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Re: TR-4CW dial alignment #PTO #TR4-c

 

Hey Gary, by alignment, I meant when I finally can turn the dial freely by doing what you said by releasing the lever I need to get that dial on the correct frequency.
Mark


Re: Anyone want to trade a TR-3 for my TR-4C?

 

Yes. Reply to me thanks

David Assaf III
W5XU??? VP8RXU

On Fri, Mar 21, 2025, 7:22 PM DavidC KD4E via <qrv=[email protected]> wrote:
I have a TR-4C in good working order.

I'd rather own a TR-3 in good working order.

My TR-4C is in good cosmetic condition (pics attached).

I'd like the same in return.

Please email me directly.

Thanks ...

David KD4E






Re: Anyone want to trade a TR-3 for my TR-4C?

 

Be aware that a TR-3 in good working order is probably still going to sound terrible because the SSB filters are bad. I have two and the filters are bad in both. Useable but poor audio. And because the filters are used in both directions your transmit is going to sound bad too. ?The options to fix it are limited, complicated, and costly.

On Friday, March 21, 2025 at 07:22:45 PM CDT, DavidC KD4E via groups.io <qrv@...> wrote:


I have a TR-4C in good working order.

I'd rather own a TR-3 in good working order.

My TR-4C is in good cosmetic condition (pics attached).

I'd like the same in return.

Please email me directly.

Thanks ...

David KD4E






Re: TR-4CW dial alignment #PTO #TR4-c

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

The lubricant you have should be fine.

By ¡°aligning¡±, I assume you mean only the PTO?

Assuming the radio performs properly, I would not d any other alignments.

Gary

W0DVN

On Mar 22, 2025, at 10:03?AM, Mark N2DMI via groups.io <markkiziuk1@...> wrote:

Thanks Gary! I have "Super Lube" that is a multi-use synthetic oil. Amazon's description of says that it contains PTFE. I just got it from Amazon this morning because the Triflow that you mentioned takes 2 days to have it delivered from Amazon. Should be the same, right? But if you tell me not to use it then I will order the Triflow. I have off this Saturday and Sunday and wanted to do this task before I go back to work on Monday where I am just too tired from work to do anything when I come back home.
?
Also I'm going to need to calibrate this rig. I have a Heathkit RF oscillator model IG-5280, a yaesu FT-990 and one of those ATS25 receiver. How would you go about aligning this thing up?
Mark


Re: TR-4CW dial alignment #PTO #TR4-c

 

Thanks Gary! I have "Super Lube" that is a multi-use synthetic oil. Amazon's description of says that it contains PTFE. I just got it from Amazon this morning because the Triflow that you mentioned takes 2 days to have it delivered from Amazon. Should be the same, right? But if you tell me not to use it then I will order the Triflow. I have off this Saturday and Sunday and wanted to do this task before I go back to work on Monday where I am just too tired from work to do anything when I come back home.
?
Also I'm going to need to calibrate this rig. I have a Heathkit RF oscillator model IG-5280, a yaesu FT-990 and one of those ATS25 receiver. How would you go about aligning this thing up?
Mark


Re: TR-4CW dial alignment #PTO #TR4-c

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

In order to see it, you need to remove the white metal cover that holds the dial lights. I have included a photo of the pTO with the lever brightened in the circle. The lever moves towards the top of the photo. This disengages the gears so you can manually move the dials to match up with correct frequency to which the radio is set.

Along with this piece will come the blue dial filter and the white diffuser, as well as a few spacers.

The lever is towards the front of the PTO gear assembly. Once you get in there, it will be obvious to you.

The pivot location will also be obvious when you get in there but it is on the front of the sheet metal housing that encloses the tuning gears.

Whatever you do, do NOT get anything on the dials. Anything resembling a solvent will fog them irreversibly.

A small dab of TriFlow applied directly to the pivot and a few exercising operations should free it up if it is stuck.

