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Inside The Drake TR-7 Transceiver

by: Ronald Baker / WB4HFN

>Contents<   Page 1   Page 2   Page 3   Page 4   Page 5   Page 6   Page 7   Page 8

Page 9   Page 10   Page 11   Page 12   Page 13   Page 14   Page 15   Page 16

 

Preference

The intent of this article is to help the semi-non-technical person understand what is inside the Drake TR-7(A) Transceiver, how it works, and discusses simple adjustment and modifications the end-user can perform.    I start with a basic overview of the inside of the radio and how the signals flow.    I show each plug-in circuit board with a brief description of its function or purpose.   Towards the end of the article I go through several simple alignment procedures, discuss a few simple radio modifications to enhance the operation, and troubleshooting information.   The last four pages is the Drake TR-7 color brochure published during the production of the radio.

Table Of Contents

Page 1
  • Brief Introduction and History behind the TR-7
  • TR-7 Board Layout
  • The Parent Board

Page 2

  • The Road Map 
  • How Signal Flow Through The Radio

Page 3

  • The Power Cable
  • Wiring A Microphone
  • The Rear Panel Accessory Connectors

Page 4

  • The Up-Converter Board
  • The VCO Board
  • The Translator Board
  • The PTO Assembly

Page 5

  • The 2nd Mixer Board
  • The IF Switching Board
  • The Noise Blanker Accessory Board
  • The IF Filter Board

Page 6

  • The Pass Band Tuning Board
  • The IF/Audio Board
  • The Transmit Exciter Board

Page 7

  • The Digital Board
  • The AUX-7 Accessory Board
  • The Digital Display Board
  • The Power Supply Board
Page 8
  • The Power Amplifier
  • The High Pass Filter boards
  • The Low Pass Filter Boards
  • The ALC Board

Page 9 

  • Making Basic Adjustments To The TR-7
  • The Power Meter Calibration
  • The RIT Centering Adjustment
  • The Radio Mode Frequency Adjustments
  • S-Meter, IF Gain, & CW Mode Off-Set Adjustments
  • The ALC Adjustment
  • The Transmit Carrier Balance Adjustment

Page 10

  • The "Poor Man's" AM Filter Modification
  • The All-Band Transmit Modification
  • The TR-7 Quiet Fan Modification

Page 11

  • The TR-7 Pin Diode Dilemma
  • The High Pass Filter Board - Pin Diodes
  • Troubleshooting Pin Diode Problems

Page 12

  • Replacing The Internal Fuse
  • Replacing The Dial Bulb Lamps
  • Companion Articles
  • Useful Function For The "Store" Switch
  • Identifying The TR-7 Differences And Versions
  • Transmit AM Mode Filter Modification
  • Restoring the TR-7 Amplifier To Full Power

Page 13  -  The TR-7 Full Color Brochure - Front Page

Page 14  -  Brochure Inside Front Page

Page 15  -  Brochure Inside Rear Page

Page 16  -  Brochure Rear Page

Article Related Links

Drake 1979 Price List Showing the "7" Line Equipment Pricing

Drake 1979 Full Color Catalog Showing All the "7" Line Equipment

Drake 1979 Color Brochure For The TR-7 And R-7 Drake Twins

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