Re: 2B receiver Serial numbers
Eric:
Your 2B is definitely an early model, but I doubt it is a pre-production model...Ron's database is based on production tags with dates & serial numbers provided by fellow Drake owners...I have provided quite a few myself from browsing eBay for Drake radios and finding photos of these tags with radios that are for sale...I also have several radios where previous owners have preserved this documentation....
So, with that said, you can pretty much say that your radio was manufactured the time frame March - April 1961, based on the info from Ron's database...Since your Drake 2B is only 3 serial numbers off of the one Ron lists, it's probably safe to say in was finished on 4/1/61 since I believe they produced these things in batches...
Just my 2 cents worth....
?
73's de Charles, KW6G (formerly - WB6IYM)
On Wed, Apr 5, 2023 at 10:10?AM K8CCA < echapm4@...> wrote: Good afternoon gentlemen.? The TR4C/RIT serial number thread got me to wondering when my other Drake stuff was built.? My 2B is #2005 and per Ron's serial number database? 2B production starts at #2008 being 4/1/61.? Is my receiver a preproduction version?? Is it anything special? It seems to work fine and is in nice shape.? I bought it last year off QRZ because it was pretty cheap and came with a 2AQ speaker.?
Thanks,
Eric
K8CCA
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Re: TR4cw/rit production numbers question
Mine is 45067 and the same manual w/addenda...
73's de Charles, KW6G (formerly - WB6IYM)
On Wed, Apr 5, 2023 at 10:17?AM Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via <w1es= [email protected]> wrote: Mine is 44138. The manual that came with it appears to be a TR-4Cw with addenda for the?NB and RIT.?
73,
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent from Proton Mail for iOS
On Wed, Apr 5, 2023 at 10:28, William Shadid < W9MXQ@...> wrote: Paul,
Thanks for the note - I sent you a reply about the Hallicrafters items direct to your email.?
I am always amazed at how much "brighter" the receive sound is with the TR-4 than the R-4C. Maybe tied to alignment - but it sure is noticeable. (Any other comments on that point would be appreciated.)
More of us seem to have the TR-4Cw-RIT than I might have thought. Until getting this one (with the original manual) I had not realized that there was actually a dedicated manual. To be sure, some of the differences were handled with addendum pages. The surprise was the RIT version picture on the front of the manual.
73,
-Bill Shadid, W9MXQ
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Re: TR4cw/rit production numbers question
Looking at Ron¡¯s page, mine (44138)?has to be very early production of the cW RIT, as the last cW shown is 44120 and the earliest cW RIT is 44234.?
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent from Proton Mail for iOS
On Wed, Apr 5, 2023 at 13:17, Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io < w1es@...> wrote:
Mine is 44138. The manual that came with it appears to be a TR-4Cw with addenda for the?NB and RIT.?
73,
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent from Proton Mail for iOS
On Wed, Apr 5, 2023 at 10:28, William Shadid <W9MXQ@...> wrote: Paul,
Thanks for the note - I sent you a reply about the Hallicrafters items direct to your email.?
I am always amazed at how much "brighter" the receive sound is with the TR-4 than the R-4C. Maybe tied to alignment - but it sure is noticeable. (Any other comments on that point would be appreciated.)
More of us seem to have the TR-4Cw-RIT than I might have thought. Until getting this one (with the original manual) I had not realized that there was actually a dedicated manual. To be sure, some of the differences were handled with addendum pages. The surprise was the RIT version picture on the front of the manual.
73,
-Bill Shadid, W9MXQ
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I¡¯m thinking that the key will be found in the mode switching. For some reason, the transmitter is shifting as if it¡¯s in CW mode.?
I agree that it probably isn¡¯t a bad filter.?
73,
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent from Proton Mail for iOS
On Wed, Apr 5, 2023 at 11:46, wb6ogd < garywinblad@...> wrote: Chris,
The T-4XC carrier frequency should not change between sidebands.? Yes, you are probably correct, that is the problem.
The carrier oscillator and the filter selection are isolated by the IF amp so even a bad filter shouldn't cause the frequency change.
I would measure the supply voltage (zener CR1) during switching.? And/or disconnect the RTTY line and CW line, those do change the
frequency (but not due to sideband).
Strange problem.
73,
Gary
WB6OGD
?
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Re: TR4cw/rit production numbers question
Mine is 44138. The manual that came with it appears to be a TR-4Cw with addenda for the?NB and RIT.?
73,
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent from Proton Mail for iOS
On Wed, Apr 5, 2023 at 10:28, William Shadid < W9MXQ@...> wrote: Paul,
Thanks for the note - I sent you a reply about the Hallicrafters items direct to your email.?
I am always amazed at how much "brighter" the receive sound is with the TR-4 than the R-4C. Maybe tied to alignment - but it sure is noticeable. (Any other comments on that point would be appreciated.)
