[R-390] RANT: The Delete Key and Unwanted Threads

[Barry Hauser]

Well Clay, my apologies.  It's now apparent the problem is you haven't been
properly indoctrinated.  Yes, you will resist, you may even try to escape
.... read on.

> I yield!

Never yield.  This is the training.

> I joined the group precisely because I have nothing to offer it, but hoped
> to learn a lot.

There has always  been a mysterious silent majority on this list -- about
600 or so subscribers, but only hear from maybe 25-50 at most.

"nothing to offer"?  -- that may explain the phenomenon.  Remains to be
seen.  I'm certain, I can safely disagree - -not even knowing you.

  When you have nothing to say, it is best to listen and
> learn rather than to waste everyone's time with stupid questions.

Maybe some places.  Not here.  There are no stupid questions.  Repeat after
me -- There are no stupid questions.  Even if they've been asked and
answered before.  Information is subject to change without notice.  Just
watch the History Channel.

> I have a Collins R-391 (S/N 145) that I plan to eventually restore.  I
have been in
> listening mode so that I can learn from the experience of those that
> regularly contribute to the list.  Since the R-391 is relatively rare, I
> want to learn as much as possible before undertaking the task with the
hope
> of avoiding any stupid and/or irreversible errors.

Well, you came to the right place.  And my point is already proven beyond a
shadow of a doubt.  The above paragraph is of (a) great interest and (b) not
stupid.

I have two '391's, both with autotuners that need work.  Many of the
autotuners haven't been run in years.  While I don't like to remind people,
I'm the editor of the Hollow State Newsletter, which has been in
hibernation. There is a long standing article in the works -- nearly done
for about a year now -- about rebuilding/restoring the autotune mechanism.
For now, suffice to say, do not attempt to power it up until you've
overhauled it.  The KC and MC heads have stacks of pawls in them that are
probably all stuck together with old lube.  Switch contacts in the
controller module (behind the little window with #'s 1-8) may have dirty
contacts.  The sealed relay may be stuck.  The oilite bronze bearings on the
worm drive shaft have to be checked for play.  If you power it up just like
that, it may do some damage - may try to run the RF deck beyond the 10-turn
stops.

> As I stated, I enjoy the humor and the OT conversation as much as anyone.

That's good.

> But it has increased to the point where the technical content is too hard
to
> extract and just not worth my time anymore.

Belay that.  It's not too hard to extract, there are other sources and other
ways to go about it.  First of all -- ask questions and get fresh answers
and leads to online info -- no stupid questions.  Don't "wait for something
interesting" -- provoke it.  Look where this has gone so far.  Repeat after
me:  It is worth my time.

>  It was not my intent to offend or enrage anyone.  I apologize.  It won't
happen again.

That proves another point.  The silly romp worked again!  Flushed you out of
the fog, didn't it?  Before now, you probably didn't even realize you didn't
exist.  And heck, it may well happen again.  Not to worry.

Assignment:  #1 Stay subscribed  #2  reclaim any deleted posts and move to
dedicated email folder  #3  remove covers from '391, contemplate and
observe.  Ask questions -- any questions.  I guarantee, you will not be able
to construct a "stupid question."   Final proof:  After all that sillyiness,
how could any question you construct possibly be stupid.  See?

Again -- don't yield -- it's part of the training.  It would be more humane
to fire live rounds over your head, but not exactly practical given the
logistics and all..

BTW -- Welcome aboard.

Barry

PS -- somebody throw a net over Orrin before he escapes.