Hi to all!

I recently got a TR-3 functional and hope to use it on some of the vintage nets. I'm now looking for a repairable power supply to pair with it (with or without speaker.) If you happen to have one, please let me know.

73's and best wishes

Jim
KD0WF

From: "jerry-KF6VB" <jerry@...>
To: "DRAKE-RADIO" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2023 5:24:17 PM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] 2-B 50kHz Alignment Question

On 2023-05-11 10:14, Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io wrote:

Yep — a cheap Chinese generator that I bought on Amazon. It is more
than stable and accurate enough to align these radios.

*** I almost bought that one. Actually, an upgraded 80Mhz version with
higher sample rate. And actually...I DID buy it. But I sent it back;
didn't even open the box. Why?

I really needed a frequency counter, and it had one built in; but
perusing the user manual online, I discovered that the built-in
frequency
counter was not very sensitive. It required 2 volts p-p to count. Not
nearly sensitive enough to align my TR7. Ebay yielded up an HP counter
with 15mV sensitivity.

I realized that the only reason I was going after that generator was
that it's small. Not having a proper test bench with an equipment
tower,
I lusted after tiny instruments that could fit on the table along with
whatever I was fixing.

The solution? Went to the Home Depot yesterday and bought a sheet of
1/2 inch plywood. Cut out a upper shelf for my worktable. Ripped a 2x4
into a pair of 2x2's for stiffeners. Now I have a five-foot shelf, 16
inches wide ( the depth of my good scope ). It's about 20 inches above
the table, giving me plenty of space to work. I plan to install
lighting
under the shelf.

Already populated it. Got out the good signal generator ( Wavetek
3000 )
and the good scope, a dual lab supply, a decent HP frequency counter.
Left
the bench for a while to do other stuff. Came back to a smell of burned
electronics
and a popped GFCI. Huh?

Apparently the good scope ( Tektronix 2445 ) had sat in the shed too
long. A voltmeter
between the scope and ground shows 60VAC. This continues with the power
off and the fuse
removed. Only thing left in circuit is the input EMI filter. Probably
one of the caps shorted out.
Luckily, I have the service manual. Tektronix P/N 119-1536-00. None to
be had anywhere.
HOWEVER, one website had a picture of it. It's made by TDK, their P/N
ZUB2203-00. Woohoo!
Those can be got! On order... There might be more. It's failing a
self test that says "Positive Voltage
too low". I'll worry about that after I install the new EMI filter.

In the meantime, I can use my Rigol DSO to align the TR7.

- Jerry, KF6VB

On Thu, May 11, 2023 at 11:42 AM, VE7PS

<ve7ps@...> wrote:

Steve/Chris;

See attached schematics.? May help if you don't already have these.

The transition was at serial #453.

I think mine is #456 or something like that - just after the change was made.

73

Peter

VE7PS

On Thu, May 11, 2023 at 5:58?AM Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via <w1es=[email protected]> wrote:

Chris, the output transformer is a generic part that was very common in the days when this receiver was made.? The 6AQ5 was very commonly used as an audio output amp and Drake used a fairly standard circuit.? I replaced the transformer in mine and bought the part for something like $10 on eBay.

I have been struggling, off and on, with a 1-A for the past couple of years.? I have an intermittent problem that I believe is inside the low pass filter in the audio chain but I haven't mustered up the guts to take it out and go inside.? Good luck with yours and I hope that it's from '58 because the only existing schematics seem to be for serial numbers after around 386.? Mine is 331 (I think) and there are definite differences.

73,

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

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

Sent with secure email.

------- Original Message -------
On Thursday, May 11th, 2023 at 7:51 AM, Chris Farley via <vacuuminded2=[email protected]> wrote:

Hi all,?

I just picked up a bucket list 1A which seems to fundamentally work, however the output transformer appears to be a much later replacement AND has failed.? Tall order but has anybody an un-saveable parts unit for this transformer or the whole speaker/transformer assembly???

Regards,?

Chris kc9ieq

?

I have a couple like that here too, if anyone needs one. Not sure about it being for a TR-3 or early TR-4. They had a plate like that under the fluted knob, yes, but not sure it ever had an arrow on it. I have others for the R-4 that are also similar...but no arrow.j

Peter

VE7PS

On Thu, May 11, 2023 at 10:50?AM Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via <w1es=[email protected]> wrote:

That’s TR-3/early TR-4 that uses the fluted knob.

