[R-390] Re: B and W SSB Adaptor

[klycotek01 at mchsi.com]

I sold those when I was a B and W dealer and later a lot of used ones 
came through the doors when fully SSB receivers came along.  There were 
several similar units popular in early 60s  and prior.

B and W was a no nonsense unit that worked very well and was a companion 
to the 5100B transmitter and 51SB SSB Adaptor.  Add one to a 75A3 or 
similar and you had a great receiver.

Lakeshore, Eldico, and Central Electronics made various models with 
various results.  Most of the Central units were in kit form and I had 
to rework so many I quite taking them in trade as did my friend Bob Henry.

The jewel that people wanted but was rather expensive was the Hammarland 
HC-10 and SPC10
....SPC was rack mounted.  It was literally the whole front end, if 
strip and all from a HQ-170/180 with the excellent SSB system, stagger 
tuned IFs, and other features.  Being a Hammarlund dealer I sold them as 
fast as I could get them.....many went on NC300s and 303s.
I put one on an AR-88 and it is still there.  Also used others on a my 
R388 and R390A and a
couple of commercial receivers. 

But when all is said and done the TMC strip rack panel adaptors were a 
terrific bargain when
several surplus stores were selling them for $50.  I bought four and 
three had off freq crystals (they had your choice of variable tuning or 
crystal controlled USB/LSB.  I bought a handful of crystals from 
International and made them do what they were supposed to do.  Still 
have one
and like it for it's simplicity.  A natural with the R390A.

Sooo  it is all in what you are looking for in additional features 
beyond just adapting to SSB.

There were lesser units on the amateur market but the didn't last long.  
One great thing about the B and W was a front mounted speaker of high 
quality.... But then all their gear was great!

73,

Frank Gilmore K0JPJ  ex-W5PVX