[R-390] Viappiani R-390/390A Handbook... review & how to buy. Lira vs Euro?

[Glen Galati]

HOLD ON! I thought Italy was on the EURO.  Is the Lira still a valid
currency?
The book sounds "WONDERFUL"! I wonder if they have a WEB SITE?

73,
Glen Galati      KA7BOJ
Tacoma, WA

----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Bridgers <tarheel6@msn.com>
To: R-390 list <r-390@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2003 5:29 PM
Subject: [R-390] Viappiani R-390/390A Handbook... review & how to buy


> Several list members wanted more info on the book and information
> on how they might buy the book.  The following is submitted, with the
> kind help of John Poulton, in response to those requests.
>
> The complete review by Michael Cristohl of  the Viappiani R-390/R-390A
> Handbook is provided below.  A few paragraphs
> down are instructions for ordering the book from Editrice Il Rostro di
> Patrizio Giovene & C., the publishers in Milano, Italy.
> -------------------------------------------------------------
>
> REVIEW: R-390/URR - R-390A/URR Handbook, Paolo Viappiana, Editrice Il
Rostro
> by Michael Cristohl
>
> Okay - what am I doing writing a review in English of a book written in
> Italian?  To make matters worse I don't have much knowledge of the
> language either!
>
> Well, first of all I would like to state that there is enough information
> taken from the various US Army TM11s, charts, diagrams and figures that
> know no linguistic boundaries to make the Handbook worthwhile to someone
> who does not have access to the official documentation.  Of course, some
> degree of familiarity with the language would be a great asset here or
> a friend who can help.
>
> The fact that a writer in Italy chose to write a book about a forty
year-old
> US military and government radio receiver really intrigued me but it only
> backs up the claim that these radios are extremely good for listening to
> the portion of the spectrum they cover - 500 KHz to 32.000 MHz, AM and
> CW.  Add-ons and circuit modifications will also make SSB signals
> intelligible but since most shortwave broadcasts are AM the receiver
> is popular among serious hobbyists who like to tinker with their
> equipment.
>
> The Handbook contains 20 Capitolos (Chapters) and covers a lot of ground;
> ie: technical data, modifications, history, trivia, statistics, lore and
> legend about this receiver.  Paolo's work covers "la famiglia 390"
> which includes the R-389, R-390, R-390A, R-391 and R-392 and the
differences
> between them, particularly the R-390, R-390A  R-725 and R-1247.  It is
very
> convenient to have block diagrams and tube lists of both receivers in one
> book if you are interested in both models.  One of the things it conveys
> very nicely is that the R_390 and R-390A receivers are VERY different.
> Paolo
> has included a detailed chart of contract numbers, contractors, years of
> manufacture and estimates how many were made in each contract.  I am
> curious how accurate those production figures are, since Tom Marcotte,
> compiler of the on-line list has not publically speculated in the numbers,
> at least that I have seen.
>
> As far as illustrations go, Paolo has borrowed liberally from the TMs and
> these are, of course, in English.  There are mention of some of the
> officially modified models, such as with LSB and SSB, Diode Load output
> on the front panel and a whole chapter that lists the TM11s and NAVSHIPS
> manuals for all models and some sources for them. Also included is
> mention of the Boatanchors List on theporch.com and how to subscribe.
> There is a ten page bibliography or articles, mostly in English, with
> familiar and knowledgeable names like Kleronomos, Rippel, Langford
> that is extremely valuable and this compilation alone is well worth the
> price of the book.
>
> I looked in the mods and did not see the very important C-553 mod
> to change the notorious Vitamin Q plate blocking capacitor on the plate
> of V501 (1st IF amplifier) to a .01/600V Sprague "Orange Drop" - cheap
> insurance on your four Collins mechanical filters recommended by Chuck
> Rippel.  In fairness to the author it may be in there somewhere and my
> ignorance of his language must be forgiven if this is the case.
>
> ***************
> The book is available directly from the publisher - write them at:
> Editrice Il Rostro di Patrizio Giovene & C., 20155 Milano, Via Monte
> Generoso 8 Italy, or Fax: 02-2133869.  They will mail you a copy,
enclosing
> an invoice for 35.000 Italian Lire which is about $25.00 US.  You must pay
> in Lire which you can get from a bank or currency exchange.
> ***************
>
>
>
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