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  1. DRAKE-RADIO
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Removing top case cover of Drake L-4B

 

Got a reply but still confused. Why does the manual clearly say that the
bottom plate must be remover first before the main top cover may be
removed??? Makes no sense to me.? All I want to do is replace the meter
lamps.? Any actual experience here?
Rich W3RJ

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I'm not sure where you are seeing that. Section 5-4 says simply "remove the screws and lift off the covers". Where you are instructed to remove the bottom cover specifically is related to the L4-PS power supply so that you can disable the high voltage to safely perform some task or to remove the line cord assembly so you can remove the power supply top cover.

73

-Jim
NU0C

On Thu, 4 Apr 2024 21:14:11 -0400
"Rich W3RJ via groups.io" <w3rj@...> wrote:

Got a reply but still confused. Why does the manual clearly say that the
bottom plate must be remover first before the main top cover may be
removed??? Makes no sense to me.? All I want to do is replace the meter
lamps.? Any actual experience here?
Rich W3RJ
 

Thank you Jim.? You are correct.? Obviously I haven't learned how to
read yet.
Rich W3RJ

On 4/4/2024 10:52 PM, Jim Shorney wrote:
I'm not sure where you are seeing that. Section 5-4 says simply "remove the screws and lift off the covers". Where you are instructed to remove the bottom cover specifically is related to the L4-PS power supply so that you can disable the high voltage to safely perform some task or to remove the line cord assembly so you can remove the power supply top cover.

73

-Jim
NU0C

On Thu, 4 Apr 2024 21:14:11 -0400
"Rich W3RJ via groups.io" <w3rj@...> wrote:

Got a reply but still confused. Why does the manual clearly say that the
bottom plate must be remover first before the main top cover may be
removed??? Makes no sense to me.? All I want to do is replace the meter
lamps.? Any actual experience here?
Rich W3RJ



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This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
www.avast.com
 

That's OK, they have schools for that now. :D

But seriously, all of us have to go back ad RTFM again often enough. Most people don't know this but I keep a PDF copy of the TR7 service manual open on this computer pretty much all the time so I can make myself look good.

73

-Jim
NU0C

On Thu, 4 Apr 2024 23:13:58 -0400
"Rich W3RJ via groups.io" <w3rj@...> wrote:

Thank you Jim.? You are correct.? Obviously I haven't learned how to
read yet.
Rich W3RJ
 

It's been a while since I've had my L-4B apart but isn't there a tab on at
least one corner of the cabinet (top or bottom) similar to a TR-4 cabinet
where in order to remove the top cover it helps to loosen the screws on the
bottom cover?

Jerry, N4JL

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Jim Shorney
Sent: Friday, April 5, 2024 12:02 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Removing top case cover of Drake L-4B


That's OK, they have schools for that now. :D

But seriously, all of us have to go back ad RTFM again often enough. Most
people don't know this but I keep a PDF copy of the TR7 service manual open
on this computer pretty much all the time so I can make myself look good.

73

-Jim
NU0C

On Thu, 4 Apr 2024 23:13:58 -0400
"Rich W3RJ via groups.io" <w3rj@...> wrote:

Thank you Jim.? You are correct.? Obviously I haven't learned how to
read yet.
Rich W3RJ
 

Yes there are tabs that align the edges of the two covers. But they are not relevant to order of removal.

73

-Jim
NU0C

On Fri, 5 Apr 2024 00:45:04 -0400
"Jerry Kessler" <N4JL.cw@...> wrote:

It's been a while since I've had my L-4B apart but isn't there a tab on at
least one corner of the cabinet (top or bottom) similar to a TR-4 cabinet
where in order to remove the top cover it helps to loosen the screws on the
bottom cover?

Jerry, N4JL
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Not to the order of removal. My experience has been that the tabs cause binding unless the opposite cover is loosened. Jim - have you noticed that?

Jerry, N4JL?

Get

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Jim Shorney <jimNU0C@...>
Sent: Friday, April 5, 2024 1:14:26 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [DRAKE-RADIO] Removing top case cover of Drake L-4B
?

