Improving the Drake TR-3
 

I just repaired my TR-3, and put it on the air. I'd forgotten what a
nice rig it is. Now, I've started to think about how much better it
could be. What if one was to rip out the entire frequency control
section (VFO, xtal osc, mixer, etc) and replace it with a DDS
synthesizer. It turns out that the display would fit in the opening of
the tuning dial. There would be excellent frequency stability, no
backwards tuning on 20M, 2-3 less tubes to save heat and power. It just
wouldn't be a Drake anymore...

And don't get me started on a lightweight switching supply to replace
the AC-3. I might do that anyway, since I wouldn't be destroying any
hardware.

So, what do you all think? Is this a Good Idea, or a Bad Idea? Should I
try to find a cruddy TR-3 and do the surgery, or am I just being silly?
Your comments and critique are welcome (he says, ducking for cover.)

If I should go ahead, does anyone have a TR-3 (or TR-4) that's fairly
complete, but not working, they'd like to sell me as the basis of this?

Call me Dr Drakenstein!

Steve
AB1EN

Improving the Drake TR-3
 

"Steve Reinhardt" wrote in
message ...

So, what do you all think?

Is this a Good Idea, or a Bad Idea? Depends on how much you want
too do it

Should I try to find a cruddy TR-3 and do the surgery, or am I
just being silly?
Your comments and critique are welcome (he says, ducking for
cover.)

First of all everyone needs a hobby for those cold winter nights
when the band is not open. If I had the time and energy, I would
look for a well used TR-3 and have at it. It would no longer be
a Drake, but something that gives you the satisfaction of
accomplishment when it is all together and working.

Leanne
W1WXS

Improving the Drake TR-3
 

Leanne wrote:
"Steve Reinhardt" wrote in
message ...


So, what do you all think?


Is this a Good Idea, or a Bad Idea? Depends on how much you want
too do it


Should I try to find a cruddy TR-3 and do the surgery, or am I

just being silly?

Your comments and critique are welcome (he says, ducking for

cover.)

First of all everyone needs a hobby for those cold winter nights
when the band is not open. If I had the time and energy, I would
look for a well used TR-3 and have at it. It would no longer be
a Drake, but something that gives you the satisfaction of
accomplishment when it is all together and working.

Leanne
W1WXS


Leanne,

Thanks. I'm keeping my eyes open for the right rig. I've already got an
order in for the Norcal FCC-1 frequency meter. It then can bolt up to a
9850 DDS card, and provide all I need. I think. I'll certainly have
extra parts for the working TR-3...

Steve
AB1EN

Improving the Drake TR-3
 

"Steve Reinhardt" wrote in message
...
I just repaired my TR-3, and put it on the air. I'd forgotten what a nice
rig it is. Now, I've started to think about how much better it could be.
What if one was to rip out the entire frequency control section (VFO, xtal
osc, mixer, etc) and replace it with a DDS synthesizer. It turns out that
the display would fit in the opening of the tuning dial. There would be
excellent frequency stability, no backwards tuning on 20M, 2-3 less tubes
to save heat and power. It just wouldn't be a Drake anymore...

And don't get me started on a lightweight switching supply to replace the
AC-3. I might do that anyway, since I wouldn't be destroying any hardware.

So, what do you all think? Is this a Good Idea, or a Bad Idea? Should I
try to find a cruddy TR-3 and do the surgery, or am I just being silly?
Your comments and critique are welcome (he says, ducking for cover.)

If I should go ahead, does anyone have a TR-3 (or TR-4) that's fairly
complete, but not working, they'd like to sell me as the basis of this?

Call me Dr Drakenstein!

Steve
AB1EN

Steve -

There was a TR-3 parts rig on eBay (may still be there) that would be a
starting point for such conversions.

IF you want DDS, then build it outboard and use with TR-3 like the old
external VFO for TR-3 was used.

Remember a few point about these "conversions"

Removes value (zero) of radio for anyone but you. It is rare for a "major
conversions" that you described to raise the value of a radio.

With your time and $$ .. go build an Elecraft K-2 .... you won't be
disappointed.

gb

Improving the Drake TR-3
 

"Steve Reinhardt" wrote in message
...
Leanne wrote:
"Steve Reinhardt" wrote in
message ...


So, what do you all think?


An eBay seller "warzone1" is parting out a TR-3
Item number: 5824008807

You missed the TR-3 without its PTO he just sold (see completed auctions
under his name).

gb

Improving the Drake TR-3
 

Steve Reinhardt wrote in message
...
I just repaired my TR-3, and put it on the air. I'd forgotten what a
nice rig it is. Now, I've started to think about how much better it
could be. What if one was to rip out the entire frequency control
section (VFO, xtal osc, mixer, etc) and replace it with a DDS
synthesizer. It turns out that the display would fit in the opening of
the tuning dial. There would be excellent frequency stability, no
backwards tuning on 20M, 2-3 less tubes to save heat and power. It just
wouldn't be a Drake anymore...

And don't get me started on a lightweight switching supply to replace
the AC-3. I might do that anyway, since I wouldn't be destroying any
hardware.

ARC-5 Command Set receiver modification instructions for conversion to a
single band SSB transceiver.

Step 1. Remove all components except the variable capacitor...

Improving the Drake TR-3
 

Frank wrote:
Steve Reinhardt wrote in message
...

