[R-390] "New" R-392

[Clemens S.Ostergaard]

Assembled  high priests of the R-39x ,

The R-392 I had been looking for for a while finally materialized last 
week. From another corner of Europe, namely Austria, which is no longer in 
the front line of a Cold War and so is able to let go of a great receiver 
like this. It is a fairly late contract, Philco 59, so likely made in 
60-61, Marcottes list has 688 of them, and the s/n of this one is in the 
middle of the run.

I have to say that I am very impressed.  I had thought of it as a variation 
of the R-39x, which I somehow ought to include as a quaint relative, but 
should not otherwise expect too much from. In fact this particular set at 
least is extremely sensitive, has a very accurate readout, a great sound to 
a 600 ohm speaker (not LS-166 :-, but vintage Bang & Olufsen), and is easy 
to tune SSB on.

It is sensitive enough that on startup it received Far East stations on 2, 
5 feet of  wire, and later, when listening to N4KG on 80 metres, I 
discovered that the patch of coax that I thought was connecting  to my 
antenna-switching, was in fact only going to the Eddystone 880 across the 
room! A very lively receiver thus, and yet also reasonably quiet, 
especially on a T2FD. The 8 kcs filter does give a better sound than its 
counterpart on the R-390A, and I begin to understand why people rave about 
the R-390(non-A) (which I have not encountered in Europe), but of course 
the filters do not cut like the -A.

Readout is as I say very accurate (Dubrow PTO holding out well), and I 
hardly need to adjust zero. It is in very good condition, even has spline 
wrench, tube pullers , spare dial lamp, but not the angle screwdriver. The 
covers of the two audio-sockets (Amphenol 164-8, I think) and the IF out 
are missing. Because of the submersion-proof seal, I guess, the innards are 
spotless, a pleasure to behold the way a 390 has been packed into a small 
space seemingly without loss (apart from a lot of specialized controls) The 
meter has full movement, while the antenna trim is a little less easy to 
peak than on my trusty R-390A's.

I have Jeff's invaluable CD, including a lot of the Rovero-site and plenty 
manuals. Now all I need is a jeep- or a tank -, a 15 feet whip and perhaps 
the Arctic mittens that the strange knobs permit using!  I manage quite 
well at the moment, but if anyone can point me to a connector for 
power/audio, or to covers for the other sockets , it would help beautify (I 
know, not the right word about an R-392)  this surprising receiver.

I realize that I have probably been a bit lucky, and that it is extremely 
well aligned, and generally set up by professionals. Could easily become a 
favorite. (My SWIMBO, realizing its potential, or perhaps just jealous, 
suggested that I place it on permanent station in the garden to test its 
weatherproofing...)


Best wishes,


Clemens


Clemens S.Ostergaard
Aarhus
DENMARK