Re: [drakelist] An Introduction a question about keyer for T-4XB
[EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Why not use a 2N3439 NPN rated at 450V or 2n5415 PNP rated at 200V and have the safety margin? Larry K3VX -- Original message -- From: neil [EMAIL PROTECTED] neil [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Garey Barrell wrote: Garey Barrell [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Neil - I'm guessing that Dale's kit is using the 2N7000 as the output device. They are rated at 70 V Drain-Source, Minimum 60 VDC. Most Drake transmitters have between 55 - 65V on the key leads, so those 7000's are living dangerously! :-) I think the last ones I bought cost me around $0.06 each, so not a disaster if one does go. On the other hand, it takes so little current to key the transmitter that it might not blow the junction even if it did break down! Heh. Correct in one! I think the other keyer also uses a (single) 2N7000. To be honest, I hadn't realized just how close to the limit I was skating g. Now that I know, the Bad Thing will probably happen! 73 Neil KX2Y -- Submissions:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 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:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 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 --
[drakelist] New Subscriber
Good Day All, Just welcoming myself(!) aboard this Reflector... I've been giving some serious thought of late here to do what I probably should have done some 24 years ago, specifically, buy a good set of Drake Twins. Back in '83, I elected to retire my venerable old Heathkit SB-400 / Hallicrafters S-77A combo, in favour of the latest greatest from the Far East... I've rued that day every time something major goes out with this flashy digital winking blinking contraption. Maybe I'll learn enough here to know which version of the R4 series of receiver I should have, the subtleties between all of the different variants thereof...I hope so, anyway, look forward to the day that I might have some Twins of my own here to use, enjoy, and actually REPAIR myself, as the need may arise... ~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
Re: [drakelist] New Subscriber
john [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Welcome Ed. whichever version you buy, you'll likely be pleased. May I steer you in the direction of a B-line? I dont think you'll ever regret it! 73 John K5MO At 10:23 AM 10/27/2007, EP Swynar wrote: Good Day All, Just welcoming myself(!) aboard this Reflector... I've been giving some serious thought of late here to do what I probably should have done some 24 years ago, specifically, buy a good set of Drake Twins. Back in '83, I elected to retire my venerable old Heathkit SB-400 / Hallicrafters S-77A combo, in favour of the latest greatest from the Far East... I've rued that day every time something major goes out with this flashy digital winking blinking contraption. Maybe I'll learn enough here to know which version of the R4 series of receiver I should have, the subtleties between all of the different variants thereof...I hope so, anyway, look forward to the day that I might have some Twins of my own here to use, enjoy, and actually REPAIR myself, as the need may arise... ~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ -- Submissions:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 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] New Subscriber
Garey Barrell [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Eddy - Welcome! Always glad to have another one awaken to the great Drake equipment! :-) Here is a little overview of the 2 4 Series that might help you. The 2-B is an outstanding CW receiver, the dial calibration is a little coarse by today's standards, but for just getting on the air and enjoying a CW QSO it works as well as any. It has three (L-C) filter bandwidths, (500, 2100 and 3600 Hz,) built in along with passband tuning. The 100 kHz crystal calibrator was optional. The companion 2-BQ Q Multiplier adds a very sharp peaking filter and a nice tunable null, both at the IF. There is no matching transmitter for the 2-B. The 2-C is similar, except the tubes end at the 2nd IF with all the rest being solid state. Decent receiver but I don't think as good as the 2-B. On the plus side, the 2-NT matching transmitter is available, but is a Novice class, crystal controlled, CW only transmitter. No provision for transceive and no VFO included. The R-4 is almost a 2-B, just with a linear PTO and 1 kHz dial calibration. All tubes. Very similar in operation, and will transceive with the matching T-4X for an excellent CW station. Passband Tuner with four filter bandwidths, (400, 1200, 2400 and 4800 Hz,) passband tuning, noise blanker, LC notch and 100 kHz crystal calibrator built in. The R-4A (early 13 tube model) is an improved R-4, almost identical specifications. PTO and Band Oscillators converted to solid state. The R-4A (late 11 tube model) almost identical specifications. Product detector, BFO, AGC and low level audio stages converted to solid state. The R-4B (early) is very similar to the late R-4A, minor modifications and crystal calibrator multivibrator for 25 kHz markers. The R-4B (late) almost identical except PTO changed from bipolar to FET. The R-4C (early) very similar, except IF filters changed to crystal filters. Only the 2.3 kHz filter is standard, 250, 500, 1800, 4000 and 6000 Hz BW are available as options. The 4000 6000 Hz filters are normally installed in a special socket under the chassis and are effective on AM only. Four position filter switch. The noise blanker was optional. Entire audio chain solid state, tubes