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

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

Sent from Proton Mail for iOS

On Thu, May 11, 2023 at 13:09, n4buq <n4buq@...> wrote:

Not sure if any of you guys have seen this. According to the poster, it's 2.25" in diameter so smaller than a 2-B dial at 2.5" but maybe someone recognizes it here and could use it.



Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ

On May 11, 2023, at 12:05 PM, VE7PS <ve7ps@...> wrote:

?

I have a couple like that here too, if anyone needs one.? Not sure about it being for a TR-3 or early TR-4.? They had a plate like that under the fluted knob, yes,? but not sure it ever had an?arrow on it.? I have others for the R-4 that are also similar...but no arrow.j

Peter

VE7PS

On Thu, May 11, 2023 at 10:50?AM Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via <w1es=[email protected]> wrote:

That’s TR-3/early TR-4 that uses the fluted knob.?

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

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

Sent from Proton Mail for iOS

On Thu, May 11, 2023 at 13:09, n4buq <n4buq@...> wrote:

Not sure if any of you guys have seen this. According to the poster, it's 2.25" in diameter so smaller than a 2-B dial at 2.5" but maybe someone recognizes it here and could use it.



Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ

From: "VE7PS" <ve7ps@...>
To: "DRAKE-RADIO" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2023 2:05:28 PM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Drake Dial?

Not sure if any of you guys have seen this. According to the poster, it's 2.25" in diameter so smaller than a 2-B dial at 2.5" but maybe someone recognizes it here and could use it.

https://swap.qth.com/view_ad.php?counter=1637878

Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ

The biggest part of the problem with my setup using the HP-8640B/HP-11710B was my brain.? I was going on memory as to what the proper input frequency to the down-converter should be and that was completely incorrect.? That, and I was doing the down-conversion math incorrectly as well.? I briefed myself on the down-converter's specs and now can hear a nice, clean 100kHz signal in my Satellit 800 and I'm sure I'd be able to use this setup for the 50kHz 2-B alignment as well.? I may have to pull the 2-B back apart just to prove that to myself.

Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ

---

From: "Barry" <n4buq@...>
To: "DRAKE-RADIO" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 3:45:49 PM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] 2-B 50kHz Alignment Question

Apparently this was in my setup.? I was using an HP-8640B signal generator with an HP-11710B down converter to get me to 50kHz.? That was somewhat "touchy" so I switched to my HP-3310B function generator with an HP-5384A counter.? That worked a lot better and I can get a zero-beat at/near the center of the slug's travel.

While the HP-3310B is not nearly as stable as the HP-8640B, I think that got me "good enough".

Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ

---

From: "Barry" <n4buq@...>
To: "DRAKE-RADIO" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 9:21:23 AM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] 2-B 50kHz Alignment Question

Cranking up the output of the generator helped and I can hear it better on any/all band settings (was only hearing it well on one of the AUX positions but can hear it now regardless of the bandswitch which makes better sense). Also, moving the VFO doesn't affect the zero-beat now.

The problem I'm having now, though, is that I cannot zero-beat a 50.000kHz signal by adjusting T7's slug.? It is quite a bit off frequency and not sure what would cause that.

Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ

---

From: "Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via groups.io" <w1es@...>
To: "DRAKE-RADIO" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 6:54:54 AM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] 2-B 50kHz Alignment Question

Make sure that you have it on the right pin. I used about a 1V signal and had no trouble.?

73,

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

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

Sent from Proton Mail for iOS

On Mon, May 8, 2023 at 23:53, n4buq <n4buq@...> wrote:

Following the manual, with the BFO and PRODUCT DETECTOR on, I've connected a 50kHz unmodulated signal through a blocking capacitor to V5, Pin 1. While I can hear the signal, if I turn the tuning knob, it changes the zero-beat and that doesn't seem correct to me.

The manual doesn't give any "initial settings" for the alignment so I'm curious how one is to zero beat that oscillator. Is there something wrong with my 2-B such that tuning the VFO changes the zero-beat for this step? If not, I'm unclear how to go about this adjustment and am asking for any advice regarding that.

Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ

Steve:

I agree with you....but a lot of us OT's are using HP 8640B's as our "go-to" signal gennie and it's great at 455 Khz, but won't do 50 Khz. Wonder what you are using Steve?

