[Collins] R-388/URR

[Al Parker]

Hi Howie,
    I dn't think I've seen answers to your note, maybe I'm the first? 
Anyhow, congrats on your new enjoyment.
    I bought my first "real pc of Collins" about 12 yrs ago, an R-388. 
Since then I've become a real fan of them, and have owned several, most of 
which have passed on to new enjoyers.  I have amassed a bunch of notes, 
tips, helps, etc. in those yrs, and would be glad to share any of it.  Some 
good info is available out there on the web if you do a search, much of what 
I have is out there.  I got some good notes from Harry Crespy  on the "bias 
fix" and product detectors, all of which has come in very handy.  Our 
increased AC line voltage does get the biasing votltage to go more negative 
than is "nice", and there are a few things that can help.  There's one 
particular mica coupling cap in the AVC that can cause problems, it gets 
leaky, C-204 I think.  Micas do go bad, and that's one spot that it really 
shows up.  No real gotchas that I can think of at the moment.  The PTO is 
likely 8 to 12 kc off end to end, and that's the most involved job, and then 
you have what Collins is famous for, good readout accuracy.
    I have some notes on R-388's that I've gone thru on my website, pse take 
a look, mayabe there'll be some help there.  Let me know if I can help in 
any way.
73,
Al, W8UT
New Bern, NC
www.boatanchors.org
www.hammarlund.info

"there is nothing -absolutely nothing- half as much worth doing as simply 
messing about in boats."
   Ratty, to Mole


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "howard holden" <holden7471 at msn.com>
To: <collins at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 6:03 AM
Subject: [Collins] R-388/URR


> Gentlemen,
>
> New to the list. I just became the proud (I think!) owner of an R-388/URR, 
> SN 9014. From what I can tell, it has not been modified in any way, and 
> except for a missing front nameplate and a broken I-104 - lightning 
> arrestor? - it is fully intact. First real piece of Collins.
>
> Besides the usual caveat to replace the filter caps, repair any obvious 
> problems or defective components, and power up slowly, what should I do 
> before bringing this baby to life? Known problems? Fixes which don't 
> detract from the originality of the unit? How do I establish the actual 
> date of production or contract?
>
> Any help and tips very much appreciated!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Howie Holden WB2AWQ
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