[Milsurplus] Russian R-311 vs GRR-5

[Ray Fantini]

Just picked up a Russian R-311 receiver, and like everything else I get
the first thing that happens is it gets taken apart to see what's
inside. After looking it over have a couple questions. First, what is
the function of receivers like this? The 311 is about the same age as
the GRR-5 both cover about the same frequency. Both are higher quality
then simple moral receivers, with provisions for CW reception and
crystal calibrators, but they don't appear to be of a quality one
would expect in a serious communications receiver. What was their
intended use? I have always been told that the five was an "air net
warning "receiver or maybe its intended use was just for time checks
and general orders. Was the R-311 used the same way? Maybe it was
produced to monitor US operations in Viet man? Second, the R-311 uses
only one type of tube. A 2.5 volt pentode with a loctal base, the tube
is in a sealed metal can. Is their a civilian equal of this tube? Can
the can be opened and the tube seen inside? The radio comes with one
spare tube mounted inside the radio but not so curious as to cut the
only spare open. Third, how efficient can a vibrator be? The radio is
powered by a vibrator power supply in a compartment next to the receiver
that is feed from a 2.5 volt wet cell. With the radio in operation it
only draws around eight hundred milliamps, that means the radio and
power supply consumes just about two watts total power, that's way
better then the GRR-5, I took the inverter apart to see if it was a
solid state unit and no, it's a mechanical vibrator, way more
efficient then any I have seen. If you would like to see it for yourself
you can go to my web page at: www.ka3ekh.net and look at "project of
the week" and if anyone knows what Russian letter is between the two
and the twenty seven in the tube number is let me know.
Ray Fantini KA3EKH