[Drake] Restoration

[William J. Diamond]

Hello Folks,

I have written several posts on restoration on the other brand of =
equipment that are in gray cabinets so I thought I would write something =
about the Drakes.

Today there is much discussion about to restore or not to restore =
equipment as many collectors feel that it will ruin the value of a piece =
to change even one cap or resistor.
I do not feel that this is true.  It is impossible to truly restore a =
piece of Drake equipment because OEM parts are just not available and =
even if they were, I would not use them because of ageing.

Many people feel that modification of the equipment is the way to go by =
installing after market circuit boards filters etc. I have several R4C's =
one of which has all of the popular replacement circuit boards and =
filters in it.  It does not work as good as a stock but recapped one.

I would hate to guess how many rigs I have repaired and restored over =
the years but I started working on Drakes in about 1959, ( earlier on =
the gray boxes)

I have found that the Drake line is one of the easiest rigs to work on =
and I have found very few component failures in the Drakes.  Some of the =
gray boxes required extensive replacements.

Another interesting point is that rarely do the Drakes require alignment =
and they are usually dead on as far as performance.

I see many people wanting to do all kinds of additions to the equipment =
to bring it up to modern day standards.  This is just not possible due =
to the design of the equipment.  I doubt if any of the Drake people =
thought their rigs would last up to the digital age.

When the band conditions get bad, I turn to first the TR7's and if that =
does not do it, I go to my modern rigs with DSP.

All in all the Drakes are a fine example of AMERICAN HISTORY, use them, =
enjoy them and keep them glowing for future generations..

73,,
wjdiamond@sbcglobal.net

William J. Diamond  ( Bill )
  Rogers, Arkansas USA=20

Ham Radio Operator WR=D8T
Flying The Flag And Using
American Made Equipment
Long Before It Was Popular




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