Drake L-4B male VOX plug
 

I have brought my L-4B linear out of storage, but I have lost the two prong
male VOX plug. Does anyone know where one might be located and what type
plug it is? I had assumed it was a 2-prong Jones plug with flat blades, but
the holes look circular in nature. Could someone give me some guidance on
the name and type of plug and where one might be purchased?

John N9JG wrote:
I have brought my L-4B linear out of storage, but I have lost the two
prong male VOX plug. Does anyone know where one might be located and

I think that connector is going to be hard to find.

Since all you really need is a single conductor jack (one side of the
VOX jack is grounded) why not just change the connector out for a phone
jack or something more common?

Travis Jordan wrote:
John N9JG wrote:
I have brought my L-4B linear out of storage, but I have lost the
two prong male VOX plug. Does anyone know where one might be
located and

I think that connector is going to be hard to find.

Since all you really need is a single conductor jack (one side of the
VOX jack is grounded) why not just change the connector out for a
phone jack or something more common?

Found this while Googling....it may help you make a decision about what
to do.

http://www.mail-archive.com/drakelis.../msg02064.html

Those two pin connectors are one of the most "unobtainium" items in the
4 Line. Even Drake gave up on them, and offered a small metal plate with
an RCA phono jack on it and two holes that matched the mounting screws
for the two pin connector. The pins are spaced 0.350" c-c.

If I didn't have one, I'd seriously consider doing the modification with
an RCA Phono jack like Drake did. And I'm one of the worst when it comes
to preaching the "keep it original" mantra...

Once in a great while one of the two pin connectors will show up on E*
for an exorbitant price. The last one I saw a few years ago went for
over $20...

The pins are 0.093" in diameter. Some have made a connector from #11
solid copper wire. Various schemes have been tried with plastic and/or
epoxy to build up a connector body around the two pieces of wire. #11
wire is 0.0907", and tinning it with solder should make it just about
right. I would tin it to ward off corrosion. Unfortunately, #11 is NOT a
common size (to say the least!). #10 is 0.1019", which is a little
large, and is probably what the "plug builders" used. I don't know if
that is large enough to damage the female connector or not. The pins are
spaced 0.350" c-c. A better choice might be some 3/32" dia (0.0937)
brass tubing from the hobby shop. It would give a more reliable
electrical connection to the wire. Think that's what I'd do.

73, Garey - K4OAH

Travis Jordan wrote:
Found this while Googling....it may help you make a decision about
what to do.

http://www.mail-archive.com/drakelis.../msg02064.html

More from the thread:

What I did....Break out 4 pins from an old octal (8 pin) tube
base...Easy with a pair of pliers...Solder them on to a piece of lamp
cord...Most newer lamp cord is polarized if you look closely, this is
handy 'cause you'll need to respect gnd....The pins fit perfectly and
"snug" in the connector holes...Push it in right up to the
insulation...I've been using this set-up for years
Rick K9RSW

I appreciate your comment and advice. My L-4B is in near mint condition, and
I am leery about making mods to the amplifier, although I have updated the
series HV electrolytics and diodes in the power supply. My current thinking
is to jury-rig a connector by using tinned #10 copper wire!

"Travis Jordan" wrote in message
. ..
John N9JG wrote:
I have brought my L-4B linear out of storage, but I have lost the two
prong male VOX plug. Does anyone know where one might be located and

I think that connector is going to be hard to find.

Since all you really need is a single conductor jack (one side of the
VOX jack is grounded) why not just change the connector out for a phone
jack or something more common?

John N9JG wrote:
I appreciate your comment and advice. My L-4B is in near mint
condition, and I am leery about making mods to the amplifier,
although I have updated the series HV electrolytics and diodes in the
power supply. My current thinking is to jury-rig a connector by using
tinned #10 copper wire!

You might be in luck - looks like this eBay seller may still have one of
the factory conversion kits available. Try contacting him.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Drake-VOX-connec...QQcmdZViewItem

Well the bid was over on 10-Aug, but I did send a note to the seller and
asked him to forward it to the purchaser. Three items had been sold, and I
am hoping the purchaser might want to sell me one of the kits.


