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

Heinz und Hannelore Breuer [email protected]
Wed, 15 Jan 2003 08:58:22 +0100


That review appeared years ago on the list. Italy has the EURO since
January 1, 2002

73
de Heinz DH2FA, KM5VT


Glen Galati wrote:
> 
> 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 <[email protected]>
> To: R-390 list <[email protected]>
> 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.
> > ***************
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > R-390 mailing list
> > [email protected]
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
> 
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