Drake · Receiver · 1973–1979

Drake R-4C

Name: Drake R-4C
Brand: Drake
Availability: InStock

The R-4C arrived in 1973 with the C-line, Drake's replacement for the B-line twins, and its manual is dated February that year. Drake used more solid-state parts, and it switched to crystal filters that plug into sockets on the back. It's still mostly a tube receiver, as Wikipedia puts it, with a PTO-tuned dial, passband tuning and 500 kHz ranges you can extend with crystals anywhere from 1.5 to 30 MHz. Paired with the T-4XC transmitter, it can share VFO and carrier-oscillator injection for transceive. WB4HFN says the R-4C and T-4XC are still sought after and held as prize possessions. Collectors look for the narrow CW and AM filters in the rear sockets, the MS-4 speaker and, ideally, a matching T-4XC.

R-4CR-4B (the earlier version, often listed alongside)

Representative photo, made by AI from real seller photos. Every listing differs. How we make these →

Spec at a glance

Maker: Drake
Type: Receiver
Launched: 1973
Made: 1973–1979
Covers: 80 to 10 m in 500 kHz ranges with supplied crystals; 15 extra crystal ranges from 1.5 to 30 MHz
Modes: AM, SSB, CW (CW1 and CW2 need accessory filters)
Receiver: Double conversion, 5.645 MHz and 50 kHz IFs; 0.25 µV on the ham bands
Tubes: 6BA6, 6HS6 and 6BZ6 tubes alongside transistors
Power supply: Built in, 120 or 240 V AC (rear switch), 60 W max
Weight: 17 lb
Also listed as: R4C, R 4C, Drake R4C
Typical eBay ask (Oct 15, 2026): $320–$900

Bench check

Receive, tubes and supply

Receiver: Rigpix lists 0.25 µV for 10 dB S/N on the ham bands and 0.5 µV elsewhere, with a 2.4 kHz 8-pole SSB filter and passband tuning. Ask whether it hears signals on every band and on any extra crystal ranges. WB0IQK traced one R-4C at half sensitivity, normal only when the T-4XC's VFO was in control, to a failed diode, CR5.
Tubes and circuit: It's a hybrid, with 6BA6 RF and IF stages, 6HS6 mixers and a 6BZ6 alongside transistor and IC stages. Drake's manual says the tubes can be swapped without realignment, and to find bad ones by substitution rather than trusting a tube checker. Ask for a photo of the chassis top with every tube in place.
Power supply: The supply is built in and runs from 120 or 240 V AC, set by a slide switch on the rear panel. Drake warns that running it on 240 V with the switch at 120 V does serious damage, so ask how it's set. No separate supply box is needed.
Dial and display: Tuning is Drake's PTO on an analog dial, with a 25 kHz calibrator. WB0IQK notes the rubber bushing under the dial skirt hardens with age, so the skirt won't slip for calibration. Ask for a photo of the dial lit and whether the skirt can still be set to the calibrator.
Filters and options: The 2.4 kHz SSB filter is internal, and the options plug into sockets on the rear panel: 1.5 kHz, 500 Hz and 250 Hz CW filters and 6 kHz or 4 kHz AM filters (rigpix lists them as FL-1500, FL-500, FL-250, FL-6000 and FL-4000). The CW1 and CW2 modes won't work until a filter is fitted, so a rear-panel photo shows what you're getting. The 4-NB noise blanker was another option.

Should come with it

Accessory CW and AM filters in the rear-panel sockets
The MS-4 speaker, since it has no internal speaker
The T-4XC transmitter and low-capacity cables, for transceive
The Drake manual

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.

What to check

WB0IQK's fixes include an R-4C running at half sensitivity from a failed CR5 diode, which only receives normally when the T-4XC's VFO is in control. The rubber bushing under the dial skirt hardens with age, so the dial won't slip for calibration. Otherwise, Drake's manual says to suspect tubes first.

01Every band: Ask the seller to tune in signals on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 m. Every band should bring in stations or band noise.
02Calibrator: Ask whether the 25 kHz calibrator comes through strongly on each band. A clean signal on every range means the crystals are working.
03Tubes: Ask for a photo of the chassis top with every tube in place. All sockets filled with the right types is what you want.
04Dial skirt: Ask whether the dial skirt still slips to set calibration. A hardened bushing can be fixed, but it's worth knowing.
05Rear filters: Ask for a photo of the rear panel filter sockets. Filters in the CW1, CW2 and AM sockets add to a listing.
06Mains setting: Ask whether the rear switch is at 120 or 240 V. It must match your outlet before you plug it in.
07Speaker and cables: Check the photos for the MS-4 speaker and any T-4XC cables. It has no internal speaker.
08Manual: Look for the Drake manual in the listing. Its crystal chart and alignment steps are how you'll extend and maintain it.
09Model number: Check the panel reads R-4C, not R-4B. The B-line looks similar but uses an older filter scheme.

