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

[Jim M.]

Worth a read:
http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/shillbidding.html#1


Barry Hauser wrote:
> 
> 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
> 
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