More of us seem to have the TR-4Cw-RIT than I might have thought. Until getting this one (with the original manual) I had not realized that there was actually a dedicated manual. To be sure, some of the differences were handled with addendum pages. The surprise was the RIT version picture on the front of the manual.
73,
-Bill Shadid, W9MXQ
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2B receiver Serial numbers
Good afternoon gentlemen.? The TR4C/RIT serial number thread got me to wondering when my other Drake stuff was built.? My 2B is #2005 and per Ron's serial number database? 2B production starts at #2008 being 4/1/61.? Is my receiver a preproduction version?? Is it anything special? It seems to work fine and is in nice shape.? I bought it last year off QRZ because it was pretty cheap and came with a 2AQ speaker.?
Thanks,
Eric
K8CCA
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I seem to find it the opposite.? Ebay much higher than hamfests especially for heavy items to ship.? ?It may be that unless I am very interested in an item I wait to later in the day and make an offer that I am willing to pay or a start of negotiating price.? If they do give me the Ebay price thing I walk away? unless I really want the item.??
Sometimes hamfests reminds me of a long time before ebay.? A fellow was selling a used computer for more than a dealer was selling the same thing for plus some added accessories.? That was the time when thee prices of computers were falling fast or the next generation was coming out.
One thing about the hamfests is I see may of +the same people and get to know most of the ones not to buy from unless it is a 'parts rig'.
Ralph ku4pt
On Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 10:50:55 AM EDT, Evan via groups.io <k9sqg@...> wrote:
It seems to me that pricing, in general, has outliers that reflect some strange attitudes, hi hi. ?It never fails that at hamfests there are basket cases that are priced the same as pristine units on eBay, at least that has been my experience. ?When tactfully asking about the price, I?usually get a response?akin to "That's what they're getting on eBay" and the basket cases return home with the seller, hi hi. ?Seems like these situations have become more?common in recent years than decades ago.
Like they say, "It is what it is" and we shouldn't be surprised nor annoyed that the markets for ham gear are changing.
Let's all enjoy those Drakes! ?Flames are welcomed, but off list please.
Evan, K9SQG
,_._,_
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Now that there¡¯s a history of a $2,550 price, TR-4C sellers will now expect it.? I¡¯ve seen it happen with other items where there¡¯s one outlier that shows in ¡°completed items¡± for a few months. ? ?
I've seen this happen with other equipment.? An HP-410B VTVM in average condition used to sell for $75 to $100.? A restored or pristine model would sell for $50 to $100 more depending on condition.? Then a restored one was listed for nearly $1000 and after that the cost for virtually all other listings doubled or tripled.? It amazed me.? About 20 years ago, I bought a decent one that I found under the table at a hamfest for $5.00.? Of course one can't really compare hamfest prices to eBay prices but, still, the asking prices these days is well beyond what I'd pay for one. here are few sellers who are not first researching past auction prices.? Once that outlier disappears, prices start to come back below the high auction price. ?So, it¡¯s not completely true that buyers are unaffected by high final auction prices. ? Paul, W9AC?
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Chris,
The T-4XC carrier frequency should not change between sidebands.? Yes, you are probably correct, that is the problem.
The carrier oscillator and the filter selection are isolated by the IF amp so even a bad filter shouldn't cause the frequency change.
I would measure the supply voltage (zener CR1) during switching.? And/or disconnect the RTTY line and CW line, those do change the
frequency (but not due to sideband).
Strange problem.
73,
Gary
WB6OGD
?
|
Re: TR4cw/rit production numbers question
On Wed, Apr 5, 2023 at 10:28 AM, William Shadid wrote:
I am always amazed at how much "brighter" the receive sound is with the TR-4 than the R-4C. Maybe tied to alignment - but it sure is noticeable. (Any other comments on that point would be appreciated.)
I'm the original owner of TR-4Cw/RIT #43954.? I've never really thought of the receive as natively "brighter" compared to either my R-4A or R-4C other than due to the way I adjust the PBT. 73, Rob, W8LX
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Now that there¡¯s a history of a $2,550 price, TR-4C sellers will now expect it.? I¡¯ve seen it happen with other items where there¡¯s one outlier that shows in ¡°completed items¡± for a few months. ? ? There are few sellers who are not first researching past auction prices.? Once that outlier disappears, prices start to come back below the high auction price. ?So, it¡¯s not completely true that buyers are unaffected by high final auction prices. ? Paul, W9AC? ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Evan via groups.io Sent: Wednesday, April 5, 2023 10:51 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Stupid eBay Pricing ? It seems to me that pricing, in general, has outliers that reflect some strange attitudes, hi hi. ?It never fails that at hamfests there are basket cases that are priced the same as pristine units on eBay, at least that has been my experience. ?When tactfully asking about the price, I?usually get a response?akin to "That's what they're getting on eBay" and the basket cases return home with the seller, hi hi. ?Seems like these situations have become more?common in recent years than decades ago. Like they say, "It is what it is" and we shouldn't be surprised nor annoyed that the markets for ham gear are changing. Let's all enjoy those Drakes! ?Flames are welcomed, but off list please.
