[R-390] Fair Radio R-390A Question?

[Biddle, Richard]

I learned everything I needed to know about fixing radios like the R-390 in
high school.  A combination of industrial electronics (the first year was
all vacuum tube theory and applications) and a little auto shop (it sure
looks like a standard transmission out of an old sports car).   So folks
that love these radios are combination Tube&Gear Heads I suppose.

I started with a used/repairable R-390A/URR from Fair Radio.  There were a
couple of problems that needed attention, the biggest due to the old Collins
IF deck with bad caps.  I fixed those (and subsequently put in an EAC IF
deck that is one year off from the Ditmore Freemuth contract on the rest of
the radio) and it has worked well since.  I use a Variac to power-up and
power-down and have forced air ventilation in the oak cabinet I designed.

By the way, I just found the answer to mean-time-between-lubrication when
using gun grease and gun oil on an R-390A.  After about five years a little
touch-up is needed.  It hasn't hardened, but the heat seems to have
volatized some of the lubricant.   A little grease and a little oil and I
can again turn the kilocycle knob with my pinkie.

73 de Richard KB5WLH

Oh no!  I just read my post and determined that I must be old:)