"Travis Jordan" wrote in message
m...
John N9JG wrote:
I appreciate your comment and advice. My L-4B is in near mint
condition, and I am leery about making mods to the amplifier,
although I have updated the series HV electrolytics and diodes in the
power supply. My current thinking is to jury-rig a connector by using
tinned #10 copper wire!

You might be in luck - looks like this eBay seller may still have one of
the factory conversion kits available. Try contacting him.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Drake-VOX-connec...QQcmdZViewItem

I followed your link and it was suggested that 3/32 brass tubing might be
the correct size.

Thanks for your pointers,
John, N9JG

"Travis Jordan" wrote in message
. ..
Travis Jordan wrote:
John N9JG wrote:
I have brought my L-4B linear out of storage, but I have lost the
two prong male VOX plug. Does anyone know where one might be
located and

I think that connector is going to be hard to find.

Since all you really need is a single conductor jack (one side of the
VOX jack is grounded) why not just change the connector out for a
phone jack or something more common?

Found this while Googling....it may help you make a decision about what
to do.

http://www.mail-archive.com/drakelis.../msg02064.html

John N9JG wrote:
Well the bid was over on 10-Aug, but I did send a note to the seller
and asked him to forward it to the purchaser. Three items had been
sold, and I am hoping the purchaser might want to sell me one of the
kits.

Well, either you or I are misreading the auction status. I think there
were 3 items available and only two buyers.

http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d...tem=5795604564

Yes, you are correct! I did read it incorrectly, two purchasers each wanted
1 item, and so I am hoping my e-mail to the seller will get results. In the
meantime I have tried a piece of 3/32" brass rod and it fits perfectly. What
I should do is buy some epoxy and improvise a plug body, but the temptation
is to just solder a piece of shielded cable to two short pieces of rod and
plug them in. No harm is done if they are plugged in incorrectly, the
amplifier will just run all the time, and I think that would be noticed
immediately.

"Travis Jordan" wrote in message
m...
John N9JG wrote:
Well the bid was over on 10-Aug, but I did send a note to the seller
and asked him to forward it to the purchaser. Three items had been
sold, and I am hoping the purchaser might want to sell me one of the
kits.

Well, either you or I are misreading the auction status. I think there
were 3 items available and only two buyers.

http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d...tem=5795604564

John N9JG wrote:
Yes, you are correct! I did read it incorrectly, two purchasers each

Sounds like you've got it under control, John.

Good luck - just out of curiousity and completeness, please post back
and let us know whether the eBay'er is able to provide you with the
conversion kit. In the meantime your homebrew plug should work just
fine.

73's
Travis

Travis Jordan wrote:

The pins are 0.093" in diameter. Some have made a connector from #11
solid copper wire. Various schemes have been tried with plastic and/or
epoxy to build up a connector body around the two pieces of wire. #11
wire is 0.0907", and tinning it with solder should make it just about
right. I would tin it to ward off corrosion. Unfortunately, #11 is NOT a
common size (to say the least!). #10 is 0.1019", which is a little
large, and is probably what the "plug builders" used. I don't know if
that is large enough to damage the female connector or not. The pins are
spaced 0.350" c-c. A better choice might be some 3/32" dia (0.0937)
brass tubing from the hobby shop. It would give a more reliable
electrical connection to the wire. Think that's what I'd do.

73, Garey - K4OAH


The "Standard" Molex pins are .093". They are used in the four pin
"Y" cables for adding drives to a computer, and a number of distributors
carry the pins by themselves. Digikey is one source.

--
Link to my "Computers for disabled Veterans" project website deleted
after threats were telephoned to my church.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

Thanks for the info. As of right now, I will either use 3/32" brass rod or
the Molex pins. In either case I should rig up a scheme for securing the two
pins.

"Michael A. Terrell" wrote in message
...

The "Standard" Molex pins are .093". They are used in the four pin
"Y" cables for adding drives to a computer, and a number of distributors
carry the pins by themselves. Digikey is one source.