[R-390] HiRes R-390A and Addendum plus SP600-JX Video Tapes

[Lee Bahr]

I got the above tapes from HiRes a couple of days ago and have been viewing
them.  (I'm about halfway through).  I'm glad I got them.  So far I've
learned a lot from them and feel more comfortable dismantling my radios
after viewing the tapes.  (At least I know what will not get me into
trouble).  I was very fearful of the gear train timing.  I know this wont be
a problem if I leave that in place and I can still remove the RF deck
without disturbing the timing.  All I have to do is note the dial frequency
and keep the PTO at the same place.  (Tape suggests 7.000+ which is 8.000
Mhz.  Tape says even if I move the PTO I can still easily get everything
synced again).

I have not viewed the SP-600-JX tapes as yet.  I just started the R-390A
ADDENDUM tapes.  From my technical expertise and with the tapes, I think I
can get through this with my 3 receivers.  I think I have enough test
equipment to do most things.  Not all, but most.  I don't think the tapes
will make me an expert on these radios but they sure educated me to the
point I think I can logically work on them without screwing things up and
efficiently work on them.  All in all I am very happy with the tapes.  Would
I like some things described better?  Sure.  Some of the verbiage could have
been clearer and some of the steps were vague.  You need some expertise to
understand some of the vague verbiage. (For example:  you are told to use
grease at some points.  I would have liked to have been given a brand and
part number.  You see a hand with a wand in the radio and you don't see the
meter scale being looked at while adjusting a slug).  This is OK for a tech
type person, but your grandmother is not going to be able to follow the
process. These tapes are not totally doing A,B, C thru X, Y, and Z without
knowing the concept behind the process.  You need to know what you are
doing.  Tuning this radio is not like building a Heathkit. All in all, I am
very happy I purchased the videos.  I know enough about restoring old radios
to have these tapes be a big help to me in restoring my 3 R-390As.  Just
don't expect them to make a tech out of a person who has never worked on a
radio up until now.  I guess that was not their purpose anyway.

Lee, w0vt