Authored by VE3EFJ3.0 GENERAL
Comments in this section are generally common to all Drake 4 line equipment.
Swap Nets
Do not expect these nets to specialize entirely in Drake equipment. Some nets have specific rules regarding acceptable equipment to advertise. In general, no CB equipment unless modified to Amateur bands.
The times mentioned are local Toronto time.
 | - Old Gear Swap Net (15 years or older) 3865 kHz Saturday 19:30 |
| - Traders Net (all gear) 3898 kHz Monday 20:00 |
| - Joe's Swap Net (all gear, no CB) 3755 kHz Sunday 19:30 |
| - Larry's Swap Net (all gear) 3750 kHz Sunday 12:00 - Net Manager has changed. |
| - North Bay Swap Net 3768 kHz Sunday 09:30 |
| Drake User_Group For those on the Web the Drake user group is
listserv@fablotz.min.net Send E/Mail to this group with the message 'SUBSCRIBE DRAKE'. No
quotes. Expect about 20 messages/day. Tech tips and some equipment trading takes place. |
How Drakes Age
Gracefully.
All kidding aside, most Drake equipment will not self destruct unless provoked. After all this time, just about any component that is going to fail, has. Here is a brief list of what is likely to happen with a Drake over time:
| - Electrolytic dry out |
| - PTO end play needs adjustment |
| - PTO lubricant dried out |
| - Some ceramic capacitors fry from excessive heat. |
| - Preselector verniers wear |
| - Worn switches - selector tabs |
| - Tube failures |
| - Switches and controls corroded/dirty |
| - Alignment |
| - User modifications |
| - Dirt and dust |
| - Chassis pitting |
| - Brittle line cords |
| - Worn control shafts |
| - Knob discolored/white line missing |
| - Blue filters wash out |
| - R4C power supply resistors discolor (bake) circuit board |
| - Dial plates scrape/discolored |
| - Clear plastics are scratched |
| - Some lost screws |
| - Front panel spacers get lost |
| - T4B - R4B neon bulbs die |
| - Scrapes, dings and some enclosure rust |
Not much, really. You can use this as a check list of what to look for or what to service when you buy your 'new' Drake. The first 8 items or so are operational and not cosmetic.
Equipment Maintenance
One of the tricks that I've learned regarding equipment in long term use is the value of a service log. It is never too late to start one, and it will prove invaluable to you. It likely will also assist in the sale of the equipment in the future, as it indicates to the potential buyer a dedicated owner and a radio with few potential surprises.
