[Boatanchors] R-390A

[rbethman]

If I had one for 25 years, could *only* get AM on it, and used it only 
for chewing the fat, *I'D* consider getting another radio.

Then again, *I* do change bands.  I've aligned mine after removing the 
old paper caps - called the BBODs.  The '67 EAC that WAS here 
consistently, and got 0.5uV sensitivity across the board.  I swapped it 
for an SP-600 - *ONLY* after getting a '51 Collins R-390A to make sure I 
still had one.
(Pssst - I found out about the 0.5uV sensitivity because I was using a 
General Radio GR-1001A signal Generator.  When properly terminated, and 
set at 1.0uV - it is *really* 0.5uV at the antenna.)

But I also *communicate*, not simply contest.  CW, SSB or AM makes no 
difference.  The filters allow change in bandwidth.  Is it a Band 
Cruiser?  NO.  It *never* was meant to be.  Guess I'm just NOT an 
appliance operator.

First rig was an SB-102, SP-600, & PS-23.

As soon as my local club in Georgia held an auction - so it could put a 
TS-520 in the city Emerg. Opns. Ctr. - I bid on and won the HT-32 
SX-101A. So split opns and the hassles of two pieces to operate and 
syncing them became second nature.  I've worked pileups from Korea, and 
all over the world that way.

Different strokes!

Bob - N0DGN
> I have had a '67 EAC for 25 years and stand by my original statement.  
> The R-390A is an AM radio and good for sitting on 75M chewing the fat.
> If you have any desire to Contest, DX or slug it out on 20M, find 
> another radio...
>
> However, it is good to know that when the next sand storm hits the 
> East Coast, I will still be on the air.
>
>
>> 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.
>
>