[Hammarlund] Fair deal from Fair Radio?

[Cecil Acuff]

I have a Fair Radio R-390A...it was a "used repairable".  I think most of
the radio's they have now are from the St. Julians Creek Massacre.  Some
folks will tell you not to fool with one of those radio's but I don't agree.
They will require more work to get back to where you want it to be but they
should be brought back...and as many of them as possible. (I wish I had a
dozen)

Fair Radio are fair folks to deal with.  My radio arrived with a damaged can
on the PTO and I gave them a call and a few days later a replacement showed
up in the mail...no additional charge.

My experience is that they consider "Used Repairable" to be physically
complete but unchecked...or more likely checked and known to have some type
of repairable problem.  I powered mine up after a few basic checks on my
variac and it received WWV on the band it was set on.....I didn't tune
around a lot because the gear train was full of sand.  Mine is fully apart
and cleaned.  The gear train completely cleaned and re-lubed awaiting
recapping and reassembly.  Most everything is either treated aluminum or
stainless steel.  Some parts rust but that seems to vary by manufacturer.
It cleans up real nice even after having been in the elements for a year or
more.

It's a great project...

"Checked" as I understand it means they swapped enough parts around to get a
radio that seems to function in most regards.  I would not expect it to be
up to specs.

If you are looking for a radio that you can purchase and put in service I
wouldn't expect one from Fair Radio to be that radio.  I have always thought
of the R-390A's from Fair to be projects....Your choice between "Used
Repairable" or "Checked" just defined how much of a project you were to
expect.

They will work with you though to be sure you get everything you need to get
it back going...

They are also the primary parts source for the radio's once you are in the
"Maintain It" mode...

Cecil...

I'm finishing up a Hallicrafters SX-28A at the moment and it's quite
amazing....it is going to give my SP-600 a run for it's money when
though...great band cruiser and tremendous audio...not to mention Great
Looks!


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Craig Roberts" <crgrbrts@verizon.net>
To: <hammarlund@mailman.qth.net>; <collins@listserve.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2004 12:39 PM
Subject: [Hammarlund] Fair deal from Fair Radio?


> Here's one last question (maybe).
>
> I got a "heads up" on a rebuildable SP-600 and will pursue that, but an
> R-390A , obviously, would be very nice to have, too. Has anyone bought one
> from Fair Radio?  I've purchased many odds n' ends from them over the
years,
> but never a complete radio.  In your experience, what do their
descriptions
> "Used Repairable" and "Checked" really mean? Having been stung by a couple
> of eBay sellers, I'm gun shy now.  Does "repairable" mean "as long as you
> have two complete parts rigs available"?  Does "checked" mean, "we checked
> it -- yup, it's toast!"?
>
> I'm not characterizing Fair Radio in an uncomplimentary way at all. Their
> guys have always been very friendly and helpful to me. I'm just wondering
if
> I'd get "Fair" deal on an R-390A.
>
> Many thanks,. as always,
>
> Craig
> W3CRR
>
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