[R-390] What have I got here???

Wed, 21 Jan 2004 19:07:49 -0500

Hi Vic

Nice gift!  That was the original, expensive model.

First stop for orientation -- Dave Medley's web site http://www.davemed.com/

You can download manuals from several sites.  One is at
http://www.jamminpower.com/main/r390.jsp  James Moorer's site.

Be careful to choose those that are for the R-390, not R-390A.  There are a
number of other sites that have downloadable manuals and you can buy
reprints from various sources if you want hard copy and don't have a laser
printer or access to one.  (slow going and expensive on an inkjet.)

The power connector is highly available.  Only three of the four pins pins
get connected -- AC hot and neutral and ground.  I don't know the hookups
offhand.  You can adapt push-on terminals (the cylindrical kind) to make
contact, then secure the line cord with a plastic wire clamp, but it's
better to get the right connector.  (A couple sold on that online auction
site recently already wired with line cords.)

The balanced connector mates  up to a standard Twinax, also used for older
computer networks.  An adapter is available that goes from Twinax to C which
grounds one of the two pins.  The unbalanced one is a C-connector.  A little
harder to find, but findable.  (You can stick the end of a wire in the
connector center for a temporary "tryout" antenna.)

You can try Fair Radio -- http://www.fairradio.com .  I believe William
Perry also has the power and C-connectors.  (don't have his email address)
Dave Medley may also have some.

One good clue as  to its readiness would be when it was last powered up.
Also a good idea to test all the tubes before doing so -- at least to check
for shorts.

Good luck.
Barry

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Vic/Johanna Culver" <[email protected]>
To: "R-390 List" <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 5:24 PM
Subject: [R-390] What have I got here???

> Just brought home (Saturday last) an R-390/URR given to me by an old
friend.
> The label says it is by Collins Radio Co. and the Serial Number is 103.
The
> ID plate has an order number (14214-PH-51-93).  A friend has had the radio
> for many years and the radio seems to be in very good condition -- all
> controls have very positive action, no slop, and the tuning controls are
> smooth and without any indication of problems.  The front panel is in
pretty
> good condition with all of the engraving intact, meters, and etc.  My
friend
> is quite unavailable and so I can't talk with him about it right now, but
I
> will try to get in touch (he has moved out of town to a resident care
> facility) and see what further information I can get.  I have an immediate
> set-back in my plan to get it 'lit up' -- the power plug (J104) is a four
> pin, keyed, plug with a place to lock it down (?) with some kind of screw
> arrangement in the center.  I've not seen any connector like this.  Is
there
> any way of getting one (I'd like to avoid surgery if possible)?  There is
an
> adapter on the antenna connector (which is a two pin connector of some
type,
> again unknown to me) and it is labeled "Balanced 125 Ohm."  There is a
> second connector looking much like a large BNC connector which is labeled
> "unbalanced whip."  Are these standard impedances for R-390 antennae?
> OH,yeah -- the back panel has three fuse holders at the bottom left with a
> square metal attachment for storing extra fuses on the opposite side of
the
> rear bottom panel.  I don't have any docs for the R-390 but I do have for
> the R-390A -- how far off will I be looking through those for information
> about my radio?  I guess that's quite enough for now.  Many thanks for any
> replies anyone is willing to make -- either on-list or off-list as seems
> appropriate.  Vic  W4VIC
>
>
> /s/ Vic Culver
>
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