[R-390] R-390 and Jagrolets

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

DAVEINBHAM@aol.com wrote:

> I have owned a bunch of Jags over the last 30 odd years. I currently have 2
> XJ-6's.
> Both Chevrolet powered.

You don't have Jaguars now Dave, you have kit cars, like those imitation Mercedes
300s on a VW chassis. (o:

Seems the same way of thinking applies to these as well as the 'ss R-390' issue. I
don't think anyone has said you *can't* do it, more why would you want to? Why not
just buy a nice old Boss Mustang or Chevelle SS? I can no more think of a V-8
looking nice compared to the polished aluminum overhead cam covers on the Jag
engines than I'd fine circuit boards attractive in an R-390.

My guess is that the vast majority of list users share similar interests and
therefore, a similar desire to preserve what we have and not destroy it for our
own pleasure. I don't know anyone on this list who'd tell someone what they could
or couldn't do with their personal belongings, but most of us would weigh in with
reasons not to alter a fine piece of work. Hey - you could buy the Mona Lisa if it
was for sale and paint a mustache on her, because it would be "yours" per say.
Would that make it right? Depends on your definition of right.

Mike is probably clear now on the fact that the R-390 list is a
user/restorer/afficionado list and not a solid-state tips and projects list. I
don't doubt that at some point we'll be glad for his expertise and the expertise
of other 'sandmen' in helping us overcome things like ballast tubes, rectifiers,
and whatever other component ends up being the next 'difficult to replace' item
needed to keep the radios running. This group currently spans views from: "gotta
be all tubes, even the ballast, crystal ovens on, stock shiney tube shields" to
"willing to accept Les' and Chuck's witchcraft ballast ideas and maybe IERC
sheilds" to "solid state rectifiers, ballasts, and other 'better' tube
substitutions and we don't need no stinking tube shields!". I myself draw the line
at drilling holes or anything else irreversible, but I'm not against plug in
substitutions. I even keep the original shiney shields in a bag labeled for any
radio I substitute IERC shields in, just in case.

I would just hope that as Bryce mentioned, we all give some thought to the
modifications we make and think about someone else having our radios in the
future. Not unlike caring for the land for future generations: no need to go to
either the extreme of living in caves to stop building, or to the other of dumping
toxic sludge in your neighbor's pool(unless they really asked for it). Enjoy your
radios, use them as you see fit, and be mindful of the future and the wonderful
opportunity that you have in owning(really using temporarily) such a fine piece of
history. There's a very good possibility that someone not yet born or even thought
of would love and appreciate the same opportunity.

I really need some offspring....

73 de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