Re: TR7 low band TX oscillation
Hi Jim,
After a lot of tests, PSU swaps, etc... I came to the conclusion that this TR7 is VERY VERY sensitive to any noise, AC spurs, hum that are present on the 13,5V supply voltage.
Even is powered with a external PSU but leaving the PS7 control connector connected, there is a hum on the signals.
All signals (RF, audio) are affected with these noises, sometimes it is very noticeable on the receiver audio.
The scope on the loudspeaker shows that on the 50 Hz main is wobbling the AF signals.
Even with a "clean" PS7 output, it is noticeable.?
The first thing I'm thinking about is the VCO board. I will order all caps and change them.
Has anyone already treated this problem ?
Thanks and 73,
Patrick
?
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Re: Very Nice RV4C Arrived and is now working
Chuck:
I think a lot of?us "of that vintage" remember the?dreams we had of owning a station?like Ray's back in those?days.? That AES ad certainly?affected me for a very long time....still does
When back in Ontario, prior to 2007, I had a nice long?chat with Ray, K9KHW, on 2m one evening during some enhanced propagation from southern Ontario to Wisconsin.? Ray talked about working the bands from the "Starship" as they winged their way over the USA to some distant fleamarket or meeting and I talked of the many Drakes I have owned over the years, starting with a 2-C back in early 1971, all influenced greatly?by that ad.
About 2 weeks later I got a surprise package in the mail with an 8 x 10 glossy of the picture in the ad - just the pic without the ad...so it's big!? I put it in a simple black frame and it sits on top of some of my Drake gear, so I see it every time I walk into the shack.
For the very few on this list that may not know what we are speaking of...see the attached pic.
73 Peter VE7PS
On Mon, Nov 27, 2023 at 3:40?PM Chuck Rippel - K8HU and ex - NMN < lantareamon@...> wrote: Picked up a very nice, cosmetically near-perfect RV4-C to go with the TR4CW-RIT; been wanting a nice one.? I expect it was cheap because it was unstable when tuned.
Easy fix.? Shoot the MODE switch with De-Oxit and clean the surfaces of the contacts on the switch rotor with a fiberglass pen.? Clean the brass, VFO lead screw along with the sliding ground return.? Added the mod of a short length of solder wick is soldered to the moving sliding rod contactor and then soldered to the steel, VFO mount.? Very lightly lubed the now clean of old dino grease, brass VFO lead screw with grease sold in tiny quantities by Panasonic.? A VERY light coast was used to lubricate the slide rails which the laser rode on in SC and DVD players.? It
is very slick!? Put some De-Oxit on the pins of the tube, and did some plug/un-plugs to clean the socket.? Finally, took a brass gun brush to the plug for the TR4-C, took the patena off then shot it with some De-Oxit, did more plug/un-plugs with it also to accomplish some level of cleaning to the socket contacts in the TR-4.
Works like a champ and at @ S/N 21,200 is the newest one on WB4HFN's list.
Even though I have a great deal of respect for Collins and am active in the CCA, have a special place for Drake.? The "C-Line" had just come out and all those pictures in the AES ads of? Ray Grenier enjoying his Drake gear snagged me.? The "C-line_ was the first "store bought"?
radio I bought as a new general then 2 weeks later, and Advanced.? As a novice, the rig was a used Heath HX-10 and Hammarlund HQ-180.
--
Chuck Rippel, K8HU - ex WA4HHG - ex NMN
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If you can get the meter case apart, you'll find a small screw that tensions the meter movement bearing.? Back that out 1/8 of a turn, tap the needle and see if that freed it up.? That worked 100% on Collins R390A signal strength and audio level meters.
--
Chuck Rippel, K8HU
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Very Nice RV4C Arrived and is now working
Picked up a very nice, cosmetically near-perfect RV4-C to go with the TR4CW-RIT; been wanting a nice one.? I expect it was cheap because it was unstable when tuned.
Easy fix.? Shoot the MODE switch with De-Oxit and clean the surfaces of the contacts on the switch rotor with a fiberglass pen.? Clean the brass, VFO lead screw along with the sliding ground return.? Added the mod of a short length of solder wick is soldered to the moving sliding rod contactor and then soldered to the steel, VFO mount.? Very lightly lubed the now clean of old dino grease, brass VFO lead screw with grease sold in tiny quantities by Panasonic.? A VERY light coast was used to lubricate the slide rails which the laser rode on in SC and DVD players.? It
is very slick!? Put some De-Oxit on the pins of the tube, and did some plug/un-plugs to clean the socket.? Finally, took a brass gun brush to the plug for the TR4-C, took the patena off then shot it with some De-Oxit, did more plug/un-plugs with it also to accomplish some level of cleaning to the socket contacts in the TR-4.
Works like a champ and at @ S/N 21,200 is the newest one on WB4HFN's list.