New to used rigs? How to check a used ham radio covers receive, the tubes and the dial, and buying vintage tube gear covers old capacitors, tubes and first power-up.

Buying guide

Which one to buy

§ Oct 15, 2026

We'd look first at a2r4ever's R-4C at $416 delivered, the only one here not sold for restoration or repair, though its title makes no test claim. With only 4 for sale, the $320 to $900 band isn't a market read. hamandhifi has two project sets at $225 and $315 delivered, and softmark's at $1,340 from Australia is about 3.2 times the $416 median. Ask for signals on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 m, a photo of the rear filter sockets, since CW1 and CW2 don't work without accessory filters, and how the rear 120/240 V switch is set. It has no speaker inside, so plan on the MS-4 or another external speaker.

Listed now: 4
For parts: 1
Typical ask: $320–$900
Full range: $180–$1,200

Cheapest
$415.76est. delivered
The only R-4C here not sold for restoration or repair, at $416 delivered from a 100% seller. The title makes no test claim, so ask for signals on every band and a photo of the rear filter sockets.
Drake R-4C HF Base Station Ham Receiver SSB AM CW RTTY Analog Black/Gray
View on eBay ↗: Drake R-4C HF Base Station Ham Receiver SSB AM CW RTTY Analog Black/Gray$415.76 est. delivered
Project piece
$225.00est. delivered
Titled for restoration at $225 delivered, about $190 under the $416 median, and the photo shows it complete in its cabinet. Pay project money, since nothing says it receives.
Drake R-4C Vintage Ham Radio Receiver (SN 24530, for restoration)
View on eBay ↗: Drake R-4C Vintage Ham Radio Receiver (SN 24530, for restoration)$225.00 est. delivered

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

For sale on eBay

4 of 4 listed

Checked Oct 15, 2026. 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
- Cheapest
Drake R-4C HF Base Station Ham Receiver SSB AM CW RTTY Analog Black/Gray
$415.76est. delivered
$350.00 + $65.76 shipping
Buy It Now$350.00
Offers accepted
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
No test claim in the title.
Seller: a2r4ever
100% positive
View on eBay ↗: Drake R-4C HF Base Station Ham Receiver SSB AM CW RTTY Analog Black/Gray
For parts
- Project piece
Drake R-4C Vintage Ham Radio Receiver (SN 24530, for restoration)
$225.00est. delivered
$180.00 + $45.00 shipping
Buy It Now$180.00
Project piece
Titled for restoration. Complete in its cabinet in the photo.
Seller: hamandhifi
100% positive
View on eBay ↗: Drake R-4C Vintage Ham Radio Receiver (SN 24530, for restoration)
For parts
Drake R-4C Vintage Ham Radio Receiver (SN 29129, needs work)
$315.00est. delivered
$270.00 + $45.00 shipping
Buy It Now$270.00
Our take
Titled needs work.
Seller: hamandhifi
100% positive
View on eBay ↗: Drake R-4C Vintage Ham Radio Receiver (SN 29129, needs work)
Used
- Priced high
Drake R4C Ham Communications Receiver
$1,340.00est. delivered
$1,200.00 + $140.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,200.00
Offers accepted
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.
Priced high
Ships from Australia at about 3.2 times the median. Check the 120/240 V switch setting.
Seller: softmark
100% positive
View on eBay ↗: Drake R4C Ham Communications Receiver

Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 15, 2026.

