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

[Dave Merrill]

Barry,

Care to give some details on where replacement belts can be had?

73,

/dave
N9ZC

>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