[R-390] To Non or not to Non (was Hi)

[Todd Bigelow - PS]

Cecil Acuff wrote:

>Hi Todd and group,
>
>        No Todd I meant nothing of the sort....I don't believe in dumbing
>anything down or being condescending in any way.  This is not about the
>inexperienced....we have had confusion occur on this list amongst those that
>have been around here for a while...It's just a means of clarifying.....And
>as a few have mentioned...I don't find it silly at all!
>
>There is no "convention" as you mention below...except for what works for a
>particular group. 
>
<snip>

Agreed, Cecil - and my failure to keep up with email over the weekend 
has resulted in a bombardment of the list with my response, for which I 
apologize. Didn't realize there were so many!

I guess the part that confuses me is where, when, or how it was decided 
that 'the list' has made such a decree and that is therefore *is so*. 
The list has far more member than the few of us who contribute or 
respond regularly. Having been here since '97 and seen things go along, 
I feel quite confident in saying that the 'non-A' issue has only become 
accepted by a few overall and moreso on the list only in the last couple 
or years. Not that it was never said before, just not as often. People 
used the correct designation for a particular radio more as the rule, 
not the exception. It just wasn't an issue. Oddly enough, this seems to 
correspond with the drop off in participation from a good portion of the 
older (in experience, not age) members. I doubt it drove people off, but 
it could certainly have been just one more negative aspect (unless 
you're fond of the term, of course). Imagine trying to impart knowledge 
to someone who can't even use the name of the radio. Sadly, it seems 
when we get new members here, we get them off on the wrong foot by 
telling them a fairy tale which sounds nice, but has no basis in fact. 
Helluva reflection on us. *chuckle*

As far as a convention, I'd like to know this - which is simpler? Using 
the convention:

R-390A and R-390 non-A (I have an R-390A and also the R-390 non-A)
     
        -or-

R-390 and 'A' (I have an R-390 and the A [model?])

I just have to believe that Collins, the military, whoever/whenever must 
have had some idea that the latter was indeed simpler since this is the 
one they chose. And we all know how little the military thought of what 
the average grunt was capable of knowing or doing.

You said:

You added tremendous confusion to the R-1051
series to try and make your point....the simple fact is they are called by
their letter designations....except when speaking of the undesignated.  When
speaking of the undesignated there can be confusion as to whether one is
speaking of that single model or the series as a whole, so it has been
"Unofficially" designated as the "Plain".  I did not come up with this....it
existed before I started with these radios....primarily because someone
somewhere must have decided there was a need.  Same goes for the R-390x
series.  We wouldn't be having this discussion if there weren't a need
identified somewhere in the past.


...which I agree with, completely. Even the part about adding confusion 
in my example because that was my intention. But if it makes sense to 
use this convention for the R-1051, why not the R-390(*) also? Your 
statement above seems to say so. Same radio, same series, different 
model. Instead of a B, C or D we have only the A. You're right on the 
money - it doesn't get any easier. Which is why this whole 'non-A' issue 
seems so pointless. Granted, some will call it what they please. It's a 
free country, after all. But if we truly want to put an end to this 
so-called 'confusion' (something I've yet to really see, btw), all we 
need to do is speak clearly and not try to change the naming convention 
to get someone else to nod and say "uh huh. That one". It's an excellent 
opportunity to ask "Is it an R-390 or an A?" to someone who isn't being 
clear, then explain the differences they appear not to know. The 'need 
in the past' was more likely someone deciding that it was easier for 
them to remember it this way than that more than someone needing to have 
it called a non-A. Honestly, compared to many of the guys on this list 
I'm still 'wet behind the ears'. But if such a need exists, shouldn't we 
be showing these people the accurate way instead of something supposedly 
easier? We take great pains to point out the differences between the 
black and neutral wires when installing a grounded cord, to be sure to 
replace the 'deadly caps', to replace the filter caps to prevent frying 
the transformer,  to use the right oil and to not lick the meters. Why 
would we go to such lengths and then not be able to tell them the 
correct name of the radio?  It just makes no sense. Not in terms of 
making things more 'simple' or 'clear', at least. Opinion and preference 
are another matter entirely. (o:

Having read a lot of your posts I feel pretty safe in saying that you 
probably forget more about radio in a night than I'll ever know. I'm 
sure glad we're not debating anything techinical!

73 de Todd/'Boomer'  KA1KAQ