[R-390] Front Tags Revisited

[Norman Ryan]

Hi, all,

If a receiver went to the depot for refurbishing, restoration, repair,
or what have you, it was taken apart module by module.  The front tag
also was removed if the front panel was to come off for repainting.

At the end of the process, the panels and modules went back together,
then a tag was fished out of the bin and re-attached.  The only thing
the assembler watched out for was to put an "A" tag on the "A" receiver
and a non-A tag on the non-A receiver.  That's why so many receivers
have tags that don't match up with the differing makes of modules
inside.  

Modules also got mixed in the field as well as at the depot.  The depot
merely was interested in getting the receivers up to spec and back in
circulation.  Once back in the field, the front tags were useful for
helping keep maintenance records straight.  If you encounter a receiver
with modules of the same make, contract, and similar range of serial
numbers, chances are it's a "low mileage" unit that saw little service
and lots of shelf time.

Bottom line:  Do not rely on the front tag to tell what's actually
inside, especially when shopping for a rig.  Check out the modules and
form your hunch from there.

73...
Norman