My solution turned out to be already in the shack. The HP 3336B is a synthesized SG that can be found quite easily and for relatively few $$$ at fleamarkets. I paid just over 100 Canuckbucks for my 1st one and was later given a 2nd one that was passed on to a young ham here a couple of years ago. The 3336 series only covers to 20 Mhz out its front connector, but will go to 60 Mhz out its rear. It's often found quite cheap because of that, as well as the fact that it's a 75 ohm output with rare WECO connectors. Interestingly, you can easily switch it to 50 ohm internally, and use a small aluminum plate to change the output connector to something more useful like a BNC or SMA. Adapters are around for those WECO connectors, but are hard to find. The HP 3336C is a 50 ohm version, but I've never seen one and suspect they are not often available.

Here's a helpful video on that conversion;

I suppose there are plenty of cheap SG's now out of China too these days, but so far haven't looked into that option.

73

Peter

VE7PS

On Thu, May 11, 2023 at 6:02?AM Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via <w1es=[email protected]> wrote:

I have found the simplest way is to just use a signal generator and zero beat. Both of my 2-Bs needed minor adjustment, which is not unexpected after 60+ years.

73,

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

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

Sent with secure email.

------- Original Message -------
On Wednesday, May 10th, 2023 at 10:07 PM, wb6ogd <garywinblad@...> wrote:

Remember it’s radio.

If you have another receiver you can just listen

for the signals with an antenna wire draping

over the oscillator sections.

I use my TS-440s that goes down to 30KHz

(IIRC). But you can listen for harmonics too.

73,

Gary

WB6OGD

On May 10, 2023, at 4:11 PM, Dan <pitfit@...> wrote:

?

?Actually, you can set the 405 KHz and 50 KHz oscillators with a scope with a frequency counter feature. A 10X probe doesn't seem to load it down enough to disallow this method. I tend to do it both ways - use an sig gen and zero beat to start and and then double check it with a scope/counter - just for fun!

Dan

WB4GRA

On May 9, 2023, at 9:37 PM, n4buq <n4buq@...> wrote:

?

I had one of those about 12 years ago. I should've kept it.

Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ

---

From: "Dan" <pitfit@...>
To: "DRAKE-RADIO" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 8:35:09 PM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] 2-B 50kHz Alignment Question

The Drake 50 KHz IF is the only reason I keep my venerable HP-606A around. Not often used but rock-steady and reliable the rare times I need it.

Dan

WB4 GRA

On May 9, 2023, at 9:25 PM, n4buq <n4buq@...> wrote:

Now that I think about it, I should have rewritten the FS-4A code to generate the alignment signals. Easy enough and I may still do that.

Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ

---

From: "n4buq" <n4buq@...>
To: "DRAKE-RADIO" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 3:45:49 PM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] 2-B 50kHz Alignment Question

Apparently this was in my setup. I was using an HP-8640B signal generator with an HP-11710B down converter to get me to 50kHz. That was somewhat "touchy" so I switched to my HP-3310B function generator with an HP-5384A counter. That worked a lot better and I can get a zero-beat at/near the center of the slug's travel.

While the HP-3310B is not nearly as stable as the HP-8640B, I think that got me "good enough".

Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ

---

From: "Barry" <n4buq@...>
To: "DRAKE-RADIO" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 9:21:23 AM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] 2-B 50kHz Alignment Question

Cranking up the output of the generator helped and I can hear it better on any/all band settings (was only hearing it well on one of the AUX positions but can hear it now regardless of the bandswitch which makes better sense). Also, moving the VFO doesn't affect the zero-beat now.

The problem I'm having now, though, is that I cannot zero-beat a 50.000kHz signal by adjusting T7's slug. It is quite a bit off frequency and not sure what would cause that.

Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ

---

From: "Steve Wedge, W1ES/4 via " <w1es=[email protected]>
To: "DRAKE-RADIO" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 6:54:54 AM
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] 2-B 50kHz Alignment Question

Make sure that you have it on the right pin. I used about a 1V signal and had no trouble.

73,

Steve Wedge, W1ES/4

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

Sent from Proton Mail for iOS

On Mon, May 8, 2023 at 23:53, n4buq <n4buq@...> wrote:

Following the manual, with the BFO and PRODUCT DETECTOR on, I've connected a 50kHz unmodulated signal through a blocking capacitor to V5, Pin 1. While I can hear the signal, if I turn the tuning knob, it changes the zero-beat and that doesn't seem correct to me.

The manual doesn't give any "initial settings" for the alignment so I'm curious how one is to zero beat that oscillator. Is there something wrong with my 2-B such that tuning the VFO changes the zero-beat for this step? If not, I'm unclear how to go about this adjustment and am asking for any advice regarding that.

Thanks,
Barry - N4BUQ