[Boatanchors] Drake 2B General Coverage (Addition)

Thu Jul 7 09:21:19 EDT 2011

And the fast attack/slow decay AGC and product detector circuitry
from the NCX-3/5 line can quite easily be added to the HQ-145 series
receivers. They worked great for me back in the late 60s for my
fixed station. Used it paired up with the Hammarlund HX-50 transmitter
for many years. Ran with RF gain at full and even the S-Meter worked
just fine for both SSB and CW. Paired with the S-200 (or even S-100)
speakers has great audio. Still have my original 1961 S-200 speaker.

* * * * * * * * * * *
* 73 - Mac, K2GKK/5 *
* (Since 30 Nov 53) *
* Oklahoma City, OK *
* USAF, Ret (61-81) *
* * * * * * * * * * *

> From: km1h at jeremy.mv.com
> To: dhallam at knology.net; boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
> Date: Thu, 7 Jul 2011 09:10:30 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Drake 2B General Coverage (Addition)
> 
> The 390 is well above the ability (mechanical mostly) of many and was even a 
> nightmare at the tender overhaul level in the Navy and Im sure in other 
> services and quickly replaced by the 390A.
> 
> The R-388 /51J3 or 51J4 would be my choice for a good SWL band cruiser of 
> the Collins military family.
> 
> The HQ-180/180A is still a good radio and has been the subject of much 
> discussion. They dont require recapping and the main problem is SMD in the 
> IF cans which is a straightforward fix if/when it occurs. The optional Noise 
> Silencer is a plus.
> If SSB isnt a big interest the HQ-145 is basically a 180 without the HC-10 
> SSB adaptor built in. It still works on SSB the old way.
> 
> A real sleeper which has been showing up often recently at a low price is 
> the Hallicrafters SX-73/R-274. Superb quality unlike anything else from 
> Halli and easy to work on. Same tuning ranges as the SP-600/R-274 of BCB to 
> 54 MHz but far superior quality and performance.
> 
> The SX-62 was designed as an upscale homeowners AM BCB, FM BCB and SWL 
> radio. It tunes from 530 KHz to 108 MHz continuous. The downside is that it 
> shares with the SX-42 of being the hardest Halli to refurb. My primary 
> general coverage all band cruiser is a SX-62A.
> 
> Carl
> KM1H
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> 
> From: "David C. Hallam" <dhallam at knology.net>
> To: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 8:05 AM
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Drake 2B General Coverage (Addition)
> 
> 
> > Joe,
> >
> > You are finding the shorting comings of the 2B as a general coverage
> > receiver. It was designed as a ham band receiver. For that purpose it
> > is excellent. If it's within your budget and you want to stay with a
> > tube type receiver, the R-390, not the R-390A, is the best you can get
> > for a general coverage receiver.
> >
> > David
> > KW4DH
> >
> > On 7/6/2011 8:59 PM, Joe Connor wrote:
> >> I should add that another shortcoming of the 2B is that it cannot receive 
> >> below 3.5 mhz without a special low frequency converter. That's a shame 
> >> because it seems this would be a great set for BCB DXing.
> >>
> >> Here are some details on the converter: 
> >> http://www.dproducts.be/drake_museum/2-lf1.htm
> >>
> >> If anyone has one for sale, please let me know.
> >>
> >>
> >> Joe Connor
> >>
> >> From: Joe Connor<joeconnor53 at yahoo.com>
> >>> To: Mail List - Drake Gear Drake Gear<drakelist at zerobeat.net>
> >>> Cc: "boatanchors at mailman.qth.net"<boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> >>> Sent: Wednesday, July 6, 2011 8:01 PM
> >>> Subject: [Boatanchors] Drake 2B General Coverage
> >>>
> >>> OK, guys, I have been using my Drake 2B as a general-coverage receiver 
> >>> for a week now and I wanted to report back on my experiences. This is a 
> >>> receiver that you folks helped me out with about a month ago. To repair 
> >>> it, I had to install a 6BF6 tube (easily obtained) and replace the 
> >>> filter cap can.
> >>>> I made it a general-coverage receiver by using the accessory crystal 
> >>>> sockets B, C and D. A 10 mhz crystal gives me 49m, a 13.5 mhz crystal 
> >>>> gives me 31m and an 8.0 mhz crystal gives me 25m. The stock crystal for 
> >>>> 40m includes the 41m band. The receiver's sensitivity and selectivity 
> >>>> are very good. The tuning is spot-on accurate. While the audio does not 
> >>>> rival that of an SX-28 or NC-183d, it is more than acceptable. I am 
> >>>> really impressed. This receiver is a keeper. I have this set in my 
> >>>> study and use it for general SWLing as well as monitoring the ham 
> >>>> bands. It's a fun set to use.
> >>>>
> >>>> There are shortcomings:
> >>>>
> >>>> (1) you have to buy the crystals for each SW band;
> >>>>
> >>>> (2) it's a royal pain to change crystals. The 2B's top does not open, 
> >>>> which would make changing the crystals less of a chore. Thus, I am 
> >>>> pretty much limited to the SW bands listed above. This is a significant 
> >>>> limitation. For example, I would like to be able to monitor the 19m 
> >>>> band; and
> >>>>
> >>>> (3) I have yet to master the 2B-Q Q multiplier.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Joe Connor
> >>> ______________________________________________________________
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> > Thomas Jefferson
> >
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> > "We may consider each generation as a distinct nation, with a right, by 
> > the will of its majority, to bind themselves, but none to bind the 
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