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

Mon, 1 Jul 2002 14:11:29 -0400

Got one and have manuals
    Les (K1YCM)

-----Original Message-----
From: Roy Morgan [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, July 01, 2002 2:01 PM
To: Derek Cohn/WB0TUA
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [R-390] FRR-59/WRR-2

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=20
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=20
listen to as you tune around and as propagation causes unequal fades=20
and  other anomalies on AM signals.  The capability has little use for =
SWL=20
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,=20
WRR-2 stability is equal to one-tenth of one cycle at 10Mc! Designed=20
primarily for  SSB use, the WRR-2 can simultaneously receive two =
different=20
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
[email protected] --

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