used only from RF to IF, all other stages and oscillators solid state. The R-4C (late) same. Five position filter switch. The 2-B through the R-4B used L-C filters in the IF. This type of filter has much gentler slopes, which means that nearby signals are still heard, just at reduced levels. The crystal filters are steep sided, more like the crystal filters in today's receivers. Personally, I prefer the L-C filters for all except heavy duty contest use. I like to hear what is going on around my frequency, instead of listening with blinders on... The T-4 series transmitters are all pretty much the same, the T-4X had 4 pole crystal filters while the T-4XB and C had 8 pole filters. The later ones therefore had slightly better carrier and unwanted sideband suppression, neither of which has ANY effect on CW operation. ANY 4 series receiver will transceive with ANY 4 series transmitter, mix and match. There are minor things like the B line had a neon indicator light under the dial to show which PTO was controlling in transceive while the C line just turned the dial lamps on or off. The R-4 and R-4A had neither, so you had to look at the switch! My opinion. The R-4B is probably the best receiver overall. It has great audio, smooth AGC, all the filters and noise blanker are built in. The L-C filters are not quite as drop off the table selective, but I prefer that for casual QSOs. The R-4C has poorer audio, a little harsher, the better (?) crystal filters are extra, and the noise blanker is extra. The R-4 and R-4A are just earlier iterations of the R-4B, and are not quite as refined, although some say they prefer the early R-4A to the R-4B because the tube type product detector in the R-4A is cleaner. The 2-B isn't very far behind, except it will NOT transceive with anything, and the dial calibration is not precisely linear. 73, Garey - K4OAH Glen Allen, VA Drake 2-B, 4-B C-Line Service Supplement CDs www.k4oah.com EP Swynar wrote: Good Day All, Just welcoming myself(!) aboard this Reflector... I've been giving some serious thought of late here to do what I probably should have done some 24 years ago, specifically, buy a good set of Drake Twins. Back in '83, I elected to retire my venerable old Heathkit SB-400 / Hallicrafters S-77A combo, in favour of the latest greatest from the Far East... I've rued that day every time something major goes out with this flashy digital winking blinking contraption. Maybe I'll learn enough here to know which version of the R4 series of receiver I should have, the subtleties between all of the different variants thereof...I hope so,
[drakelist] Deaf R4B with filter mod?
n0tu/Steve [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Hi Folks, After a year or so being lost from this list I return with a question? I've a sick R4B? Low sensitivity and distorted audio seem to be the symptoms. By low sensitivity I mean I can hear most signals about or near the same 'level' as on a comparative gen coverage RX sitting next to it BUT there's not much happening on the R4B's S-meter? Also the distorted audio sounds like lack of AGC or too much of same?? This R4B has the addition of the Crystal Filters ala QST january 1972 http://www.dproducts.be/Drake_Museum/01_1972_html.htm and I'm not sure if this is the cause of the reduced sensitivity or audio issue? For starters I've blown out the dust and cobwebs and apllied 'controlled-sparing' amount of contact cleaner to the bandswitchs hoping this would find the issue? No go! Suggestions welcomed on troubleshooting? Tks! Steve/n0tu -- Submissions:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 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] New Subscriber
Dennis Monticelli [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Great summary, Garey. It's worth re-posting every time a newcomer asks a general question. I have an early R4B I restored and think its just great. It is in daily use. For casual work, I find that the LC filters contribute little to listening fatigue, unlike the tiring ringing of crystal filters. I have also had the opportunity to work on and listen to an early R4A and thought it performed equally well. The bipolar PTO seems quite stable. I don't think I miss having the JFETs in there. Someday there will be a matched TX in the shack. On 10/27/07, Garey Barrell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Garey Barrell [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Eddy - Welcome! Always glad to have another one awaken to the great Drake equipment! :-) Here is a little overview of the 2 4 Series that might help you. The 2-B is an outstanding CW receiver, the dial calibration is a little coarse by today's standards, but for just getting on the air and enjoying a CW QSO it works as well as any. It has three (L-C) filter bandwidths, (500, 2100 and 3600 Hz,) built in along with passband tuning. The 100 kHz crystal calibrator was optional. The companion 2-BQ Q Multiplier adds a very sharp peaking filter and a nice tunable null, both at the IF. There is no matching transmitter for the 2-B. The 2-C is similar, except the tubes end at the 2nd IF with all the rest being solid state. Decent receiver but I don't think as good as the 2-B. On the plus side, the 2-NT matching transmitter is available, but is a Novice class, crystal controlled, CW only transmitter. No provision for transceive and no VFO included. The R-4 is almost a 2-B, just with a linear PTO and 1 kHz dial calibration. All tubes. Very similar in operation, and will transceive with the matching T-4X for an excellent CW station. Passband Tuner with four filter bandwidths, (400, 1200, 2400 and 4800 Hz,) passband tuning, noise blanker, LC notch and 100 kHz