[R-390] FRR-59/WRR-2

[Roy Morgan]

At 11:37 PM 6/30/02 -0500, you wrote:
>Does anyone on this list have an FRR-59/WRR-2?
>
>I have an opportunity to buy one and would like opinions about the radio.

Derek,

I don't have one but others in the past have mentioned the beast.  I have 
seen one a couple of times, but never had a chance to buy one.  Here are 
some points I remember that others have mentioned.

- the biggest heaviest receiver almost anyone can have.
- has one bazillioon tubes, with at least one fan to keep them all cool
- very noisy to be near (see above)
- mechanically and electrically very complicated.
- rather astounding frequency stability, accuracy and re-settabilty.
- NOT for band cruising
- made by National
- has independent sideband operation. This is a truly odd experience to 
listen to as you tune around and as propagation causes unequal fades 
and  other anomalies on AM signals.  The capability has little use for SWL 
or amateur people.
- moderately uncommon, thus normally quite expensive


From: <http://www.io.com/~nielw/nat50/nat50_11.htm>:
"National's drift-cancelled AN/WRR-2 is the U.S. Navy standard shipboard 
SSB receiver. The most stable military  communications receiver in use, 
WRR-2 stability is equal to one-tenth of one cycle at 10Mc! Designed 
primarily for  SSB use, the WRR-2 can simultaneously receive two different 
types of intelligence on independent upper and lower  sideband channels. "

See one installed on the USS Sullivans at:
<http://www.geocities.com/dd537/radio.html>

And one apparently recently acquired by BB-62
at: <http://www.qsl.net/wa2tvs/xmtroom/radio2.htm>
The 4-strand block and tackle and the chain winch hoist shown moving the 
thing are not overkill.

Happy listening.

Roy

- Roy Morgan, K1LKY since 1959 - Keep 'em Glowing!
7130 Panorama Drive, Derwood MD 20855
Home: 301-330-8828 Work: Voice: 301-975-3254,  Fax: 301-948-6213
roy.morgan@nist.gov --