I just repaired my TR-3, and put it on the air. I'd forgotten what a
nice rig it is. Now, I've started to think about how much better it
could be. What if one was to rip out the entire frequency control
section (VFO, xtal osc, mixer, etc) and replace it with a DDS
synthesizer. It turns out that the display would fit in the opening of
the tuning dial. There would be excellent frequency stability, no
backwards tuning on 20M, 2-3 less tubes to save heat and power. It just
wouldn't be a Drake anymore...

And don't get me started on a lightweight switching supply to replace
the AC-3. I might do that anyway, since I wouldn't be destroying any
hardware.


ARC-5 Command Set receiver modification instructions for conversion to a
single band SSB transceiver.

Step 1. Remove all components except the variable capacitor...


Been there, done that. Well, not SSB, but my first rig (1969) was an
ARC-5 conversion. I actually got to keep quite a bit of the guts and
still make a few QSOs. It was paired with a Hammarlund HQ-120X...

Steve
AB1EN

Improving the Drake TR-3
 

gb wrote:
"Steve Reinhardt" wrote in message
...

I just repaired my TR-3, and put it on the air. I'd forgotten what a nice
rig it is. Now, I've started to think about how much better it could be.
What if one was to rip out the entire frequency control section (VFO, xtal
osc, mixer, etc) and replace it with a DDS synthesizer. It turns out that
the display would fit in the opening of the tuning dial. There would be
excellent frequency stability, no backwards tuning on 20M, 2-3 less tubes
to save heat and power. It just wouldn't be a Drake anymore...

And don't get me started on a lightweight switching supply to replace the
AC-3. I might do that anyway, since I wouldn't be destroying any hardware.

So, what do you all think? Is this a Good Idea, or a Bad Idea? Should I
try to find a cruddy TR-3 and do the surgery, or am I just being silly?
Your comments and critique are welcome (he says, ducking for cover.)

If I should go ahead, does anyone have a TR-3 (or TR-4) that's fairly
complete, but not working, they'd like to sell me as the basis of this?

Call me Dr Drakenstein!

Steve
AB1EN


Steve -

There was a TR-3 parts rig on eBay (may still be there) that would be a
starting point for such conversions.

IF you want DDS, then build it outboard and use with TR-3 like the old
external VFO for TR-3 was used.

Remember a few point about these "conversions"

Removes value (zero) of radio for anyone but you. It is rare for a "major
conversions" that you described to raise the value of a radio.

With your time and $$ .. go build an Elecraft K-2 .... you won't be
disappointed.

gb



My proposal will surely result in a worthless radio, from a resales
perspective. That's why I need to start with something of little worth,
and why I'm reluctant to dig into mine. It's not the prettiest, but it
is working and largely original. Someone already got the mike connector;
it's a standard 1/4" now. Most of the rest seems faithful to the original.

Still, it would be interesting to have the 300W input, and smooth AGC of
this unit with modern tuning. I'll save the truly modern stuff for my
R2-PRO and T2 system. The IQ-Pro DDS is almost ready...

Thanks for the pointer on ebay. I'll check it out!

Steve
AB1EN

Improving the Drake TR-3
 

Steve Reinhardt wrote:


Thanks. I'm keeping my eyes open for the right rig. I've already got
an order in for the Norcal FCC-1 frequency meter. It then can bolt up to
a 9850 DDS card, and provide all I need. I think. I'll certainly have
extra parts for the working TR-3...

Steve
AB1EN

I've seen a Drake 4-line rig somewhere with a digital readout stuck in
the dial window. Don't recall if it was an xcvr, rcvr or what. You
might want to google around and see if that wheel has already been invented

-Bill

Improving the Drake TR-3
 

Steve Reinhardt wrote in message
...
Frank wrote:
Steve Reinhardt wrote in message
...

I just repaired my TR-3, and put it on the air. I'd forgotten what a
nice rig it is. Now, I've started to think about how much better it
could be. What if one was to rip out the entire frequency control
section (VFO, xtal osc, mixer, etc) and replace it with a DDS
synthesizer. It turns out that the display would fit in the opening of
the tuning dial. There would be excellent frequency stability, no
backwards tuning on 20M, 2-3 less tubes to save heat and power. It just
wouldn't be a Drake anymore...

And don't get me started on a lightweight switching supply to replace
the AC-3. I might do that anyway, since I wouldn't be destroying any
hardware.


ARC-5 Command Set receiver modification instructions for conversion to a
single band SSB transceiver.

Step 1. Remove all components except the variable capacitor...


Been there, done that. Well, not SSB, but my first rig (1969) was an
ARC-5 conversion. I actually got to keep quite a bit of the guts and
still make a few QSOs. It was paired with a Hammarlund HQ-120X...

Steve
AB1EN

They were fun... About twenty years ago I started a collection of ARC-5
stuff with the intentions of writing an ariticle for, perhaps, QST. I
actually have a copy (in pristine condition) of a publication (first
edition, first printing, April 1961) by Western Radio Amateur Magazine for
conversion of a BC-453 to a complete 40 meter transceiver. It was a design
by Ed Marriner, W6BLZ and Ernie Mason, W6IQY. Too bad not many Command Sets
are left---few remain after all the conversions and parting out. I had a
trailer full of the equipments that I eventually donated to a War Bird
restoration outfit. Perhaps your TR-3 (my first real SSB rig) would be
better off restored to like-new condition---there were considerably less
TR-3's manufactured than Command Sets.