[R-390] Meter question

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

Ron H wrote:

> Can someone please explain the whole meter thing? First off, why do they
> remove them? Maybe more important, can I buy "original meters" or at least
> remanufactured meters with the scale etc. or do I have to use the
> replacement meters which I understand work well but don't meet the
> "restored" criteria...

Seems appropriate, almost like we were destined to go here next after the
ballast tube flogging?  (o:

Hi Ron -

The issue with the original meters in most all the R-390 and 'A' type radios
is one of radium paint used to make the meters glow in the dark. Somewhere
along they decided to remove the possibility that someone could become ill or
die from exposure (Roy is the man for this explanation!), so they decided to
remove them before surplussing the units. Then later they decided to just
crush them all instead (radios) so a 'clever' adversary couldn't use them
against us.

Anyhow, many radios ended up hitting the market meter-less for this reason,
the ones that survived. As a result, original meters are less plentiful.
Simple, right? Well...yes and no. As far as replacement meters, they are
available. As far as original meters, they are as well. But as far as the
'restored critera' you refer to, please bear in mind that many/most of these
radios went through gov't depot maintenance throughout their lives which
resulted in the internal modules being swapped out and modules from other
radios (made by other manufacturers) being replaced in the unit before
shipping it back out. So, depending on the criteria you use for a 'restored'
unit, it likely won't matter.

Some units never went through this type of a tear-down because they were used
in different areas or by specific individuals. Some were even sold to
civilians *new*.  These radios have all the original modules they were shipped
with as a rule, probably having a problem module serviced and reinstalled if
the unit failed. Since these radios were not in the same equipment stream as
the vast majority, chances are good that they still have their original meters
too, though. Probably the original paint, tag, etc. as well.

If your level of restoration is defined by this, best thing to do is have an
expert on these radios find one for you. They aren't plentiful, but they do
exist. If you have one that you want to restore yourself, it depends more on
whether you want to use it or display it, as well as how much you want to
spend. Since the radio won't likely be restorable to 'factory' condition, why
not just get the aftermarket meters? They'll plug the holes and work just
fine, and cost less too. If you really want it to 'look' just like it
originally did, it'll take more money and perhaps patience, but you can find
the meters that were originally installed. I was fortunate to get an R-390
with the meters still in place, but of the two 'A' models I have, one has no
eyes!

Hope this information helps. I'm sure others will add to it as well.

73,  Boomer  KA1KAQ

BTW Ron, your email address looks the same to me as in your instructions! What
am I missing?