Drake TR-7 and Icom 7300 Changed Amateur Radio
Drake TR-7 Things to Watch When Purchasing
Firstly, the serial number, because the higher the better. After about SN#10850 they started being the called the TR-7A. They came with a NB and a couple of other improvements. The TR-7A is prized more then the earlier productions. Don't be fooled either. The front panel can say "TR7A", but that doesn't mean it is. It could be a new front panel. Go by the serial number. Mine is SN#10831 so I just missed being a TR-7A. I am not disappointed though.
Secondly, the rear panel in the very early models was one section and later on they divided it into three sections (see photo below). This made it easier to work on. If you see one with one section, you know it is a very early production.
Thirdly, the TR7 requires a Hi-Z (high impedance) type microphone, either dynamic, crystal or ceramic type microphone elements will work fine. For instance, the Drake 7077 microphone, Shure 444 and D-104 all work well with this radio.
How the Drake TR-7 and Icom 7300 Changed Amateur Radio
TR-7 - Considered the first commercially available solid state HF Amateur radio on the market. 100% solid state circuits. No tubes, no tuning required and a digital display! This solid state, continuous coverage, synthesized transceiver was a leap forward back in the day. Drake was setting the pace!
IC-7300 - Considered by many the first entry level SDR transceiver with knobs. Includes a touchscreen LCD and real time spectrum scope where we see activity on the band. The 7300 was a real game changer!
Both of these transceivers changed how we operate.
Were you around when the TR-7 debuted? What are your thoughts and which one made a bigger impact?
TR-7 Photos
Thank you
Have you any experience with the Drake TR-7? I'd love to hear about it.
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Your TR7 looks very nice. What filters are in it, and does it have the noise blanket? TR7A’s have all filters and the NB standard.
Hi,
Thank you for commenting here.
It just has the standard 2.3 kHz SSB filter. I am installing a 2.8 kHz SSB soon.
Best 73!
That TR-7 is beautiful.
How I remember the days when I was young and buying a TR-7 was a dream never realized. The first rig I saw was a Hammarland 170. Once I saw the 170, I was hooked. It was another 14 years before I could afford to buy and build a Heathkit and got on the air. I am currently reconditioning a Hammarland 170 for nostalgia purposes.
I think the largest impact the IC-7300 is that it killed the used market making it even more affordable to buy used rigs helping young and new hams.
Hi Brad,
Nice to hear from you and me too when I was a kid. The TR7 was a dream radio. The first amateur radio I ever saw was a pair of Drakes and I wanted to be a Ham after that, hi hi.
Thanks for commenting here and your input.
Best 73!
Your thoughts on this?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DRAKE-TR7A-Excellent-conditions/233197233030?epid=129710778&hash=item364ba36386:g:190AAOSw9ZtchtQl
Yeah I saw that one too. Mine was delivered to me for $490. I got the TR7 and PS7. Both in excellent condition.
I listened once to a friend’s new TR7 (in 1979?) – always said he cost me $1100 because the (loaded and with the RV-7) radio was a dream. Used it for 30 years. Still have it on the shelf. Ultimately got an Omni VII – still one of the most operator-friendly radios made.
Bought one of the first 7300’s, too, for my “110-volt travel radio.” After playing with it to learn it, I never turned on the Omni VII again, and that’s saying a lot. Too much fun with the spectrum scope/waterfall. That hooked me on the SDR concept. Now have the (the ultimate SDR) Flex 6600 (only 1 knob!) as my home rig and still take the 7300 on trips.
Ray N6HE
Hi Ray,
Nice to hear from you and thank you for commenting here.
30 years is a long run! Someday maybe I’ll be able to pick up a Drake R7 to compliment this one. I think I could make room for it, hi hi!
With the 7610 in the shack, my 7300 gets moved to the camper, but it serves an important role there. I would love to have a Flex, so maybe someday. I like their software from what I have seen.
Best 73!
Looks very nice Rich. What accessories were in it, such as optional filters and a noise blanker?
Hi Lou,
Nice to hear from you again and yes it has the standard 2.3 kHz SSB filter. I will put in the Noble Radio NR-FL2.8 Wide SSB Filter when it comes in. I will probably add a CW filter too. It did have the NB in it.
It has been opened up for all band transmit too.
I am very happy with the PBT. It works great!
Best 73!
