[R-390] RE: HSR-2 vs 390a

Wed, 28 Jan 2004 10:24:02 -0500

I can list off-hand 3 receivers of the same vintage which run rings around
the R-390A noise floor and sensitivity-wise - this according to the product
specifications, lab tests and actual side-by-side on the air comparison -
with at least equivalent if not better stability and more filter options:

1. Rohde & Schwartz EK 07
2. Telefunken E 104
3. Siemens E 311

On the down side, both the EK 07 and the E 104 are bigger (about 1.5 times
the volume) and heavier than the R-390A (they were more expensive as well in
their heyday), and much more complex and difficult to maintain.
In a fixed, controlled environment, for weak signal reception and band
cruising the EK 07 and E 104 are clear winners.

The E311 is smaller and lighter than the R-390A but it's complex and not
easy to align.
It is however more rugged, but the mechanical-digital kHz display - like in
the R-390A - doesn't make it a band cruiser (the MHz dial is analog
however).

Overall, the advantage of the R-390A is that except for the mechanical
complexity, electrically it's simpler and would take fewer man-hours to
repair/maintain.
It is also more rugged under field conditions.

Purely by performance data, the 3 receivers mentioned above are better than
the R-390A. For overall utility and value for the given package (size and
maintainability, the R-390A is the winner.

I own and enjoy all of the above.

One caveat: I'm talking about standard, as-issued, off the shelf receivers,
and not specially tweaked, massaged, hand-selected tube packed specimens.

73, Meir WF2U

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	[email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]  On
Behalf Of [email protected]
Sent:	Wednesday, January 28, 2004 9:14 AM
To:	[email protected]
Subject:	Re: [R-390] RE: HSR-2 vs 390a

We all know the R-390A is a superb receiver. I am always suspicious when
someone claims another receiver "runs rings" around the R-390A. I have never
found
that to be the case whenever another receiver is carefully tested
side-by-side with a properly-aligned and properly-functioning R-390A. Visit
Robert
Sherwood's website for comparisons of the R-390A with other receivers under
careful
test conditions. 73 Todd Roberts WD4NGG.
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