Drake T-4XC

Name: Drake T-4XC
Brand: Drake
Availability: InStock

Drake's twins began with the R-4 and T-4X in the mid-1960s, and the T-4XC is the transmitter half of the 1973 C-line. It has no receiver of its own. It's built to sit beside an R-4, R-4A, R-4B or R-4C and share one VFO for transceive. With an R-4C you can also link the carrier oscillators and the PTO lamps, so the pair works like one radio. WB4HFN says the C-line brought more solid-state parts, a dual-dial VFO and a plug-in antenna relay in the T-4XC. It's a 200 W input SSB, CW and controlled-carrier AM transmitter with a matched pair of 6JB6A finals. It needs the AC-4 supply, which hides inside the MS-4 speaker. Collectors want it with a matching R-4C, the cables and a recapped AC-4.

T-4XCT-4XB (the earlier version)

Spec at a glance

Maker: Drake
Type: Transmitter
Launched: 1973
Covers: 80, 40, 20, 15 m and 28.5 to 29.0 MHz with supplied crystals; 4 extra 500 kHz ranges, 1.8 to 30 MHz
Modes: SSB, CW, controlled-carrier AM; RTTY adaptable
Power: 200 W PEP input SSB and AM, 200 W CW; about 120 W out
Finals: Matched pair of 6JB6A, 12BY7A driver
Power supply: External: AC-4 (120/240 V AC) or DC-4 (12 V DC)
Weight: 14.6 lb
Also listed as: T4XC, T 4XC, Drake T4XC
Typical eBay ask (Oct 15, 2026): $110–$290

Bench check

Power, receive, finals and supply

Transmit power: Drake rates input at 200 W PEP on SSB and AM and 200 W on CW, and rigpix puts output near 120 W. Ask for a wattmeter reading into a dummy load on 80, 20 and 10 m after a proper tune-up. WB4HFN chased output that jumped around and then quit as the set warmed up, and found a cracked diode, CR19, in the 12BY7 driver's cathode.
Finals: Two 6JB6A tubes, shipped as a matched pair, driven by a 12BY7A. Drake warns that plate current above 0.15 A for more than 5 or 6 seconds off the dip wears the finals fast, and says to neutralise after replacing them. Ask for a photo inside the PA cage and whether the tubes have been changed.
Power supply: It needs a separate supply: the AC-4 for 120/240 V AC, which fits inside the MS-4 speaker, or the DC-4 for 12 V DC. WA8SAJ says failing bias caps in an old AC-4 can let the 6JB6s run red-hot and burn up. Ask whether the AC-4 has been recapped.
Dial and display: Tuning is a solid-state PTO on an analog dial marked in 1 kHz steps across each 500 kHz range. WB0IQK's notes cover dried lubricant on the PTO screw drive and the dial skirt's rubber bushing hardening. Ask for a video of the dial turning smoothly with the lamp lit.
Filters and options: SSB comes from built-in 8-pole crystal lattice filters. The options that matter are accessory crystals for extra 500 kHz ranges (four rear sockets plus a front fixed-frequency socket) and the low-capacity cables for transceive with an R-4C. Ask which crystals are fitted and whether the cables come with it.

Should come with it

The AC-4 power supply, often mounted in an MS-4 speaker
The low-capacity injection and carrier oscillator cables for an R-4C
A high-impedance mic with a 0.210 inch three-conductor plug
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

WB4HFN traced erratic output that got worse with heat to a cracked CR19 diode in the 12BY7 driver's cathode. In the AC-4 supply, aging bias caps can leave the 6JB6s conducting hard enough to glow red, per WA8SAJ. Drake's manual warns that tuning off the dip for more than a few seconds wears the finals.

01Power out: Ask for a wattmeter reading into a dummy load on 80, 20 and 10 m after tune-up. Steady output near 100 W or more is healthy.
02Warm stability: Ask whether power stays steady once it's been on a while. Output that jumps or fades as it warms points at the driver.
03Final tubes: Ask for a photo of both 6JB6A finals in the cage and whether they were replaced. A replaced pair should have been neutralised.
04Dial: Ask for a video of the dial turning with the lamp lit. It should move smoothly and slip to set calibration.
05Crystals: Ask which accessory crystals are fitted and for which ranges. Crystals for segments outside the ham bands are only for authorized MARS or CAP stations.
06Power supply: Check for the AC-4, often inside an MS-4 speaker, and ask whether it's been recapped. The T-4XC can't run without it.
07Transceive cables: Check the photos for the low-capacity injection cables if you're pairing it with an R-4C. The manual calls for those specific cables.
08Mic and manual: Look for a high-impedance mic on the three-conductor plug and the Drake manual. The manual covers tune-up and neutralising.
09Model number: Check the panel reads T-4XC. The T-4XB is the earlier B-line version.

