Was doing a quick recap after restoring this Drake L75 Amp.:
1- the two RCA connectors on the back of the unit (Vox Relay and Transmitter AGC) are too close together for comfort! ?I made the cable to connect to my Yaesu but both cables do not fit together. So I am using only the Relay. All the RCA connectors, locally sold, are intended for audio and those are the thick fancy type. Need to find old vintage RCAs to use here or build an ¡°adapter¡± to connect my modern set of cables.
2- Had a lot of head scratching at the time of turning on the amp, after finishing the restoration. Had nothing on the meter. No activity at all. Though had failed with colors but at same time had relay activity and the humming inside sounded like all was ok, the fan was working and the power consumption measured was also OK. But still nothing on the meter... took the meter out and tested it outside and, to my surprise, the meter was not working but seemed mechanically ok. Well, found a cold solder on the connection of a small wire inside the meter! Had to take it apart completely and it was like working on an old clock mechanism. Slow and meticulous with magnifier glasses.?
Clearly this was a manufacturer¡¯s failure.
Does anybody here has the warranty phone number from?Drake? LOL to claim warranty LOL?
Do you know (just curiosity) who made the Drake L75 panel meter? Simpson or maybe Weston??
Anyway was a great adventure to upgrade this.?
Now I know what I have inside and feel safer knowing that the components are new. Before was no guarantee I wouldn¡¯t get a cloud of white smoke in the Shack if a big electrolytic failed anytime (today? Next month?) being so old, burning out the Main transformer with it, etc.
Enjoy the weekend guys!
73 de Rob
YS1RS
Roberto - YS1RS