I have two. I grade them Marvelous Plus. They are fully crystaled, and I have an FS-4. I use the internal speakers.
David, WA7ZYQ ?C¡¯est la vie, c¡¯est la guerre, ?vive la salade de pommes de terre.
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On Mar 25, 2021, at 1:26 PM, Matt Jodz <mfjodziewicz@...> wrote:
|
Matt:
Welcome to the wonderful world of Drake radio..... is this your 1st?
Make sure you get the AC power cord with and that it is in good
shape.? Check carefully at the molded plug that goes into the radio
as it tends to fail there.? Treat the AC cord with kid gloves, as
that plug is VERY hard, of not impossible, to replace.? There are
suitable workarounds if it goes bad.? Check back with us if/when
that happens.
The SPR-4 is a good all round SW receiver, in my opinion, though it
lacks the selectivity choices or performance that an R-4C, or even
the earlier 4-line receiver offer, but that said...it does pretty
well with what it has for general snooping around the bands.? They
normally don't come with a full set of xtals so one with the ham
bands added is worth more in my opinion.? But....fear not if there
are no ham band xtals....as WB6OGD has come up with an el-cheapo
modern equivalent of the Drake FS-4 frequency synthesizer that you
can build easily for about $30.? Plans are on this group's file
pages.? That will give you FULL coverage of the SW bands to 30 Mhz.
There is a noise blanker available, but they are rare as hen's teeth
and cost (almost) more than a chicken farm!? Easier to chase your
noise sources if you have that issue.? Nice to have the xtal
calibrator option, which plugs into one of the back corners of the
chassis.? Hopefully it has that.
PTO is the same as the C-line with the same dial issues regarding
calibration and PTO cleaning, though not likely needed.? Just make
sure the dials aren't rubbing together, or against anything else
either.
Check the electrolytic caps under the chassis for any signs of
bulging/failure and replace as needed.? I have had to replace some
on the audio board.
There are two verions of the audio board depending on serial
number.? Early ones used a couple of odd transistors that is pretty
hard to find these days.
Plan on putting in new blue and/white dial and meter filters to get
that "Drake blue" back again.? The white filters tend to yellow with
age creating a more greenish tint.? You can use drop-in Cointaker
#47 warm white LED replacements for the #47 bulbs at under $1 each.?
You will need 3 in the SPR-4.? The dial filters will also need to be
cut out by hand with a sharp X-acto or utility knife for the Xtal
selector window.? Save the old one to use as a template.
If the vinyl-like finish on the cabinet has faded, and cleaning
doesn't help, an application of a good black shoe polish, followed
by a good drying period and a buff will make it look a lot better!?
AGC calibration in the SPR-4 is very key to making the radio sound
good.? Always worth checking that part of the manual and running
through the alignment.
Good luck!
73
Peter
VE7PS
On 2021-03-25 1:26 p.m., Matt Jodz
wrote:
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Gentlemen,
? ? ?I have the opportunity to get a Drake SPR-4 in excellent
physical and working condition but would like to hear what the
group thinks of this Solid State rig as my experience has only
been with the tube type Drakes.? The wife of course thinks I am
crazy (of this no doubt) but any comments you may offer may help
to sway her.
? ? ?Thanks ahead of time.
? ? ? Matt ND7MJ
|
Re: I¡¯ll leave this here...
I have a C-4 but I'd consider it at $25.? That's basically a hamfest price for a generic non-Bird wattmeter.
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent with Secure Email.
©\©\©\©\©\©\©\ Original Message ©\©\©\©\©\©\©\
On Thursday, March 25, 2021 9:52 AM, VE7PS <ve7ps@...> wrote:
Ha ha - me too!? Well I guess if that's what you need to do.? But at
$135?
PS
On 2021-03-25 6:44 a.m., Steve Wedge,
W1ES/4 via groups.io wrote:
Such a deal! ?Gave me a chuckle.?