Even though I have a great deal of respect for Collins and am active in the CCA, have a special place for Drake.? The "C-Line" had just come out and all those pictures in the AES ads of? Ray Grenier enjoying his Drake gear snagged me.? The "C-line_ was the first "store bought"?
radio I bought as a new general then 2 weeks later, and Advanced.? As a novice, the rig was a used Heath HX-10 and Hammarlund HQ-180.
--
Chuck Rippel, K8HU - ex WA4HHG - ex NMN
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Dryer sheets work great on static. a little rub on the meter and no more static
Marty
KL7AM
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----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Shorney" <jimNU0C@...> To: "DRAKE-RADIO" < [email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 27, 2023 12:55:07 PM Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] S meter sticks It could be a small bit of debris stuck inside the mechanism or it could be a bit of static buildup on the meter case. Static will usually dissipate after a while. 73 -Jim NU0C On Sun, 26 Nov 2023 15:24:58 -0800 "K6OXN Bob" <bobk6oxn@...> wrote: Unusual problem. My S meter seems to stick around S1 until I key up and then it works fine for awhile. Have ran all the S meter adjustments and all checks out fine. Any ideas this TR7 is a late SN just before the TR7A came out.? Noise level is around S5-6.
73 Bob
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It could be a small bit of debris stuck inside the mechanism or it could be a bit of static buildup on the meter case. Static will usually dissipate after a while. 73 -Jim NU0C On Sun, 26 Nov 2023 15:24:58 -0800 "K6OXN Bob" <bobk6oxn@...> wrote: Unusual problem. My S meter seems to stick around S1 until I key up and then it works fine for awhile. Have ran all the S meter adjustments and all checks out fine. Any ideas this TR7 is a late SN just before the TR7A came out.? Noise level is around S5-6.
73 Bob
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I think there will be an interest beyond this group. These amps are getting to the age where the plastic blower wheel will break sooner than later. Mine got wobbly last year but I already have a solution. It would help to see some pictures of your wheel. 73 -Jim NU0C On Mon, 27 Nov 2023 07:35:43 -0800 "NO8J MARK H HUBER" <no8j@...> wrote: Putting a feeler out to see if there is any interest in purchasing a spare blower wheel for your L-4B amplifier.? ?I have a found a source for an almost exact replacement for the cooling fan.? ?This replacement fan is the same diameter, width, number of vanes and correct rotation.? The difference is in the shaft hub diameter.? The original Drake fan fits on the 0.25 diameter fan motor.? The replacement fan hub is smaller and has to be bored out, maintaining concentricity and perpendicularity for proper airflow.
I have made ten of them and they have all been spoken for.? ?I am contemplating making more if there is interest.? ?If there is enough interest, I will make them available.? If you are interested, please contact me offline via email at NO8J@.... ( NO8J@... )
73 de NO8J
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Putting a feeler out to see if there is any interest in purchasing a spare blower wheel for your L-4B amplifier.? ?I have a found a source for an almost exact replacement for the cooling fan.? ?This replacement fan is the same diameter, width, number of vanes and correct rotation.? The difference is in the shaft hub diameter.? The original Drake fan fits on the 0.25 diameter fan motor.? The replacement fan hub is smaller and has to be bored out, maintaining concentricity and perpendicularity for proper airflow. I have made ten of them and they have all been spoken for.? ?I am contemplating making more if there is interest.? ?If there is enough interest, I will make them available.? If you are interested, please contact me offline via email at NO8J@....73 de NO8J
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Re: DRAKE TECHNICAL NET UPDATE ( November 26, 2023 )
Mark,
Thanks for running the net yesterday. Band conditions were indeed very good.
I love running my TR3 due to its slightly wider bandwidth than most of the "newer" radios (hi hi). I find the same of all the Drakes with the "soup can" filters , all the TR3's and some of the early TR4's. The listening quality is easier on my ears than many of the newer radios that have the slightly narrower filtering. I hope this is true of the transmitted signal as well!!
I do enjoy listening and checking into the net as time permits.
Thanks again.
73's
Pete - WA1LWC
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Thanks Charlie - message sent to your QRZ email. ?
The panels currently on the station aren¡¯t horrible, mainly some markings along the silver area at the very bottom of each panel. I picked these up a few years ago- complete with ac4 & ms4 for $100. All I really wanted was the ps for my tr4c but it turned out there wasn¡¯t much wrong with it other than a couple weak tubes and a lot of cleaning as it had sat in a garage uncovered for a good 20 years. After bringing it up to speed I was going to sell it off but turns out now I kinda prefer it to my C-line. ?Didn¡¯t see that coming lol!
Shawn
KJ7MX
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Unusual problem. My S meter seems to stick around S1 until I key up and then it works fine for awhile. Have ran all the S meter adjustments and all checks out fine. Any ideas this TR7 is a late SN just before the TR7A came out.? Noise level is around S5-6.