Hi Rich,
I saw the TR7 when it was first introduced at Dayton and knew that was what I had to have. I ordered the TR7, PS7, RV7, AUX7, and full filters on May 5, 1978 for $1,438 and received S/N 614, 3 months later. The TR7 was a great platform to modify and repair.
In June 2016, I purchased the Icom 7300 and the TR7 was relegated to the shelf. The 7300 was such an amazing radio and easy to configure and use. I built this radio into my second generation Go-Box (as seen on my QRZ page) and use it regularly as my main station, on SSB, digital modes, and 6M FM.
Both the TR7 and the 7300 were game changers for amateur radio.
Thanks Rich for recognizing both of these fine radios.
73
Hi Terry,
That must have been something to see at Dayton! Wow!
I am more impressed as I use the TR-7. It is a classy rig and they don’t make them like that anymore. The power supply is a beast! It would probably survive a nuclear blast 😆
Thank you so much for commenting and it’s great to hear. I’ll have a look at your QRZ page. Best wishes to you and yours.
73,
Rich, K0PIR
Wow! Small world. Drake wast a few blocks from my QTH. I have one I bought it in 1982 from the factory on Richard St. I picked it up from Bill Frost, WD8DFP. Mike Elliott, W8KRR, was in the MARA club so we had direct contact with the engineer of this great rig. Between Mike and Bill, you could learn anything you needed to know about the rig. We were spoiled to have Drake here in town. I used mine from 1982 until last year. My QRZ pic still shows it (I need to update the pic). I finally bought an Icom 7300 last year and put the TR7 in the closet. Both rigs are game changers and that is why I bought the 7300. It is an awesome radio. 73, Steve N8DNG
Hi Steve,
Thanks for coming by and thank you for commenting here. It is a fantastic radio and really holds up well. Of course the receiver is not quite as good as the newer radios, but I find it very enjoyable to use. It’s one radio that I can actually work on and I enjoyed that. I would never open up the 7610 and start soldering, hi hi!
Thanks for sharing the information Steve and have a great day. Hope to hear you on the air and best 73!
Rich, KC0PIR
I have a Drake TR7A for sale.
July 1, 2019
Drake TR-7A
Drake PS7 Power Supply
Amp Supply Company AT1200 Antenna Tuner
For pictures see:
http://ka8vit.com/drake
73 – Bill KA8VIT
Purchased a TR-7 (serial number 830) and PS-7 power supply in 1978 from the first HRO store in Burlingame, CA (built on an old train stop platform). Sold to me by the owner W6RJ, Bob Ferrreo who later built the HRO dynasty. A wonderful transceiver which I used primarily on CW to work many countries and Hams. I’m looking at it right now sitting on a shelf in the shack.
I recently purchased a IC-7300 and am still learning how to use this great radio. First QSO was with special station VK19AUS on CW in Australia. An excellent radio.
73’s Roger (K6VIA)
I don’t consider the IC-7300 an entry level rig. Because performance is high level.
Maybe because of price.
Entry level: Yaesu FT-450D, Icom IC-718, ext.
Frank WA3RSL
Hi Frank,
Nice to hear from you. Yep Icom considers it entry level because of price. I think is an advanced radio and a big step for new Hams. However, the new Hams I know learn it and enjoy it immensely.
73,
Rich, K0PIR
Worked for Joe Borsch’s Portland Radio Supply in the 70s. Sold quite a few TR-7s and R-7s, the TR-7 was out of my price range. Purchased a set of fully loaded TR-7 and R-7 in 1996. R-7 went out first, followed by the TR-7. Just finished fully restoring the both. BOTH the TR-7 AND the R-7 had issues with the VCO PCA. Started recapping the TR-7, but the 40+ year old Electrolytics I replaced had a better ESR than the Brand New Electrolytics I was using for replacement! That was quality. KG7M
Hi Mike,
It’s nice to hear from you and that is really something.
I just recently discovered that the TR7 is a pretty good cw transceiver, so I bought a Begali straight key for it. What a combination and it reminds me of when I was a kid just gettinhg into Amateur radio.
Thank you for commenting here and I hope to hear you on.
