[Drake] Restoration

[ed.brooks]

Kinda depends upon your goals.  Want a radio that outperforms most of the same
type?  Modify.  I once knew a guy who bought brand new a Collins 74A4, and
pretty much rebuilt it before he ever used it.  What was it worth when he was
done?  To him, plenty.  To others, far less than when it was new.

Want a radio that retains its authenticity?   Leave it untouched, except to
maintain it.  Value?  Perhaps doesn't perform like the latest
Double-Super-Whopper, but may retain its resale value.

Don't care?  Just want to operate on the air?  Buy the radio and plug it in.  If
it works, use it.  If not, fix it.  Use what is necessary to fix it, old or new
parts.

Kinda like my MGA coupe.  Or my Austin-Healy 100-6.  When I had them I wanted
them to be as close to original as possible.  I'd no more think of putting a
Ford muffler on it, or a Buick windshield wiper, than I'd think of putting a
skirt on the hog.  (The one in the pen out back, with the mud.)    But I knew a
guy who put a much more powerful engine in his MGA, and it would bounce the rear
end for half a block.  (It also went through a lot of clutches.)   It's just a
matter of desire.

You want to insert DSP and a super TNC, automated antenna tuner and portable
diesel generator behind the front panel of your TR4CW?  Fine.  Enjoy.   It's
your radio.

73
Ed