Hi Don, All,
Yes, that's probably the reason why I did not want to buy the kits.
It may be even more fun figuring out something like that myself..
;-)
73's,
Henry - PA0HJA
On 2/8/2012 8:04 PM, Don Cunningham wrote:
Henry,
If we saw the schematics, we probably wouldn't pay the price
Hi Carey:
I did exactly that a few years ago with my a version. It works really
well and is a excellent way to get involved with SDR, the Software, and
get a panadapter along the way.
You need to get the proper IF version softrock. The SDR needs to be
tapped off of the 1st IF before the
The connection to the main Rx is a bit touchy. I used a gimmick and
a small cap but that is less than ideal. Clifton Labs offers a
isolator on a small board that is the real answer.
Yes, you need something so the connection doesn't de-tune the Drake.
The Softrock radiates alot of
Curt -
I guess I'm missing the objective here. I have several SoftRocks, Ensemble, etc., and the biggest
'feature' they offer is the ability to see large chunks ( 48, 96 or 192 kHz ) at a time. If you tap
off in front of the roofing filter, 5.645 MHz 1st IF, all you are gaining is an RF
Hi Garey:
Yes points well taken. In my case, I did this before the ensemble was
available. Had I had that availability, I would have chosen to go that
way as well.
It does work well tho. I didn't see much of an issue at all with the
limitation from the preselector. In practice, I was
Curt -
OK. Nothing wrong with FUN!! :-)
If you're only looking for a 5 - 10 kHz window, then the Preselector won't be a problem except
perhaps on 80 / 40M. It's not a steep skirt, so would still be useful further out.
The Ensemble really is a cool little receiver. Tony and the rest have
While some of the mods may not be that complex...some certainly are.
Considering the quality, components used and all the design work...they
are a bargain. Also, installation is not in all cases a walk in the
park...and will take a lot of time.
The roofing filter setup is complex and the parts
Fellow Drake Enthusiasts,
I have some brand new, original, Drake diode boards that are NOT populated with
diodes nor resistors. I can send a pair of these to lower 48 states only for
$8 shipped first class. Checks or money orders should be made out to ARRL
Foundation and in the memo field
So...If I want to use the R-4C, have a bandscope say 72 kc wide...thjat
tunes with the R-4C tuning (tracks), what is a good approach?
I want to use the excellant RX on the R-4C, HW or SW solution would be
OK...but I prefer a HW solution.
Thanks,
73,
Lee, KC9CDT
-Original Message-
But..does it track with the tuning of the R-4C?
Why would ya want to tune 2 RX's at the same time?
73,
Lee
-Original Message-
From: Garey Barrell k4...@mindspring.com
To: drakelist Drakelist@zerobeat.net
Sent: Thu, Feb 9, 2012 10:59 am
Subject: Re: [Drakelist] pan adapter
Curt -
As far as I can tell, there is no way to get the SDR pan adapter to
Track with the R4 except by possibly implementing a DDS VFO to control
the R4 and also provide frequency data to the SDR control program.
Not sure its worth it to do that.
Curt
KU8L
On 2/9/2012 12:23 PM, kc9...@aol.com
I'm, lost...so if it will not track when you tune..what good is it?
I just realized too...the pre-selector will limit the band width any
ways, so starting to realise this pan adapter with R-4C may not be that
important.
20 KC would provide some benefit...but not like 36-72 would.
73,
Lee
But..does it track with the tuning of the R-4C?
Why would ya want to tune 2 RX's at the same time?
73,
Lee
The preselector is the limiting factor as Garey pointed out. The problem
is worse on the lower bands, especially 160m. You would need to tap ahead
of the preselector -- essentially at
The Ensemble really is a cool little receiver. Tony and the rest have
done an
outstanding job!
For many years, I tried to order a Softrock kit, and now the Ensemble Tx/Rx.
In every single instance, the kits have been unavailable with a check back
soon! message. I checked again today, and
Yes Leethat is the point that Garey was making about the whole
concept on an older rig.
It was a learning exercise for me, and it worked. In my use of it, I
was only concerned with fairly small windows of frequency. I really
wished I had a good one on my 746pro over the last few weeks
Lee -
I don't have precise figures on Preselector bandwidth, and of course it varies from band to band.
But it's a LOT less than 70 kHz, even on the low bands.
I think this will be the limiting factor of bandscope coverage. If you want to look right around
'your' frequency, say +/-10 kHz
The demand seems to be so great that one must follow the Softrock yahoo
group for when the board stock becomes available and then place the order.
BTW, taking signal pre-preselector means that you no longer have a fixed
post-1st mixer signal and therefore the SDR needs to be tuned all the
Would the ham that contacted me about modules for the AUX-7 board contact me
directly? Seems AOL (Almost On Line) deleted some emails, hi hi.
Thanks,
Evan, K9SQG
___
Drakelist mailing list
Drakelist@zerobeat.net
I'm considering it, Lee. This receiver is nowhere near stock as it is, so
I'm not wrecking a museum piece. It already has the Sherwood audio amp and
a homebrewed version of the power supply mods.
I'm going to try the simple mod first to see what I think. The
experimenting is half the fun.
GArey,
OK...yes, I see where your coming from.
I would want a HW pan adapter anyways
Thanks,
lee
-Original Message-
From: Garey Barrell k4...@mindspring.com
To: kc9cdt kc9...@aol.com
Cc: cptcurt cptc...@flash.net; drakelist drakelist@zerobeat.net
Sent: Thu, Feb 9, 2012 1:01 pm
Steve,
OK..great, let us know how it works out.
