Re: TR-4 No Output On SSB Where to Begin?
It is essentially both and yes, it's different from the Kenwood hybrid method, where the carrier injection is controlled separately from the mic gain.
Additionally, on the TR-3/4, the S meter also indicates, roughly, ALC activity.? There's no way to calibrate it but seeing the needle moving means that the ALC in the rig is working.
Because there's no separate carrier control, the only way to control output power on SSB is to turn down the gain, which also turns down the mic gain.? I am not sure if anyone has actually measured the ALC and its action if a TR-3/4 is feeding an amplifier but I would recommend using the ALC connection is driving an amp with one of these rigs, to avoid overdriving.
73,
Steve Wedge, W1ES
Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent with secure email.
On Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 at 10:11 AM, Anthony KB2OMC via groups.io <kb2omc@...> wrote:
Oh boy it sure would help if I read the manual more closely, I was mistaken and thought the TX Gain was a carrier control instead of the MIC gain. Thanks Steve and Barry for clearing that up for me.
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Re: Looking for a VOX 2-pin cable for an L-4b to T-X4b
If you have these connectors shipped to you be sure to specify that they be securely wrapped and packaged in a small box. They are fragile and will not tolerate much abuse. Years ago I bought a number of these and the seller shipped?them in an envelope. Almost all of the connectors?were smashed or cracked.?
Before I got my 2 pin?connector I used an RCA jack on a short pigtail that was soldered to the?terminals?on the two pin socket. No "mods" necessary and the pigtail was easily?removed when?the plugs arrived.
GL!
Would this help ?
Epay listing # 286159988585
Hi I am Looking for a VOX 2-pin cable for an L-4b to T-X4b.
I know there are RCA connector mods but I'd like to keep them original.
?
TIA,
de Larry, W6YH
?
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Re: Looking for a VOX 2-pin cable for an L-4b to T-X4b
KE9PQ has the VOX2RCA kit
Paul K0UYA
On 1/15/2025 11:03 AM, Dave Edwards via
groups.io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
By the
way....the RCA connector mod was a Drake mod, so it kinda IS
original.?
....Dave
On 01/15/2025 11:56 AM EST Larry W6YH
<larry@...> wrote: ?
?
Hi I am Looking for a VOX 2-pin cable for an L-4b to
T-X4b.
I know there are RCA connector mods but I'd like to keep
them original.
?
TIA,
de Larry, W6YH
?
|
Re: Looking for a VOX 2-pin cable for an L-4b to T-X4b
Would this help ?
Epay listing # 286159988585
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi I am Looking for a VOX 2-pin cable for an L-4b to T-X4b.
I know there are RCA connector mods but I'd like to keep them original.
?
TIA,
de Larry, W6YH
?
|
Re: Looking for a VOX 2-pin cable for an L-4b to T-X4b
By the way....the RCA connector mod was a Drake mod, so it kinda IS original.?
....Dave
On 01/15/2025 11:56 AM EST Larry W6YH <larry@...> wrote:
?
?
Hi I am Looking for a VOX 2-pin cable for an L-4b to T-X4b.
I know there are RCA connector mods but I'd like to keep them original.
?
TIA,
de Larry, W6YH
?
|
Looking for a VOX 2-pin cable for an L-4b to T-X4b
Hi I am Looking for a VOX 2-pin cable for an L-4b to T-X4b.
I know there are RCA connector mods but I'd like to keep them original.
?
TIA,
de Larry, W6YH
?
|
Re: TR-4 No Output On SSB Where to Begin?
No problem.? I'm pretty new to boat anchors and Drake gear myself and TX gain was a mystery to me for a while.? There's a lot of different terminology.? ie "pre-selector" vs RF Tune .? Have fun with that TR-4 and realize you are playing with fire.? I have three TR-3s, a TR-4Cw, and a Swan 260 plus all of the test gear, antenna tuners, and mics I've bought to fix and use them.
On Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 09:11:07 AM CST, Anthony KB2OMC via groups.io <kb2omc@...> wrote:
Oh boy it sure would help if I read the manual more closely, I was mistaken and thought the TX Gain was a carrier control instead of the MIC gain. Thanks Steve and Barry for clearing that up for me.
|
Re: TR-4 No Output On SSB Where to Begin?
Oh boy it sure would help if I read the manual more closely, I was mistaken and thought the TX Gain was a carrier control instead of the MIC gain. Thanks Steve and Barry for clearing that up for me.
|
Re: TR-4 No Output On SSB Where to Begin?
That sounds like normal operation. There has to be some signal being created in order to operate the VOX circuitry.?
If you¡¯re using a non peak-reading meter, you should see the meter kick up a little on voice peaks. It will not be anywhere near the peak power in appearance.?
73,
Steve Wedge, W1ES
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
On Wed, Jan 15, 2025 at 07:57, Anthony KB2OMC via groups.io < kb2omc@...> wrote:
Hello to the group,
?
I recently picked up a TR-4/AC4 and am trying to get them going. I have rebuilt the AC4 and replaced the can cap in the TR-4 along with a few weak tubes. I am able to tune the rig up just fine and it works ok in CW mode.
When I try to transmit SSB using VOX the relays do not engage, using PTT they do however and I still? I do not see any output when speaking into the microphone. But when I add in some carrier with the TX gain control around 9 or 10 oclock the VOX works as does the PTT and there is output when I speak into the mic. I am not sure where to begin in hunting this issue down and hoping someone can provide me some insight and point me in the right direction.
Thanks and 73,
Tony W2SRX
|
Re: TR-4 No Output On SSB Where to Begin?
Sounds like it¡¯s working correctly. TX gain is just mic gain. 9 o¡¯clock position is about where you start getting drive. The standard tune up process requires turning up the tx gain as the first step. How are you tuning up the tx without turning tx gain clock wise?
On Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 06:57:21 AM CST, Anthony KB2OMC via groups.io <kb2omc@...> wrote:
Hello to the group,
?
I recently picked up a TR-4/AC4 and am trying to get them going. I have rebuilt the AC4 and replaced the can cap in the TR-4 along with a few weak tubes. I am able to tune the rig up just fine and it works ok in CW mode.
When I try to transmit SSB using VOX the relays do not engage, using PTT they do however and I still? I do not see any output when speaking into the microphone. But when I add in some carrier with the TX gain control around 9 or 10 oclock the VOX works as does the PTT and there is output when I speak into the mic. I am not sure where to begin in hunting this issue down and hoping someone can provide me some insight and point me in the right direction.
Thanks and 73,
Tony W2SRX
|
Re: Drake Ad from Feb "73"
I'm a little older than you. I built a 6AQ5 osc powered by a 240 volt photo flash battery. 4 flashlight batteries lite the filaments. ordered Peterson 3748 khz crystal from allied electronics. 2 watts out on good day. On Tue, Jan 14, 2025 at 10:15?PM jerry-KF6VB via groups.io <jerry@...> wrote:
On 2025-01-14 18:54, Don Humphrey via groups.io wrote:
My cousin was a ham,
When he married and moved out of my
GrandMothers house I found a collection of "Popular Electronics". My first transmitter was a Poptronics article. It had a single 6V6 tube
functioning as both oscillator and amplifier. The final coil was wound
on
a toilet paper tube. The tuning indicator was a neon bulb. I built it
on a baking tin I stole from my mother. The power supply used a
transformer
from a color TV.
- Jerry, KF6VB
|
TR-4 No Output On SSB Where to Begin?
Hello to the group,
?
I recently picked up a TR-4/AC4 and am trying to get them going. I have rebuilt the AC4 and replaced the can cap in the TR-4 along with a few weak tubes. I am able to tune the rig up just fine and it works ok in CW mode.
When I try to transmit SSB using VOX the relays do not engage, using PTT they do however and I still? I do not see any output when speaking into the microphone. But when I add in some carrier with the TX gain control around 9 or 10 oclock the VOX works as does the PTT and there is output when I speak into the mic. I am not sure where to begin in hunting this issue down and hoping someone can provide me some insight and point me in the right direction.
