I did see that R7. There is a fellow in Germany that has replacement
display modules for the 7 Line. I replaced the display module on my R7, and
used 560 Ohm current limit resistors for the display. This keeps the current
down and greatly extends the life of the displays. I think that Drake is
using something like 33 Ohm resistors with the original display module.
I am not sure how he gets things for those low prices either. He did e-mail
me back this morning, explaining that instead of relying on his staff he
needs to do his own research on the items he sells. I don't
know..........maybe he sells so much that he just doesn't know.

Pete

"dxAce" wrote in message
...


Pete KE9OA wrote:

I was looking through eBay for Drake equipment. Radio Mart had a 1994
model
SW-8..........he represented this unit as a very late model. Tonight, he
has
a Drake SPR-4 with a S/N of 562, which he states that he knows this to be
a
very late model.
SPR-4s were run into the high 5000s or low 6000s. He is selling one of
the
earlier units. No big deal, except that the later models used glass epoxy
boards, and they used silver mica caps in the front end on the LW range.
I
have had a couple of those earlier units, including one that was
purchased
brand new. The earlier units were pretty deaf on the LW range, unless you
used the loop antenna.
True, he does give a good presentation, but he gives out misinformation
with
the authority of an expert. I wonder how many folks fall for this
gibberish.
No problem in stating that a unit is in mint condition if it really is,
but
to state that a low S/N unit is a very late iteration is outright lying.
I gave him the benefit of the doubt, and I did ask him if maybe somebody
had
misinformed him about how late in the product life cycle these units were
actually made. I am not sure if I will hear from him or not. Always good
to
do some research and be prepared before bidding on eBay.

He does have an R7 up currently at $610 (that he purchased as
'Gottahaveit' for
$520, I don't know how he does it) that originally was listed as having a
bad
readout segment. He said it was merely a bad solder joint, and was fixed.
I told
him we'll wait and see what the feedback brings.

dxAce
Michigan
USA