Looking for someone or a shop for repair on my Drake

[Detroit47]

I need a someone to work on my Drake TR7.

Johnathan N8QPC

[W3SLK]

Jonathan, I don't know how adept you are to repairing those but I was timid at first. I had no receive, no transmit, only power. Occasionally I would hear some signals. Fortunately, I had the manual and the extender boards and found all the issues. I would have you send it to me but I am back-logged with not only my stuff but I currently have 3 receivers to repair for somebody else. The ticket is to get the extender boards. That makes troubleshooting a whole lot easier. Ask around if there is somebody nearby that can loan them to you before you start. Those PIN diode are a bitch to get at. RF Pharts still carries them but expect to pay a premium. Check out on the Drake forums. You can find a ton of help there!
Good luck!

[Detroit47]

This radio was a gift from a silent key WD8DGK. I went to his house to visit as he was shut in. He was wasting away from agent orange. I changed the filter on his furnace it hadn't been done in years. When I was in the basement. He asked me to disconcet the Drake and bring it up stairs for him. So I did he then said to put it in my car. He said he wanted me to have it he knew he was dying. So it kinda special to ne and I just want it repaired.

Johnathan N8QPC

[Pete, WA2CWA]

Get a hold of Jeff Covelli. Not sure if he still does repairs, but if not, maybe he can point you in the right direction.

Jeff Covelli, WA8SAJ
440-951-6406
wa8saj@ncweb.com

Drake, Collins, Vintage Yaesu

[W1ITT]

Jonathan...  If you haven't already done so, open up the TR7  and remove the cards, one by one and reinsert them.  A bit of gentle wiggling as you push and pull will break up the oxidation that forms on the card fingers and sockets.  I have repaired my TR7 more than once with that method.   Obviously, those rigs are close to a half century old and capacitors decapacitate and resistors resist the passage of time.  The malady may well require more smarts than I have mentioned.
But give it a try.  You might get lucky.
73 de Norm W1ITT

[Detroit47]

I think it's past that. Here's a little more information. I was tuning my antenna tuner with about a 20 watt carrier out of my Tr7. I accidentally hot switched the antenna. The radio didn't like it the fan comes on and the display monetarily flahes one decimal. I have made a little progress trouble shooting,  but I would have no problem paying the right person.

Johnathan N8QPC

[W3SLK]

I agree with Norm. Maybe take a cloth or paper towel soaked with alcohol, (even IPA will do), and clean those card contacts. Look down inside at the card slots themselves and determine if any crap is on the pins. See if you can get one of those 'synthetic Q-tips'. You can clean contacts with them without leaving any cotton residue behind. They are almost like a sponge on a stick. These would be deluxe: https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Cleaning-Dust-Free-Industries-Equipment/dp/B09KVCLWHQ/ref=sr_1_3?crid=23Y2LLY29IPM0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1G12sI3DCAlA4DiaRVeJF_1LKDLoTruM_YJFxFsKJu60IgfKZmv3r1rnE6p5UtRO8HxzpyvexFrXM-0GHkuX6sC8C83PTWJf0NksRZYyc-T0U0WaVzZoj6VyJnzqKCM8syht3iEM_dUt-0PxGgacKh3Fm_5KidYA_9W7UQnQT3cuVMsU79-o81NxQZPtaXktuFpF3mbfDMLp9eF8KoIe2TEdhw9XGHW68F4jEQ6wznI.xQI6xdhR26_ePtH3S14Q0zWcMifnn7lHGt0xgeby_PM&dib_tag=se&keywords=synthetic+dust+free+cleaning+swabs&qid=1733847171&sprefix=synthetic+dust+free+cleaning+swabs%2Caps%2C676&sr=8-3

[Detroit47]

After doing some investigation I have decided the final transistors are shorted. I was expecting to see SRF2337 or MRF421  instead I am seeing Motorola 4017 926. I take it this is a house number.

Johnathan N8QPC