See every listing on eBay ↗eBay search

Compare with

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Brand

Type

Launched

Read

Drake R-4C

R-4CR-4B (the earlier version, often listed alongside)

Spec at a glance

Maker

Drake

Type

Receiver

Launched

1973

Made

1973–1979

Covers

80 to 10 m in 500 kHz ranges with supplied crystals; 15 extra crystal ranges from 1.5 to 30 MHz

Modes

AM, SSB, CW (CW1 and CW2 need accessory filters)

Receiver

Double conversion, 5.645 MHz and 50 kHz IFs; 0.25 µV on the ham bands

Tubes

6BA6, 6HS6 and 6BZ6 tubes alongside transistors

Power supply

Built in, 120 or 240 V AC (rear switch), 60 W max

Weight

17 lb

Also listed as

R4C, R 4C, Drake R4C

Typical eBay ask (Oct 15, 2026)

$320–$900

Receive, tubes and supply

Receiver

Rigpix lists 0.25 µV for 10 dB S/N on the ham bands and 0.5 µV elsewhere, with a 2.4 kHz 8-pole SSB filter and passband tuning. Ask whether it hears signals on every band and on any extra crystal ranges. WB0IQK traced one R-4C at half sensitivity, normal only when the T-4XC's VFO was in control, to a failed diode, CR5.

Tubes and circuit

It's a hybrid, with 6BA6 RF and IF stages, 6HS6 mixers and a 6BZ6 alongside transistor and IC stages. Drake's manual says the tubes can be swapped without realignment, and to find bad ones by substitution rather than trusting a tube checker. Ask for a photo of the chassis top with every tube in place.

Power supply

The supply is built in and runs from 120 or 240 V AC, set by a slide switch on the rear panel. Drake warns that running it on 240 V with the switch at 120 V does serious damage, so ask how it's set. No separate supply box is needed.

Dial and display

Tuning is Drake's PTO on an analog dial, with a 25 kHz calibrator. WB0IQK notes the rubber bushing under the dial skirt hardens with age, so the skirt won't slip for calibration. Ask for a photo of the dial lit and whether the skirt can still be set to the calibrator.

Filters and options

The 2.4 kHz SSB filter is internal, and the options plug into sockets on the rear panel: 1.5 kHz, 500 Hz and 250 Hz CW filters and 6 kHz or 4 kHz AM filters (rigpix lists them as FL-1500, FL-500, FL-250, FL-6000 and FL-4000). The CW1 and CW2 modes won't work until a filter is fitted, so a rear-panel photo shows what you're getting. The 4-NB noise blanker was another option.

Should come with it

Accessory CW and AM filters in the rear-panel sockets

The MS-4 speaker, since it has no internal speaker

The T-4XC transmitter and low-capacity cables, for transceive

The Drake manual

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.

What to check

01Every band: Ask the seller to tune in signals on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 m. Every band should bring in stations or band noise.

02Calibrator: Ask whether the 25 kHz calibrator comes through strongly on each band. A clean signal on every range means the crystals are working.

03Tubes: Ask for a photo of the chassis top with every tube in place. All sockets filled with the right types is what you want.

04Dial skirt: Ask whether the dial skirt still slips to set calibration. A hardened bushing can be fixed, but it's worth knowing.

05Rear filters: Ask for a photo of the rear panel filter sockets. Filters in the CW1, CW2 and AM sockets add to a listing.

06Mains setting: Ask whether the rear switch is at 120 or 240 V. It must match your outlet before you plug it in.

07Speaker and cables: Check the photos for the MS-4 speaker and any T-4XC cables. It has no internal speaker.

08Manual: Look for the Drake manual in the listing. Its crystal chart and alignment steps are how you'll extend and maintain it.

09Model number: Check the panel reads R-4C, not R-4B. The B-line looks similar but uses an older filter scheme.

New to used rigs? How to check a used ham radio covers receive, the tubes and the dial, and buying vintage tube gear covers old capacitors, tubes and first power-up.

Drake R-4C

Spec at a glance

Receive, tubes and supply

What to check

Which one to buy

For sale on eBay

Drake R-4C HF Base Station Ham Receiver SSB AM CW RTTY Analog Black/Gray

Drake R-4C Vintage Ham Radio Receiver (SN 24530, for restoration)

Drake R-4C Vintage Ham Radio Receiver (SN 29129, needs work)

Drake R4C Ham Communications Receiver

Compare with

Drake T-4XC

Drake R-4B

Drake TR-4CW

Heathkit SB-301

Keep exploring

Drake R-4C

Spec at a glance

Receive, tubes and supply

What to check

Which one to buy

For sale on eBay

Drake R-4C HF Base Station Ham Receiver SSB AM CW RTTY Analog Black/Gray

Drake R-4C Vintage Ham Radio Receiver (SN 24530, for restoration)

Drake R-4C Vintage Ham Radio Receiver (SN 29129, needs work)

Drake R4C Ham Communications Receiver

Compare with

Drake T-4XC

Drake R-4B

Drake TR-4CW

Heathkit SB-301

Keep exploring