[Boatanchors] R-390A

[rbethman]

Gary,

There is NO question that you got a *GREAT* deal on a *GREAT* radio.

Commentary regarding "the most over-hyped radio on the planet...."  is 
VERY debatable.

I've yet to see ANY Amateur Radio receiver stand up to it AND it's 
relatives, when it is up to snuff!

Even the Harris HF gear that was used in the 'Gulf War', (Bush "41"), 
could NOT take the dessert sands.  The static voltages from blowing 
sands kept blowing the front ends on the Harris'.  The R-390A has a 
'neon' bulb built into  the connector block/relay on the inside rear 
panel.  It will arc over when such things occur, and take it to ground.  
A BIG bunch of these that have/had been in storage, were resurrected and 
shipped there in 1991.

Those that have NOT been to 'THAT' part of the world do *not* understand 
the Middle East Dessert Sand.  It has the consistency of talcum powder.

Bob - N0DGN
> Picked up a R-390A today and it works. Done all the preliminaries and it
>> sounds great. All the tubes were tested and all tested great. I was
>> surprised that they all are probably original. JAN/GE tubes, everyone of
>> them. Has original knobs and original manuals, bottom and top covers. 
>> Both
>> meters work. It was manufactured by "ELECTRONIC ASSISTANCE CORP." I 
>> was told
>> this is HAMMARLUND. Front panel is an 8 on the 10 scale. Serial 
>> number is
>> "91". Order number is FR-36-039-N-00189 (C). Can anyone give me more 
>> info on
>> this gem?
>> Regards,
>> Gary...WZ1M
>>
>> PS: I paid $100.00 for it.