[R-390] Re: UPS is Garbage

[Bill Keller]

You're right, Cecil, I have gotten the bug.  I operated both the R-390A and
the SP-600 back in the late Nineteen fifties when I was in the Air Force and
attached to the NSA.  I fell in love with these radios and have wanted to
own them ever since, but only in the last couple of years got around to
doing anything about it.  I started doing this when I got bored with ham
radio.  I do have Chuck's R-390A video, and I am going to get his video for
the SP-600.  I have also accumulated several loose leaf binders full of
other technical info on the R-390A.  Every time I come across a new piece of
information, I collect it and organize it in the binders.  But I have found
it much more difficult to find the same depth of information on the SP-600.
Nevertheless, I have got one of my SP-600s, a 1952 JX-14, working really
good electrically, black beauty caps and all, but the front panel is pretty
beat up cosmetically.  The other one has serious electrical problems but
looks really nice.  Of the two non-restored R-390As, one works extremely
well but needs a lot of cosmetics, and the other one needs both electrical
and cosmetic restoration.  So I have quite a bit to do whenever I get around
to it.  It will probably take me a lot of time because I tend to be somewhat
of a perfectionist like Rick and Chuck.  FYI, there is another "Master of
the R-390A" gaining recognition.  His name is Dario Hernandez, and he lives
in Abilene, Texas.  I have seen some of his work, and I can't say that I
have ever seen better.  I thought his attention to detail was beyond belief.
Regards,  Bill K.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cecil Acuff" <chacuff@cableone.net>
To: "Bill Keller" <kellerfamily01@charter.net>
Cc: <r-390@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, November 08, 2002 5:19 PM
Subject: Re: [R-390] Re: UPS is Garbage


> Hi Bill,
>
> Sounds like you need Chuck Rippel's R390A and SP-600 videos....
>
> You have got the bug....along with the rest of us.  I also own 2 R-390As
and
> 2 SP-600's one of which is an early John Leary.  Along with various other
> Hallicrafters, Hammarlunds and soon a National NC-183D and matching
speaker.
> That should look nice next to the SX-28A and it's matching speaker.  Most
> are awaiting time on the bench for their turn at restoration.  Hard to
find
> time between the R-1051's moving through the shop!
>
> Life is good!
>
> Cecil...
>
> > ----- Original Message -----
>
> > I have since then acquired
> > two more of these radios plus two of the SP-600 and the necessary test
> > equipment to do my own restoration.  I'm looking forward to it as soon
as
> I
> > can get my cat to give me back my workbench.  So, I may be asking some
of
> > you guys who have a lot of experience for advice from time to time.
> > Bill K.
>
>