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent from ProtonMail Mobile
|
Gentlemen,
? ? ?I have the opportunity to get a Drake SPR-4 in excellent physical and working condition but would like to hear what the group thinks of this Solid State rig as my experience has only been with the tube type Drakes.? The wife of course thinks I am crazy (of this no doubt) but any comments you may offer may help to sway her.
? ? ?Thanks ahead of time.
? ? ? Matt ND7MJ
|
Re: I¡¯ll leave this here...
Okay. I've never owned one so wasn't sure about the hole pattern.
Yes - agree that they could've at least dressed up the paint and hardware a bit but that'd be easy enough to do if someone wanted it badly enough (which I do not).
Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ
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----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark KIllmon" <mark@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2021 11:18:01 AM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] I¡¯ll leave this here...
Nope. Same pattern at least. 120 degrees is 120 degrees. Same sized
meter body¡ªa drop-in replacement..
But c'mon. At least repaint the meter and use decent hardware. :-P
*73, Mark - K4SO
www.k4so.com*
*
*
*
*
On 3/25/2021 11:34 AM, n4buq wrote:
It does make me wonder how that came to be. If that was a retrofit, then
I'd think the original meter had a different hole pattern but maybe not.
Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Wolfe" <w7rkn.7@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2021 10:30:21 AM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] I¡¯ll leave this here...
WOW¡..I have never seen a W4 with that meter!
Joe ¨C W7RKN
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of
Steve
Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io
Subject: [DRAKE-RADIO] I¡¯ll leave this here...
Such a deal! Gave me a chuckle.
<>
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
|
Re: I¡¯ll leave this here...
Nope. Same pattern at least. 120 degrees is
120 degrees. Same sized meter body¡ªa drop-in replacement..?
But c'mon. At least repaint the meter and
use decent hardware. :-P
73, Mark - K4SO
On 3/25/2021 11:34 AM, n4buq wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
It does make me wonder how that came to be. If that was a retrofit, then I'd think the original meter had a different hole pattern but maybe not.
Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Wolfe" <w7rkn.7@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2021 10:30:21 AM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] I¡¯ll leave this here...
WOW¡..I have never seen a W4 with that meter!
Joe ¨C W7RKN
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Steve
Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io
Subject: [DRAKE-RADIO] I¡¯ll leave this here...
Such a deal! Gave me a chuckle.
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
|
Re: DR7 fitting partial success.
Hi Mike, The display looks good now. Glad to see you have it working.
I have some KW equipment here awaiting restoration. The KW202/204 pair, KW2000E w/PS, KW109 and a few other items.
Most of the KW equipment, in North America, came in through Canada so it shows up here from time to time.
73
Roger VE7LB
|
Re: I¡¯ll leave this here...
It does make me wonder how that came to be. If that was a retrofit, then I'd think the original meter had a different hole pattern but maybe not.
Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Wolfe" <w7rkn.7@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2021 10:30:21 AM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] I¡¯ll leave this here...
WOW¡..I have never seen a W4 with that meter!
Joe ¨C W7RKN
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Steve
Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io
Subject: [DRAKE-RADIO] I¡¯ll leave this here...
Such a deal! Gave me a chuckle.
<>
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
|
Re: I¡¯ll leave this here...
WOW¡..I have never seen a W4 with that meter! ? Joe ¨C W7RKN ? ? Such a deal! ?Gave me a chuckle.?
|
Re: I¡¯ll leave this here...
Typical Ebay these days as previous threads indicated. Read this article--??- this morning. Apart from the greed that Ebay shows today Covid has altered the landscape of global commerce to the point that interactive industries are adversely impacted. The HR used rig markets are potentially impacted also. Can't wait for the day when I can attend hamfests even with mask. Vacinated and ready!
|
Re: I¡¯ll leave this here...
Ha ha - me too!? Well I guess if that's what you need to do.? But at
$135?
PS
On 2021-03-25 6:44 a.m., Steve Wedge,
W1ES/4 via groups.io wrote:
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Show quoted text
Such a deal! ?Gave me a chuckle.?
