[R-390] Below 500 kHz mod, again?... yes it works!

[John KA1XC]

I just tried this mod and it really works, not great but it only took a
minute to hookup and try.
Took a test probe and plugged it into E209, clip leaded it to a .01uF cap I
had handy, and then clip leaded that to a 150 ft long wire. I left the clip
leads, cap,  and extra probe wire just sitting on top of the crystal
compartment.

In a few minutes of tuning I heard LOTS of  power line buzz and the
following air navigation beacons which were all MCW transmission. Freqs are
in KC followed by call letters and sig level.

402 KC,    LW,  +20 dB
(this is local and is for Lawrence Airport, Lawrence, MA. I actually found
the transmitter by accident one day, it's next to the water department
building on RT 133 here in Andover, MA)

415 KC   BC, in the noise
393 KC, ML,  in the noise
382 KC, ??, very weak, could hear the CW but couldn't make the ID
333 KC, YFM, in the noise

Not bad for a few minutes playing around. A better, less noisy antenna (like
a loop or dipole) would definitely help as this temporary long wire I'm
presently using is very poor with respect to line noise pickup. Anyone have
a beacon database?, I'm curious to know the locations of the ones I heard.

John

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cecil Acuff" <chacuff at cableone.net>


> Guys I don't remember the specifics but there is a mod where one moves a
> couple of cables which bypasses part of the tunable front end/1st RF
> amp...and allows the radio to tune down below 500KC with reduced
sensitivity
> and selectivity.  It has been posted here several times in the past and
> documented in one of the publications...either Electric Radio or HSN...I
> can't remember.
>
> I think that is what is being asked about....no one remembers that one?
>
> Cecil...