[Drake] Value of AUX-7 please?

[W4AWM at aol.com]

Hi Lee,

The Aux 7 board is really useless unless you want to set up on a fixed 
frequency.  You need the plug ins that go with it to set a particular frequency and 
they are difficult, if not impossible to find.  You can build a matrix to plug 
in in place of the original plug in, but I have only heard about that and 
don't have any experience with it.  I have several TR-7s and they all have the 
AUX -7 board with no plug ins. 

To install the Aux-7 Board, you will have to remove and reinstall the DR-7 
board.  This is not difficult, but gut wrenching, especially if you have never 
done it before.  Additionally, there are several adjustments on the right front 
side of the chassis which can easily be disturbed if you are not careful, 
which will cause problems if disturbed. If you pull the DR-7 board, replace the 
analog dial lamp (53) with a blue LED. If you don't care to do that, replace 
the lamp anyhow since you will then be starting out with a new one.  As stated, 
pulling the DR-7 is a bear and you will have to do it to get to the lamp.

Original pricing for the Aux-7 board was between 38 and 45 dollars.

If the unit is cheap and you want to complete the rig, go ahead and get one, 
but for my money, you would be wasting yours. If you do get it, I would not 
install it unless you have to pull the DR-7 board for some reason.

73 and good luck,

John,  W4AWM