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Re: Supercapacitors - Possible anti-surge device to protect filaments/ heaters

 

They need a bit of air space round them just like any power resistor. See /g/DRAKE-RADIO/files/TR-7/PS7-Inrush.pdf for examples.

On Sat, 24 May 2025 10:56:29 -0400
"John K5MO via groups.io" <johnk5mo@...> wrote:

Do you do just mount them under the chassis away from things like
electrolytics, etc? I know they are hot when they're running.

John K5MO

On Sat, May 24, 2025 at 10:18?AM Jim Shorney via groups.io <jimNU0C=
[email protected]> wrote:


They do wonders for the PS7 THUMP. I find them in scrap PC power supplies.
--

73

-Jim
NU0C


Re: Supercapacitors - Possible anti-surge device to protect filaments/ heaters

 

Do you do just mount them under the chassis away from things like electrolytics,? etc? I know they are hot when they're running.?

John K5MO


On Sat, May 24, 2025 at 10:18?AM Jim Shorney via <jimNU0C=[email protected]> wrote:

They do wonders for the PS7 THUMP. I find them in scrap PC power supplies.

On Fri, 23 May 2025 22:52:04 -0700
"Steve KL7JT via " <radiorobots=[email protected]> wrote:

> I have used CL-70, 80, and 90 in various pieces of gear to limit inrush, with good result.
>
> For AC-4 I used either CL-80 or CL-90; YMMV.


--

73

-Jim
NU0C






Re: Supercapacitors - Possible anti-surge device to protect filaments/ heaters

 

They do wonders for the PS7 THUMP. I find them in scrap PC power supplies.

On Fri, 23 May 2025 22:52:04 -0700
"Steve KL7JT via groups.io" <radiorobots@...> wrote:

I have used CL-70, 80, and 90 in various pieces of gear to limit inrush, with good result.

For AC-4 I used either CL-80 or CL-90; YMMV.

--

73

-Jim
NU0C


Re: Help ID'ing Some Misc Flea Market Items

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

The 2nd pic was an optional rear panel for the TR-4 (and possibly the TR-6?) that facilitated hooking up the TC-6 and/or TC-2 transverters. I have a TR-4 with one on it.?

The surge protector is what it is. Drake model 1549 as shown.?

Don¡¯t think the meter is Drake. Doesn¡¯t ring any bells with me.

73
PS


On May 23, 2025, at 1:12?PM, Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io <w1es@...> wrote:

?
Barry's correct on the first one.? The second one looks like a rear upper panel for a TR-4C


Steve Wedge, W1ES

Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.

Sent with secure email.

On Friday, May 23rd, 2025 at 11:47 AM, n4buq <n4buq@...> wrote:
I think that first one is the backlight lamp holder for a 4-line receiver/transmitter/transceiver(?).

Barry - N4BUQ

Some things followed me home this weekend. In addition to my TR7 parts, I got several "bonus" items. Let me know if you recognize any of these pieces, or better yet let me know if you need them.?
<20250523_102224.jpg>
<20250523_102235.jpg>
<20250523_102252.jpg>
<20250523_102305.jpg>
--
Craig/W8CS
Greenville, SC



Re: Supercapacitors - Possible anti-surge device to protect filaments/ heaters

 

?"I decided that it probably wasn't a good
idea to keep a bomb in the shack."

Good decision!

John


Re: Compatability

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Ralph,

The R4B has MUTE, ANT and 4 ohm SPKR connections on theR4B's rear chassis as shown in
the picture below. Simply substitute the R4B for the "External receiver" shown on page 2-7
Figure 2-9 in the TR4C manual.

73
Mike W5RKL



Drake R4B T4XB MS4 AC4 MN2000

On 5/23/25 9:32 PM, Ralph AD9FM via groups.io wrote:

Thanks Mike I must have missed that in the manual.?

Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
Get

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Mike W5RKL via groups.io <mikew5rkl@...>
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2025 10:28:09 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Compatability
?
Ralph,

If you are asking if an R4B can be used as a separate receiver with the
TR4C then the answer is yes.

