[Boatanchors] Drake 2B Update

[Gary Schafer]

Yes you can receive AM via exalted carrier. You could even use the AM filter
for wider bandwidth. It works fine for voice but not for music. You not only
need to be exactly on frequency but the phase also has to be correct. Very
difficult to get tuned properly and then don't expect it to stay. Both the
receiver and the SW broadcast station tends to drift a little.

You are far better off using the AM detector and tuning off to one side to
let more highs through. But with the 2B even that doesn't sound too great.

73
Gary  K4FMX

> -----Original Message-----
> From: D C *Mac* Macdonald [mailto:k2gkk at hotmail.com]
> Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 2:26 PM
> To: garyschafer at comcast.net; joeconnor53 at yahoo.com;
> boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: RE: [Boatanchors] Drake 2B Update
> 
> 
> You simply receive the SW AM broadcast signals in
> what is (was) known as the "exalted carrier" mode.
> 
> You simply use USB or LSB mode and accurately zero
> beat the BC signal so that your BFO corresponds to
> the received carrier. You then get approximately
> 2.7 kHz or so of audio spectrum. Pretty poor for
> music reproduction, but not too much worse than
> any communications receiver with a 6 kHz filter
> (or bandwidth) receiving BOTH sidebands.
> 
> * * * * * * * * * * *
> * 73 - Mac, K2GKK/5 *
> * (Since 30 Nov 53) *
> * Oklahoma City, OK *
> * USAF, Ret (61-81) *
> * * * * * * * * * * *
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > From: garyschafer at comcast.net
> > To: joeconnor53 at yahoo.com; boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
> > Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2011 15:34:38 -0400
> > Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Drake 2B Update
> >
> > Joe,
> >
> > You might want to hold off awhile on spending any money on more
> crystals as
> > I think that you will find the 2B almost unusable for AM listening due
> to
> > the narrow AM filter.
> >
> > 73
> > Gary K4FMX
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:boatanchors-
> > > bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Joe Connor
> > > Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2011 10:39 AM
> > > To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
> > > Subject: [Boatanchors] Drake 2B Update
> > >
> > > I have some good news.
> > >
> > > If you recall, my 2B had a 6BE6 installed as V-6, the AM detector.
> > > Yesterday, I got a NOS 6BF6 and plugged it in. It made a very big
> > > difference. The set now performs extremely well in Diode/AM mode. It
> > > also performs well with the Product Detector and BFO on.
> > >
> > > I've been receiving a lot of amateur transmissions, mostly SSB, on
> > > 80m, 40m and 20m. So far, 15m and 10m have been relatively dead.
> Does
> > > that sound like an issue of propagation or does it suggest a
> receiver
> > > problem? My signal generator comes in loud and clear on both 10m and
> > > 15m.
> > >
> > > I received a new electrolytic can and plan to install that today.
> > > The can currently in the set is rated for only 150 WVDC and appears
> to
> > > be original. That voltage rating seems a bit low to me. The new one
> is
> > > rated for 250 WVDC. I bought the new one at
> > > http://www.hayseedhamfest.com/
> > >
> > > I've located a few crystals at a reasonable price and hope to
> > > receive them soon. They should give me coverage of the 49m, 25m and
> 31m
> > > bands. At the hamfests this summer, I'll keep my eyes open for more
> > > crystals. I would like to have the 19m band, as well as the
> broadcast
> > > band. Eventually, I plan to buy the "good" manual that contains all
> the
> > > details etc. at http://www.k4oah.com/Drake_new7/index.html
> > >
> > > Finally, I'd like to thank you all for your help. With your
> > > assistance, it looks like I'm well on my way to having a real
> "keeper."
> > > I'll keep you posted on how the general-coverage crystals work out.
> > >
> > >
> > > Joe Connor
>