[R-390] Re: R390/Solid State

[Terry O'Laughlin]

Converting an R-390 to solid-state makes sense.

Tubes waste energy, they generate more electrical noise and they have a 
high failure rate.  The R-390's biggest advantage over all the new 
solid-state rigs is not vacuum tubes.  It's the tuned circuits.

You might want to leave tubes in the audio stage for all those guys who 
think Monster Cable is worth the money.  You might want to leave tubes in 
the first RF stage for all the survivalists who fear that an EMP attack 
will wipe out their front ends.   But for the most part the tubes are just 
a relic of obsolete technology.

The government made well upwards of 50,000 of these radios.  If you guys 
want to say disgusting, nasty things about one guy experimenting with one 
radio, then this hobby has gone to hell.

Terry O'Laughlin, PE   WB9GVB
A ham who likes tinkering better than stupid jawing.