73 Bob?
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DRAKE TECHNICAL NET UPDATE ( November 26, 2023 )
Todays net we had 39 check-ins under excellent band conditions. Next week will be Bill W9MXQ doing the net.?
Here's the Drake equipment used to check-in today.?
TWINS = 12 TR3 = 4 TR4(x) = 9 TR5 = 1 TR7(x) = 7
73's, \Mark, WB0IQK
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  Here is the R4B. ?
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I also saw one on eBay this morning.?
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
On Sun, Nov 26, 2023 at 12:29, Mike Bracey < mikebracey@...> wrote:
Hi John,
How about a picture of the R4B?
Mike KE5YTV
On Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 08:15:47 AM CST, JohnL <john.lengeling@...> wrote:
[Edited Message Follows]
I have an R4B and T4XB panel available. ?Not 100%, see the pictures. ?$25/ea.? 
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Hi John,
How about a picture of the R4B?
Mike KE5YTV
On Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 08:15:47 AM CST, JohnL <john.lengeling@...> wrote:
[Edited Message Follows]
I have an R4B and T4XB panel available. ?Not 100%, see the pictures. ?$25/ea.? 
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I have an R4B and T4XB panel available. ?Not 100%, see the pictures. ?$25/ea.? 
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Re: Drake TH44C Communication Station (Barnet, Herts UK) needs a new home.
No mail received here.
Stephen Walters Professional Celebrity Photographer / G7VFY www.facebook.com/mister35mm
Tel 07956-544202
On Saturday, 25 November 2023 at 07:39:07 GMT, Joe - W7RKN <w7rkn.7@...> wrote:
Unfortunately seller will not ship to the United States.? L I sent him a message asking what it would take for him to ship it here¡will wait and see. The old saying¡¡±Money talks¡± might prevail, but I am not going to hold my breath. ? Joe ¨C W7RKN ? From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of John K5MO
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Drake TH44C Communication Station (Barnet, Herts UK) needs a new home. ? Oh that's a sweet station that's not often seen.
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Re: Drake TH44C Communication Station (Barnet, Herts UK) needs a new home.
Unfortunately seller will not ship to the United States.? L I sent him a message asking what it would take for him to ship it here¡will wait and see. The old saying¡¡±Money talks¡± might prevail, but I am not going to hold my breath. ? Joe ¨C W7RKN ? From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of John K5MO
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Drake TH44C Communication Station (Barnet, Herts UK) needs a new home. ? Oh that's a sweet station that's not often seen.
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Re: Drake R4B 115VAC Operation
I recall testing power supplies, years ago, the effect of running transformers that were designed for 60 Hz at 50 Hz. They definitely ran warmer.?
I would recommend a slow-running muffin fan, over the rear of the cabinet, drawing air up.?
73,
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
On Fri, Nov 24, 2023 at 19:04, Michael.2E0IHW via groups.io < blumu@...> wrote:
On 24/11/2023 23:32, Omni wrote:
> Here we go again. When all else fails read the manual.
> The R-4B is specified to run on 120/240 VAC 50/60 Hz
> with 60 Watts of power consumption.
........................
That has always been my understanding.
The report of overheating made me wonder
if I might have missed something.
Michael 2E0IHW
...........................
> On 24/11/2023 20:55, nigel patterson G3YDT wrote:
> ...
>> one reason why I am sensitive to the voltage is that
>> our UK mains is 50Hz, so the transformer gets hotter.
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Re: Drake TH44C Communication Station (Barnet, Herts UK) needs a new home.
Yes, it is!
Stephen Walters Professional Celebrity Photographer / G7VFY www.facebook.com/mister35mm
Tel 07956-544202
On Saturday, 25 November 2023 at 03:20:12 GMT, David <david.w5xu@...> wrote:
Isthat a TR44C? David Assaf III
W5XU??? VP8RXU
On Fri, Nov 24, 2023, 6:36 PM Stephen G7VFY via <mister35mm= [email protected]> wrote: Well,
The RX powers up ok but the TX needs an external Drake AC4? I think.
I don't care where it ends up as long as I don't have organise the packing and shipping. It is not super heavy, but, as it contains GLASS, no courier will provide insurance. I guess all the valves are common types and are replacable?
regards
Stephen Walters Professional Celebrity Photographer / G7VFY
Tel 07956-544202
On Saturday, 25 November 2023 at 00:20:34 GMT, John K5MO < johnk5mo@...> wrote:
Oh that's a sweet station that's not often seen.
Somebody NEEDS this :-)
John K5MO
On Fri, Nov 24, 2023 at 7:15?PM Stephen G7VFY via <mister35mm= [email protected]> wrote:
Lots of band crystals fitted,
G7VFY
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Patrick TK5EP
Chuck Rippel - K8HU and ex - NMN
Jim Shorney