[R-390] 389 inquiry

[Tom Nicholson]

Alex,

    Over the years I've owned more 389's then one should be allowed to but
that is another story. I believe the number is 6. I'm sure that everyone's
mileage will vary but if your looking to "collect" that rare one then that
is one issue. If that is your goal then it is going to take some serious
searching and in "most" cases you are going to have to get of some serious
cash. There is always the exception to the rule but if you are like me it
seems every time I'm looking for something it's just turned to gold but
when I'm looking to sell it, well you know that story.

    Now if you are just looking to listen to the grass grow on those lower
freqs., then I've found that what has been as good or better then any 389
I've ever owned (ducking mode) was a 390 with the Palomar LF converter.
Done alot of A/Bing with radios side by side and the proof of the matter
"in my case" is that I sold all my 389's and have 2 390's/Palomar set ups
that I really like. Now that's not to say that someone else here has not
had completely different luck with the same setup. I also found that I
could do a world of good by paying more attention to my antenna and
matching system not trying to make the radio do all the work. I found that
on LF there is no substitute for more wire in the air.

    Hope I've been of "some" help to you. I don't get many chances here as
I'm usually the one looking for help and people around this place are REAL
knowledgeable and are a wealth of information.

Tom Nicholson
W1ALZ   (KA1BAZ)

Alex McDonald wrote:

> A couple of questions for the 389 crowd:
> Where can one obtain a reasonably priced R389 in repairable condition?
> Are their any blue-striper  389 models?
> Also, thanks to all who replied to the ballast tube pondering. It just
> seems that someone who already may be making a ballast tube, could make
> a controlled lot or batch for under say 40-50 bucks a pop.
> Thanks,
> Alex