If I am fixing up a radio to sell, I remove the PTO, remove the pivot retainer, thoroughly clean all parts and reassemble. That¡¯s probably more work than you want to do so the drop of Triflow should fix for a long time.

Gary

W0DVN


PastedGraphic-1.tiff

On Mar 22, 2025, at 1:38?AM, Mark N2DMI via groups.io <markkiziuk1@...> wrote:

Gary where is the PTO lever located? And where is the pivot?
Mark


Re: Service Monitor

 
Edited

KG Electronics, Wichita, KS
owner/head technician: Kurt Graber
?
Kurt worked for IFR in Wichita on production line and service dept.
He has virtually every part for servicing the IFR-500 and 1200 models.
The CRTs for the IFR 1200 are a bit rare in 2025.
¡ª
Currently KG Electronics has a good inventory of 1200 Service Monitors,
but no IFR-500 currently.
¡ª
Twenty years ago, He restored a abused field unit (IFR-500A) and?
I restored his Pace MBT-250 station (also abused).
¡ª
KG Electronics was founded in 2002. Initially KG Electronics was a part time business but has grown to a full time repair facility. Founder Kurt Graber discovered that IFR service monitor repair work, notably the IFR 1200 and 500 service monitors, are in strong demand for quality and reasonably priced repair options to the customer. In 2012 The original IFR facility has discontinued repair on the 1200 and 500 service monitors so every effort to stock parts and to focus on keeping these great monitors alive and running is both challenging and rewarding for the company. With over 30 years of experience working on 1200 and 500 units on a daily basis, KG Electronics is by far the leader in servicing your IFR service monitor.
==
greg, w9gb
?


Re: Service Monitor

 

I have a 1200S and use it just about every day. I have had it for 25 years and it was used when I got it. It's never given me a problem.

It may be old, but it's reliable. I would not consider replacing it unless it failed and was non-repairable. Over my career I has used many others including Motorola but I find that the 1200S is easier to use and more than enough of a service instrument than I have ever needed.

73,
Clint, VE3CMQ

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Willy - LU5WE via groups.io
Sent: Friday, 21 March 2025 18:39
To: DRAKE-RADIO <[email protected]>
Subject: [DRAKE-RADIO] Service Monitor

I'm looking to add a service monitor to my repair bench.
I mostly work on HF, VHF and a few UHF rigs.

Although old, I always liked IFR-1200s (with tracking generator), but I presume there are better options nowadays.

Anyway, a good, well calibrated 1200 would be ok.

I'm asking for opinion, or perspective about a brand and model to purchase. And not expensive, mine's just a little more than a hobbyist repair bench.

TIA
Regards
LU5WE - Guillermo.


Re: TR-4CW dial alignment #PTO #TR4-c

 

Gary where is the PTO lever located? And where is the pivot?
Mark


Drake Users Net

 

Net meets on Sunday, 7238 +/-, at 4-5 PM Eastern Standard Time.


Re: Anyone want to trade a TR-3 for my TR-4C?

 

SE-GA.

On 3/21/25 21:11, Joe - W7RKN via groups.io wrote:
Where are you located?

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of DavidC KD4E via groups.io
Subject: [DRAKE-RADIO] Anyone want to trade a TR-3 for my TR-4C?

I have a TR-4C in good working order.

I'd rather own a TR-3 in good working order.

My TR-4C is in good cosmetic condition (pics attached).

I'd like the same in return.

Please email me directly.

Thanks ...

David KD4E










Re: TR-4CW dial alignment #PTO #TR4-c

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

The ring hold process from the front only adjusts the dial a few KHz or so.

The PTO has a lever that you can squeeze to release the PTO tuning mechanism from the 0 to 100 KHz white dial disk.

You can then manually move the dial disk to read the correct frequency to which the PTO is set.

Do this with the front panel dial skirt adjustment in its mid point.

Make note that it is very common for the pivot point of this lever to be very tight due to aged lubricant in the pivot. A tiny bit of TriFlow on the pivot will fix that. The lever should spring back with no resistance when you release it.

