FW: [Drake] SW-4 Serial Number Fun

[wa0fw]

 My SW-4A is Serial Number 0910
The VFO looks like and is marked on the dial just like my R-4C
I have no idea what Series it is.
It has the Radio New York Worldwide logo next the VFO.


I hope this helps!
Floyd
WA0FW


-----Original Message-----
From: drake-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:drake-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of W8DRZ at aol.com
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 3:15 PM
To: Drake at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Drake] SW-4 Serial Number Fun

Once again I'm chasing serial numbers in an attempt to track the true
production numbers of a Drake Radio and I need your help.  

If you are an owner of a Drake SW-4 or Drake SW-4A this may be of interest
to you.

 From published information I have always thought that 500 to 600 SW-4
receivers were built before the change to the SW-4A version. 

  I no longer believe this is true.

  I recently acquired a SW-4A with a S/N of 451, this then would mean that
450 or less SW-4's were built before the change to the "A" version. I was
surprised to learn today of a SW-4A with much lower SN.

 The owner was kind enough to send me plenty of pictures of this radio, it
is clearly a SW-4A and sports the SN of 251. 

  This would mean a much smaller number of SW-4's were built before the
change to the SW-4A.

Here then is my quest, To find more information about the SW-4's true
production numbers.

Do you own a SW-4 or SW-4A? 
If so can you send me your SN and version.

I own two SW-4's, 221 and 225. 
Our friend Sindre has SW-4, 001. 

Their are 4 versions of the SW-4A and it would be fun to track the SN breaks
on these as well.

SW-4A differences:

1) Earliest type has Dial window and PTO knob like a R-4
2) Next version is like the R-4B in the Dial window/knob
3) The C-Line type Dial and knob is next.
4) The last version is minus the NewYork Radio WW logo.

The SW-4 and SW-4A are a very over looked radio in the Ham world being a AM
only rig, but an important part of the Drake History puzzle and one of my
favorites.

 Almost 40 years ago in 1966 when the SW-4 first appeared it was way above
the means of a 14 year old paperboy. I had to settle for a Knight-kit
SpanMaster at one-tenth the cost of the Drake. ( I still have it!)
  Still I dreamed of someday owning a Drake receiver and like many of us now
I do, many times over, HI!
 
Thanks for your help.

73,
Jim - W8DRZ (Drake Radio Zone)
Collector, Restorer, Admirer
of Drake Radio Equipment
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