[Drake] R4-C & other Ramblings
Lee Bahr
[email protected]
Fri, 19 Mar 2004 22:23:15 -0600
OK, I concede, newer filters as sold by Sherwood are great filters. I even
have installed some in some of my radios which did not have filters. (I'm
talking about R4C receivers). And yes, a B model sounds great and you don't
have to buy filters for it. However, a C model with filters is a great
radio. I have Drake filters and Sherwood filters. To be honest, I believe
the Sherwood filters being of newer design are better, but, don't kid
yourself. The Drake filters are VERY good. I see no need to rip them out
for a more modern day filter. That said, I have had one R-4C radio I got
with Drake filters that had a bad filter in it. (Maybe it was cracked or
drifted, but it was bad). Replacing it took care of the problem. But, for
any newbie who has never owned a Drake R4C, trust me, an original unmodified
one today is still one hell of a nice radio. I have more pleasure and fun
with Drake equipment then from any rice box. Today, the only interests I
still have in ham radio are Drake, some boat anchor rigs, old novice rigs,
Collins, QRP, QRP rigs, and CW. (My latest passion is building an improved
replica Ameco AC-1 with front panel silk screening).
I mentioned Collins above and have read many of the heated arguments as to
which was best. As we all know Collins put more money into his rigs then
Drake. I love both of them. They both went after different market
segments. My love for them are for different reasons. I love my Collins
stuff because the mechanical engineering put into them still takes my breath
away when I look at them. I think my Drake rigs actually work better.
Certainly the AGC in Drake is better. And, it is a marvel how Drake did so
much with so little. Forty and 50 years later both these radios are still
great to look at and use for different reasons. You can go in a fix them
and still get parts too. You also learn something in the process. No 2004
rice box fresh out of a box excites me as much as the above! I've been
there, done that, and I can't imagine ever buying another rice burner. When
I go, I wish I could take them with me! For some reason I don't feel that
way towards a rice box. For me, if you want better performance, improve
your operating skills or build a better antenna. If that doesn't work, I'll
pull the Big Switch and do something useful for the XYL. I guess that's
why I like QRP too. You can fish for whales with 5 pound test line. If you
snag one, you were responsible for it and not the 2000 watt amp!
(Ramblings from an old old timer)
Lee, w0vt
Houston
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lee Bahr" <[email protected]>
To: "Dave Edwards" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 9:25 PM
Subject: Re: [Drake] Going price of R4-C
> Dave:
> I agree 100%. I would buy a rig with the mods, MAYBE, but the first thing
I
> would do is rip them out. I have seen more screwed up radios with this
crap
> in it. I even talked to Drake about them years ago and they just shook
> their heads over those mods. I've heard all the bull about what they can
> do for you and why Drake original is no good, but I love my Drakes just
the
> way they came from the factory, they are not butchered, they are original
> and to me sound great. Besides, today these rigs are collectables. I
don't
> want some kind of space circuit added to my radio. I want to experience a
> Drake rig as it performed when new back 40 or 50 years ago. If a guy
wants
> video ranger stuff, he should buy a rice box. I have no problem with
> someone adding S mods to his Drake equipment. That's his business. But
for
> me, I don't want any part of it. I want my Drake equipment to performe
as
> Drake intended it to work. No better, no worse. For me, any rig that has
> been modified is worth less. If interested in purchasing it, I would look
> to see if it could be put back to original or not and how much investment
it
> would take to do so. I would then reduce my offer accordingly. A mod to
me
> is a negative and raises a BIG RED FLAG. Even if the mod worked, you
don't
> know what you are getting. Are the boards been burned, fried, cobbled?
> Maybe the guy who did the mod used acid core solder! Who knows. As I
said
> earlier, others can do as they choose, but my Drakes will stay original as
> much as possible and not be modified. If I buy an unmodified rig, it is
not
> as big a purchasing gamble. I prefer to be interested in this type of
> equipment when put up for sale.
>
> Lee, w0vt
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dave Edwards" <[email protected]>
> To: "Lee Bahr" <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
> Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 1:59 PM
> Subject: Re: [Drake] Going price of R4-C
>
>
> > In fact, I would not buy one if it had Sherwood mods!!
> > ...Dave
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Lee Bahr" <[email protected]>
> > To: <[email protected]>
> > Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 12:24 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Drake] Going price of R4-C
> >
> >
> > > I would pay less with Sherwood mods.
> > > Lee, w0vt
> > >
> > > > Hi Steve,
> > > > $300.00 would be the starting point, more with filters, noise
blanker,
> > > > Sherwood mods; less for damaged chassis, face plate, cabinet.
> > > > 73
> > > > Dave
> > > > WA1CVN
> > > >
> > > >
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