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

Which one to buy

§ Oct 15, 2026

We'd buy radios-n-stuff's T-4XC at $351 delivered, the only one titled tested, from a 99.9% seller, though no power reading is given. There are at least 6 for sale, and the two hamandhifi sets at $90 delivered are parts donors, since one photo shows no knobs, meter or dial and the other a bare chassis out of its cabinet. Complete sets that are untested or carry no claim ask $173 to $315 delivered. None is titled with the AC-4 supply it can't run without, so budget for one and ask whether it's been recapped, because aging bias caps can let the 6JB6 finals run red-hot. Ask for a wattmeter reading into a dummy load on 80, 20 and 10 m.

Listed now: 6
For parts: 0
Typical ask: $110–$290
Full range: $45–$330

Cheapest
$350.97est. delivered
The only T-4XC here titled tested, so it's also the cheapest one sold as working, at $351 delivered. No AC-4 supply is named, so budget for one, and ask for the wattmeter reading behind the test.
Drake T-4XC Amateur HF Transmitter 80-10 Meters Tested
View on eBay ↗: Drake T-4XC Amateur HF Transmitter 80-10 Meters Tested$350.97 est. delivered
Project piece
$172.53est. delivered
Titled untested at $173 delivered, but unlike the $90 pair the photo shows it whole, with its knobs, meter and dial. Pay project money, since nothing says it transmits.
Drake T-4XC Vintage Ham Radio Transmitter (SN 20757, untested)
View on eBay ↗: Drake T-4XC Vintage Ham Radio Transmitter (SN 20757, untested)$172.53 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

6 of 6 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 T-4XC Amateur HF Transmitter 80-10 Meters Tested
$350.97est. delivered
$329.95 + $21.02 shipping
Buy It Now$329.95
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
Titled tested, 80 to 10 m. No supply named.
Seller: radios-n-stuff
99.9% positive
View on eBay ↗: Drake T-4XC Amateur HF Transmitter 80-10 Meters Tested
For parts
- Project piece
Drake T-4XC Vintage Ham Radio Transmitter (SN 20757, untested)
$172.53est. delivered
$130.00 + $42.53 shipping
Buy It Now$130.00
Project piece
Untested. Complete in the photo.
Seller: hamandhifi
100% positive
View on eBay ↗: Drake T-4XC Vintage Ham Radio Transmitter (SN 20757, untested)
For parts
Drake T-4XC Vintage Ham Radio Transmitter (SN 23126, untested)
$90.00est. delivered
$45.00 + $45.00 shipping
Buy It Now$45.00
Our take
Untested. Photo shows no knobs, an empty meter window and no dial. A parts set.
Seller: hamandhifi
100% positive
View on eBay ↗: Drake T-4XC Vintage Ham Radio Transmitter (SN 23126, untested)
For parts
Drake T-4XC Vintage Ham Radio Transmitter (SN 24151, untested)
$90.00est. delivered
$45.00 + $45.00 shipping
Buy It Now$45.00
Our take
Untested. Photo shows the chassis out of its cabinet with no knobs or dial. A parts set.
Seller: hamandhifi
100% positive
View on eBay ↗: Drake T-4XC Vintage Ham Radio Transmitter (SN 24151, untested)
Used
Vintage Drake T-4XC Ham Radio Transmitter Only ~ Please Read Description
$198.00delivered
$198.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$198.00
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.
Our take
Titled transmitter only, plus read the description. Free shipping.
Seller: theretroretail
100% positive
View on eBay ↗: Vintage Drake T-4XC Ham Radio Transmitter Only ~ Please Read Description
Used
DRAKE T-4XC HF TRANSMITTER (HPB030421)
$314.95est. delivered
$289.95 + $25.00 shipping
Buy It Now$289.95
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.
Our take
No test claim. Complete in the photo.
Seller: wesell4uat10210
99.3% positive
View on eBay ↗: DRAKE T-4XC HF TRANSMITTER (HPB030421)

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

Keep exploring

Brand

Type

Launched

Read

Drake T-4XC

T-4XCT-4XB (the earlier version)

Spec at a glance

Maker

Drake

Type

Transmitter

Launched

1973

Covers

80, 40, 20, 15 m and 28.5 to 29.0 MHz with supplied crystals; 4 extra 500 kHz ranges, 1.8 to 30 MHz

Modes

SSB, CW, controlled-carrier AM; RTTY adaptable

Power

200 W PEP input SSB and AM, 200 W CW; about 120 W out

Finals

Matched pair of 6JB6A, 12BY7A driver

Power supply

External: AC-4 (120/240 V AC) or DC-4 (12 V DC)

Weight

14.6 lb

Also listed as

T4XC, T 4XC, Drake T4XC

Typical eBay ask (Oct 15, 2026)

$110–$290

Power, receive, finals and supply

Transmit power

Drake rates input at 200 W PEP on SSB and AM and 200 W on CW, and rigpix puts output near 120 W. Ask for a wattmeter reading into a dummy load on 80, 20 and 10 m after a proper tune-up. WB4HFN chased output that jumped around and then quit as the set warmed up, and found a cracked diode, CR19, in the 12BY7 driver's cathode.

