[R-390] Power Transformers

[Bob Camp]

Hi	

One of the things that there "are no more of" is the power transformer 
in our favorite radio. Given the way they made these we are unlikely to 
get together and make up a batch of them. Obviously this is not the 
only part in the radio that might be in this category ten or twenty 
years from now. Let's just focus on the power transformer right now.

I have never seen a R-390 with a blown power transformer. How common is 
power transformer failure in these radios? Certainly it is not in the 
top ten or even the top 20 observed failures. That alone is an 
encouraging thing. It is especially encouraging when I compare it to 
the number of computer power supplies I seem to see.

There are things we can do to lengthen the life of the transformers we 
have *if* it's an issue. All of these things have an impact so you 
really don't want to fix one thing only to break another.

So, has anybody ever seen a blown power transformer in one of these 
radios? If so do you have any idea what caused it to fail?

	Thanks!

		Bob Camp
		KB8TQ