Re: [Drakelist] TR-7 Alignment
Hello David. I had the same problem when I attempted to set 80M output at a much lower level.In the end I went back to 140W on 80M and this gives me 100W at 29.5 with the ALC light extinguishing. John. GI3KDR -Original Message- From: drakelist-boun...@zerobeat.net [mailto:drakelist-boun...@zerobeat.net]on Behalf Of David Chris Drake Sent: 08 February 2009 21:13 To: drakelist@zerobeat.net Subject: [Drakelist] TR-7 Alignment Hello, I decided to go back into my TR-7 this afternoon and do some tweeking to my previous alignment. (the S meter seemed to read higher than my other radios by quite a bit). After re-setting the S-meter per the manual, I thought I'd go back over the transmitter settings and lower the output somewhat. I had read somewhere that Drake liked to set the ALC board at 120w instead of the called for 140-150w. The purpose being purity of emissions. I'm using it mainly with an L4B, so the extra 20-30 watts means little. Per the manual, I set the carrier fully clockwise on 14mhz, keyed the radio and set the ALC pot to about 120w. Then went to 28mhz and attempted to reset the predriver board to get the alc light to go out. No can do. The pot is fully CCW and no more there. I remember when I did the previous alignment set at about 145w on 14mhz, and then on 28mhz, the alc light just started to dim at fully CCW on the predriver. Any comments as to what I should or should not be doing? PS, its sn 5300 or so with the version 2 predriver. Thanks, David Wd9cmd ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] Fwd: Re: DRAKE R-4B T-4XB
---BeginMessage--- At 07:21 PM 02/08/09, you wrote: My R-4B is making a sound like a phonograph needle skipping over a record? This happens after about 15-20 minuts of warm-up? Posts to the list go to drakelist@zerobeat.net if you are a member 73, Thom k3hrn My T-4XB has an intermitant problem of fluxuating power? After about 15 minutes of use the power abruptly dropes? It fluctuates up and down as if a relay is faulty? If anyone knows or is familiar with these problems I would appreciate a responce to mailto:kb2...@arrl.netkb2...@arrl.net Very truly yours, Lou, KB2DHG ---End Message--- ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] TR-7 Alignment
Thanks John, I was thinking that, but I could'nt understand why. I'll give it another go at 140-150w and see. 73's David, wd9cmd - Original Message - From: John Stringer To: David Chris Drake ; drakelist@zerobeat.net Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 5:28 AM Subject: RE: [Drakelist] TR-7 Alignment Hello David. I had the same problem when I attempted to set 80M output at a much lower level.In the end I went back to 140W on 80M and this gives me 100W at 29.5 with the ALC light extinguishing. John. GI3KDR -Original Message- From: drakelist-boun...@zerobeat.net [mailto:drakelist-boun...@zerobeat.net]on Behalf Of David Chris Drake Sent: 08 February 2009 21:13 To: drakelist@zerobeat.net Subject: [Drakelist] TR-7 Alignment Hello, I decided to go back into my TR-7 this afternoon and do some tweeking to my previous alignment. (the S meter seemed to read higher than my other radios by quite a bit). After re-setting the S-meter per the manual, I thought I'd go back over the transmitter settings and lower the output somewhat. I had read somewhere that Drake liked to set the ALC board at 120w instead of the called for 140-150w. The purpose being purity of emissions. I'm using it mainly with an L4B, so the extra 20-30 watts means little. Per the manual, I set the carrier fully clockwise on 14mhz, keyed the radio and set the ALC pot to about 120w. Then went to 28mhz and attempted to reset the predriver board to get the alc light to go out. No can do. The pot is fully CCW and no more there. I remember when I did the previous alignment set at about 145w on 14mhz, and then on 28mhz, the alc light just started to dim at fully CCW on the predriver. Any comments as to what I should or should not be doing? PS, its sn 5300 or so with the version 2 predriver. Thanks, David Wd9cmd___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] Drake TR-4C portable operation
Lacking the availability of a DC-4 power supply, anyone have any opinions or experience using a Power Inverter with the AC-4 supply for portable operations? Loren - WA3WZR ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] Drake TR-4C portable operation
Hi Loren, My opinion -- don't try it. Most invertors have a terribly distorted waveform e.g. square wave with spikes. It'll make the AC-4's xfmr run terribly hot, and if it works at all the voltages delevered to your rig will probably not be as expected. It's been done, also happens with the relatively cheap 1 2kw generators that are really LV DC alternators running into an invertor. I'm sure you'll get other input, hopefully most corroborating. 73, Al, W8UT New Bern, NC www.boatanchors.org www.hammarlund.info there is nothing -absolutely nothing- half as much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Ratty, to Mole - Original Message - From: Loren McCullough loren...@verizon.net To: drakelist@zerobeat.net Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 11:45 AM Subject: [Drakelist] Drake TR-4C portable operation Lacking the availability of a DC-4 power supply, anyone have any opinions or experience using a Power Inverter with the AC-4 supply for portable operations? Loren - WA3WZR ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] TR-7 Alignment
