[Drake] R-4C Sherwood mods

[Thomas Beltran]

>   I need some advice on which mods are
> "must haves" and which ones are "nice to haves".  I'm mostly a CW op,
> but some SSB also.  What is your recommended "priority list" for the
> Sherwoods?

>
 Darrell:

You'll no doubt get a lot of opinions on this one.  By way of background, I
have two R-4Cs left, one with all the mods, and one completely stock, in the
mid 28K serial numbers.

I think at the top of my list is the First IF CW filter and the newer
replacement power supply board and, the capacitor kit.  I always hated the
hum I got when using my radios with headphones - not a 30 year old radio,
but back when they were new in the '60s and '70s.  After a few hours, that
hum although very very low, was always there and it bugged me (I also get
bugged by some flouresent [sp?] lights).  With the power supply and cap kit,
I can turn my radio almost all the way down and copy signals without any hum
whatsoever.  As far as the CW filter, I'd get a board with all the relays,
so later, you can add the SSB filters if you so desire.

> I assume the audio amp and product detectors are at the
> top???

I have them as well as all the other mods in my radio, but I think the mods
I've listed above were the most dramatic for me (unless you plan on doing
what I did, and ordering them all in one fail swoop).  I installed them
separately over a period of a year, and tested each one before installing
the next, and compared it with my stock radio.   I understand that the audio
amp reduces the heat, but as far as a real tangible difference, I don't hear
much difference when I compare my completely moded radio with stock one.
I'm curious about other people's experience.

The only thing I don't have is the ssb first IF filter kit, but I have the
board with all the relays.  Right now, I have the GUF 1 and the stock Drake
first IF filter.  That was a surprise, after hearing how the GUF-1 would
completely change the radio, I couldn't tell the difference.  I also
switched the filters - the GUF-1 is in the stock position, and the original
filter is out next to the CW first IF filter.  I was concerned enough, that
I sent my radio to Sherwood - he said (1) that I correctly installed
everything, and (2) he didn't find much difference either.  Anyway, after a
few months, I had noticed that I could tell the difference on AM.

Rob also installed the detector for me and aligned the radio, so I know all
the mods are installed properly.  I plan on taking out one of the roofing
filters (stock or GUF-1), and installing the SSB first IF filters.  In any
case, the radio is terrific, albeit a little pricey - I think the mods come
to about $ 800.00 with the SSB filters.  Tom W6EIJ