[Milsurplus] Professionally converted radios

[Tom Norris]

On Nov 24, 2009, at 11:09 AM, Ray Fantini wrote:

> What is the definition of a "professionally converted" radio? I have seen the statements on EBay about the professionally restored or professionally aligned R-390 receivers or the professionally calibrated TV-7 tube testers and have to wonder what the pedigree of that person is? Perhaps it's my own arrogance or my particular form of dementia but I feel that if you're going to be playing in this sand box you need to put forth the effort to do things yourself or with the assistance of others like the people on this on this list server. I am very leery of any "professional amateur" operators. But maybe that's just me. Please enlighten.
> Ray Fantini KA3EKH
> 

'Tis something I've oft wondered myself.  I've worked in radio communications repair/install/operation as well as several years in the metrology field (pmel - test gear repair and calibration in the areas of DC to daylight RF, temperature mesurement, pressure and vacuum, general cal (DMMs, VOMs, etc), 'scopes, calibrators like the the fluke 5700 series and its kin - pretty much anything electronic.  Even did a stint in a radiac shop in a previous lifetime.)  I've also repaired and realigned many R-390 and R-390A's, many SP-600's and various and sundry other ham related gear, built LM repeaters from the ground up after lightning had struck a site, connected state govt lans using only pieces of wet string. (no wait, McGuiver used string, I used CAT-5 and various routers, switches and hubs and many frantic calls to what was then BellSouth... lol)

Despite all this, I am not a "professional" restoration or even repair/alignment person as far as things like R-390A's and other things that are often said to be "professionally aligned."   I consider my own experience as being "professional" but only because I know how to read tech manuals and schematics and over 3/4 of the time know not to pick up the hot end of a soldering iron.   I think *many* of us here on this list are quite technically competent and could do anything the "professionals" can do.

As for the secret of becoming a "professional" insofar as repairing hobby and ham gear, IMHO it's like the saying in real estate about "location, location, location" heehee   Folks like Rick Mish and a few others that have built a reputation for themselves as specialized repair shops and do very good work.  These other various "professionals" are usually guys that specialize in one type of radio or piece of test gear, like Rick and the R-390 family, there is a TV-7 guru, an URM-25 guru, one for every fan base, and they all do very good work because of their specialization.


73

Tom