[R-390] New Guy

[Dennis Deaton]

I've been lurking in the weeds and reading everybody's mail.  Bad habit, I
guess.  I've got an R-390A from the first contract (14214-PH-51, SN433).  I
was in the first grade when this thing was built!  Its in dire need of a
good cleaning and overhaul.  I'm afraid to light it off -- Variac or not -- 
until I get into it and replace a few caps.  I need a new top cover for the
unit, if anyone has a spare.  I will shortly have a new antenna up and then
I can get on the air.  So, Lee.  Don't get discouraged.  We can do our
receivers together.  I know that with the help of all the great people on
this list, we can get them up and running real good.  After that, I can
tackle my KWM-2A and 30L-1.  Until then, all I've got is a rice-burner.

Dennis Deaton, WA6ACC, first licensed as WV6TQG in 1959.
Redlands, CA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "mikea" <mikea@mikea.ath.cx>
To: <R-390@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 4:54 PM
Subject: Re: [R-390] New Guy


> On Tue, Jan 27, 2004 at 12:31:39PM -0600, Lee Bahr wrote:
> >
> > Well, I'm here!  I have a R390A that I bought at a hamfest a year ago
and
> > need to get it working!  I don't have a clue what needs to be done with
it
> > as I have not fooled with it as yet.  It does not look beat up and the
front
> > panel looks good.  Without going into it, I see no corrossion.  Been
into
> > boat anchors a long time, but this thing frankly does intimidate me!  As
you
> > know, this is a LOT of radio. I know nothing about working on a R390A.
It
> > was made by the Electronic Assistance Corp and has a serieal number on
it of
> > 4002.  Fortunately, it has the meters and top and bottom covers.  I have
dug
> > into a lot of radios, but this one does scare me.  Sure wish there was a
> > mentor in Houston for encouragement.  I have never needed one for other
> > radios.  It would be great to have it running.  (I did use one when I
was in
> > the Army back in 1957). I guess I need to find a maintenance manual
> > somewhere.  (I have a Variac, scope, RF generator, analog volt/ohm
meters,
> > digital meters, tube testor, solder irons and some rosin core solder,
but no
> > guts)!
> > signed,
> > Trembling in His Boots in Houston
> > Lee, w0vt
>
> The Y2K Guide to the R-390A is Absolutely Wonderful, and Absolutely
> Free. And the manuals also are available on the web. This group is the
> best place in the world for advice, hints, and kinks. Just be a bit
> careful about grabbing the B+. I don't work without a safety observer,
> but YMMV.
>
> <heresy>
>
> There are better receivers, but not many, and the the sand-state
> better receivers are a bit fragile around the front-end.
>
> </heresy>
>
> You list just about everything you need, except for sidecutters and
> Bristol screwdrivers.
>
> Bits and pieces are available from Fair Radio and other sources, so
> you can replace most anything you fsck up, and it's nice to have
> spares -- but it's not all that hard to work on, either, and it's
> pick-up-one-end-and-drop-it-and-the-CW-tone-stays-constant stable.
> Think of it as the Nikon F of radio receivers.
>
> So: Amen! Dig In!
>
> -- 
> Mike Andrews
> mikea@mikea.ath.cx
> Tired old sysadmin
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