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent from ProtonMail Mobile
|
Re: DR7 fitting partial success.
Mike:
Congratulations from another 68 year old!
I've been following along with your adventure and have to commend
you for your perseverance.? Nice to have it end on a positive,
successful note.? Your documentation of how this came about will
help someone else, no doubt, down the road, and to that end, I have
saved a couple of those in case I ever need it.? While I have
repaired a non-functioning TR-7 digital readout in the past, it was
simple re-soldering job on the display pins that fixed the problem.?
De-Oxit has always taken care of any other issues.
Thanks for sharing and enjoy your TR-7.? I think you may find, like
many of us, that it will surprise you with its build quality, simple
yet effective functionality, and is a joy to operate.? And I still
think the TR-7 line, with all its accessories, may be one of the
best looking "whole station" line-ups ever built....in either red or
blue.
73,
Peter
VE7PS
On 2021-03-24 9:11 p.m., Mike Davidsohn
G3ZCC wrote:
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HI Jim.
Thanks for your help
Its a confidence thing with me really but I have always been
more comfortable with tube radio's.
?I have a rack full of restored and working KW & Eddystone
kit.
The last couple of weeks have taught me that once you know how
it works, it's basically the same fault finding techniques.
Whoever said that you cant teach an old dog new tricks was
completely wrong, I am 68 !!
The TR7 is back in it's case, and will be back in the shack
later today.
I have a Yaesu FTDX3000 here which is a superb rig but the TR7
can give it a run for it's money, it's only the Yaesu's superb
Digital Noise Reduction that gives it the edge.
The TR7 has been running all evening on the bench? and it was
hearing "W" on 80m SSB in poor conditions so you can't ask for
more than that.
Kind Regards
Mike
G3ZCC
|
Such a deal! ?Gave me a chuckle.?
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent from ProtonMail Mobile
|
Re: DR7 fitting partial success.
Thanks, Mike. I¡¯ve been making up a list of things to do with my TR7 and this has been added. It¡¯s working really well but sounds like it could use an alignment. Due to the added difficulties of removing the DR7 board, I¡¯ve been making a list so I can do everything in one go ¡ª including a cabinet re-paint.?
73,
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent from ProtonMail Mobile
On Wed, Mar 24, 2021 at 12:57, Mike Davidsohn G3ZCC < mike@...> wrote: Hi Steve
Kingbright blue LED SA39 -11PBWA,? UK RS Components part number 616-4576
digit height 9.9mm
unit height 13mm
FV 3.2 - 4.0v
RC 10 ua?
RV 5v
PD 120mw
DCFG 30ma
But you might try and contact DF4NW
Mine was one of his.
It's a complete kit.
My DR7 had already had the kit fitted but the whole board was a mess.
It looks just great now Steve plus 5mm blue diffused LED's with 330 ohm series resistor on the S meter and PTO dial, sets the whole rig up perfectly.
Kind Regards
Mike
G3ZCC
|
Re: DR7 fitting partial success.
HI Jim.
Thanks for your help
Its a confidence thing with me really but I have always been more comfortable with tube radio's.
?I have a rack full of restored and working KW & Eddystone kit.
The last couple of weeks have taught me that once you know how it works, it's basically the same fault finding techniques.
Whoever said that you cant teach an old dog new tricks was completely wrong, I am 68 !!
The TR7 is back in it's case, and will be back in the shack later today.
I have a Yaesu FTDX3000 here which is a superb rig but the TR7 can give it a run for it's money, it's only the Yaesu's superb Digital Noise Reduction that gives it the edge.
The TR7 has been running all evening on the bench? and it was hearing "W" on 80m SSB in poor conditions so you can't ask for more than that.
Kind Regards
Mike
G3ZCC
|
Re: DR7 fitting partial success.