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I just like being able to find things that could have taken years back in the day.
If its too high, its just a lesson I guess!
So much cool stuff out there!
73
Mark?
W0NCL
-----Original Message-----
From: Evan via groups.io <k9sqg@...>
To: [email protected] < [email protected]>
Sent: Wed, Apr 5, 2023 9:50 am
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Stupid eBay Pricing
It seems to me that pricing, in general, has outliers that reflect some strange attitudes, hi hi. ?It never fails that at hamfests there are basket cases that are priced the same as pristine units on eBay, at least that has been my experience. ?When tactfully asking about the price, I?usually get a response?akin to "That's what they're getting on eBay" and the basket cases return home with the seller, hi hi. ?Seems like these situations have become more?common in recent years than decades ago.
Like they say, "It is what it is" and we shouldn't be surprised nor annoyed that the markets for ham gear are changing.
Let's all enjoy those Drakes! ?Flames are welcomed, but off list please.
73,
Evan, K9SQG
|
It seems to me that pricing, in general, has outliers that reflect some strange attitudes, hi hi. ?It never fails that at hamfests there are basket cases that are priced the same as pristine units on eBay, at least that has been my experience. ?When tactfully asking about the price, I?usually get a response?akin to "That's what they're getting on eBay" and the basket cases return home with the seller, hi hi. ?Seems like these situations have become more?common in recent years than decades ago.
Like they say, "It is what it is" and we shouldn't be surprised nor annoyed that the markets for ham gear are changing.
Let's all enjoy those Drakes! ?Flames are welcomed, but off list please.
73,
Evan, K9SQG
|
Re: TR4cw/rit production numbers question
Paul,
Thanks for the note - I sent you a reply about the Hallicrafters items direct to your email.?
I am always amazed at how much "brighter" the receive sound is with the TR-4 than the R-4C. Maybe tied to alignment - but it sure is noticeable. (Any other comments on that point would be appreciated.)
More of us seem to have the TR-4Cw-RIT than I might have thought. Until getting this one (with the original manual) I had not realized that there was actually a dedicated manual. To be sure, some of the differences were handled with addendum pages. The surprise was the RIT version picture on the front of the manual.
73,
-Bill Shadid, W9MXQ
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Ten years ago, I rebuilt and partially redesigned R-4B and R-4C receivers, and despite my comment yesterday about the TR-4Cw¡¯s winning auction price, I probably would not let either go for under that amount.? I put way too much time and effort into the electrical and cosmetic rebuild to sell for anything less. ?I know that to another person, the value of a modified piece of Drake gear isn¡¯t worth it. But if someone were to compare both receivers to stock units, I think the performance difference would be a mind changer. ? Paul, W9AC ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Ralph Mowery via groups.io Sent: Wednesday, April 5, 2023 9:57 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Stupid eBay Pricing ? I know how much time and effort can be put into a complete rebuild.? I have a Viking ll that I use on AM phone.? It is not refurbished, but I worked on it to get it on the air.? Think I paid $ 50 for it 5 years ago and spent about a day getting it ready to go on the air.? That would put it at over $ 500 just for labor if I wanted to make any money off of it. Labor is expensive.? Probably starting at $ 50 an hour and more likely $ 100. The one I just looked at is just in its starting phase and is listed at $ 1200.? It appears this ebay listing is for a company that does a complete restore of electronics. If I was to rebuild one to sale I might not let it go for even that little. While mine does not look any where as nice, I bet it works as well. On Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 08:04:00 AM EDT, Jim W7RY via groups.io <jimw7ry@...> wrote: Have you looked at one of those rebuilt transmitters?
They are pretty impressive!?
Probably not just judging from your reply.
Do you know how much labor is these days?? Probably not judging from your reply.
73, Jim W7RY
On 4/4/2023 9:59 PM, Ralph Mowery via groups.io wrote: I have not looked at the listing detail but one or two seem just to list something to show off.? Example is a rebuilding in progress of a Johnson Viking ll transmitter for around $ 1000.
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I know how much time and effort can be put into a complete rebuild.? I have a Viking ll that I use on AM phone.? It is not refurbished, but I worked on it to get it on the air.? Think I paid $ 50 for it 5 years ago and spent about a day getting it ready to go on the air.? That would put it at over $ 500 just for labor if I wanted to make any money off of it.
Labor is expensive.? Probably starting at $ 50 an hour and more likely $ 100. The one I just looked at is just in its starting phase and is listed at $ 1200.? It appears this ebay listing is for a company that does a complete restore of electronics.