David, I found your note interesting because the same thing happened on my TR-7 (S/N 46xx) recently. I did a full alignment on the radio and carefully followed the instructions (more than once) and the result was the same: the LED would not go out when I adjusted the predriver control on 10m. W8PU cautioned me at the time that I should only crack the predriver open about half a turn or risk instability (at least I think that's what he said at the time). I ended up reducing the ALC board pot slightly and then the LED would go off with about a half-turn of predriver. I think my radio is set for about 125W output. I could run it at 140W or so, but then the LED would not go off on 10m using the predriver control. I was interested in seeing what kind of answers you got. My particular radio had a couple of failures when I got it (pin diode, voltage regulator for the DR-7, and some alignment issues), so I was concerned at the time that this alignment glitch might indicate another hidden problem. But in using it, it seems to be okay. Since I aligned mine, I did find one instance where the radio was unstable on 40m and pegged the needle in CW mode even with the carrier control set very low. It only happened once (and was very sudden and very alarming, I might add). The power started to go up normally as I increased the carrier control, but suddenly - wham! I don't know what caused it and I don't believe I reduced either the predriver or ALC settings to fix it. It has behaved okay recently, so I'll just have to keep an eye on it. 73, Dave / K8JDC - Original Message - From: David Chris Drake To: drakelist@zerobeat.net Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2009 4:12 PM Subject: [Drakelist] TR-7 Alignment Hello, I decided to go back into my TR-7 this afternoon and do some tweeking to my previous alignment. (the S meter seemed to read higher than my other radios by quite a bit). After re-setting the S-meter per the manual, I thought I'd go back over the transmitter settings and lower the output somewhat. I had read somewhere that Drake liked to set the ALC board at 120w instead of the called for 140-150w. The purpose being purity of emissions. I'm using it mainly with an L4B, so the extra 20-30 watts means little. Per the manual, I set the carrier fully clockwise on 14mhz, keyed the radio and set the ALC pot to about 120w. Then went to 28mhz and attempted to reset the predriver board to get the alc light to go out. No can do. The pot is fully CCW and no more there. I remember when I did the previous alignment set at about 145w on 14mhz, and then on 28mhz, the alc light just started to dim at fully CCW on the predriver. Any comments as to what I should or should not be doing? PS, its sn 5300 or so with the version 2 predriver. Thanks, David Wd9cmd ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] Drake C-LINE equipment FS
To all: The R-4C has been sold but I still have the T-4XC and the MS-4/AC-4 FS if anyone is interested. Thanks, Terry, W8NJR **A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/10075x1218550342x1201216770/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=fe bemailfooterNO62) ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] DRAKE R-4A FS
I have a R-4A, S/N 6404G, for sale. This is a two owner receiver and it is in VGC. It was just recently aligned and is working very well. It comes with the original owners manual which is also in good condition. The price is $225.00 plus shipping from 45373, Contact _w8...@aol.com_ (mailto:w8...@aol.com) if interested. Thanks and 73, Terry, W8NJR **A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/10075x1218550342x1201216770/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=fe bemailfooterNO62) ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] T-4XB/R-4B Help Request
I have the T-4XB and R-4B set up to transceive with each other, but have one minor problem that is keeping them from being perfect operationally and don't know where to begin... Assume that both units are powered off and that the Transceive control on the transmitter to RCVR so that the receiver PTO would control both units, then power on both units. The RX PTO indicator light will be on, the TX PTO indicator will be off. Change the Transceive switch to XMTR and the RX PTO indicator turns off and the TX PTO indicator turns on. So far so good. Turn the Transceive switch back to RCVR and the TX PTO indicator goes off, but the RX PTO indicator stays off. The Transceive switch can be toggled between RCVR and XMTR to no avail. The TX indicator works in the appropriate position, but the RX indicator stays off regardless. Note that if the pair is powered up with the Transceive switch in the XMTR position, switching to the RCVR position will not cause the RX indicator to turn on, ever. In a word, HELP! Thanks. 73, Jim K5JG ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] TR-7 Alignment