Then you use the more familiar front panel adjustment to finish the alignment.

I am guessing the prior owner tried to align the dials and gave up due to that grease issue.

Gary

W0DVN

On Mar 21, 2025, at 7:17?PM, Mark N2DMI via groups.io <markkiziuk1@...> wrote:

Just got a TR-4CW that as far as I can tell works pretty well except that the dial is WAY OFF.
I had a station on 7.220 Mhz on the Drake but when I went to go find it on my Yaesu FT-990 (which is spot on!)
the same station was on 7.244Mhz.
I was trying to align the dial by holding the ring and moving the tuning knob. I was trying little increments but
I was making small progress so I turned it alot (but not to the point of binding it or breaking it) and now I don't
know what frequency I am on? And I can't find that station again.
Also, I was trying to turn the dial very VERY slow (with the tuning dial not the ring) and when I do that the numbers itself will STOP
turning and I have to turn a little faster for the numbers to start moving.
I'm STUCK!
Mark


Re: Anyone want to trade a TR-3 for my TR-4C?

 

Where are you located?

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of DavidC KD4E via groups.io
Subject: [DRAKE-RADIO] Anyone want to trade a TR-3 for my TR-4C?

I have a TR-4C in good working order.

I'd rather own a TR-3 in good working order.

My TR-4C is in good cosmetic condition (pics attached).

I'd like the same in return.

Please email me directly.

Thanks ...

David KD4E


Anyone want to trade a TR-3 for my TR-4C?

 

I have a TR-4C in good working order.

I'd rather own a TR-3 in good working order.

My TR-4C is in good cosmetic condition (pics attached).

I'd like the same in return.

Please email me directly.

Thanks ...

David KD4E


TR-4CW dial alignment #PTO #TR4-c

 

Just got a TR-4CW that as far as I can tell works pretty well except that the dial is WAY OFF.
I had a station on 7.220 Mhz on the Drake but when I went to go find it on my Yaesu FT-990 (which is spot on!)
the same station was on 7.244Mhz.
I was trying to align the dial by holding the ring and moving the tuning knob. I was trying little increments but
I was making small progress so I turned it alot (but not to the point of binding it or breaking it) and now I don't
know what frequency I am on? And I can't find that station again.
Also, I was trying to turn the dial very VERY slow (with the tuning dial not the ring) and when I do that the numbers itself will STOP
turning and I have to turn a little faster for the numbers to start moving.
I'm STUCK!
Mark


Service Monitor

 

I'm looking to add a service monitor to my repair bench.
I mostly work on HF, VHF and a few UHF rigs.

Although old, I always liked IFR-1200s (with tracking generator), but I presume there are better options nowadays.

Anyway, a good, well calibrated 1200 would be ok.

I'm asking for opinion, or perspective about a brand and model to purchase. And not expensive, mine's just a little more than a hobbyist repair bench.

TIA
Regards
LU5WE - Guillermo.


Re: New to me TR7

 

There is also an online Files section associated with this group. You will find a plethora of information there, most of it good. Although you should ignore any misguided advice to reverse the direction of the cooling fan(s) from what Drake intended. It doesn't work.

On Wed, 19 Mar 2025 18:43:06 -0400
"Bob W4JFA via groups.io" <W4JFABob@...> wrote:

Guys, I'm learning a lot from you guys about the "idiosyncrasies" of this
rig. In a couple weeks I'll be ready.
Thanks!

--

73

-Jim
NU0C


Re: New owner for R7 with couple of question

 

Claudio

I'm commenting n the pre-amp matter only.

I had a similar problem with a newly acquired R7.? The problem was a tiny fracture in one of the copper bits in the circuit board.? Check also for dry joints.? Transistor was OK.

