[Drake] SW-4 Serial Number Fun

[Michael OBrien]

Hi

My SW-4A has the 4B dial and logo serial # 665

Mike

--- W8DRZ at aol.com wrote:
> 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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> 


		
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