Connect the R4B Antenna and ground to the TR4C rear "External Receiver Antenna"
socket and the R4B Mute and ground terminals to the TR4C rear "External Receiver
Mute" socket.

To use the R4B as the receiver with the TR4C, set the Left side "RCVR/TRCVR switch
to "RCVR". The R4B will be the receiver.

To revert the TR4C back to a transceiver, simply power OFF the R4B and set the left
side "RCVR/TRCVR" switch to "TRCVR" and the R4B will no longer be the receiver,
the TR4C receiver will perform receive functions.

73
Mike W5RKL


On 5/23/25 8:10 PM, Ralph AD9FM via groups.io wrote:
Hello fellow Drake owners. Can the TR4C be paired with any Drake receiver? In my case in particular the R4B??


Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
Get



Re: Supercapacitors - Possible anti-surge device to protect filaments/ heaters

 

Agree with the NTC current limiter comments of '0C and 'RF.
?
You can measure the actual power into the AC-4 with a strangely named "Kill-a-Watt" AC power meter; they work well.
?
TX will be more than RX, but duty cycle is low unless you are running RTTY which is not good for sweep tubes.
?
You can then size the CL from:
?
?
I have used CL-70, 80, and 90 in various pieces of gear to limit inrush, with good result.
?
For AC-4 I used either CL-80 or CL-90; YMMV.
?
As 'RF said you do not want these to get too hot.
?
Simple to install in a piece of gear or in a simple utility box as also mentioned.
?
GL es 73
?
Steve
?
KL7JT/1
?
?


Re: Compatability

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Thanks Mike I must have missed that in the manual.?

Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
Get


From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Mike W5RKL via groups.io <mikew5rkl@...>
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2025 10:28:09 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Compatability
?
Ralph,

If you are asking if an R4B can be used as a separate receiver with the
TR4C then the answer is yes.

Connect the R4B Antenna and ground to the TR4C rear "External Receiver Antenna"
socket and the R4B Mute and ground terminals to the TR4C rear "External Receiver
Mute" socket.

To use the R4B as the receiver with the TR4C, set the Left side "RCVR/TRCVR switch
to "RCVR". The R4B will be the receiver.

To revert the TR4C back to a transceiver, simply power OFF the R4B and set the left
side "RCVR/TRCVR" switch to "TRCVR" and the R4B will no longer be the receiver,
the TR4C receiver will perform receive functions.

73
Mike W5RKL


On 5/23/25 8:10 PM, Ralph AD9FM via groups.io wrote:
Hello fellow Drake owners. Can the TR4C be paired with any Drake receiver? In my case in particular the R4B??


Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
Get


Re: Compatability

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

By the way Ralph, the R4B connections to the TR4C I mentioned are covered in the TR4C manual.

73
Mike W5RKL



On 5/23/25 8:10 PM, Ralph AD9FM via groups.io wrote:

Hello fellow Drake owners. Can the TR4C be paired with any Drake receiver? In my case in particular the R4B??


Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
Get


Re: Compatability

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Ralph,

If you are asking if an R4B can be used as a separate receiver with the
TR4C then the answer is yes.

Connect the R4B Antenna and ground to the TR4C rear "External Receiver Antenna"
socket and the R4B Mute and ground terminals to the TR4C rear "External Receiver
Mute" socket.

To use the R4B as the receiver with the TR4C, set the Left side "RCVR/TRCVR switch
to "RCVR". The R4B will be the receiver.

To revert the TR4C back to a transceiver, simply power OFF the R4B and set the left
side "RCVR/TRCVR" switch to "TRCVR" and the R4B will no longer be the receiver,
the TR4C receiver will perform receive functions.

73
Mike W5RKL


On 5/23/25 8:10 PM, Ralph AD9FM via groups.io wrote:

Hello fellow Drake owners. Can the TR4C be paired with any Drake receiver? In my case in particular the R4B??


Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
Get


Compatability

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hello fellow Drake owners. Can the TR4C be paired with any Drake receiver? In my case in particular the R4B??


Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
Get


Re: Supercapacitors - Possible anti-surge device to protect filaments/ heaters

 

They are simple and reliable. Pretty much every SMPS made has at least one. Your PC, your TV, etc.

