[R-390] SSB-Modified R-390A

[Dennis L. Wade]

I tried to post this earlier today, but no joy.  I think the internet 
ate my mail.  Apologies if this is a dupe.

	Jim and the group,

	A very interesting report!  Pictures posted somewhere would be an 
excellent idea.

	I too have what appears to be a factory or professional SSB mod.  
Its a Motorola contract tag with an EAC if deck.  Under the chassis 
is an extra module with a 6U8 and 2 (I think) crystals.  Note in the 
pics (link below) that the silk-screened panel has been changed.  
Looks factory/professional to me.

	Pictures are at:  http://kg6zi.homestead.com/

	(Sorry about the pop-ups....I have no control over them.)

	I had hoped to be well into the receiver by now, but an accident 
while engaging in another of my avocations (cycling) is keeping me 
from picking up much more than a couple of pounds, much less a 
boatanchor!  I am not entirely sure if the mod is simply a fixed 
frequency BFO, or if other changes have been made for SSB.

	Perhaps others can give more history about military/commercial 
attempts to modify the '390A for SSB.

		Feel free to comment on the pictures.  I would love to find some 
documentation on this particular variant.  Note that the email on the 

site is outdated...use the mail addy in this post to write if you 
wish.

			Dennis


> Hi All:
> 
> I have a Collins-made R-390A S/N 756 from the very first contract
> (14214-PH-51).  It was modified to add SSB capability.  The BFO switch
> was changed from the "Off-On" to "LO-UP-AM-BFO" and the dial lock was
> removed and replaced with a "VFO Vernier" control.  The mod was very
> nicely done and works well, with screened lettering on the front
> panel, and there are no immediately obvious circuit additions from
> looking at the top of the chassis.  I don't know exactly what type of
> mod was done, but it's certainly not a typical hack job normally
> assosciated with military radio conversions by amateurs.
> 
> I have three questions: where can I find a list and descriptions of
> known SSB conversions for the '390A so I can identify the mod?  Also,
> were there commercial conversions done by/for the government?  This
> radio came from an estate which included equipment from a US Army
> experimental SSB station AN/GRC-108 XC-1, so perhaps this radio was
> modified for the Army and not by a ham. Finally, does a "professional"
> SSB conversion add to or lessen the radio's value?  I guess it depends
> on the type of mod and who did it, but some thoughts along those lines
> would be appreciated.
> 
> Thanx & 73,
> Jim
> WA2MER
> 
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-----------------
"If you can remain calm, you just don't have all the facts"

Dennis Wade
KG6ZI
Carmichael, CA