Thanks for the suggestions. I ordred an rca adapter plug today. Do I
need the jumpers for mute PTO lamp etc if I'm using the R4C as a
receiver only ---no connection to transmitter? Hate to be a dummy but
these older radios are completely new to me. Thanks agn for the
help---Ted --KQ4MZ
w9gb wrote:
"tjbitt" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi all, my name is Ted (KQ4MZ) and I just came into posession of a
Drake R4-C receiver which I intend to build a Drake station from. For
now I just plan to use this as an extra receiver. My question is how
can I connect a coax to the antenna jack on the back of the receiver? I
have never owned any older tube gear aside from old swl radios and have
never seen a phono plug type jack for an antenna. Can I solder the
center conductor of the coax to the pin on a male phono plug and the
braid to the body of the plug? Any help would be most appreciated. I
want to be able to connect the Drake into an antenna switch that I have
all my other rigs connected to . Thanks again for any and all
thoughts.
Ted---KQ4MZ


Ted -

The usage of Phono (RCA) jack for RECEIVERS and some QRP transceivers was
very common in 1950s -- 1980s --- Collins S-Line, Heathkit and Drake.

I own a Drake R-4C --- that I acquired from an estate earlier this year
This unit has required a significant amount of "clean-up" which I am still
doing -- it was a daily user radio and owner appears to have been a smoker.

RECOMMEND:

1. BUILD a small (~ 3 feet) coax patch cable (RG-58-U) or 8X with a phono
(RCA) jack -- one end to connect to Drake R-4C and the connector used for
your antenna switch on the other. IF you don't have these skills -- most
amateur radio service departments and Cable-X-Perts are happy to build this
for you.

2. DO NOT hack or try to change that Drake R-4C connector. The phono jack
field -- this 6 in-line phono connectors on a phenolic board on back panel -
is UNOBTAINIUM. I have personally talked to both H.H. Smith and
Switchcraft -- damage that -- and you would have to fabricate an entire
replacement.

2A. I actually had to disassemble and repair the antenna and speaker jacks
in that field last week --- the former owner had damaged the connectors. 2
hours of labor and some MAAS metal cleaning polish and these 2 jacks are
almost back to factory new -- I was lucky the damage was not more extensive.

You should have jumpers for the MUTE, PTO Lamp on back panel and a jumper
for 7-pin socket inside (if you have no noise blanker installed).

Greg, w9gb