[Boatanchors] R-390A

[rbethman]

I know that there is *some* hype.  Mostly it is the purported *mystique* 
of their use by "spooks", i.e., ASA, NSA, CIA and others for radio 
intercept.  The very low noise floor and very good sensitivity are the 
primary reason for the selection/design of this family.

I live between two of the old U.S. based installations.  To my West 
approximately 15 miles, now closed after a BRAC series a few years back, 
sits Vint Hill Farms, VA.  East of me is/was Cheltonham, MD.  Both of 
these were what we, (The Military whom used the installations for 
commisary, BX/PX, and Medical facilities.), called these *squirrel* farms.

We used to go through the gates and giggle at the antennas.  There were 
very large RLPs, (Rotating Log Periodic), - these were good for 80mtrs 
and up to about 9 mtrs, huge curtain arrays, rhombics, and just about 
anything you could imagine.  Vint Hill eventually became a victim more 
of Urban Sprawl than anything else.  Too much RFI from motors, 
appliances, and the like.  I hear a bunch of it too.  It hits my R-390A 
and SP-600.

The funny thing is, those two "old dogs" - *STILL* hear what Yeasu's, 
Kenwoods, Heathkits, the more <common> Collins, i.e., 75S3A, KWM-2(x), 
and Icom's just flat do not.

I just had to throw it in Todd!  I've run the whole range of HF 
receivers since 1981 as an Amateur, and since 1968 in the Military.  
I've cussed carrying PRC-25s in jungles and over mountains, tuning 
AN/GR-106s, (Now *they* could be fun!  We were coming back by ship 
"once" during the time when CBs were the craze.  The AN/GR-106 would 
tune and load on 11 mtrs.  We were off-shore dozens of miles - we 
couldn't help ourselves, it was too much fun - to tune in 27.185Mc on 
the receiver, and fire up the 106.  We gave truckers grief with *Smokey* 
reports!

Oh well.  Retired in 1988.  It was some years before I *saw* R-390s and 
R-390As loose in the civilian world.  They had always been in Uncle's 
*spook* world.  I gave around 500 for my first R-390A, and 300 for my 
second.

Cheers Todd!  Happy Hamming!
Bob - N0DGN
> True enough Bob, but I also have to agree that they are indeed
> surrounded by a lot of hype. Not related to performance mind you, more
> the awe and perceived collector value of a piece of military gear made
> in the tens of thousands. They aren't even remotely close to 'rare',
> even those in pristine shape with meters, covers, and so on. The nicer
> ones just aren't as plentiful as the junkyard dogs, a.k.a.
> 'blue/yellow stripers' and such. The 'Rocketship' civilian models are
> the most coveted, despite being the same exact radio aside from the
> tag design. I won't even get into the 'black panel/black agency
> premium' BS.
>
> Much of this surrounds the internet culture. Folks like Gary, myself,
> and many others who have enjoyed this stuff for decades understand
> that ebay prices aren't really the end-all, be-all. The hype has
> certainly followed online trends, same as it did for the AR-88,
> SX-115, SX-88 and others.
>
> But it's tough to beat the R-390 family for performance. Just look at
> how long it's taken them to develop a PLL rig with a noise floor to
> match it. There's a real reason why serious listeners still prefer
> them to newer designs with more 'features'
>
> ~ Todd,  KA1KAQ