Drake · Linear amplifier · 1967–1979
The L-4B is Drake's big linear amplifier from the 4-Line years, a desk unit with a separate solid-state high-voltage supply. Drake's own history calls the original L-4 and its MN-2000 matching network two of the most sought-after products the company made, and says the improved L-4B followed in late 1967. It runs two 3-500Z triodes in grounded grid with RF negative feedback, rated 2,000 W PEP input on SSB from about 100 W of drive, which the manual says a TR-4 or T-4XB can supply. A transmitting AGC line throttles the exciter to stop peak clipping, and a relay passes the antenna straight through when the amp is off. Early L-4Bs have silver trim around the panel to match the B-line, and later ones are painted edge to edge to match the C-line. WB4HFN says plenty of amplifiers survive today without their L4-PS supply.
Bench check
Should come with it
Check the listing photos against this list, and ask the seller about anything you can’t see. A missing piece should come off the price.
WB4HFN says the L4-PS supply ages worst, with dried-out filter capacitors, open load resistors and high-voltage arcing, and some are judged beyond repair. K9SQG reports the high-voltage wire breaking at its Millen plug when the cable is flexed, and W9CMD says the On and SSB/Tune-CW rocker switches stick after 30 to 40 years.
New to used rigs? How to check a used ham radio covers power out, receive, the finals and the display, and buying vintage tube gear covers old capacitors, tubes and first power-up.
Buying guide
We'd buy radios-n-stuff's L-4B with its L4-PS supply, titled tested on 80 to 10 m, at $1,518 delivered from a 99.9% seller, just inside the $1,500 to $4,150 band. There are at least 5 for sale and the band is wide. salvsim_4's from Italy is $1,448 delivered with $490 of that in shipping, and the rest ask $3,250 to $4,500, two of them from sellers under 98%. Ask for a wattmeter reading into a dummy load on a few bands, a close photo of the high-voltage cable at its Millen plug, and whether the supply is jumpered for 230 V or 115 V, since 115 V needs a dedicated 30 A circuit. You don't need a license to own one, but using it means transmitting on an amateur license, and US rules cap output at 1,500 W PEP.
$1,518.05est. delivered
The lowest delivered L-4B titled tested, at $1,518 with the L4-PS supply it can't run without. It's only $70 more than the Italian listing with no test claim, and it ships from the US.
Drake L4B HF Amateur Radio Amplifier With L4PS Power Supply 80-10 Meters Tested
$1,518.05est. delivered
Titled tested on 80 to 10 m, with the supply, at the bottom of the band from a 99.9% seller. Ask for the wattmeter reading behind the test and a photo of both 3-500Z tubes and their chimneys.
Drake L4B HF Amateur Radio Amplifier With L4PS Power Supply 80-10 Meters Tested
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 15, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 15, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$1,518.05est. delivered
$1,399.95 + $118.10 shipping
Buy It Now$1,399.95
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled tested, 80 to 10 m, with the L4PS supply.
Seller: radios-n-stuff
99.9% positive
Used$1,448.18est. delivered
$958.39 + $489.79 shipping
Buy It Now$958.39
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
With the L-4PS supply. Ships from Italy, with $490 shipping. No test claim.
Seller: salvsim_4
100% positive
Used$4,500.00est. delivered
$3,500.00 + $1,000.00 shipping
Buy It Now$3,500.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
With the L-4PS. Ships from Australia with $1,000 shipping. Photo shows the tubes lit.
Seller: softmark
100% positive
Used$3,250.00delivered
$3,250.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$3,250.00
Check the seller
Titled fully tested, with the L-4PS. Seller is at 97.1%.
Seller: samedayships
97.1% positive
Open box$4,130.00delivered
$4,130.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$4,130.00
Check the seller
Photo shows original boxes and the manual. No supply named in the title, and the seller is at 97.8%.
Seller: anddel-3237
97.8% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 15, 2026.
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