Thanks and 73,
Tony W2SRX
|
Re: Drake Ad from Feb "73"
On 2025-01-14 18:54, Don Humphrey via groups.io wrote: My cousin was a ham,
When he married and moved out of my
GrandMothers house I found a collection of "Popular Electronics". My first transmitter was a Poptronics article. It had a single 6V6 tube functioning as both oscillator and amplifier. The final coil was wound on a toilet paper tube. The tuning indicator was a neon bulb. I built it on a baking tin I stole from my mother. The power supply used a transformer from a color TV. - Jerry, KF6VB
|
Re: Drake Ad from Feb "73"
My cousin was a ham,
When he married and moved out of my
GrandMothers house I found a collection of "Popular Electronics".
This started me on the road to a ham license and my
life'sn
|
Re: R4C Sherwood audio mod questions
Floyd,
I had the same problem on my R4-C. I traced it to 3VPP of 60
Hz ripple on the +12v supply that powers the calibrator. That ripple, which was
caused by an open diode in the power supply, resulted in the tone sounding like
a buzz when using the calibrator, whereas the tone when using an external RF
source was a clean tone. You may not have 3 VPP of ripple on your +12 V line,
but be aware that any noise/ripple on that line does modulate the output
signal.
Bill N0CU
On Thu, Jan 9, 2025 at 8:51?AM Floyd - K8AC via <floydsense= [email protected]> wrote: Well, I decided to go ahead with the R4C transformer rotation and completed it this morning.? I was able to locate a new 5/8" Greenlee punch on eBay for a good price.? Took a lot of photos and notes so everything went back together properly.? There's definitely an improvement when listening to the calibrator at both ends of the bands.? I never noticed the same problem with CW signals and am wondering if the proximity of the calibrator board to the transformer might have something to do with the calibrator effect.? I don't have the equipment to look closely at the signal as Rob and others have done.? One slight oversight by me in the process: after removing the transformer, I removed the calibrator board so not to accidentally damage it while drilling and punching.? I reinstalled the transformer in it's new orientation and found that I couldn't get the calibrator board plugged in again due to mechanical interference with the transformer shell and the fact that the calibrator has rather long pins on the connector.? Replace the calibrator first!
?
Since this is essentially a no-cost modification (if you already have the Greenlee punch), it's probably worth doing but I don't consider it a vast improvement, at least not to me.? Thanks to all who commented on the mod.
?
73, Floyd - K8AC
?
?
|
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 14, 2025, at 11:26?AM, Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io <w1es@...> wrote:
? Yeah, mine also came with an RV-4C. ?If you want to operate real split, it is just the ticket but I rarely go after ATNO¡¯s with vintage gear. I have gone after new band-countries. ?I¡¯m currently at 318 verified, 320 confirmed, so it¡¯s rare for anything totally new (an ATNO) to surface.
On the Drake Net this past Sunday, I used W5SUM¡¯s TR-4Cw RIT and I used the RIT to tune in the occasional off-frequency person. ?The built-in RIT is perfect for doing this.
One important note: not all TR-4Cw¡¯s have the RIT/NB capability and not all TR4Cw RIT¡¯s have the NB. ?If either of these features are important to you, look over any set before buying.?
The ones with the RIT have two pushbuttons on the front panel, lower centre. ?These sets, if they have the NB will have a ¡°silvery¡± box with a board in it, along the left side of the upper chassis.
And yes, my first one of these with the narrow filter was a TR-4Cw. No RIT. I believe that they did have a NB option.
The story I heard about the evolution of these last TR-4¡¯s was that the RIT makes it easier to get the narrow filter over the received signal. A bonus of the RIT feature is that it¡¯s sort of an IF shift if there¡¯s an interfering signal nearby.
These sets used to command a hefty premium but have come down in price the past few years. ?Hamfests are the best places to find deals but even eBay prices have softened.
