[R-390] Half moon guard?

[Roy Morgan]

At 07:34 PM 3/24/03 -0500, Gord Hayward wrote:
>What is the "half moon guard"?  I have wondered what the 4 tapped holes 
>around the kc knob are for.
>Of course, I'm a newbie in the R-390A realm. :-)

Gord,

I am not certain, but I think that aa half moon guard is a mythical 
accessory.  It attaches to the front panel by any good means (one such 
means being four dabs of ukumpucky) to prevent the noble "Half Moon 
Syndrome" from occurring.  This syndrome was most often found among radios 
used by spook operators. They would tune from frequency to frequency, three 
shifts a day, 7 days a week, for years on end.  The paint near the tuning 
knob would wear through in a half moon shape.

I can't locate a picture of such a radio but one of my radios shows the 
effect quiet dramaticaly.  I think it is the Collins  R-390A S/N  17  from 
contract 375-P-54.  I am NOT about to repaint that panel.  To me it's a 
badge of long continuous service, a mark nobly won and proudly displayed.

Roy



- Roy Morgan, K1LKY since 1959 - Keep 'em Glowing!
7130 Panorama Drive, Derwood MD 20855
Home: 301-330-8828 Work: Voice: 301-975-3254,  Fax: 301-948-6213
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