On Fri, 23 May 2025 05:17:39 -0700
"Jim VE7RF via groups.io" <jim.thom@...> wrote:

Or a NTC surge limiter in the AC mains side of the power supply.
That would work too...... but they have to be sized correctly.? ?They run hot, and have to stay hot.? ?IE:? no forced air on them, or their resistance will increase.

--

73

-Jim
NU0C


Re: Supercapacitors - Possible anti-surge device to protect filaments/ heaters

 

On 2025-05-23 14:21, Jahman N5ASE via groups.io wrote:
Or just bolt a nice aluminum box from Bud Industries
*** Wow, those nice die-cast boxes are expensive. I always grab'em when I
find them at the flea market.

- Jerry, KF6VB


Re: Supercapacitors - Possible anti-surge device to protect filaments/ heaters

 

Or just bolt a nice aluminum box from Bud Industries onto the L-4B/L-7 PSU front panel (bolt-on vertical or horizontal)
and use it to trick-out your PSU:

image.png
AMAZON - BUD Industries CN-5714 Die Cast Aluminum Enclosure 10.81" L x 6.89" W x 2.64" H, Natural

Many other sizes available to suit your needs.

Stuff the box with all sorts of electronics, like the resistor for start-up.? Also add a power switch
that can handle the current surge.? Add a pilot light.? Add an HV voltmeter for permanent HV
readings:

image.png
AMAZON - Baomain Analog 85C1 DC 0-5V Rectanglular Panel Meter

image.png
AMAZON -?Baomain Analog 65C5 DC 0-5 V Round? Panel Meter

Change the L-4B/L-7 front panel switches from AC mains to 12VDC

image.png
AMAZON - Rotary Panel Switch, 690VAC, 32A

Use control modules to sense and protect your amp against high SWR,

image.png
DXWORLD-E?SWR Module, HF, 6m, 2.5KW

Use control modules to sense and protect your RF deck and PSU transformer?against high temperature:

image.png
AMAZON -?12V Temperature Controller, -50 to 110C Degrees, WITH Display

image.png
AMAZON - 12V Temperature Controller, -50 to 110C Degrees,?NO Diplay

Even protect against arcing in your amp, antenna tuner, feedline, balun and antennas, any and all covered.
Key takeaway:? Arcing turns your amp/tuner/feedline/antenna into a Marconi broadband spark transmitter:

image.png
NASA -?Arc Protection System for High-Power RF Amplifiers

For the coupler, use the SWR module above.

You could even build-in a RaspberryPi to tie-in with your home's skeduler and disable your rig for
the times you've been assigned house chores.? Negotiate this feature for the funds to pay for all
this gear, and more!

Just my 2 Volts.

73 de Andrew/N5ASE


On Fri, May 23, 2025 at 9:17?AM Jim VE7RF via <jim.thom=[email protected]> wrote:
>On Fri, May 23, 2025 at 03:54 AM, Jim Shorney wrote:
>Or a NTC surge limiter in the AC mains side of the power supply.

That would work too...... but they have to be sized correctly.? ?They run hot, and have to stay hot.? ?IE:? no forced air on them, or their resistance will increase.?

The op did not tell us what tube or tube fils? he is trying to limit inrush current on.?

For stuff like my L4B's,? I do the step start externally.? ?It's just a 8x8x4 electrical box, (home depot)? with loads of knock outs.? ?2 x P+B / Deltrol? DPST? 30 amp relays, + a 20 ohm / 50-100 watt resistor.? ?I used arcol metal finned resistors since I had? a bunch of them.? No standoffs? required, just bolt em down.?

Small control cable? runs from the new? box on floor.....up to a small? mini box on desk, with 2 x mini toggle switches......one for each 120 vac relay coil.? ?Relay #1? applies the 240 vac. (On/off switch on L4B left permanently in the on position).? 20 ohm resistor in one leg of the 240 vac.? ?B+ comes up to 90% of normal.? ?Fils on the pair of 3-500Z's come up to 70% of normal brilliance.? ?Wait 2-3 secs, then hit toggle #2....and 2nd relay operates.? ?One pole on 2nd relay? shunts the resistor.? ?2nd pole on 2nd relay has the key line running through it.? ? IE: step start the B+ and the fils at the same time.?

