[Boatanchors] 51J's vs R-338's?

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Eugene,

The R-388/URR and 51J-3 are the "same".  Various changes were made to the 
R-388 during its production span, and afterwards.  I presume but have no 
supporting evidence that the same changes were made to 51J-3's.

The 51J-4 has, as someone else has already pointed out, mechanical filters 
instead of (?) a crystal filter in the front of the IF strip.  There was/is 
supposed to be an R-388A/URR equivalent to the 51J-4 but I've never seen one.  
Seems like someone either here or over on the Milsurplus or original Boatanchors 
lists reported having one or having seen one.  But I may have dreamed that.

But the short answer to your question is that yes, 51J-4's generally go for 
more everywhere than 51J-3's, all other (condition, etc.) things being equal.  
And a substantial percentage of the public still think that civilian items 
appreciate in value but military ones shouldn't.  So odds are fairly good that 
even a 51J-3 will bring more anywhere than an R-388 made the same month.  Even 
though the only difference between the two is their nameplates.

In a message dated 11/6/2005 8:07:32 AM Central Standard Time, 
ehertz at tcaf.org writes: 
> Hi there. Is it my imagination or do 51J-4's go for more money (on upay) 
> than R-388's? I understand them to be the same receiver, but seems on ebay if 
> they say 51J they go for more money...?

Robert Downs - Houston
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