crystal calibrator built in. The R-4A (early 13 tube model) is an improved R-4, almost identical specifications. PTO and Band Oscillators converted to solid state. The R-4A (late 11 tube model) almost identical specifications. Product detector, BFO, AGC and low level audio stages converted to solid state. The R-4B (early) is very similar to the late R-4A, minor modifications and crystal calibrator multivibrator for 25 kHz markers. The R-4B (late) almost identical except PTO changed from bipolar to FET. The R-4C (early) very similar, except IF filters changed to crystal filters. Only the 2.3 kHz filter is standard, 250, 500, 1800, 4000 and 6000 Hz BW are available as options. The 4000 6000 Hz filters are normally installed in a special socket under the chassis and are effective on AM only. Four position filter switch. The noise blanker was optional. Entire audio chain solid state, tubes used only from RF to IF, all other stages and oscillators solid state. The R-4C (late) same. Five position filter switch. The 2-B through the R-4B used L-C filters in the IF. This type of filter has much gentler slopes, which means that nearby signals are still heard, just at reduced levels. The crystal filters are steep sided, more like the crystal filters in today's receivers. Personally, I prefer the L-C filters for all except heavy duty contest use. I like to hear what is going on around my frequency, instead of listening with blinders on... The T-4 series transmitters are all pretty much the same, the T-4X had 4 pole crystal filters while the T-4XB and C had 8 pole filters. The later ones therefore had slightly better carrier and unwanted sideband suppression, neither of which has ANY effect on CW operation. ANY 4 series receiver will transceive with ANY 4 series transmitter, mix and match. There are minor things like the B line had a neon indicator light under the dial to show which PTO was controlling in transceive while the C line just turned the dial lamps on or off. The R-4 and R-4A had neither, so you had to look at the switch! My opinion. The R-4B is probably the best receiver overall. It has great audio, smooth AGC, all the filters and noise blanker are built in. The L-C filters are not quite as drop off the table selective, but I prefer that for casual QSOs. The R-4C has poorer audio, a little harsher, the better (?) crystal filters are extra, and the noise blanker is extra. The R-4 and R-4A are just earlier iterations of the R-4B, and are not quite as refined, although some say they prefer the early R-4A to the R-4B because the tube type product detector in the R-4A is cleaner. The 2-B isn't very far behind, except it will NOT transceive with anything, and the dial
[drakelist] Help! Smoke from a TR4
Ken Bessler [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Folks, I gotta little problem - I was operating today and I started hearing popping noise in my recieve. A few minutes later I smelled smoke. I looked over my drake to see a tiny puff of smoke arise from just behind the VFO. I have turned the rig upside down and removed the bottom cover. I turned the rig on and saw a flash arc from what I think is a resisitor. I need help I'Ding this resisitor - it's way too burnt to see all the color bands but I can see enough to tell it's a resisitor. There are two vertical PC boards just inboard of the VOX pot. Past them is a medium size transformer. There are two resisitors that are between the boards. The one that is burnt is closest to the top (looking at the rig upside down) of the two boards. Help? 73's de Ken KG0WX - Kadiddlehopper #11808, Flying Pigs #-1055, Grid EM17ip _ Climb to the top of the charts! Play Star Shuffle: the word scramble challenge with star power. http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_oct -- Submissions:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 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 --
[drakelist] T-4XC hanging in transmit mode
Doug Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- [I posted on this a while back but am just getting around to it.] My T-4XC has been intermittently hanging in transmit mode on CW. Everything runs along fine but periodically when I stop sending the transmitter doesn't seem to drop out of TX mode and normal bias current is registered on the TX meter. During these episodes there is no RF output (unless I hit the key again then I get normal RF out). If I then send a long string of dits when I stop the T/R function usually resumes normal operation - for a while. Today I pulled the AC-4 out of the MS-4 and measured the various voltages: High B+ 683 VDC with 0.4 VAC ripple Low B+ 278 VDC with 0.12 VAC ripple Bias-59.5 VDC with 0.022 VAC ripple Which all seem a bit high but mostly nominal. The bias range is from -45 to -95. The ripple figures are peak to peak as measured on my 'scope. I poked around underneath the AC-4 and I don't see anything that looks 'wrong'. I was able to reproduce this problem this morning but I am unable to reproduce the problem now that I've fooled around with the AC-4. For the life of me, it *feels* like the T/R relay is simply hanging up when transitioning from transmit to receive. But, I'd rather develop a theory based on something other than what I *feel*.. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I oughta be looking at? Tnx and 73, -Doug, W7KF -- Submissions:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 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] T-4XC hanging in transmit mode