IE: manually operated step start.? ?Amp can't be keyed until 2nd relay is operated.? ?Dead simple.? ?When? switching from SSB to lower 1900 vdc CW position, non issue.? ? ?When switching from CW 1900 vdc? back to the SSB? 2650 vdc position, I put the resistor back in the circuit,? then switch? from CW to? SSB, then? shunt the resistor.?

I have 2 x harbach boards in each L4PS, and each board has 8 x 330 uf caps.? ? The on/off switch in the L4B is a 10 amp slide switch buried below the rocker switch....and is flaky at best.??


Re: Help ID'ing Some Misc Flea Market Items

 

Barry's correct on the first one.? The second one looks like a rear upper panel for a TR-4C


Steve Wedge, W1ES

Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.

Sent with secure email.

On Friday, May 23rd, 2025 at 11:47 AM, n4buq <n4buq@...> wrote:

I think that first one is the backlight lamp holder for a 4-line receiver/transmitter/transceiver(?).

Barry - N4BUQ

Some things followed me home this weekend. In addition to my TR7 parts, I got several "bonus" items. Let me know if you recognize any of these pieces, or better yet let me know if you need them.?
--
Craig/W8CS
Greenville, SC



Re: Another TR-3 s/n 1329

 

I have found a superior applicator for contact and switch cleaning: eye makeup foam applicators.? They also work fine for cleaning other small mechanical items.? They can be occasionally pressed into a cloth to remove dirty residue and reused to a limited extent.??

I no longer use Q Tips for anything other than cleaning PTO shafts and cleaning old grease/applying new grease to the PTO or the ball bearing in some of the switch detents.

You can get a bag of 'em from Amazon for around $5.

Steve Wedge, W1ES

Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.

Sent with secure email.

On Friday, May 23rd, 2025 at 9:48 AM, John K5MO via groups.io <johnk5mo@...> wrote:

" I am done for the night and will not press my luck.

I have done nothing else yet, no tubes pulled / checked, no switch
contacts or tube sockets sprayed with Deoxit D5."

Congrats Dave, and you're wise to not push your luck when tired and success is on the way!

I would NOT spray switch contacts or sockets with Deoxit (or anything else) but daub some on with a qtip and work it around (or daub it on tube pin contacts). Drake used phenolic wafers and sockets and those are like sponges for fluids.

Good work and keep us posted!

73
John K5MO

On Fri, May 23, 2025 at 12:13?AM Dave Stepnowski KC3AM via <kc3am=[email protected]> wrote:
Thanks for the suggestions guys.

There was no jumper on the RV3 VFO socket.
I have installed a 8 pin plug with pins 2 & 8 jumpered.
It is amazing what happens when something is connected properly!
Voltages on C145 are dead nuts on.
I am now using an original power supply that I got last year, original
paper caps and it seems to work just fine.

The radio is now somewhat alive!

Plenty of audio from the speaker. RF tune control does what it should.

Using a Motorola service monitor I can input a CW signal and can hear it
on all bands except 40, 40 seems dead at the moment.

I was able to tune it on 20 and had about 80 watts output.

Hooking up a whip antenna in the basement tonight did not produce any
signals anywhere.
My TS-590 didn't sound much better either with the R7 vertical.

What I did notice on 80 was many, many birdies across the band with
nothing hooked up.

I am done for the night and will not press my luck.

I have done nothing else yet, no tubes pulled / checked, no switch
contacts or tube sockets sprayed with Deoxit D5.

I will hook up an outside antenna and see what happens.

Dave KC3AM








Re: Help ID'ing Some Misc Flea Market Items

 

I think that first one is the backlight lamp holder for a 4-line receiver/transmitter/transceiver(?).