On Mon, 9 Feb 2009 09:54:49 -0500, K8AC - k8ac wrote: Will have to look at the R2203 change. Standard disclaimers apply. This stuff is a little bit voodoo. What worked for me may not work for you. :) 73 -Jim -- Ham Radio NU0C TR7/RV7/R7A/L7, TR6/RV6, T4XC/R4C/L4B, NCL2000, SB104A, R390A, GT550A/RV550A, HyGain 3750, IBM PS/2 - all vintage, all the time! HyGain 3750 User's Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HyGain_3750/ http://radiojim.exofire.net http://incolor.inetnebr.com/jshorney http://www.nebraskaghosts.org ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] T-4XB/R-4B Help Request
On Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:12:25 -0600, Jim Gerke wrote: Note that if the pair is powered up with the Transceive switch in the XMTR position, switching to the RCVR position will not cause the RX indicator to turn on, ever. In a word, HELP! Gassy neon lamp? 73 -Jim -- Ham Radio NU0C TR7/RV7/R7A/L7, TR6/RV6, T4XC/R4C/L4B, NCL2000, SB104A, R390A, GT550A/RV550A, HyGain 3750, IBM PS/2 - all vintage, all the time! HyGain 3750 User's Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HyGain_3750/ http://radiojim.exofire.net http://incolor.inetnebr.com/jshorney http://www.nebraskaghosts.org ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] T-4XB/R-4B Help Request
Jim - The neon bulb behind the R-4B Main Tuning knob is old, and it's firing voltage has gone up. You have three choices. 1. Remove the Main Tuning knob, and then remove the little tin shield over the bulb and fiducial that's behind it. Find a replacement NE-2H, which is the little tubular bulb with wire leads, make sure the glass bulb is short enough to fit inside the shield. Then pull out the bulb far enough to get to the wire that is soldered to the bulb leads, remove the heat shrink insulation and then unsolder the leads. You'll probably find that the leads are not long enough to pull out, so that you have to remove the front panel to get to them. Once the new bulb is soldered to the old leads, shrink tubing applied and shrunk, replace the front panel, and using your third hand put all the pieces back together again! - or - 2. Find R150, 100k ohm, 1/2W resistor on the small vertical board under the chassis just under the PTO. Cut that resistor out. (This is the 'almost official' Drake repair.) - or - 3. Learn to live with not having the light! Your choice.. 73, Garey - K4OAH Glen Allen, VA Drake 2-B, 4-B, C-Line TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs www.k4oah.com Jim Gerke wrote: I have the T-4XB and R-4B set up to transceive with each other, but have one minor problem that is keeping them from being perfect operationally and don't know where to begin... Assume that both units are powered off and that the Transceive control on the transmitter to RCVR so that the receiver PTO would control both units, then power on both units. The RX PTO indicator light will be on, the TX PTO indicator will be off. Change the Transceive switch to XMTR and the RX PTO indicator turns off and the TX PTO indicator turns on. So far so good. Turn the Transceive switch back to RCVR and the TX PTO indicator goes off, but the RX PTO indicator stays off. The Transceive switch can be toggled between RCVR and XMTR to no avail. The TX indicator works in the appropriate position, but the RX indicator stays off regardless. Note that if the pair is powered up with the Transceive switch in the XMTR position, switching to the RCVR position will not cause the RX indicator to turn on, ever. In a word, HELP! Thanks. 73, Jim K5JG ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] T-4XB/R-4B Help Request
Wow! In the space of a few minutes, three people replied to my query and all had essentially the same root cause. I took the easy way out and removed R150 per Garey's suggestion and the indicators now work as designed. Thanks guys. 73, Jim K5JG P.S. To Jim Shorney -- Neon bulbs ARE gassy, but I get your point. :) ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] T-4XB/R-4B Help Request
On Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:48:39 -0600, Jim Gerke wrote: P.S. To Jim Shorney -- Neon bulbs ARE gassy, but I get your point. :) OK, gassier than it's supposed to be then! Glad you got it fixed. 73 -Jim (I COULD have suggested LED retrofits, you know) -- Ham Radio NU0C TR7/RV7/R7A/L7, TR6/RV6, T4XC/R4C/L4B, NCL2000, SB104A, R390A, GT550A/RV550A, HyGain 3750, IBM PS/2 - all vintage, all the time! HyGain 3750 User's Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HyGain_3750/ http://radiojim.exofire.net http://incolor.inetnebr.com/jshorney http://www.nebraskaghosts.org ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
[Drakelist] R-4C K1THQ mod
I´m interested in R-4C mods and just found out that K1THQ did something back in the 70:ties, anyone know what he did? 73 Jim SM2EKM ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
Re: [Drakelist] TR-7 Alignment
Jim Shorney wrote: On Mon, 9 Feb 2009 09:54:49 -0500, K8AC - k8ac wrote: Will have to look at the R2203 change. Standard disclaimers apply. This stuff is a little bit voodoo. What worked for me may not work for you. :) 73 -Jim Did test this on a spare driver board, changed R 2203 to 270 ohm. Gain pot midrange and 0.15V from signal generator. 510 ohm270 ohm 2 MHz 292 mW 213 mW 4 199177 8 182184 16 157168 28 219250 Will do some more testing later. Maybe R2203 could be lowered further. 73 Jim SM2EKM ___ Drakelist mailing list Drakelist@zerobeat.net http://mailman.zerobeat.net/mailman/listinfo/drakelist
