[Drake] Re: SW-4A Accessory Socket (Garey Barrell)

[Garey Barrell]

Jim -

Not just Drake!   I suspect that almost every receiver made for the 
Amateur market had a similar connector for the reasons discussed in my 
last message. 

I think I said earlier that a small amount of B+ and Fil power was not 
as simple to come by "back when".  A power supply to provide what was 
available at these "accessory sockets" wasn't a trivial expense.  You 
needed a power transformer, much more expensive, relatively speaking, 
then than now.  Then you needed a rectifier tube and socket.  If you 
used a 5Y3, your transformer had to have TWO filament windings.  
Electrolytics weren't cheap, and for decent regulation and low ripple a 
choke was often added.  Add in a bleeder resistor and chassis, and you 
had a considerable expense.  So 120-150 VDC at 5-10 mA and 6.3VAC for 
"free" was quite a bargain.

73, Garey - K4OAH
Atlanta

Jim Barrie wrote:

>Could be.. Could also be that Gary's other idea that Drake put it in
>just because they always did it is the only reason. Was hoping that
>someone from Drake would have chimed in about the reason for an
>accessory socket that never had an accessory for it. 
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: drake-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>[mailto:drake-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ron Wagner
>Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2004 7:05 AM
>To: drake at mailman.qth.net
>Subject: [Drake] Re: SW-4A Accessory Socket (Garey Barrell)
>
>
>Jim, Gary,
>Were not things call pre-selectors popular around the time of the SW-4A?
>
>The things that were an antenna preamp and tuner kind of thing.  Sounds 
>like the exact fit to run a tube voltage wise, and the antenna input 
>would be for the output of the preamp/tuner.  Not sure what the audio
>input 
>would be for though.
>
>  
>
>>>It didn't need it, since it goes down to 200kc out of the box. BTW, 
>>>the socket taps the 120vdc, 6.3vac lines and the antenna input and 
>>>input to the audio amp. Jim
>>>WA8SDF
>>>      
>>>
>
>73,
>Ron
>