Barry - N4BUQ

Some things followed me home this weekend. In addition to my TR7 parts, I got several "bonus" items. Let me know if you recognize any of these pieces, or better yet let me know if you need them.?
--
Craig/W8CS
Greenville, SC


Help ID'ing Some Misc Flea Market Items

 

Some things followed me home this weekend. In addition to my TR7 parts, I got several "bonus" items. Let me know if you recognize any of these pieces, or better yet let me know if you need them.?
--
Craig/W8CS
Greenville, SC


Re: Another TR-3 s/n 1329

 

" I am done for the night and will not press my luck.

I have done nothing else yet, no tubes pulled / checked, no switch
contacts or tube sockets sprayed with Deoxit D5."

Congrats Dave, and you're wise to not push your luck when tired and success is on the way!

I would NOT spray?? switch contacts or sockets with Deoxit (or anything else) but daub some on with a qtip and work it around (or daub it on tube pin contacts).? Drake used phenolic wafers and sockets and those are like sponges for fluids.

Good work and keep us posted!

73
John K5MO

On Fri, May 23, 2025 at 12:13?AM Dave Stepnowski KC3AM via <kc3am=[email protected]> wrote:
Thanks for the suggestions guys.

There was no jumper on the RV3 VFO socket.
I have installed a 8 pin plug with pins 2 & 8 jumpered.
It is amazing what happens when something is connected properly!
Voltages on C145 are dead nuts on.
I am now using an original power supply that I got last year, original
paper caps and it seems to work just fine.

The radio is now somewhat alive!

Plenty of audio from the speaker. RF tune control does what it should.

Using a Motorola service monitor I can input a CW signal and can hear it
on all bands except 40, 40 seems dead at the moment.

I was able to tune it on 20 and had about 80 watts output.

Hooking up a whip antenna in the basement tonight did not produce any
signals anywhere.
My TS-590 didn't sound much better either with the R7 vertical.

What I did notice on 80 was many, many birdies across the band with
nothing hooked up.

I am done for the night and will not press my luck.

I have done nothing else yet, no tubes pulled / checked, no switch
contacts or tube sockets sprayed with Deoxit D5.

I will hook up an outside antenna and see what happens.

Dave KC3AM







Re: Another TR-3 s/n 1329

 

Dave, when you get this running better, please let me know how it¡¯s working in 10 in tx/rx.?

Right now, I¡¯m working on a TR-3 and a very early TR-4 and both of them are not really all that good on 10. I can remember other early sets that were equally bad. I¡¯m about to try and find the reason(s) for why this is. I¡¯ve replaced all weak tubes and with the TR-3, I¡¯m finding a lot of grossly out-of-tolerance resistors.?

There are some differences in tube types around mixer and RF amp and some of those really can¡¯t be changed without enlarging socket holes (e.g., the 6HS6 or 12BA6 first mixer that went to 6EJ7).?

Speaking of resistors, do check on a few of them beyond the PA. On the TR-3 currently on my bench, every 1.5k is out of tolerance by as much as 100%! ?Many others are also bad. I¡¯ve replaced around 7 resistors so far and this has perked things up somewhat.?

Good luck with it!

Steve Wedge, W1ES

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.


Sent from for iOS


On Fri, May 23, 2025 at 00:13, Dave Stepnowski KC3AM via groups.io <kc3am@...> wrote:
Thanks for the suggestions guys.

There was no jumper on the RV3 VFO socket.
I have installed a 8 pin plug with pins 2 & 8 jumpered.
It is amazing what happens when something is connected properly!
Voltages on C145 are dead nuts on.
I am now using an original power supply that I got last year, original
paper caps and it seems to work just fine.

The radio is now somewhat alive!

Plenty of audio from the speaker. RF tune control does what it should.

Using a Motorola service monitor I can input a CW signal and can hear it
on all bands except 40, 40 seems dead at the moment.

I was able to tune it on 20 and had about 80 watts output.

Hooking up a whip antenna in the basement tonight did not produce any
signals anywhere.
My TS-590 didn't sound much better either with the R7 vertical.

What I did notice on 80 was many, many birdies across the band with
nothing hooked up.

I am done for the night and will not press my luck.

I have done nothing else yet, no tubes pulled / checked, no switch
contacts or tube sockets sprayed with Deoxit D5.

I will hook up an outside antenna and see what happens.

Dave KC3AM