messageZerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net--
[drakelist] Q-Multiplier Question
Steve Berg [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- I am thinking of getting a Q-multiplier to use with my 2B. How does the 2BQ compare with the Heath units in actual use? 73, Steve WA9JML -- Submissions:drakelist@www.zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net --
Re: [drakelist] L4-L4B-L7
danny [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Thanks Karl.. Your posting is correct...glad someone knows how is is Danny...WA4SDE.A Drake lover for over 30 years. - Original Message - From: Karl Henrik Laache [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: drakelist@www.zerobeat.net Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 3:45 AM Subject: [drakelist] L4-L4B-L7 Karl Henrik Laache [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Hi group The L-4 amp came standard with 3-400Z tubes and chimneys. The L-4B came with 3-500Z tubes and chimneys. In addition the -B included measurement of SWR. The L-4/B had axial air-flow cooling. The L-7 was another construction, more like the SB-220, without chimneys, but with the fan blowing at the side of the tubes, radial air-flow. It was delivered standard with the 3-500Z tubes. I would think that the L-7 construction was the cheaper one compared with the L-4/B with their centrifugal blower and chimneys. The chimneys in the L-7 was probably added by someone who was mis-guided, believing that the chimneys was removed. The advantage of the L-7 over the L-4/B is the added 160 + WARC coverage. I'm not sure, but I think there is a difference between the chimneys for the 3-400 and 3-500 tubes. The 500s are slightly higher than the 400s, and the chimneys for the 500s don't have the tapering at the top, where the chimneys for the 500s are cylindrical. 73's de LA1CU Karl email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Submissions:drakelist@www.zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net -- -- Submissions:drakelist@www.zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net --
Re: [drakelist] L4-L4B-L7
[EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- On Thu, 12 Jan 2006, Karl Henrik Laache wrote: I'm not sure, but I think there is a difference between the chimneys for the 3-400 and 3-500 tubes. The 500s are slightly higher than the 400s, and the chimneys for the 500s don't have the tapering at the top, where the chimneys for the 500s are cylindrical. 3-400Z chimneys are a half inch shorter than 3-500Z chimneys. I have a pair of 3-400Z chimneys for sale, btw. Anyone interested, please email me - I can send photos when I get home after work. Eimac 3-400Z and 3-500Z chimneys have the tapered top to provide airflow over the anode seal and heat dissipator. 3rd party chimneys have a relatively small taper and don't do such a good job to cool the anode seal. Coleman lantern glass is cylindrical (has no tapered top) and is useless to protect the anode seal. Glass chimneys sold by Ameritron for 3-500Z tubes will not work with 3-400Z tubes in the Drake L-4 - they're too tall. You can get a rough idea of the form factor of the SK-416 inside my L4 by viewing these links: http://n1su.com/tubes/3-400Z-idle.jpg http://n1su.com/tubes/3-400Z-bias.JPG As discussed at length on the Amps mailing list, the chimney system used in the Drake L-4/L-4B does a poor job of protecting tube life - the only way to improve it without major modifications is to replace the stock fan with one that provides increased air flow - but the bottom line is it still doesn't provide a safe environment for exceeding the original design: 1000W input for CW and 2000W input for SSB. -- 73 Jason N1SU http://n1su.com/ -- Submissions:drakelist@www.zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net --
Re: [drakelist] Drakes wanted
[EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- On Wed, 11 Jan 2006 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The tubes should preferably be shipped in a vertical configuration. Be prepared to tap the tubes on their side to straighten the anode. Every 3-400Z I've bought and had shipped via brown trucks wound up getting bent. When you go to straighten them out again you'll realize how much abuse those packages take during their shipment. Hint: use the post office priority mail instead. -- 73 Jason N1SU http://n1su.com/ -- Submissions:drakelist@www.zerobeat.net Unsubscribe:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - unsubscribe drakelist in body Hopelessly Lost:[EMAIL PROTECTED] - help in body of message Zerobeat Web Page: www.zerobeat.net - sponsored by www.tlchost.net --