73,
Steve Wedge, W1ES
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
On Tue, Jan 14, 2025 at 11:47 AM, VE7PS via groups.io < ve7ps@...> wrote:
Though I no longer have a TR-4C, I always paired that xcvr with an RV-4C external VFO/spkr cabinet.? Listen on one VFO and tx on the other - problem solved.? Essentially gives you "rit" on steroids.? Even my TR-4CW/rit is paired with an RV-4C, though a bit superfluous I guess.
73
Peter
VE7PS
On Tue, Jan 14, 2025 at 8:02?AM Jay W6CJ via
<lastradioman=
[email protected]> wrote:
Thanks Gary,
Now if I see a TR4CW, I know what's in store for me.
73
Jay
Jay,
All TR-4s and all T-4Xs shift the CW carrier, and its very close to 1KHz.? If you want to be on the other stations frequency, you need to tune
his note to 1KHz.
?
This offset is done by a switched in capacitor so it is not precisely 1KHz, if you have another receiver you could listen and determine what
it really is on your rig. (or use a frequency counter)
?
1KHz is pretty high, normally you would like it lower like Steve.? The TR-4CW-RIT solves that problem.? So does operating the 4-line separates
by operating in separate mode.
?
73,
Gary
WB6OGD
?
|
Yeah, mine also came with an RV-4C. ?If you want to operate real split, it is just the ticket but I rarely go after ATNO¡¯s with vintage gear. I have gone after new band-countries. ?I¡¯m currently at 318 verified, 320 confirmed, so it¡¯s rare for anything totally new (an ATNO) to surface.
On the Drake Net this past Sunday, I used W5SUM¡¯s TR-4Cw RIT and I used the RIT to tune in the occasional off-frequency person. ?The built-in RIT is perfect for doing this.
One important note: not all TR-4Cw¡¯s have the RIT/NB capability and not all TR4Cw RIT¡¯s have the NB. ?If either of these features are important to you, look over any set before buying.?
The ones with the RIT have two pushbuttons on the front panel, lower centre. ?These sets, if they have the NB will have a ¡°silvery¡± box with a board in it, along the left side of the upper chassis.
And yes, my first one of these with the narrow filter was a TR-4Cw. No RIT. I believe that they did have a NB option.
The story I heard about the evolution of these last TR-4¡¯s was that the RIT makes it easier to get the narrow filter over the received signal. A bonus of the RIT feature is that it¡¯s sort of an IF shift if there¡¯s an interfering signal nearby.
These sets used to command a hefty premium but have come down in price the past few years. ?Hamfests are the best places to find deals but even eBay prices have softened.
73,
Steve Wedge, W1ES
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
On Tue, Jan 14, 2025 at 11:47 AM, VE7PS via groups.io < ve7ps@...> wrote:
Though I no longer have a TR-4C, I always paired that xcvr with an RV-4C external VFO/spkr cabinet.? Listen on one VFO and tx on the other - problem solved.? Essentially gives you "rit" on steroids.? Even my TR-4CW/rit is paired with an RV-4C, though a bit superfluous I guess.
73
Peter
VE7PS
On Tue, Jan 14, 2025 at 8:02?AM Jay W6CJ via
<lastradioman=
[email protected]> wrote:
Thanks Gary,
Now if I see a TR4CW, I know what's in store for me.
73
Jay
Jay,
All TR-4s and all T-4Xs shift the CW carrier, and its very close to 1KHz.? If you want to be on the other stations frequency, you need to tune
his note to 1KHz.
?
This offset is done by a switched in capacitor so it is not precisely 1KHz, if you have another receiver you could listen and determine what
it really is on your rig. (or use a frequency counter)
?
1KHz is pretty high, normally you would like it lower like Steve.? The TR-4CW-RIT solves that problem.? So does operating the 4-line separates
by operating in separate mode.
?
