[R-390] Facts of life 2

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

I agree with you about the 51S-1, Ed - great little general coverage receiver.
Sure - it doesn't have as many knobs or switches as an R-390 or many other rigs,
and it might not be able to hear a bee fart in Bolivia, but for what it is, it's
great. Considering the timeframe it was designed in and the size, I'd bet it was
top of the heap back then for an over-the-counter commercial rig. This was
before the R-390 became available to the guy on the street. It's small, simple
to operate, and has more than adequate selectivity and sensitivity. I like the
simplicity of its layout and the limited number of controls. Certainly not a
knob-twiddler's dream, but it takes care of business and you can tote it around
pretty easily, too.

Why the nosebleed prices? The snob-appeal of the name and emblem, of course. And
it matches the S-Line. Look at what some are willing to pay to get a late model
75S-3C! Some of those prices make the 51S-1 look like a steal. When you consider
what is available today for new gear and look at the prices the KWM2-A brings, a
kilobuck and a half probably isn't so far out of line. Still, when you can get a
decent R-390* and other great rigs for $300-$500, it does seem a bit ridiculous.
I'd put it in the same price range as the average R-390*, but demand over supply
really seems to drive them higher. That and the fact that they were designed and
built by the same folks who brought us the R-390.

Of course, it all depends where one shops for such items as well. I've seen a
couple at hamfest for under $500. I've seen them online for 3 times that amount.
Convenience and bragging rights can be pretty pricey. ;)

Ed Zeranski wrote:

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Roy Morgan <roy.morgan@nist.gov>
> To: r-390@mailman.qth.net <r-390@mailman.qth.net>
> Date: Tuesday, January 01, 2002 7:35 PM
> Subject: Re: [R-390] Facts of life 2
>
> >At 08:53 PM 4/6/2001 -0400, you wrote:
> > >>I there fore challenge you to an R-390(*) toss off.
> > >>What say you???????
> > >
> > >Ok, if I can throw the 51S-1.........not much of a receiver anyway.
>
> Yo! I have a 51S1 which is an ok gen'l coverage RX. Have never been able to
> booger out why the high price cult following of the 51S1 though it is OK I
> guess. Any answers? I have a grunch of Hammarlund, Hallidrifter, R390/R390A,
> National, HRO, and mil stuff like RAK/RAL, RBL, TCS and all that work fine.
> Willing to take some flack but.. I'm happy to say that an SB-301 with all
> the filters is also a balls up RX, about as good as the 51S1 RF wise, though
> the hardware is weak.   As the old Chief said, "Stay low, move fast, check
> six"....I be duckin'!