Nigel

On Fri, Nov 22, 2024 at 12:18?AM LU7DW Claudio via <lu7dw=[email protected]> wrote:
Hi members,
?
A couple of weeks ago, I bougth a? R7 receiver, now I have two question, as the preamplifer doesn?t work and the 2N5109 seems to be impossible to buy here, I?m wondering if there are any recommend replacement for this transistor to use in the R7.
?
The second question is , as the 4KHz filter for AM is good for DX but narrow for a confortable program listening, I want to ask if some one has experience/recommendation to add the resister as per manual should be as replacement for the 4000Hz filter, but I want to use this resister in the 500Hz optional space filter, because I don?t want to loose the 4000hz filtering.
?
Many thanks
?
Claudio Lu7DW


Re: Can anybody help with a TR4C?

 

Thanks Gary. Will let you know what I find. I might have missed another switch problem. I thought I checked for continuity with all the sections bur maybe not.? Thanks for the help.


On Thu, Mar 20, 2025, 5:13?PM Gary Follett via <xntrick1948=[email protected]> wrote:
Correction to V2 analysis:

Pin 5 is the AM detector. In AM, the radio uses V2 as the AM detector and as the first audio amplifier, but only in AM.

I also added some more paths for the sidetone path. In addition, I added in red the path that the sidetone takes to get to the audio output. You can see that, if the Anti-Vox were set too high, you might have difficulty keying.

Gary

W0DVN

PastedGraphic-1.tiff

On Mar 20, 2025, at 4:53?PM, Gary Follett via <xntrick1948=[email protected]> wrote:

Analysis of V2:

Pin 1 should be 0 if there is no key plugged in or a key is plugged in and the key is keyed. In key up position, this pin should be negative SOMETHING (in RX) because this is the grid block keying line for the TX mixer and the TX driver in CW only.

Pin 2 can only be 0 if radio is in CW position. This would be true in both TX and RX. If you are in CW, you are getting the right answer.

Pin 3 filament is a bit low, lower than I would expect. Do you have low line voltage?

Pin 4 is correct

Pin 5 should rectify the AC audio tone in the sidetone oscillator, producing a negative voltage at pin 5, which is what you are seeing, but only when keyed in CW. I don¡¯t see any way this pin could rest at 0.9 volts positive, as shown in the ¡°spec"

Pin 6 is not connected

Pin 7 is a bit low, no concern

I think V2 is operating as it should.

Remove V19 and V2 and measure the resistance between V19 pin 7 and ground, and V19 pin 7 to C100 both ends, in CW position, then in SSB position.

While I had said earlier that the Anti-Vox was not needed in CW (It isn¡¯t) it is still in the circuit, so try CW keying with the Anti-Vox full CCW and full CW to see if there is any effect. Also, try CW keying with the receiver AF gain set to nearly zero.

Gary

W0DVN




On Mar 20, 2025, at 3:08?PM, Terry WB0VQP via <TLNixon357=[email protected]> wrote:

I got back to the TR4C today.
I disassembled, completely cleaned and inspected the mode switch, found a couple of bent fingers and straightened them and cleaned the switch fully.
I did get the AM Mode back, but the CW is still being evasive.?
The problem definitely seems to be in the V-2 stage.
I checked the voltages?and resistor values in that stage.
Found some interesting things. Ran out of time this afternoon. I had a spare tube and changed it with no change.
It still keys the cw for a split second then unkeys. The sidetone stays constant?while the key is down. the momentary cw creates a momentary bump on the wattmeter and dummy load.
Obviously there is a voltage missing and some that are not correct.??
V2 back in that back corner?is such a nice spacious place to work!!
Going to have to burn some more midnight oil on this one.

V-2 12AV6 voltages

pin?????? Measured?????? Spec

1 ???????? -18 v? RX????????? 0

??????????? -.73? TX??????????? -1.6

2????????? 0????????????????????? 13.0?????

3????????? 11.8 AC??????????? 12.6 AC

4????????? 0????????????????????? 0

5????????? -.41 RX???????????? 0

??????????? -.57 TX ??????????? .9

6????????? 0????????????????????? 0

7????????? 239????????????????? 255? ? ??