73,
Gary
WB6OGD
?
|
I have two TR-3s, 10nnn and 12nnn serial numbers, and the gear immediately behind the lexan dial is metal.? The small gear on the shaft from the PTO is also metal but I think all of them are.? The other two gears are nylon/plastic.? The early TR-3 and RV-3 I have both use a plastic gear behind the dial and they have four mounting points instead of the three mounting points on the later TR-3s.? The early TR-3 is a basket case and the PTO is in really bad shape.? I may try to revive it by transplanting the PTO from the RV-3 into the TR-3 since it's a direct replacement.? It has a lot of other issues that will need to be solved first though.? It's SN 1305 and has a lot of differences vs the two later ones.? Has a previous owner's (silent key) call sign scratched on the tuning capacitor can.? It's a piece of history.
On Monday, January 13, 2025 at 06:43:40 AM CST, Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io <w1es@...> wrote:
I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen one with metal gears. Interesting.?
Steve Wedge, W1ES
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
On Sun, Jan 12, 2025 at 22:04, Barry KJ5GQM via groups.io < chasbg@...> wrote:
It¡¯s the same vintage as the TR-3 and is wired exactly the same. The VFO in the RV-3 I have is mounted to the chassis in four places as is the early SN-13nn TR-3 and both have plastic gears. The TR-3 I¡¯m restoring is SN-10nnn and the VFO is mounted in three places. The gear on the dial part is metal. Otherwise it looks like the other two.
On Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 08:11:33 PM CST, Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io <w1es@...> wrote:
Does the RV-3 use a tube for the PTO? ?I¡¯m thinking the RV-3 was made later and may have a solid state PTO.?
Enquiring minds want to know.?
Steve Wedge, W1ES
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
On Sun, Jan 12, 2025 at 19:37, Barry KJ5GQM via groups.io <
chasbg@...> wrote:
I have a TR-3 with half the dial tinted. I have a RV-3 and a very early TR-3 parts radio that are both clear. One of them is going to ¡°donate¡± the dial. I was going to transplant the whole VFO from the RV-3 but the mounting hole pattern is different.
|
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Though I no longer have a TR-4C, I always paired that xcvr with an RV-4C external VFO/spkr cabinet.? Listen on one VFO and tx on the other - problem solved.? Essentially gives you "rit" on steroids.? Even my TR-4CW/rit is paired with an RV-4C, though a bit superfluous I guess.
73 Peter VE7PS Thanks Gary, Now if I see a TR4CW, I know what's in store for me. 73 Jay
Jay,
All TR-4s and all T-4Xs shift the CW carrier, and its very close to 1KHz.? If you want to be on the other stations frequency, you need to tune
his note to 1KHz.
?
This offset is done by a switched in capacitor so it is not precisely 1KHz, if you have another receiver you could listen and determine what
it really is on your rig. (or use a frequency counter)
?
1KHz is pretty high, normally you would like it lower like Steve.? The TR-4CW-RIT solves that problem.? So does operating the 4-line separates
by operating in separate mode.
?
73,
Gary
WB6OGD
?
|
Though I no longer have a TR-4C, I always paired that xcvr with an RV-4C external VFO/spkr cabinet.? Listen on one VFO and tx on the other - problem solved.? Essentially gives you "rit" on steroids.? Even my TR-4CW/rit is paired with an RV-4C, though a bit superfluous I guess.
73 Peter VE7PS
Thanks Gary, Now if I see a TR4CW, I know what's in store for me. 73 Jay
Jay,
All TR-4s and all T-4Xs shift the CW carrier, and its very close to 1KHz.? If you want to be on the other stations frequency, you need to tune
his note to 1KHz.
?
This offset is done by a switched in capacitor so it is not precisely 1KHz, if you have another receiver you could listen and determine what
it really is on your rig. (or use a frequency counter)
?
1KHz is pretty high, normally you would like it lower like Steve.? The TR-4CW-RIT solves that problem.? So does operating the 4-line separates
by operating in separate mode.
?
73,
Gary
WB6OGD
?
|
Ronnie Hull - W5SUM
Jay W6CJ