[R-390] R-391/URR (MOD) - Direction Finder Set AN/FRA-44 --- Receiving Set AN/FLR-7

[Clay Curtiss WA7KBR]

Hi Pete,
The unit I have looks like standard US Navy gray.  Does your R-391 have the
RCA mod tag on it?  I'm just curious if it was converted back or is a
standard R-391.  If it is a standard unit, I suspect that the mods I have
were applied to whatever radios happened to be available at the time they
were sent to RCA for modification.  It is interesting that two units with
serial numbers so close are painted different colors.

Clay

----- Original Message -----
From: "g4gjl" <g4gjl@btopenworld.com>
To: "Clay Curtiss WA7KBR" <wa7kbr@curtiss.net>; <r-390@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2004 8:59 AM
Subject: Re: [R-390] R-391/URR (MOD) - Direction Finder Set AN/FRA-44 ---
Receiving Set AN/FLR-7


> Clay, out of interest and no particular relevance, I have the R-391 with
> serial nimber 154 from the same contract. There are none of the mods you
> mention on my set, however my front panel is original as ex factory and is
> coloured light blue, the same as so much British RACAL gear.
>
> What is your panle colour?
> I wonder if the light blue was a special for use here in UK at Menwith or
> elsewhere?
>
> Pete
> G4GJL
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Clay Curtiss WA7KBR" <wa7kbr@curtiss.net>
> To: <r-390@mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2004 4:27 PM
> Subject: [R-390] R-391/URR (MOD) - Direction Finder Set AN/FRA-44 ---
> Receiving Set AN/FLR-7
>
>
> > Hi,
> > I'm new to the list and looking for some advice on an R-391 (S/N 145)
that
> I
> > have.  It was an original 1951 Collins unit (contract 14214-PH-51-93)
and
> > was modifed by RCA for the Navy and has an additional 3"x2"metal tag on
> the
> > front panel below the function switch.  It reads as follows:
> >
> > R-391/URR (MOD)
> > RECEIVER, RADIO
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > A UNIT OF DIRECTION FINDER SET AN/FRA-44 (XN-1)
> > COUNTER MEASURES RECEIVING SET AN/FLR-7 (XN-1)
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > MODIFIED FOR
> > NAVY DEPARTMENT - BUREAU OF SHIPS
> > BY CONTRACTOR
> > RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA
> > CAMDEN, NJ
> > CONTRACT NObsr 81315
> > US
> >
> > I've searched this list's archives, but find no mention of it.  I tried
> > google and came up with a reference to Antenna AN/FLR-7 on
www.r-390a.net
> in
> > the FAQ as follows:
> >
> > This Wullenweber antenna, also known as a Circularly Disposed Antenna
> Array
> > (CDAA), consisted of a large number of 200 foot towers arranged into a
> ring
> > more
> > than 1300 feet in diameter.  An inner ring of shorter towers competed
the
> > array.
> > The antenna reportedly operated from VLF well into the VHF frequency
> range.
> > It
> > provided direction finding accuracy to within two or three degrees,
> > according to
> > some reports.
> >
> > When I first got it, it worked but always had ringing in the audio.  I
> > suppose it could have been modified to have a very narrow IF bandpass.
> >
> > Does anyone have any info on how this R-391 was modified by RCA?  I
> suspect
> > that there weren't very many of these made, and I don't know if it is
rare
> > enough or interesting enough for anyone to care about.  Would it be best
> to
> > leave a unit like this in it's current configuration, or to try to
convert
> > it back to a stock R-391 again?
> >
> >
> > Thanks for any and all help.
> >
> > Clay
> > WA7KBR
> >
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>