[R-390] The adventure begins (and a capacitor question).

[Bill Smith]

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Saeger" <john@whimsey.com>
To: <R-390@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 10:06 AM
Subject: Re: [R-390] The adventure begins (and a capacitor question).


> Well the meter doesn't do anything when I flip the switch, and the line
gain
> doesn't seem to do anything.  Of course I don't have anything hooked up to
> the line output, but I sort of expected the meter to do something.

The line output meter is controlled by the line gain control, and should
work whether or not anything is connected to the line output.  I guess if
the output is shorted, or connected to a speaker-impedance it would not
operate.  Normal output impedance is 600 ohms; your RS transformer will
present a good match.


> Nooooo, I don't have beer signs in my living room.  ;-)

Noooo, gave up the drink myself yars ago.  Still think of a cool one on a
hot day, though.  :-)

> Most of the time it's just great.  But sometimes it fades out with a
> crackly, buzzy sound.  I'm not completely convinced it's a capacitor or a
> tube yet.  It could be a bad pot or switch.  At first I thought it might
be
> the RF gain pot but now I'm suspecting a flakey contact in the band
switch.
> If it starts crackling I seem to be able to make it go away by changing
> bands and coming back.  But I'm not sure.

Could be open mica capacitors.   The red-rectangular versions in my R-390
(NA) are monsters.  They leak and open just like the paper tubulars you
correctly replaced in your father's radio.   Hope you also checked the
resistors, by the way.

<Many great suggestions/comments snipped>

73 de Bill, AB6MT
billsmith@ispwest.com