[R-390] Very Nice 390A, Hope You Are Sitting Down

[Barry Hauser]

Phil wrote:
> Wasn't it P.T. Barnum who said there is one born every minute.  He said it
> was restored by one of the best in the business, but doesn't say who.

Remember there was all that hubbub about sellers trading on the names of
Rick Mish and Chuck Rippel.  So maybe Terry is just trying to be
discrete/respectful on that issue.

It's not obvious who the restorer was on this.  From what I understand,
Chuck doesn't do gear train teardowns and usually refits with IERC shields.
It looks like there's a resistor in the ballast tube shield.  The 26Z5W's
are still there. (or maybe not -- the bottom view is not of the same rx.)  I
thought Rick Mish puts in diodes and some other mods which aren't apparent
from the photos.  I'm not sure what Terry means by "down to the chassis
level".  Simply removing modules down to the H frame is no big deal.  He
doesn't mention whether the unit was partially or totally recapped.  I see
big nylong washers on the panel screws.  Is that someone's trademark?

The tube shields are a noticable drawback, but I've seen shiny ones with
pleated beryllium copper inserts which are flat black and conduct heat to
the shield.  (Same as in some of the better IERC's)  I wouldn't bank on it
though.

Boatanchor photo forensics aside, I'm sure anyone bidding that much on a
radio should be emailing with questions which  I'm sure Terry will answer
and probably disclose the restorer's name as well.

As far as the P.T. Barnum aspect of it, Terry - or whoever wrote the copy is
a pro -- very slick, very well done from a promotional standpoint. I admire
the work.   Much of it is about R-390A's in general -- extolling the virtues
and benefits -- which is part of selling the product.  Incidentally, someone
assumed from the copy that this unit was a government rebuild that went to
Desert Storm.  He doesn't say that.  That was a reference to the general
history of the R-390A, not this one per se.  The front end of the
description is largely generic.  Well written and impressive.  Maybe Terry
will let us glom it for a website somewhere.

Again -- anyone considering this should email questions, which is
encouraged.

As for the price?  I was sitting down when I read the first post, but fell
off my chair.  I must remember to buckle up next time. ;-)

Barry