[Milsurplus] The Gas receiver, et al R-808

[Barry Hauser]

Hi Boomer

I have 3 of 'em -- don't ask me why.  One works OK, one fairly good and one
is silent.  All appear to have been lightly used if at all.  And one has a
MARS sticker on it as I recall -- might be confusing it with something else.

I read somewhere in an old thread that there was a build quality issue with
many of them -- someone had mention finding a lot of bad solder joints.  The
microphonic you describe could have been due to that or a questionable tube.
(or poor module connector contact)

Again, it's not clear why they would re-invent the wheel -- and not as
well -- for the Marines, who are supposed to go in first, so should have the
best.  (along with the Rangers, Seals and anybody else in harm's way -- or
not in harm's way, but expected to do a job.)

OK, the R-808 has multi-PS capability.  It will run off of 28 vdc and 115AC,
etc. Plus it has the built in RTTY support.

There is a follow-on receiver, which I'm pretty sure was intended as the
functional, official replacement (maybe there was something in between?)
That was the R-1490 AN/GRR-17.  Solid state with decadic tuning.
Interesting and sophisticated design, but with some important flaws.  One --
uses a toothed belt -- looks like +++++++++++++++  made of rubbery clear
green or blue stuff with a fiberglass or steel wire core.  This stuff has
the ability to twist and turn a bit -- so compensates for lack of true
gear/pulley alignment.  It is rather flimsy and can't be set to track
completely straight due to the layout of the mechanics in the set.  I've
seen the same stuff used in test equipment -- but with much less strain on
it.  New belt material is still available from the manufacturer.  You can
cut and crimp your own (with a ferrul), or order the belts made up.

Another weak point -- a thin, clear plastic (painted) blow-molded transit
case.  Many of these cracked to pieces in storage or will crack easily if
bumped.

Odd/suspicious thing -- the one I have and all I've seen or heard tell of --
look unused.  Most  don't work -- need something or other -- at least the
belt.  But there are module to mainframe contact problems as well.  Weird,
but it's as if they were tried briefly -- not long enough to get dirty --
and cast aside.

The R-1490 was the last mil radio made by National.  Some of us theorize it
was the last straw -- or at least had something to do with the eventual
demise of the company shortly after its production run.

So, again, a radio that's not quite tough enough -- case, achilles heel
belt, module connectors -- so not particularly good when hitting the beach
hard.

Here's another oddity -- If you do a 'net search on R-1490, you'll first
come up with a Sharp microwave oven.  They also have or had an R-390 oven.
Does somebody on one of the lists work there -- ripping off model numbers?

More gas, uh, grist for the mill.

Barry


----- Original Message -----
From: "Todd" <WD6AHV@earthlink.net>
To: <milsurplus@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 1:30 AM
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] The Gas receiver, et al R-808


> I used to have a couple of them when I was active in MARS about
> 20 something years ago. I copied  TTY with a MOD 15 back then...
> Still have one sitting out in the garage, but recall that when powered
> up, you can tap the sides and hear it thru the headphones/speakers....
> Think I read a fix for it here sometime ago, but can't seem to find
> where I saved that info....Someday I'll get it back up and running...
>
> Later,
> Todd, KH2TJ/6
>
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <W7QHO@aol.com>
> >
> > " The R808 isn't too bad receiver though.   I use mine regularly.
> > >
> > > I never anticipate doing TTY with mine. I have been thinking of tieing
> the
> > TTY IF into regular operation to gain a bit more selectivity, and maybe
> > a product detector.
> > Hue Miller
>
>
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