Finals

Two 6JB6A tubes, shipped as a matched pair, driven by a 12BY7A. Drake warns that plate current above 0.15 A for more than 5 or 6 seconds off the dip wears the finals fast, and says to neutralise after replacing them. Ask for a photo inside the PA cage and whether the tubes have been changed.

Power supply

It needs a separate supply: the AC-4 for 120/240 V AC, which fits inside the MS-4 speaker, or the DC-4 for 12 V DC. WA8SAJ says failing bias caps in an old AC-4 can let the 6JB6s run red-hot and burn up. Ask whether the AC-4 has been recapped.

Dial and display

Tuning is a solid-state PTO on an analog dial marked in 1 kHz steps across each 500 kHz range. WB0IQK's notes cover dried lubricant on the PTO screw drive and the dial skirt's rubber bushing hardening. Ask for a video of the dial turning smoothly with the lamp lit.

Filters and options

SSB comes from built-in 8-pole crystal lattice filters. The options that matter are accessory crystals for extra 500 kHz ranges (four rear sockets plus a front fixed-frequency socket) and the low-capacity cables for transceive with an R-4C. Ask which crystals are fitted and whether the cables come with it.

Should come with it

The AC-4 power supply, often mounted in an MS-4 speaker

The low-capacity injection and carrier oscillator cables for an R-4C

A high-impedance mic with a 0.210 inch three-conductor plug

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

01Power out: Ask for a wattmeter reading into a dummy load on 80, 20 and 10 m after tune-up. Steady output near 100 W or more is healthy.

02Warm stability: Ask whether power stays steady once it's been on a while. Output that jumps or fades as it warms points at the driver.

03Final tubes: Ask for a photo of both 6JB6A finals in the cage and whether they were replaced. A replaced pair should have been neutralised.

04Dial: Ask for a video of the dial turning with the lamp lit. It should move smoothly and slip to set calibration.

05Crystals: Ask which accessory crystals are fitted and for which ranges. Crystals for segments outside the ham bands are only for authorized MARS or CAP stations.

06Power supply: Check for the AC-4, often inside an MS-4 speaker, and ask whether it's been recapped. The T-4XC can't run without it.

07Transceive cables: Check the photos for the low-capacity injection cables if you're pairing it with an R-4C. The manual calls for those specific cables.

08Mic and manual: Look for a high-impedance mic on the three-conductor plug and the Drake manual. The manual covers tune-up and neutralising.

09Model number: Check the panel reads T-4XC. The T-4XB is the earlier B-line version.

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.

Drake T-4XC

Spec at a glance

Power, receive, finals and supply

What to check

Which one to buy

For sale on eBay

Drake T-4XC Amateur HF Transmitter 80-10 Meters Tested

Drake T-4XC Vintage Ham Radio Transmitter (SN 20757, untested)

Drake T-4XC Vintage Ham Radio Transmitter (SN 23126, untested)

Drake T-4XC Vintage Ham Radio Transmitter (SN 24151, untested)

Vintage Drake T-4XC Ham Radio Transmitter Only ~ Please Read Description

DRAKE T-4XC HF TRANSMITTER (HPB030421)

Compare with

Drake R-4C

Drake R-4B

Drake L-4B

Drake TR-4CW

Keep exploring

Drake T-4XC

Spec at a glance

Power, receive, finals and supply

What to check

Which one to buy

For sale on eBay

Drake T-4XC Amateur HF Transmitter 80-10 Meters Tested

Drake T-4XC Vintage Ham Radio Transmitter (SN 20757, untested)

Drake T-4XC Vintage Ham Radio Transmitter (SN 23126, untested)

Drake T-4XC Vintage Ham Radio Transmitter (SN 24151, untested)

Vintage Drake T-4XC Ham Radio Transmitter Only ~ Please Read Description

DRAKE T-4XC HF TRANSMITTER (HPB030421)

Compare with

Drake R-4C

Drake R-4B

Drake L-4B

Drake TR-4CW

Keep exploring