[R-390] Non-A/R-391 Y2.002K Manual Started - Volunteers Wanted

[Paul H. Anderson]

Howdy Folks,

I've been talking with Barry Hauser about R-390 and R-391 related things.  
He and I are hoping that I will finish an article about the R-391
autotune.  While working on that, I got sidetracked by the idea of a Y2K
R-390 and R-391 manual (in the spirit of the R390-A Y2K manual).

Using the LOGSA PDF for TM 11-5820-357-35, I grabbed the text and most of
the figures, and put them into a freely available typesetting system for
Unix and WIN32 called Lout, which is similar to, but more recent than
Tex/LaTex.

I have already spent a lot of time cleaning up formatting, typos, tables,
and figures, and now have Lout source code for a nicely typeset version of
TM 11-5820-357-35 with most figures.  The resulting PDF file is quite
good, but not yet finished.  The most significant ommissions are the full
schematics, and the voltage reference diagrams.  Futher proofing is also
needed, but this is a somewhat lower priority at the moment.

I have several goals:

1) to make an editable, freely available version of a new manual that
covers the common R-390 and R-391 electrical components as well as the
R-391 autotune electrical and mechanical systems.

2) to correct as many errors as reasonably possible.

3) to add a chapter about restoration issues specific to the R-390 and
R-391 receivers.

I have some questions for the group at large:

1) what things might you like to see included in a new manual that is not
already mentioned above (TM 11-5820-357-35 plus error corrections, plus
R-391 specific portions, plus restoration info)?

2) do you have specific suggestions about known problems with the TM
11-5820-357-35, dated 9 March 1962 with changes C1 and C2?  I would like
to include these if known.  Corrections relative to other manuals are also
of use to me.  I have the 390 Instruction book from Collins, along with a
set of change sheets for that manual.

3) are there specific figures, charts, or tables that need to be redone
for better readability?  Would color or black and white photos
significantly improve certain figures?

4) do you have skills, time, and interest to contribute towards finishing
such a manual?  The single biggest job is the R-390 schematics.  Secondly,
the line art for the voltage reference diagrams.

If you have useful opinions or information, or would like to help out,
please reply to me on or off list, as you prefer.

Thanks for your time,

Paul Anderson

PS - I am looking to buy an original TM 11-863 for the 391 in good
condition.  I know there is a preliminary one on eBay.