EP Swynar [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- On 27th October, Doug wrote... ... My T-4XC has been intermittently 'hanging' in transmit mode on CW... * Hi Doug, This may be of no help to you whatsoever, however, for it's worth, some time ago I was using an external relay switching box to activate the T/R relay inside my homebrewed linear amplifier (a pair of 813's) --- the 12 VDC relay inside the box received its control, or on voltage, from the Icom 751A transceiver that was used to excite the amplifier... Anyway, suddenly and without warning one day, the T/R control relay inside the box decides to hang in transmit mode, just like it was activated --- even though in reality, I'd switched from sending, to receiving. The duration of its hang was dependent upon how long a transmission I was making --- if it was a L-O-N-G ...old buzzard-type monolgue, it'd hang forever...until I'd momentarily switch off the exciter's power supply, that is, and then it would release. Anyway, I don't know what precipated this sudden affliction --- re-arrangement of the rigs atop the shack...? The phase of the moon...? --- but I dismantled the T/R relay box, put an ordinary RF choke in series with each of the coil windings to the relay, and bypassed these leads at the entry point of the enclosure with a pair of 0.01-ufd. disc ceramics. Problem solved. Is it possible that, for reasons unknown, RF is maybe somehow getting into the relay control circuitry...? I know it's a stretch, because the rig obviously worked well enough before...but then so did mine here! Hi Good luck, in any event... ~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ -- Submissions:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 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] T-4XC hanging in transmit mode
john [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Doug, I seem to remember bias voltage being an issue for this problem Best 73 John k5Mo At 04:52 PM 10/27/2007, Doug Smith wrote: Doug Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- [I posted on this a while back but am just getting around to it.] My T-4XC has been intermittently hanging in transmit mode on CW. Everything runs along fine but periodically when I stop sending the transmitter doesn't seem to drop out of TX mode and normal bias current is registered on the TX meter. During these episodes there is no RF output (unless I hit the key again then I get normal RF out). If I then send a long string of dits when I stop the T/R function usually resumes normal operation - for a while. Today I pulled the AC-4 out of the MS-4 and measured the various voltages: High B+ 683 VDC with 0.4 VAC ripple Low B+ 278 VDC with 0.12 VAC ripple Bias-59.5 VDC with 0.022 VAC ripple Which all seem a bit high but mostly nominal. The bias range is from -45 to -95. The ripple figures are peak to peak as measured on my 'scope. I poked around underneath the AC-4 and I don't see anything that looks 'wrong'. I was able to reproduce this problem this morning but I am unable to reproduce the problem now that I've fooled around with the AC-4. For the life of me, it *feels* like the T/R relay is simply hanging up when transitioning from transmit to receive. But, I'd rather develop a theory based on something other than what I *feel*.. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I oughta be looking at? Tnx and 73, -Doug, W7KF -- Submissions:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 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:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 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] T-4XC hanging in transmit mode
Doug Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- Wow, I would have thought ripple of .022 VAC (peak to peak) on the -60 VDC bias was pretty clean! Nonetheless, the consensus seems to be bias and/or ripple. I have an AC-4 rebuild kit from Mike at The Heath Kit Shop so I'll drag that out of the box, assemble and install. Thanks for the input and I'll report back as soon as I have the AC-4 rebuilt.. 73, -Doug, W7KF On Sat, 2007-10-27 at 19:22 -0400, Al Parker wrote: Al Parker [EMAIL PROTECTED] made an utterance to the drakelist gang -- I agree, and ripple in particular. 73, Al, W8UT -- Submissions:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 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] New Subscriber
Eddy, Welcome. This is a really great bunch. Drake radios and Collins were my dream rigs as a kid. Now that I am 57, I finally have the radios I lusted after as a kid. I am sitting here as I type listening to the contesters on 40M on my C line. What fun! R. Hunter Ellington, Esq. Shareholder Gorrell Giles PC 1331 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1000 Denver, Colorado 80202 (303) 996-6585 Direct (303) 996-2680 Fax [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of EP Swynar Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2007 8:23 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [drakelist] New Subscriber Good Day All, Just welcoming myself(!) aboard this Reflector... I've been giving some serious thought of late here to do what I probably should have done some 24 years ago, specifically, buy a good set of Drake Twins. Back in '83, I elected to retire my venerable old Heathkit SB-400 / Hallicrafters S-77A combo, in favour of the latest greatest from the Far East... I've rued that day every time something major goes out with this flashy digital winking blinking contraption. Maybe I'll learn enough here to know which version of the R4 series of receiver I should have, the subtleties between all of the different variants thereof...I hope so, anyway, look forward to the day that I might have some Twins of my own here to use, enjoy, and actually REPAIR myself, as the need may arise... ~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
