[R-390] Suggested Test Equipment for R-390A Alignment ??

Tue, 8 Apr 2003 20:41:47 -0500

Greetings group,

        I used a URM/25 for a while until I picked up a nice HP-606A.(gave
away the 25)  Probably the same vintage as the R-390A....larger than the
URM/25 but I think easier to use. (personal opinion) I also have a HP-8640B
and love it but it don't go down to 500Khz...unless you use the audio out as
the generator at that freq.

Cecil...
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gregory W. Moore" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2003 4:45 PM
Subject: Re: [R-390] Suggested Test Equipment for R-390A Alignment ??

> Well, Terry,
>     Call me old-fashioned if you will, but I can't recommend anything
> better than the AN/URM-25. I own a 1960's vintage RCA WR-50B sig
> generator, and a General Instrument 1310?? (the nomenclature number is
> partially obliterated on the front panel) Audio generator. I also happen
> to be partial to Boatanchor test equipment for Boatanchors, such as
> using my trusted Simpson 260 meter, instead of a state of the art
> digital meter for measurement, because, in all probability, that was
> probably used in determining the resistance and voltage figures to begin
> with, when the manuals were first written.
>
>     There is such a thing as "how much precision is enough", and , since
> the R-390 was originally manufactured and tested with analog equipment,
> that is what the measurements were determined with. If one were to use
> one's modern digital meter, one can fall into tthe trap of "decimal
> madness" and take the precision way too far. Basically, there is no real
> need to look at all the decimal places when working on this equipment.
>
>     The same goes for a signal generator. The URM-25 is robust, rugged,
> complete with accessories, has built in modulation sources, and, like
> all tube equipment, rarely fails. I realize that some of my loyalty
> comes from having used this (the URM-25) and other such equipment in the
> Navy "back in the day", and finding it absolutely reliable, but that is
> the truth. It is reliable, and again, is what the manual, and most
> likely the manufacturers calibration and test department used when the
> 390's were shiny and new.
>  < rant>< venting>
>     I also carry this same theme through my other test equipment. My
> scope is "hollow state",  I have an L/C/R bridge which is also "hollow
> state" and a frequency counter similarly "hollow state. Although I have
> a full stable of up to date, state of the art, whoop-de-do computerized
> equipment, I still enjoy using the older equipment because, frankly, I
> enjoy using it, and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells from "hot
> vacuum" and the deposits of many years of cigarette tar on various
> items. Although I no longer smoke, it brings back memories of far better
> times, when one was allowed to indulge ones pleasure without shrilly
> screaming soccer moms telling me what I should and shouldn't do. I also
> enjoy remembering the era when we did, actually, have a manufacturing
> base here in the good old US of A, and electronics people were a sought
> after commodity.
>  < /rant> < /venting> (Big Evil Grin)
>
> All the above being said, I can't think of a better signal source than
> the URM-25. Like the "Energizer Bunny (TM), it just keeps on going and
> going. The frequency range covers EVERYTHING  in LF-MF-HF communications
> which I am liable to run into in the natural course of things. If one
> carries out proper maintenance, and uses deoxit, etc. etc,  one doesn't
> have any problems.
>
> 73 es tnx de Greg Moore WA3IVX, etc etc, etc.
>
>
>
> [email protected] wrote:
>
> >Can anyone suggest/recommend a good basic list of "test" equipment to
> >check the operation of the R-390A.  Is the AN/URM-25 absolutely a must -
> >or can anyone recommend a specific substitute type signal generator ?  I
> >have 2 R-390A's in storage that were operational years ago, and want to
> >get them out put them to use ("If my back does not give out on me").  I
> >plan to be asking a lot of "stupid" questions in the future, so please do
> >not be too harsh on me.  I am not a tech, but I am sincerely interested
in
> >learning about the R-390A.
> >
> >Terry.
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
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> >
> >
> >
>
> --
> "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do
nothing."
>                                                    --Edmund Burke
>
> Greg Moore NNN0BVN PA
> U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS)
> Official Pennsylvania Area Website:
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> Official Region One Website: http://www.navymars.org/reg1/index.htm
> Navy-Marine Corps MARS: Proudly Serving Those Who Serve."
> E-Mail (MARS) [email protected]
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