On Mon, Mar 17, 2025 at 9:12?PM Terry WB0VQP via??<TLNixon357=[email protected]> wrote:
Thanks Gary!
I have had the entire front panel off the radio in order to get to that S-2 and clean it.? Not to say I got it all clean and working. I was suspicious of that as well.?

This radio? belonged to our local club The Davenport Radio Amateur Club INC for many years.? It was in the basement shack of our President when lightning struck his power lines and set his house on fire.? The electrical panel was only a few feet from his shack.? The whole family almost died in the fire.?

Although it did not have any heat or fire damage, it was really smoked-up and had some water damage.? ?So a little at a time I am trying to restore it.? ?It was given to me by the President when our insurance company bought us two new rigs to replace this one and an Icom damaged by the fire.

The SSB TX was intermittent?on it, and I discovered the key jack had some corrosion around it and was not grounding properly when the key was unplugged. .? Cleaned that all up and it is reliably working on SSB, but would like to make it fully functional.??

I still have an R4B and T4XC twins and another TR4 here. I love this Drake equipment.

Thanks Again!

Terry WB0VQP


On Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 7:58?PM Gary Follett via??<xntrick1948=[email protected]> wrote:
Shown in magenta on the attached schematic is the path the sidetone oscillator signal takes to get to the VOX tube, V19A, in order to key the relays. This tube amplifies that sidetone signal just like it would an audio signal from the microphone input. This is rectified by D5 and fed to the keying triode V19B.

My most likely bet is that the contacts on S2 are not making good contact so the sidetone is not getting to the grid of V19A.

Also, while the VOX sensitivity pot has no impact on the CW ¡°VOX¡±, the Anti-Vox and Delay do affect CW ¡°VOX". Try turning Anti-Vox all the way CCW to see if that is an issue since you do NOT need Anti-Vox on CW.

Gary

W0DVN

<PastedGraphic-1.tiff>

On Mar 16, 2025, at 6:51?PM, Terry WB0VQP via??<TLNixon357=[email protected]> wrote:

yes


On Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 2:56?PM Gary Follett via??<xntrick1948=[email protected]> wrote:
Can you answer the question I already asked, "Do you have steady sidetone when key is held down?¡±?

Gary

W0DVN

On Mar 16, 2025, at 12:43?PM, Gary Follett via??<xntrick1948=[email protected]> wrote:

Do you have steady sidetone when key is held down?











Re: Can anybody help with a TR4C?

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Correction to V2 analysis:

Pin 5 is the AM detector. In AM, the radio uses V2 as the AM detector and as the first audio amplifier, but only in AM.

I also added some more paths for the sidetone path. In addition, I added in red the path that the sidetone takes to get to the audio output. You can see that, if the Anti-Vox were set too high, you might have difficulty keying.

Gary

W0DVN

PastedGraphic-1.tiff

On Mar 20, 2025, at 4:53?PM, Gary Follett via groups.io <xntrick1948@...> wrote:

Analysis of V2:

Pin 1 should be 0 if there is no key plugged in or a key is plugged in and the key is keyed. In key up position, this pin should be negative SOMETHING (in RX) because this is the grid block keying line for the TX mixer and the TX driver in CW only.

Pin 2 can only be 0 if radio is in CW position. This would be true in both TX and RX. If you are in CW, you are getting the right answer.

Pin 3 filament is a bit low, lower than I would expect. Do you have low line voltage?

Pin 4 is correct

Pin 5 should rectify the AC audio tone in the sidetone oscillator, producing a negative voltage at pin 5, which is what you are seeing, but only when keyed in CW. I don¡¯t see any way this pin could rest at 0.9 volts positive, as shown in the ¡°spec"

Pin 6 is not connected

Pin 7 is a bit low, no concern

I think V2 is operating as it should.

Remove V19 and V2 and measure the resistance between V19 pin 7 and ground, and V19 pin 7 to C100 both ends, in CW position, then in SSB position.

