80m – 10m

Bands

150 W

Output

1973

Introduced

Frequency	TX/RX: 80–10 m (seven 600 kHz ranges)
Bands	80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, 10m
TX power	150 W (300 W PEP SSB / 260 W CW/AM DC input; ~150 W RF output (some sources list ~100 W). Finals: three 6JB6 (12BY7A driver).)
Modes	USB, LSB, CW, AM
Weight	7.25 kg (16 lb) - ~8 kg estimated (transceiver only, external PSU separate).
Connector	SO-239
Year	1973

Connectors

antenna	SO-239 (52Ω nominal)
mic	high impedance microphone
key	key jack
phones	headphone jack (right panel)
psu	external power supply connector
ext spkr	external speaker (MS-4 matching)
power req	External PSU: AC-4 (AC) or DC-4 (mobile). High-voltage for tube finals.

Drake's classic tube transceiver, 300W PEP, separate USB/LSB filters, 1.7:1 shape factor TR-4 series: TR-4 (1964) → TR-4B → TR-4C (1973) → TR-4CW (RIT added) 300W PEP SSB / 260W CW/AM input, high power for the era separate USB and LSB crystal filters (independent optimization!) selectivity: 2.1 kHz at -6 dB / 3.6 kHz at -60 dB with 1.7:1 shape factor 9 MHz first IF receiver sensitivity: <0.5 µV for 10 dB S+N/N frequency stability: <100 Hz after warmup, <100 Hz for ±10% line voltage change AGC: <3 dB audio variation for 60 dB input change notch filter: >40 dB attenuation (500-5000 Hz) CW sidetone oscillator + crystal calibrator VFO indicator light CW semi break-in VOX or PTT for AM/SSB accurate VFO with 1 kHz analog dial heavy iridite cadmium-plated chassis (corrosion resistant, built to last!) TR-4CW adds RIT (Receiver Incremental Tuning) external PSU: AC-4 (AC) or DC-4 (mobile) optional: RV-4C remote VFO, 34-PNB noise blanker, FF-1 fixed frequency adapter, MMK-3 mobile mount warm tube audio, natural sound quality replaced by Drake TR-7 (solid-state) Beware online product pages that fabricate 'direct-sampling receiver' and 'nine selectable bandwidths', FALSE VINTAGE. DISCONTINUED tube SSB/CW/AM transceiver, 80-10m (seven 600 kHz ranges) 300W PEP input SSB / 260W AM-CW (~150W output) 9 MHz IF, <0.5 uV sensitivity, ~100 Hz stability 40 dB notch, semi break-in, VOX/PTT TR-4CW adds RIT external AC-4/DC-4 supply; replaced by TR-7

Strengths

Drake's classic tube transceiver. 300W PEP input (260W AM/CW), with separate USB and LSB crystal filters and a 1.7:1 shape factor for good selectivity. Warm tube audio, a 40 dB notch, a durable cadmium-plated chassis, and Drake build quality. $200-600 used; the TR-4CW adds RIT.

Weaknesses

VINTAGE (1973). Tubes need maintenance. External PSU required. No general coverage. No WARC bands. Semi break-in only (not full QSK). No FM. 600 kHz band segments only. Replaced by solid-state TR-7.

Verdict

A well-regarded Drake tube transceiver. The TR-4C pairs 300W PEP input with separate USB/LSB filters and the warm audio of a tube rig, in a chassis built to last. Many are still on the air, and at $200-600 used it is an affordable way into vintage Drake. The TR-4CW adds RIT.

The Drake TR-4C is a classic HF transceiver from the early-to-mid 1970s, the all-in-one sibling of the Drake 4-line separates, combining transmitter and receiver in one handsome box. Introduced around 1973–74, it covers the 80 through 10 meter amateur bands (in five 600-kilohertz ranges, with accessory crystal sockets) in SSB, CW, and AM.

It carried the Drake hallmarks: a quiet, easy-to-listen receiver and rugged construction on a heavy cadmium-plated chassis built to last. Two switched 9-megahertz crystal filters (one per sideband) keep the signal centered in the passband and flip sideband automatically per band, and a 40-decibel notch helps fight interference. The transmitter runs three 6JB6 finals at 300 watts PEP SSB DC input (260 watts CW/AM), for roughly 150 watts of RF output, and the later TR-4CW variant adds receiver incremental tuning (RIT).

Like its 4-line siblings the TR-4C needs an external supply (commonly the MS-4 speaker with a built-in AC-4) and the antenna connects through a standard SO-239. It was the last of the 4-line tube transceivers before the solid-state TR-7. It is a discontinued classic. Compare it with the earlier TR-3 and the solid-state TR-7.

Drake TR-4C / TR-4CW