Best 73,
Rich, K0PIR
Rich,
I learned on a Straight Key and passed my Extra at 20 WPM at the Local FCC Office in Portland (1981). Been running mostly FT8 with my IC-706, but as soon as I repaired the TR-7, I immediately plugged my Straight Key into it. Even before the Mic! I have the 300Hz and 500Hz Filters in the R-7, and 500Hz in the TR-7 for CW. Will transceive with the pair and plan on working CW w/Straight Key. Hpe to BCNU on CW. Vy 73, Mike KG7M
Thanks Mike. I am looking for the 500Hz filter searching e-bay. Best to you and yours! 73
Greetings from VK,
I purchased a TR7 (S/N 9276) from a SK estate.
I wish to use my Heil Pro7 headset with the TR7, and see that the AD-1-D adapter cable is supposed to take care of the plug/plug connectivity for this combination.
What concerns me is whether the ‘Low Z’ dynamic insert in the Heil will have sufficient drive to satisfy the ‘Hi Z’ input quoted for the TR7.
I have seen (http://www.wb4hfn.com/DRAKE/DrakeArticles/InsideTheTR7) that pin1 is for ‘Low Level Audio’, while pin 4 is for ‘High Level Audio’.
Do you think it’s safe to assume that the AD-1-D uses pin 1?
I have to decide whether to import the cable from DX Engineering to VK, or lash one up myself (I have a spare 4 pin plug).
Anyhow I thought you may have come across this kind of issue before.
73
Peter VK2ZRO
Hi Peter,
Good to hear from you and thank you for commenting here.
I learned when I wired up my D104 that the pins were different as you mention.
I don’t know about the AD-1D, so I would wire a plug if I were you.
Take care, be safe and good DX!
73,
Rich, K0PIR
My strongest TR-7 recollection was a field day many years ago. One our friends provided the farm field and a TR-7 for operations. Occasionally the receiver would go half deaf. I remember being horrified when the owner, ( Greg W8XY) would take the cover off and smack the crystal filter with a screw driver. His comment at the time was something like, ‘you don’t respect something you helped engineer’. The rig in question was a prototype or engineering unit. Greg worked at Drake for several years and was on the TR-7 design team. BTW your TR-7 looks like it was in plastic for 35 of those 40 years. 73
Hi Eric, good to hear from you and thank you. I love using it. That’s pretty funny because I have hit mine a few times. Just happy to hear even the engineers use the same technique.
Take care and Best 73!
Rich, K0PIR
Your TR7 looks very nice. I am also using 2.85 kHz ssb filter. I have some pictures on sm5dda.wordpress.com/
73 Kjell
Kjell,
Good to hear from you and thank you for the link. Very nice! GL and Good DX.
73,
Rich, K0PIR
Oh for sure!! I own both. Drake was an amazing company that produced amazing equipment. I am somewhat of a Drake “collector” you could say as I also own a “B” line and “C” line and TR4CW/rit. Drake blazed the trail for all others with the TR7. Nothing would ever be the same again. It is known that many of the developers/engineers etc. at Drake wanted the TR7 to be a “hybrid” like others that were out at the time but a few forward thinkers knew that the future wouldn’t include tube design with new transceivers and so the TR7 as we know it. For me it has the BEST receive audio of anything that came after and as far as I’m concerned is easier to listen to than the tube radios that preceded it even though I am a true lover of tube “anything”! It is truly amazing and so I don’t understand why that kind of audio can’t be found in todays rigs. SDR is amazing in my 7300 but pretty much all SDR radios cause ear fatigue after awhile. The TR7 does not. When the new radios can pull out the weak signals using SDR like the 7300 and sound like a TR7 I’ll buy it. Until now in my opinion we haven’t achieved it, but again that’s my opinion. I have heard the new Elecraft K4 and it’s pretty good but not there yet.
Hi Peter, it’s nice to hear from you. Sorry for the delay. I am on my way to QuartzFest. Thanks for your comments and I appreciate your opinions. laying out information like you did makes the site more valuable to everyone.
GL and best 73,
Rich, KØPIR
Nice article. I have a Drake TR7A with matching R7A Receiver (both mint and gone through by WB4HFN) I’d be tempted to let go if you or someone are interested. They are indeed great radios. I also have a third-party connecting cable that connects the TX to RX as the original cable does.
Hi Scott,
It’s nice to hear from you and thank you for the info.
I am not in the market right now, but perhaps someone on the website will be interested.
Thank you so much, best 73!
Rich, K0PIR