[Drake] 4-Line Choices

[Garey Barrell]

John -

If CW is your primary interest, and you are interested in day-to-day 
QSOs as opposed to contest operation, I prefer the B-Line.  The filters 
are not as steep skirted as the crystal filters in the C-Line, but more 
than adequate for today's bands, as long as you are not disturbed by 
hearing 'other' signals at reduced levels from the desired one.  The 
audio is terrific, and you can listen all day (or all night!) without 
getting a headache.

If you must have ONLY one CW signal audible at a time, then you might 
prefer the C-Line with (optional) crystal filters.  My personal opinion 
is that the Sherwood mods are WAY overkill for typical ham operation.  
IF you are into low band contesting, then they really pay off.  They 
will give you the ability to copy one signal when there are 20 signals 
per 10 kHz, all 40 db over S-9.

NONE of the TR-4(any) are suited for CW.  The 'CwRIT' comes the closest, 
but it's still a poor compromise.  The TR-3/4(any) were designed for 
MOBILE SSB use, which they do very well.  But for CW, no thanks.

By the way, I have all of the above, and the B-Line is the one I use.

73, Garey - K4OAH
Glen Allen, VA

Drake 2-B, 2-C/2-NT, 4-A, 4-B, C-Line
and TR-4/C Service Supplement CDs
<www.k4oah.com>


John Barnwell wrote:
> If one had to choose B-Line twins, C-line twins, or a TR4-CWRIT to be used primarily for CW and occasional SSB, which option would make the most sense. From what I have read, the C-Line requires modification (Sherwood) to make them shine. Does the TR4-CWRIT suffer from similar shortcomings on the receiver side? Perhaps this has been visited in prior postings, if so please feel free to indulge me directly. Thanks, John KE7TPA
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