Drake Twins

[2RT307]

I acquired the Drake C line twins in a trade a couple of years back. Got them working pretty good, but then they had to sit for about a year without any attention. Finally getting back around to trying to get the set on the air again... listening to 40 meters today, and the receiver seems to be working pretty well. 10 meters is very low in receive and output power, so I think an alignment is in order. Running a narrow 1.8 kHz Inrad filter in the CW slot for SSB. I love the old tube rigs!

Drake R4C on 40 meters - YouTube

Drake R4C on 40 Meters (2) - YouTube

73,
Brett

 

[Moleculo]

NICE!

 

[2RT307]

Thanks moleculo! I just wish I was more comfortable/confident in doing the alignment process. These things were made to be user-serviced, but I sure don't want to mess things up worse than they are. Looking at some of my local ham club guys to help... hopefully the twins will be 100% working soon.

73,
Brett

 

[Radio Tech]

Beautiful rig Brett.
Probably a recap and alignment would fix it up nicely.

 

[2RT307]

Beautiful rig Brett.
Probably a recap and alignment would fix it up nicely.

Thanks! I already had the recap done for the PS via Hayseed Hamfest. VERY complete kit, and my tech at the time said it was one of the best he had ever installed. I really like these old twins, and I'm hoping to get them running like they are supposed to very soon. Should be a good motivator to get General!


And although I had forgotten that I had it done, I also did the re-cap kits from Hayseed for the T4XC and R4C when I had the PS redone. Tom at Hayseed had record of my purchase. Cool guy!

73,
Brett

 

[2RT307]

Monitoring 10 Meters yesterday:

Drake R4C listening on 10 Meters - YouTube

Made my first QSO with this rig to Mark, KB3QBY in Pennsylvania with it, too.

73,
Brett

 

[w9cll]

Nice deal there Brett. I love the old tubes rigs too.