R. L. Drake Company

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The R. L. Drake Company is a manufacturer of electronic communications equipment located in Franklin, Ohio. It is also known for its discontinued line of amateur radio equipment.

1 History
2 See also
3 References
4 External links

[edit] History

The company was founded in 1943 by Robert L. Drake, a young engineer with a significant background in radio design. The company began as a manufacturer of low pass and high pass filters for the government and amateur radio market. After World War II, the company applied its engineering experience to the consumer market and started producing amateur radio transmitters and receivers.^[1]

Some enthusiasts referred to the company's amateur products as the Cadillacs of the ham radio field. The amateur radio station aboard the RMS Queen Mary was once a complete line of Drake equipment. Drake Co. amateur radio equipment has been use in hot air balloon flights trying to fly non-stop across the country or around the world. An around the world attempt on a sailing yacht used Drake gear, the details were outlined in an issue of the Smithsonian Magazine. Also, the non-stop flight of the Rutan Voyager was aided with Drake gear.^[2]

Drake 2B radio receiver circa 1960s

Many of the Drake receivers, transmitters, and transceivers manufactured in the 50s, 60s, and 70s are still in active use today. Several of the products, built in limited quantities, are considered very rare. Collectors and Drake aficionados will often pay twice the original market price to add such an item to their collections.

When founder Robert L. Drake died in 1975, the operation and management of the company was turned over to his son, Peter W. Drake.^[3]

Today, Drake produces products and solutions for cable television systems, ADA assistive listening, classroom sound field reinforcement, video signal distribution, and digital television reception under the Drake and Dracom brand.^[4]