[Amps] DRAKE L4B

Thu Apr 30 14:08:35 EDT 2020

Jay, et. El

The L4B seen in photos was shipped to AGL Electronics around 1973 to 1974.

Original owner was K5TM in Austin, TX

The amp was boxed and stored for about 30 years, that would have been around 1990

Tom moved to SC about 2017 and donated amp to local club.

W5AJ bought L4B with donation to club in 2017 and picked up at 2017 Austin Summerfest and transported back to Midland.

At Midland, L4B remained in box and wife vacuumed around the PS until “The Virus” 

which said Virus (and Oil Bust) gave me generous amount of time to work old projects!

The amp now sits in my shack.

Robert

Midland, Texas

From: Jay Sturtevant [mailto:k2ztdx at gmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2020 10:43 AM
To: Robert <woodr90 at gmail.com>
Cc: Amps at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] DRAKE L4B

Robert,

Nice work on a classic amp!

Could you give us some general history of your L4 B? Where was it had it been kept? 

The tank coil looks heavily oxidized, even flaking, from what I can tell. 

Thanks far sharing!

Jay,

K2ZT 

On Wed, Apr 29, 2020, 1:25 AM Robert <woodr90 at gmail.com <mailto:woodr90 at gmail.com> > wrote:

cleaning up L4B 

posted few photos at 

http://w5aj.eqth.net/drake/drake.htm

Observations:

The air cooling / fan is anemic

The plastic fan & metal hub can be rejoined with Gorilla EXPOXY Glue

The undated W5DDW fan article covers parts that are now obsolete.. even
blowerwheel dot com has no direct replacement

The amp hums bit loud on SSB position

The control/filament connector at back of the Amp section is amazing,
lasting 50+ years, difficult to push on, the connections are tight!

The connector for activating the amps T/R relay seems unique.  None came
with this amp

For 50+ year old amp, not bad

Did I mention the cooling air is uninspiring..

73 W5AJ

Robert

Midland, Texas

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