Yes there are tabs that align the edges of the two covers. But they are not relevant to order of removal.

73

-Jim
NU0C

On Fri, 5 Apr 2024 00:45:04 -0400
"Jerry Kessler" <N4JL.cw@...> wrote:

> It's been a while since I've had my L-4B apart but isn't there a tab on at
> least one corner of the cabinet (top or bottom) similar to a TR-4 cabinet
> where in order to remove the top cover it helps to loosen the screws on the
> bottom cover?
>
> Jerry, N4JL
 

Yes, I have. But that wasn't the OP's question.

73

-Jim
NU0C

On Fri, 5 Apr 2024 05:24:07 +0000
"Jerry Kessler" <N4JL.cw@...> wrote:

Not to the order of removal. My experience has been that the tabs cause binding unless the opposite cover is loosened. Jim - have you noticed that?

Jerry, N4JL
 

I have not had my cover off in a long time but seem to think that there are tabs so that you have to remove the power connector before the covers can be removed.? Probably a safety device to make sure you disconnect the power supply before putting your hands inside.

Ralph ku4pt


On Friday, April 5, 2024 at 01:14:31 AM EDT, Jim Shorney <jimnu0c@...> wrote:



Yes there are tabs that align the edges of the two covers. But they are not relevant to order of removal.

73

-Jim
NU0C


On Fri, 5 Apr 2024 00:45:04 -0400
"Jerry Kessler" <N4JL.cw@...> wrote:

> It's been a while since I've had my L-4B apart but isn't there a tab on at
> least one corner of the cabinet (top or bottom) similar to a TR-4 cabinet
> where in order to remove the top cover it helps to loosen the screws on the
> bottom cover?
>
> Jerry, N4JL
 

Just two quick comments.

Sometimes it helps to use a thin screwdriver to ease the covers off of the RF deck. ?Slight pry on the front area, then the rear, and back and forth. ?Then pry the sides slightly outward as the respective cover is removed. ?Why? ?There are at least two variants of front panels, one has a silver edge, the other does not. ?Careless removal of the covers can result in scratching the front panel, more noticeable with the one without the silver edge.

Too, with the top cover off, might be a good idea to lubricate the blower bearings, and clean bandswitch contacts, etc. ? As to the bearings, I use a light, non-detergent small motor oil. ? I put some paper towels under the area of the motor, fill the oil ports to slight overflow, and then let it sit overnight. ?Minor cleanup and then it is ready for another year of service.

There are a lot of experts out there that can provide valuable info about the recent topics and I'm sure they will be sharing with us.

73,

Evan, K9SQG

On Friday, April 5, 2024 at 09:44:14 AM EDT, Ralph Mowery via groups.io <ku4pt@...> wrote:


I have not had my cover off in a long time but seem to think that there are tabs so that you have to remove the power connector before the covers can be removed.? Probably a safety device to make sure you disconnect the power supply before putting your hands inside.

Ralph ku4pt


On Friday, April 5, 2024 at 01:14:31 AM EDT, Jim Shorney <jimnu0c@...> wrote:



Yes there are tabs that align the edges of the two covers. But they are not relevant to order of removal.

73

-Jim
NU0C


On Fri, 5 Apr 2024 00:45:04 -0400
"Jerry Kessler" <N4JL.cw@...> wrote:

> It's been a while since I've had my L-4B apart but isn't there a tab on at
> least one corner of the cabinet (top or bottom) similar to a TR-4 cabinet
> where in order to remove the top cover it helps to loosen the screws on the
> bottom cover?
>
> Jerry, N4JL
 

No, you do not have to remove the power connectors to take the covers of the RF deck. You DO have to take the bottom cover off the L4-PS and disconnect the line cord to remove the top cover of the PS, as described in a previous post.

On Fri, 5 Apr 2024 13:44:10 +0000 (UTC)
"Ralph Mowery via groups.io" <ku4pt@...> wrote:

I have not had my cover off in a long time but seem to think that there are tabs so that you have to remove the power connector before the covers can be removed.? Probably a safety device to make sure you disconnect the power supply before putting your hands inside.
Ralph ku4pt
--

73

-Jim
NU0C

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