Drake TR-4C - "That Drake Audio!" - Ham Radio

Here's a sample of the receive audio from my Drake transceiver.

[@msf60khz]

I think it is the quiet background with tube equipment.

[@jml11158]

Everything about that excellent piece of equipment is done just right, what a beautiful rig, thanks for sharing this.

[@rgrimm3173]

This guy disappeared 9 years ago.....enjoyed the 2 short Drake videos

[@Godhumbledme]

when I was first licensed, my high school club station had a TR4C. I worked all over the world. The sound is so unique and awesome. I miss it...wish I could find a TR4C...sigh thanks for sharing this video and letting me hear your TR4C again.

[@brutuslee9523]

Yes Drake does have a very nice sounding audio. Great radio!

[@JamesJ7851]

Just picked up two TR4C's with power supplies and a RV4. I hope to get them working and sounding as great as yours. 73

[@karlamartinez7689]

HI MY FATHER IS A HAM SINCE 1970 AND HAVE SOME NEW RADIOS BUT THE DRAKE TR-4C IS THE BEST SOUND AND POWER I SEE.HE STILL HAVE THE DRAKE AND HE ALWAYS TELL TELL ME THAT THESE RADIO GOES WITH HIM WHEN HE PASS. DRAKE RADIOS THE BEST NO JAPAN RADIOS WILL BEAT THE DRAKES.

[@иванепифан-к8ж]

Yeah)) I never would have thought in the 90s that I would listen to "tube HAM radio" on KZbin)))

[@msf60khz]

AGC action is quite gentle, making for pleasant listening, in contrast to modern equipment where the noise is seemingly pumped up to maximum between words. But I do hear slight distortion on the first syllable.

[@seedymac]

Beautiful radio and the audio is amazing! Thanks for the video.

[@miguelsalami]

Always did like the sound of a Drake on AM CB band❗Lots of swing & studio quality plate modulation.👍

[@alessiorroadies800]

it receives clean, maybe it's all the transistors junctions that produce that high tone noise in modernreceivers, the valve has no PNjunctions and electrons travel free in vacuum instead of fuzzy silicon

[@michaelmiller9377]

Hi, I too operate a TR-4C Love it! 73 and Thanks, W4MVM, Mike

[@k5wxp22]

I agree with you... I have the C line "twins" and love listening to the receiver.

[@cadiscase]

That was good audio. How does it compare with the Drake R4B ? Have you ever set the Drake beside a Heathkit [SB-102/HW101] or Swan [350/500] and switched back and forth to compare audio ?

[@mykenwood830]

Just bought a Drake TR-4c and now need an AC-4 power supply.

[@Alessioalessio-qv1ff]

Congrats for your rig. My most modern rig is a 90's 440 and it was by choice not to go 2020

[@AureliusR]

I have to say, these sound good, but modern radios are JUST as good, in a different way. Nice and clean and clear, no distortion introduced by the tubes. Of course, it's the distortion that everyone loves about tubes, and I like it too, no doubt. I just like transistors more.

[@Mikexception]

To Aurelius R. In usual cases the difference of timbre between transistor an tube amplifier is great even at low power level, when distortions in both are still compareable Tube amplifiers are really better in usual applications because make small distortions to timbre. This mistake comes from strong belief in tech specs given by solid amp producers. While they are trusty for resistance as load it is not so with speakers. People cannot imagine that, repeat thesis about distortions in.. tubes because transistors have better specs.. I do not say transistors are worse - in Ham radios they are equal good, sometime better . Because it is particular case of one widerange speaker. which is nearest to resistance. ,.

[@GeorgeEI7KO]

Cant beat the Drake stuff. Nuthin like it...

[@Alessioalessio-qv1ff]

Deeper full sound. Not the ear hurting sound from class d amplified sounds of the new full buttoned ones touchscreen tablets

[@willrodgers57]

I have a Drake tr-4 but no audio, can't use phones cleaned all contacts and checked tubes. Do you have any ideas. Thanks "Will"

[@mykenwood830]

does your 300 watt antenna tuner handle the output of the Drake well ?

[@eduardopower5254]

Hey buddi what's that sound on second 11? :)

[@eogg25]

yeas tube type rigs all seem to have good audio, i have the tr4cw, i also had the R4B, with the xmtr set up, with xtra crystals you can get most hambands, they do take up a little xtra room. enjoy ur rig.

[@NcalBiker]

Excellent! I'm just putting together a TR-4c station, and really enjoyed hearing yours. 73deKF6AAR

[@xe1zlgg]

No noise and nice tube audio.... any new radio regarding on price can do this... even the top 10-15 000 dollar trx.

[@mykenwood830]

What microphone are you using on the Drake tr-4c ?

[@k5wxp22]

Looks like a Shure 444C. They sound great on all the Drake tube rigs.

[@py2du]

Excellent!!! I have TR4 line to. (Excelente! Eu tenho uma linha TR4 tb).

[@stanleybadams]

Even ordered harmonics

[@mykenwood830]

I never understood why a ham operator would stack other items on top of their rigs. Makes no sense. Risking over heating and scratching the tops of their rigs.

[@AureliusR]

+mykenwood830 No risk of overheating if the rig is designed properly. As long as there is a gap between the pieces of gear it's fine. Plus scratching is not a big deal -- there's this amazing thing called paint.

[@mykenwood830]

***** Yes paint is amazing however a classic radio in great condition should be treated more carefully. A ham operator that cares about their equipment would be more careful.

[@AureliusR]

mykenwood830 Oh come on. I care about my radios, and I stack them too. We don't all have giant tables to have everything side by side. We use rubber feet, and if it just sits there it's not going to scratch anything. You're being pedantic.

[@andreabottan1418]

amazing...i love it..73 de iz3sqj