73,
Lee
-Original Message-
From: Steve Wedge w1es1...@earthlink.net
To: henry.vredegoor henry.vredeg...@gmail.com; Drakelist
Drakelist@zerobeat.net; kc9cdt kc9...@aol.com
Sent: Thu, Feb 9, 2012 1:48 pm
Subject: Re: [Drakelist] Late R-4C
Paul -
The 7 is a lot more amenable than the 4. It has wideband filters in front, so the first real
selectivity is the 45 MHz roofing filter. Each BAND is much wider than usable by the SDR.
73, Garey - K4OAH
Glen Allen, VA
Drake 2-B, 2-C/2-NT, 4-A, 4-B, C-Line
and TR-4/C Service Supplement
Steve -
I found the 'C100 mod' to be more effective than the Schottky diode mod in
reducing 'hiss'.
73, Garey - K4OAH
Glen Allen, VA
Drake 2-B, 2-C/2-NT, 4-A, 4-B, C-Line
and TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
www.k4oah.com
Steve Wedge wrote:
I'm considering it, Lee. This receiver is nowhere
Fellow Drake enthusiasts,
Still have that new in the box, unused, with QC tag on it, Touchtone microphone
for sale. Can only ship to lower 48 states. Price is $30 shipped to your
door. Prefer personal check or USPS money order made out to ARRL Foundation
with memo line reading Challenge
Hi Garey, Curt,All,
I was thinking to do the same, assuming the preselector would have a
(much) wider pass-band!
Is it really that narrow, only 20 kHz ?
In that case I think it could be that the reception in the Softrock
would benefit a lot from such good preselection! ;-D
But that's not
Henry,
I for one...am interested in the outcome.
Time for a fun, inexpensive project here. Hi, Hi,
73,
Lee, KC9CDT
-Original Message-
From: Henry Vredegoor henry.vredeg...@gmail.com
To: Drakelist Drakelist@zerobeat.net
Sent: Thu, Feb 9, 2012 2:51 pm
Subject: Re: [Drakelist] pan adapter
Hi Henry:
It will do exactly as you described...perfect for viewing the nearby
part of the band. The SDR will show much more than 20Khz. I think the
preselector in my a version was not very sharp, and the SDR was plenty
sensitive.
It takes very little coupling to make it work. I never
I'm not that C100 is still in this set. It has the Sherwood audio board in
it already.
The hiss definitely decreases when the RF GAIN is reduced and is affected by
the NOTCH.
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
I can't complain, but sometimes I still do.
- Joe Walsh
If the above message appears, it came
Sounds normal
73,
Lee
-Original Message-
From: Steve Wedge w1es1...@earthlink.net
To: k4oah k4...@mindspring.com
Cc: henry.vredegoor henry.vredeg...@gmail.com; Drakelist
Drakelist@zerobeat.net; kc9cdt kc9...@aol.com
Sent: Thu, Feb 9, 2012 3:23 pm
Subject: Re: [Drakelist] Late R-4C
Curt,
Please give a complete description on this whole thing..I am not
familiar with the SDR stuff at all.
73,
Lee
-Original Message-
From: Curt cptc...@flash.net
To: drakelist drakelist@zerobeat.net
Sent: Thu, Feb 9, 2012 3:25 pm
Subject: Re: [Drakelist] pan adapter
Hi Henry:
It
Lee -
Everything you need to know is here...
http://www.wb5rvz.com/
The SR-40_R is the current single band version that is used for panadapter
service.
73, Garey - K4OAH
Glen Allen, VA
Drake 2-B, 2-C/2-NT, 4-A, 4-B, C-Line
and TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
www.k4oah.com
kc9...@aol.com
Garey, you were right, as usual.
I pulled the 2.4k filter out of the R-4C (late prod). I am hoping I can get it
back in, as it's definitely microsurgery!
After liberating the filter, I checked the continuity of the wiring -
connectivity is fine through both switch wafers.
So I wired up the
Update:
I just got the 2.4 filter back in its little niche, soldered and tightened
lugs, and the original problem is gone. Calibrator level is the same now on
all three filters :)
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
I can't complain, but sometimes I still do.
- Joe Walsh
If the above message appears, it
Garey,
OK...got it. I'll get educated...
Thanks,
Lee
-Original Message-
From: Garey Barrell k4...@mindspring.com
To: kc9cdt kc9...@aol.com
Cc: cptcurt cptc...@flash.net; drakelist drakelist@zerobeat.net
Sent: Thu, Feb 9, 2012 3:42 pm
Subject: Re: [Drakelist] pan adapter
Lee -
As I was poking around my newly rebuilt AC-3 power supply, I had a thought to
create something to keep fingers, wayward conductive tools, dropped objects,
etc. from entering the unholy high voltage regions of the AC-3. While the
bottom is securely fastened and not subject to the above, the
still do.
- Joe Walsh
If the above message appears, it came from Steve's Son of Laptop!
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Larry -
Perhaps I misunderstood your statement, but the AC-3 bolts right in to the MS-4 speaker, just like
the AC-4.
That said, it IS a much better idea to put some sort of protective cover over it, since fingers have
a way of finding themselves in contact with HV.
The stuff known as 'cane
Hi folks,
I've owned my beloved R4B since the mid-70's. From about 1985 until 2000,
it was stored while I got busy with job/family. I used it again for several
months in 2002 and 2003, and I didn't notice anything unusual. Now I am
active again and want to use it full time, but I am hearing
A look at the schematic indicates that you have hit all
the usual suspects. So, what else could cause the control
grid voltage to go positive? I wonder if the tube socket is
leaky. Even if the tube is on an extender it might be the
socket. It might be something on the surface of the
Here is where a can of freeze spray can sometimes serve to help with
diagnostics. I serviced a Collins 516F2 power supply used with a KWM-2 and
found that the molded socket for one of the rectifiers had an internal short
that could not be seen from the outside.
-Original Message-
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