bcdlr wrote:
Guys that was a great discussion...
But I still have a question or two. Well actually a lot more than that
but we can't answer them all.
---
I know I'm not ready to build my own receiver, unless I went the micro
R2 route (I'm going to build one some day).
But that still doesn't solve my need for a ham band(s) receiver - to
use as a receiver and as a necessary piece of test equipment.
---
I know that the Drake 2b is good. But how easy (and cheap) is it to get
one? Are most "wore" out?
I've heard that a common ailment is that the mechanical filter will be
screwed up.


The 2B does not have a mechanical filter so no worries there.

I have a Drake R4A (next generation Drake after the 2B) & it is one of
the best receivers I have ever owned [I've owned maybe 50+ medium &
high end receivers (Collins, Hammarlund, National, Ten-tec, Yaesu,
Kenwood, Swan, Elecraft, etc.) in nearly 50 years of hamming including
many of the newer solid state variety].

My R4A doesn't drift (after warm up), excellent audio, pass band
tuning, 4 stages of selectivity, AM & product detectors, excellent
build quality, extremely reliable & much easier to work on than any of
the newer solid state stuff. I paid $140 for mine & nice examples can
be had for $150 - $250. The R4, R4A & R4B were similar design & were
complete radios out of the box. I've had zero trouble with mine in
eight years. The R4C went to crystal filters & is really a much
different radio.

I would recommend the R4A's & R4B's as great radios that you will not
be dissapointed with for the price.

Look for one that is crystalled up with extra SW freq's & has a clean
copper chassis (they are proned to tarnish).

Terry
W8EJO