My first 2 meter portable was the Drake TR33. That radio was built 
similar to the TR22 series, but it used only one crystal for each 
channel. It had a plus, minus, simplex switch, that mixed the proper 
crystal into the circuit to give you the offset you needed.

That radio had one heck of a receiver. You would need a 100 watt 
transmitter to keep up with it when it was connected to an outdoor 
antenna.

In addition to the 10 watt amplifier, Drake also sold a 10 watt 
combination amplifier and power supply, and a 25 watt amplifier for 
that series of radios.

They also sold the ML2, which was a hybrid rig. That is, it was solid 
state with a tube final. I think the final was a 6360, but I may be 
wrong about that. I mainly remember that the ML2 had some fine 
transmit audio.

My first 2 meter rig, which I bought second hand in 1974, was a 
Regency HR212. I paid $225 for the radio and a matching power supply. 
It came with 5 sets of crystals. By the time I filled up the other 7 
channels, I had over 400 dollars tied up in that rig, not counting the 
cost of antennas. That's why I am amazed that you can now buy a 65 
watt 2 meter rig for less than $150.



Mike Duke, K5XU
American Council of Blind Radio Amateurs