[R-390] Operating Hours / MTBF

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

Bob Camp wrote a while back:

> The list has been a bit quiet recently....

Again...so I'll resurrect an older post

> Here's my question - How much do you operate your R-390 and how long 
> does it operate between maintenance "events"?

<snip>

> So any body want to contribute to the data base?

Sure. Although this isn't an R-390, I ran an RAL-7 for 6 years without 
ever turning it off. Finally thought I better check for flat tubes in it, so 
shut it down to check them. 

Didn't find any, so turned it back on for another 4 years. 

Finally, I discovered that the rectifier tube had gone really gassy when I 
noticed some tar running out of the power supply. I replaced the tube 
and also turned off the big 300 watt ballast tube (876?) which wasn't 
really needed in the first place.

So, that was about 87000 hours MTBeforeF. Not too shabby.

Ran it for another 2 or 3 years after that, then turned it off when I left 
home.

So, now, 35 years later,  I have another one. Wonder how long it will 
last?

Ken W7EKB