RL Drake Model 2B Receiver

1961 Drake 2B Receiver

drake 2b receiver with 2BQ Qmultiplier drake 2b receiver with 2BQ Qmultiplier

Triple Conversion Superhetrodyne Receiver

From the 2B Instruction Book

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The DRAKE 2-B is an extremely versatile communication receiver designed to bring you top performance in reception of all modes of amateur transmission in a compact package.

Basically, it is a triple conversion superhetrodyne receiver employing crystal controlled high frequency oscillators, a highly stable variable oscillator tuning the same range on all bands, and for selectivity a steep-sided- L-C filter at the 50 Kc I.F.

The receiver provides front panel control of a wide variety of functions such asband width, AVC time constants, type of detector used, and variable pass-band tuning for Single Sideband reception at its best. Switching is availiable on the front panel for the 2-AC accessory crystal calibrator.

Separate tuning of the RF stage assists in peaking the receiver on the desired signal. Amplified, delayed action AVC with selection of the proper time constants for your individual application add further to the set's versatility.

A direct reading 7" slide rule dial together with adjustable subdividing scale on the main tuning dial provide easy and accurate frequency reading on all ham bands. A logging scale is also provided for reading frequency of additional 600 Kc wide bands which may be added by purchase of accessory crystals. Five of these bands can be set-up at a time and select by the band switch.

Separate detectors are provided for best performance whether listening to AM, CW, or SSB

REFERENCE DATA

OPERATIONG RANGE: Twelve 600 kc segments may be selected between 3.5 and 30 mc. As orignially supplied, crystals are provided for five ham band ranges: Band switch provides for addition of two ham ranges (28.0 - 28.6 mc) and (29.1 - 29.7 mc) and up to five universal ranges with accessory crystals to cover the frequencies desired. (WWV, MARS, Citizen's Band, etc.)

MODE: Selectable Single Sideband with product detector, Amplitude Modulation with diode or product detector, CW with either detector.

SELECTIVITY: .5 kc at 6 db down, 2.75 kc at 60 db down: 2.1 kc at 6 db down, 7.5 kc at 60 db down; 3.6 at 6 db down, 10.5 kc at 60 db down. Selector switching is independent of detector switching.

SPURIOUS RESPONSES: Image rejection more than 60 db; IF rejection more than 60 db on ham ranges; Internal spurious signals within the ham bands less than that from a 1 microvolt antenna signal.

FREQUENCY STABILITY: Less than 400 cycles warm up; less than 100 cycles after warm up; less than 100 cycles for 10% line voltage change.

DIAL CALIBRATIOM: 10 kc main dial division; approxiamately 1 kc vernier dial divisions; Both main dial and vernier adjustable fore calibration purposes.

SENSITIVITY: Less than 1/2 microvolt for 10 db signal to noise.

AVC: Amplified, delayed AVC having .75 second or .025 second discharge; less than 100 microsecond charge.

AUDIO OUTPUT: One watt maximum, .2 watt at AVC threshold.

AUDIO DISTORTION: Less than 3% harmonic, less than 1/2% intermodulation.

TUBES:

POWER CONSUMPTION: 40 watts, 120/240 50/60 cycle AC

SIZE: 12" wide X 7" high x9" deep. WEIGHT: 14.5 pounds

LAST AMATEUR RADIO SUGGESTED PRICE: $279.95

ACCESSORIES

Drake 2B Recollections

In 1963, I was 15, a new General Licensee and very active on CW. The bands were very crowded, especially the CW bands. I had a good radio location and antenna, and that made it difficult to untangle one signal from another with my Heathkit SB-101 transceiver or Hallicrafters SX-110. I had a part-time job, and decided to buy a Collins "S" Line receiver so I could hopefully unscramble the signals in my headphones.

I went to a local Ham Radio Store and traded in another piece of gear towards the Collins and paid the difference in price. I took it home, and was amazed at the calibration. However, the abilility to separate CW signals that were close together was not much beter than my other receivers.

I had read about the Drake 2B with it's matching "Q" multiplier-Speaker. It was full of inovations and unique technologies...did I want to deal with that? Well, I went to another Ham Radio store and listened to one, adjusting the "Q" multiplier and separating the CW signals with ease. I was sold, and took the 2B to its new home in San Rafael. It was sensitive with it's pre-amplifer/preselector, and selective with the variable bandwith filter and the amazing "Q" multiplier. It took some experimentation, but different combinations of controls would find ways to separate those CW signals, and SSB voice signals. Even with it's crystal calibrator I was not exactly sure where I was...but it sounded good. I compared the two radios side by side, the S Line was calibrated better, but the selectivity and sensitivity of the Drake was superior. I sold the Collins immediately.

With High School, then College, Girls, and a Small Business to run my 2B eventually was sold, and a more modest radio set-up was settled on. Gone for a while were the multi-position operating areas with Classic, Military, VHF, and HF.

Later, I started to assemble another station, and I noticed something was missing...It was the long gone 2B. I looked around, but none seemed to turn -up at the ham swaps, I guess everyone wanted to keep theirs. One morning I arrived early at the Foothill College ham swap. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I saw a black box that looked familiar...It was a Drake 2B. I looked at it and it seemed to be in good shape, even the copper on the chassis was still bright. I happily paid for it and used it for several years, rotating it in and out of the station line-up.

Even today, when the 2B sees the light of day and I peak the RF preselector it is the 1960s all over again. It is interesting to see the dial backlight dim as I pass through a digital signal, and the "S" meter rise to a vintage radio signal.

Last Updated: February 22, 2006

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