[R-390] [ R390] R1051B/UU for sale

[Bob Camp]

Hi

Well this is far from the whole story and it's pretty biased as well.

More or less the R-390A was the last fully tube based general coverage 
HF receiver fielded by the US military. The R-1051 was more or less the 
first mostly solid state radio fielded by at least one part of the US 
military. Both radios saw use more or less side by side for a lot of 
years.

To what ever extent a SP-600 is a better band cruiser than a R-390A the 
R-390A is a better band cruiser than the R-1051. Anybody suffering from 
R-390 wrist need not investigate the R-1051.

The R-390A is very much an easier radio to work on than the R-1051. A 
lot of the semiconductors used on the R-1051's are a bit hard to find 
these days. Also while both are modular radios the R-390A modules are a 
bit easier to work on. As complicated as the R-390A is mechanically the 
R-1051 is pretty much in the same league.

The 1051 is a lot more stable than most radios from the era and for 
that matter more stable than most of the radios made today. It is a 
true SSB / ISB radio, unlike the R-390A that really needs an outboard 
gizmo to do well on SSB. I find that I like the sound of the R-390A on 
AM a bit better than I like the sound of the R-1051 running AM but that 
may just be me.

Both radios can be a bit high maintenance. A lot depends on the 
individual radio you happen to have. There are examples of both radios 
running 24 hours a day 365 days a year. On average though I would 
expect to have to work on either radio from time to time in order to 
keep it running at top performance.

At least from the examples I have here I would say that the R-390A has 
better sensitivity than the R-1051.

If from all of this you gather that they are two different radios then 
you have the right idea. The real replacement for both radios came with 
the generation of radios like the Harris RF-590. Even now later 
versions the R-1051 are in active service along side much newer radio 
designs. If the R-390 is still in active military service it's pretty 
well in stealth mode compared to the 1051.

If we believe in the power of the market to determine the merit of a 
radio then you have to admit the R-390A sells for more money then the 
early R-1051's when both radios are in similar shape. Since there are a 
lot more R-390A's out there you might argue a bit with this conclusion.

I don't know if that answers your question or not.

	Take Care!

		Bob Camp
		KB8TQ



On Jul 25, 2004, at 5:51 AM, Charles B wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> I am not familar with the R-1051B/URR.  Can some one inlighten me on 
> this receiver?
>
> Thanks
>
> Chuck
> Just trying to learn.
>
>
>
>
> John wrote:
>
>> Members,
>> Thanks in advance for the bandwidth
>> Now available
>> (1) R-1051B/URR receiver//includes rack and bottom mount adapter 
>> plates//N to BNC adapter//120v fused line filter//Unit "Field Changes 
>> Accomplished" 1, 2, 3, 4//v.g. mechanical, electrical, cosmetic 
>> condition//pictures available//includes spare tubes//manual reprint 
>> in 3-ring binder//
>> first best offer received by 2300 hrs on 27th July 2004
>> CONUS only
>> Shipment terms negotiable
>> vr//jbharvie at erols.com
>> Maryland USA
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