Drake TR7 repare..

[KD2GOE]

I have a friend that just got a Drake TR7 with matching PSU and antenna tunner from his grandfather "
KA2EXI". The radio is mint but needs some TLC as when i was testing it on 10 meters it was low on power running about 40 watts PEP audio reports where good thought... In to a dummy load on 20, 40 & 80 metes it was low at the same power levle.
he is going to take his test soon i hope but i recmended to him to have it looked at befor he put in to service.
any recommendations on a place to send it to have it gone through?

 

[BJ radionut]

http://www.wb4hfn.com/DRAKE/
Here's the guy to contact, but I don't think he will work on a TR-7...
However he may know who will...
Even the most avid Drake fans shy away from them (TR-7)...last radio for Ham bands Drake made. As in ANY restoration project, fee's can be expensive when done correctly.
Good Luck
All the Best
Gary/W9FNB

 

[KD2GOE]

He would like to keep the radio. But if he did sell it would he get a good price to get a new rig?

 

[2RT307]

He would like to keep the radio. But if he did sell it would he get a good price to get a new rig?

You can get decent money for them. Before I sold it, I would sign up for this site:
http://www.zerobeat.net/drakelist/

Lots of knowledgeable fellas there that can point you in the right direction with troubleshooting. IIRC, these rigs often just need a good cleaning of the board contacts to get them running good again (especially if they've been sitting for a lont time). If you don't already have some, buy some DeOxit to clean the contacts with. I have a set of Drake C line twins, and it worked miracles on them.

73,
Brett

 

[KD2GOE]

Thanks for the info ill pass that to him.
Thats the first thing we did befor power up was open it up and cleen out all the dust and spry Deoxit in to the controls...

 

[2RT307]

I've seen recommendations of pulling the cards (like on a computer from the mother board), and cleaning the contacts with a pencil eraser. It's worth a shot!

73,
Brett

 

[BJ radionut]

The website I gave you has excellent info on the issue. The low output power is a common fault on the TR-7. The issue comes from capacitors and resisters which have changed value over time, and possibly pre-driver or driver transistors degrading due to other component changes. The restoration to a full 100 watts on all bands sometimes requires, changing of the degraded parts and installing new pre-driver, driver and final transistors, thus making this what sometimes can be a touchy project.
The plus side is the removal of the final section of the rig is fairly simple and most of the issue components are located in the section.
I still think you would have a good rig after even the cost of restoration. The sale value of the rig with unknown details as to cause of the low power issues, may be to little at this point to bring enough to replace it with a comparable rig, considering the other accessories you already have.
I do think contacting WB4HFN and inquiring as to restoration and alignment would be well worth your time and the expense of sending it in to at least having it estimated as to cost.
My 2 cents worth
All the Best
Gary

 

[2RT307]

QST has a cool write-up on the TR7 in the new (November) issue.

73,
Brett