While I had said earlier that the Anti-Vox was not needed in CW (It isn¡¯t) it is still in the circuit, so try CW keying with the Anti-Vox full CCW and full CW to see if there is any effect. Also, try CW keying with the receiver AF gain set to nearly zero.

Gary

W0DVN




On Mar 20, 2025, at 3:08?PM, Terry WB0VQP via groups.io <TLNixon357@...> wrote:

I got back to the TR4C today.
I disassembled, completely cleaned and inspected the mode switch, found a couple of bent fingers and straightened them and cleaned the switch fully.
I did get the AM Mode back, but the CW is still being evasive.?
The problem definitely seems to be in the V-2 stage.
I checked the voltages?and resistor values in that stage.
Found some interesting things. Ran out of time this afternoon. I had a spare tube and changed it with no change.
It still keys the cw for a split second then unkeys. The sidetone stays constant?while the key is down. the momentary cw creates a momentary bump on the wattmeter and dummy load.
Obviously there is a voltage missing and some that are not correct.??
V2 back in that back corner?is such a nice spacious place to work!!
Going to have to burn some more midnight oil on this one.

V-2 12AV6 voltages

pin?????? Measured?????? Spec

1 ???????? -18 v? RX????????? 0

??????????? -.73? TX??????????? -1.6

2????????? 0????????????????????? 13.0?????

3????????? 11.8 AC??????????? 12.6 AC

4????????? 0????????????????????? 0

5????????? -.41 RX???????????? 0

??????????? -.57 TX ??????????? .9

6????????? 0????????????????????? 0

7????????? 239????????????????? 255? ? ??


On Mon, Mar 17, 2025 at 9:12?PM Terry WB0VQP via??<TLNixon357=[email protected]> wrote:
Thanks Gary!
I have had the entire front panel off the radio in order to get to that S-2 and clean it.? Not to say I got it all clean and working. I was suspicious of that as well.?

This radio? belonged to our local club The Davenport Radio Amateur Club INC for many years.? It was in the basement shack of our President when lightning struck his power lines and set his house on fire.? The electrical panel was only a few feet from his shack.? The whole family almost died in the fire.?

Although it did not have any heat or fire damage, it was really smoked-up and had some water damage.? ?So a little at a time I am trying to restore it.? ?It was given to me by the President when our insurance company bought us two new rigs to replace this one and an Icom damaged by the fire.

The SSB TX was intermittent?on it, and I discovered the key jack had some corrosion around it and was not grounding properly when the key was unplugged. .? Cleaned that all up and it is reliably working on SSB, but would like to make it fully functional.??

I still have an R4B and T4XC twins and another TR4 here. I love this Drake equipment.

Thanks Again!

Terry WB0VQP


On Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 7:58?PM Gary Follett via??<xntrick1948=[email protected]> wrote:
Shown in magenta on the attached schematic is the path the sidetone oscillator signal takes to get to the VOX tube, V19A, in order to key the relays. This tube amplifies that sidetone signal just like it would an audio signal from the microphone input. This is rectified by D5 and fed to the keying triode V19B.

My most likely bet is that the contacts on S2 are not making good contact so the sidetone is not getting to the grid of V19A.

Also, while the VOX sensitivity pot has no impact on the CW ¡°VOX¡±, the Anti-Vox and Delay do affect CW ¡°VOX". Try turning Anti-Vox all the way CCW to see if that is an issue since you do NOT need Anti-Vox on CW.

Gary

W0DVN

<PastedGraphic-1.tiff>

On Mar 16, 2025, at 6:51?PM, Terry WB0VQP via??<TLNixon357=[email protected]> wrote:

yes


On Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 2:56?PM Gary Follett via??<xntrick1948=[email protected]> wrote:
Can you answer the question I already asked, "Do you have steady sidetone when key is held down?¡±?

Gary

W0DVN

On Mar 16, 2025, at 12:43?PM, Gary Follett via??<xntrick1948=[email protected]> wrote:

Do you have steady sidetone when key is held down?