Fw: RE: [HBR] Restoration info

[Garey Barrell]

The 2-B is definitely a "milestone" in the development of Ham 
receivers.  I'm  reminded of the demo we used to showcase the stability 
of the Drake 2-B receiver when it came out.  Since it was less than 10% 
of the "volume" of the current receivers, and didn't have a die-cast 
front panel or weigh 50+ pounds, potential buyers were skeptical of it's 
"stability", especially since just about every ad for the last 20 years 
had touted "solid as a rock construction for superior stability", etc.

So we would tune in a nice CW signal, then reach over and lift up the 
front of this little receiver with a couple of fingers, noting how the 
CW note didn't change.  As they were agreeing, (having been used to 
Hallicrafter's receivers where you couldn't walk across the floor in the 
same room without the "boing" effect,) we'd let go and let the receiver 
bang back down onto the desk.  When there was only a slight "boing" or 
none at all, and the CW note was exactly where it had been when we 
started, the jaws dropped.  Some would immediately grab the tuning knob 
to see if it would move, or even if it was "really" the receiver we were 
listening to on the speaker.  Many just bought it on the spot!

73, Garey - K4OAH
Atlanta

Drake C-Line Service Manual
<http://www.k4oah.com> 



TC Dailey wrote:

>My mentor in Electronics Technician "A" school at Treasure Island (SFRAN),
>California, who gave me my Novice test, had a branny-new Drake 2-B (1962)...
>It was, and continues to be one of the finest receivers EVER made, and
>nothing ever seems to go wrong with them, either.  Alas, they seem to
>command premium prices, too.... darn it.
>
>Tom
>WAØEAJ
>Denver
>  
>