Yes, Willi switched to a larger LED after his initial run of kits in the original size. The one I got is original size, and I really prefer that to the larger size. Just my preference, to me the larger displays seem aesthetically out of balance with the rest of the radio. To use modern displays you either need to brew up your own board or buy the kit fro Willi. The original displays are pre-built modules that there is no direct equivalent to now. 73 -Jim NU0C On Wed, 24 Mar 2021 15:57:37 +0000 "Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io" <w1es@...> wrote: I've been seriously considering changing mine over to the blue digits. I've heard that they're also slightly larger (but still fit comfortably in the aperture provided for the display).
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent with [ProtonMail]() Secure Email.
©\©\©\©\©\©\©\ Original Message ©\©\©\©\©\©\©\
On Wednesday, March 24, 2021 10:52 AM, Mike Davidsohn G3ZCC <mike@...> wrote:
Thanks Steve.
She seems fine just doing a tidy up now before I refit the case.
Kind Regards
Mike
G3ZCC
|
Re: DR7 fitting partial success.
Congrats! This is how I learned what I know about the TR7. It has been a years long process, and I started in the mid 80s when the internet wasn't around to help! 73 -Jim NU0C On Wed, 24 Mar 2021 07:13:25 -0700 "Mike Davidsohn G3ZCC" <mike@...> wrote: Hi Everyone
Success, I now have a digital display that is meant for the TR7.
Thank you to all those who offered assistance.
This project has been a very steep learning curve for my Tube specialist brain.
Loving those up/down buttons, fantastic.
Kind Regards
Mike
G3ZCC
|
Re: Needed: 500-ohm S-Meter Pot
These are the ones on the side of the chassis and adjust the S meter sensitivity and notch filter (notch a different value).
Photos (I hope) are attached.? Although an exact fit would be nice, if you have any with this mounting scheme (the tabs through the chassis), I'll take 'em even if the shaft is longer.
TNX / 73, Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent with Secure Email.
©\©\©\©\©\©\©\ Original Message ©\©\©\©\©\©\©\
On Tuesday, March 16, 2021 7:38 PM, Brian Mathews <hotelbroker@...> wrote:
I have a huge cache of pots here but I'm not familiar with what fits in an R-4B.? Any chance of getting a photo posted of what you are looking for?
Brian W6BRY
On Tue, Mar 16, 2021 at 2:59 PM Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via <w1es= [email protected]> wrote: I'm scouring eBay and not finding much, so far.? A friend of mine's R-4B ate its S METER ADJ pot.? This is a 500-ohm and mounts with two bendable tabs.? My junkbox came up doughnuts and I probably have a few hundred more to look at on eBay but wondering if any of you have any spares or a source for them.
I'd rather not change any hole sizes.
73,
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent with Secure Email.
|
Re: DR7 fitting partial success.
Hi Steve
Kingbright blue LED SA39 -11PBWA,? UK RS Components part number 616-4576
digit height 9.9mm
unit height 13mm
FV 3.2 - 4.0v
RC 10 ua?
RV 5v
PD 120mw
DCFG 30ma
But you might try and contact DF4NW
Mine was one of his.
It's a complete kit.
My DR7 had already had the kit fitted but the whole board was a mess.
It looks just great now Steve plus 5mm blue diffused LED's with 330 ohm series resistor on the S meter and PTO dial, sets the whole rig up perfectly.
Kind Regards
Mike
G3ZCC
|
Re: DR7 fitting partial success.
I've been seriously considering changing mine over to the blue digits.? I've heard that they're also slightly larger (but still fit comfortably in the aperture provided for the display).
Steve Wedge, W1ES/4
Time flies like an arrow.? Fruit flies like a banana.
Sent with Secure Email.
©\©\©\©\©\©\©\ Original Message ©\©\©\©\©\©\©\
On Wednesday, March 24, 2021 10:52 AM, Mike Davidsohn G3ZCC <mike@...> wrote:
Thanks Steve.
She seems fine just doing a tidy up now before I refit the case.
Kind Regards
Mike
G3ZCC
|
Mike Davidsohn G3ZCC
Jim Shorney