If I was to rebuild one to sale I might not let it go for even that little. While mine does not look any where as nice, I bet it works as well.
Ralph ku4pt
On Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 08:04:00 AM EDT, Jim W7RY via groups.io <jimw7ry@...> wrote:
Have you looked at one of those rebuilt transmitters?
They are pretty impressive!?
Probably not just judging from your reply.
Do you know how much labor is these days?? Probably not judging from
your reply.
73, Jim W7RY
On 4/4/2023 9:59 PM, Ralph Mowery via
groups.io wrote:
I have not looked at the
listing detail but one or two seem just to list something to
show off.? Example is a rebuilding in progress of a Johnson
Viking ll transmitter for around $ 1000.
Ralph ku4pt
,_
|
Have you looked at one of those rebuilt transmitters?
They are pretty impressive!?
Probably not just judging from your reply.
Do you know how much labor is these days?? Probably not judging from
your reply.
73, Jim W7RY
On 4/4/2023 9:59 PM, Ralph Mowery via
groups.io wrote:
I have not looked at the
listing detail but one or two seem just to list something to
show off.? Example is a rebuilding in progress of a Johnson
Viking ll transmitter for around $ 1000.
Ralph ku4pt
On Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 10:55:43 PM EDT, Jon w2anz
via groups.io <macgahan@...> wrote:
Some ebay sellers will raise the price to a
ridiculous amount when their item is out of stock. When
the item is back in stock they will drop their price
back to normal.? This is easier for them than removing
and recreating the listing.
Of course this is for new items and would not make sense
for a one-of-a-kind item like a vintage radio.?
--
73,
Jon w2anz
_
--
Thanks and 73, Jim W7RY
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I'm a retired Insurance broker who worked for one of the major broking houses up to 5 years ago.? Agree that at one time all this was possible but since 1992 most insurers have got wise to this practice and now investigate more fully.? Why 1992 ?? It was the year with the most Arson claims ( so I was told).
Lawrence G4GZG
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FWIW.....Drake did continue serial numbers through their respective model line upgrades.? This is pretty obvious from WB4HFN's serial number research through the R-4, R-4A, R-4B, R-4C line and similarly with the T-4X(x) transmitters and the TR-4(x) transceivers.? There is only one TR-3 shown on his website list unfortunately, but as data was more available, the TR-4, TR-4C, TR-4CW and TR-4CW/rit models are pretty well delineated. The same happened with the TR-7 and TR-7A and the R-7 and R-7A.
I own R-4 #0051 and my friend Jim, W8DRZ, owned #002 at one time.
Every once in a while some goes crazy with an E-Bay bid.? I have seen it happen many times over the years.? Unfortunately I have never been on the seller's end of one of those sales!? At least one of our list members has sold an R-4C for over $2000 some years back! That recent TR-4CW_rit was not what I would have called mint.? If one looked closely, the rear panel was engraved with some extensive identification numbers and letters.? That alone would have done it for me, though there were some minor cabinet scratches and marks on the top and bottom as well.
As I continue my downsizing project....I would be happy to sell my fully operational TR4-CW-rit with an AC-4R upgraded power supply for the bargoon price of US $2,000.? Please....just do not flood my inbox with e-mails......!
73 Peter VE7PS
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Good evening!?
I need to pick the brains of the drake GURUs
I have recently acquired a R4C (25657) and T4XC (27010). I have purchased proper interconnect cables. I have gone through alignment and cleanup of the R4C with minimal issues. I found a 25.1MHz xtal that was off frequency. I replaced with one purchased on eBay that was closer in frequency. Mostly all is well with the R4C except a strange noise that is noticeable when switching from USB to LSB which may be a bad cap that I haven't tracked down yet.
Here's the issue I'm having with the T4XC. Going through the "carrier oscillator, filter match and balance modulator" (5-9) alignment in the manual I cannot get things sounding correct on LSB. I have gone through this section several times with the same results: crappy sounding audio on LSB and decent audio on USB. Section "D" mentions to adjust C6 for exactly 5645 kHz. When I do this and switch to LSB I see a drop in oscillator frequency of 450-500 Hz. If I try to adjust C6 to 5645 Hz while in LSB mode, there is little change to oscillator frequency and I can completely remove trimmer screw. I have tried doing this alignment both connected to and disconnected from the R4C.
I am thinking this frequency shift is the reason the LSB audio is not making it properly through the filter and sounding like crap but I have no idea where to go from here.?
I am not an expert radio tech by any means but i do have some knowledge and a few decent pieces of test equipment.
PLEASE HELP! I want to put these twins back on the air where they belong
Chris Faas
W5CUY
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Charles Ahlgren
K8CCA
Gary WB6OGD
Paul Christensen