[Collins] Additional R-388 Data

[BSugarberg]

Hi Dave,

I'm guessing the reason that you see so few 51Js,
has to do with price.  At $1000 or more in the
1950s, I imagine Collins did not sell that many
of them.

As for why you see so many R-388s, that is because
the military ordered over 10,000 of them.  This
many R-388s could be more than all of the 51J ever
made.  (Maybe way more?).

As to your other question, the introduction dates
of the 51Js and the 75As do correspond, it's just
that the 51J-4 and the R-388 were produced longer.

73, Bruce WA8TNC
-------------------------------------------------

 From "R-388 US Military Contract List" by Thomas
Marcotte, N5OFF.  Electric Radio, Issue #94, Feb., 1997:

The author lists 19 known US Military Contracts for the
R-388 receiver:

2 are Navy, with no dates shown.
1 for 1950.
6 for 1951.
4 for 1952.
1 for 1953.
1 for 1954-55.
2 for 1956.
1 for 1957.
1 for 1962.

"US Military ordered (approximate) 10,600".

For comparison purposes, the author mentions that the
US Military ordered approximately 54,000 of the R-390A.

The author mentions that there is one known Navy contract
for the R-388A (51J-4).  No date, or numbers, are shown.

---------------------------------------------------------

 From "Shortwave Receivers Past & Present - 3rd Edition,
by Fred Osterman:

51J/51J-1, 51J-2 Double Conversion 16 tubes 1949-1951.
(51J-2 1950 has a toggle switch to the left of the meter
which selects either S or AF.  The faceplate for the
51J-1 and 51J-2 simply says "51J").  Cost: $875.00.

51J-3 Triple Conversion 18 tubes 1952-1956.  Cost: $1000.00.

51J-4 Triple Conversion 19 tubes 1957-1963.  Cost: $1200-$1450.
(51J-3 with mechanical filters, and one additional IF tube).

R-381 is the military version of the 51J-2.

R-388 is the military version of the 51J-3 1951-1962.

R-388A is the military version of the 51J-4.

==============================================
David Thompson wrote:

> I thought the 51J series followed closely the 75A series (Gen Coverage VS
> Ham bands).  Having a R-388 made in 1962 sure blows up that theory as by
> then the 75A4 was replaced by the 75S series.
> 
> One further musing...Why is it we see plenty of R-388's and almost no
> 51J3's.  Fot that matter I have only seen one 51J2 and only a couple of
> 51J4's.  Its been awhile since I saw even an ad for a 51J3 but I see R-388's
> almost every week.
> 
> Dave K4JRB



-- 
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.6/69 - Release Date: 8/11/2005