[R-390] Reply to my Ballast Tube Question

[Walter Schulz]

Dear Gentleman,
Thank you all for the help regarding finding Ballast Tubes and Mod's for my R-390A/URR.

I knew about the using a resistor in place of the Ballast.
I brought my first R-390A/URR around 1968 about two years after my four years aa a Navy Radioman. The fellow who sold me the R-390A (Stewart-Warner S/N 953) was a Material Officer/Electronics Billet. He told me then to use about 48 ohm resistance to replace the Ballast Tube, just as has been mentioned in the discussion. 

I just wanted to restore my three R-390A's to orginal status. For the last 36 years my orginal R-390A has worked with the 48 ohm resistor just fine. After re-aligning the I.F.'s the receiver sensitivity is approximately 0.2 microvolts. Better than most of the riceboxes sold today.

I was on the USS Hancock CVA-19 during 65 to 66. Supervisor Radio Central on Essex Class aircraft carrier, WWII carrier. The R-390A was used for receiving 8 channel MUX either USB or LSB. Simply moving the BFO + or - 1 KC for SSB. Did not use any other unit for SSB. The receivers were fed from Wire Rope antennas thru antenna couplers. The receivers were used ship to ship (USB), ship to shore either MUX or USB, and for 500 KCS CW International Distress and 8364 KCS Emergency Lifeboat Frequency, 2182 AM Distress. Also the receiver was use to receiver FOX Fleet Bcst via cw and radioteletype ( MUX) (Covered Ckts). 

Coming back from Indochina via great circle route, just east of Japan we could receive Iowa and mid-west AM Bcst band stations solid on our mid-watches.....It's a great receiver.

Once again thanks for the help, its very much appreciated.
BRgds,
Walter