Fw: [R-390] Identifying Collins 390a

[Jim Miller]

Thanks Randy for your info.  I am forwarding to the list for info.

Well it looks like I managed to buy (several years ago) what was advertised 
as a Collins 390a on e-Rip, but somewhere along the way it lost its original 
front panel, either during depot work or later restoration.  The chassis is 
definitely Collins (by your criteria) as well as the modules, except for the 
IF which is Motorola (a nice performer however). A word of caution to the 
wise: before buying an advertised "Collins" 390a, first assume that it is 
not....check the criteria Randy lists below, eyball it.  A word to sellers: 
if you falsely advertise a radio as Collins, using fake tags, non-Collins 
replacement modules/panels, etc., do us all a favor and go crawl under a 
rock.  Thanks....

Jim N4BE
----- Original Message ----- 
From: R390rcvr at aol.com
To: JMILLER1706 at cfl.rr.com
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 12:10 AM
Subject: Re: [R-390] Identifying Collins 390a


Good evening:

I am sure you have heard this from others, but I have a particular interest 
in the production variations various models over the years.

Most of the radios went through the military depot process, where parts were 
often liberally interchanged. The tag often has no relationship to the rest 
of the radio. So, absolutely don't rely on that. Plus, there are duplicate 
tags out there, which truly have no relationship to actual manufacture of 
the radio.

In regard to the Collins. All were silk screened. (Not true for the original 
R-390 however).
The first contract, 14214-PH-51 had the "long tag", 3" long. The second and 
third Collins contracts had a 2.5" tag. All the contracts (Collins) had a 
single fuse. They all had tool holders on the back panel.  The 6 used on the 
Collins was different from all the other mfg. The top tends to point up 
towards 1:00, it doesn't curl around at all. This is true on the front panel 
and the modules.

Collins used very light colored alondying (sp?) as opposed to many other 
mfgs, which was much more yellow. No MFP used on Collins.

I can tell some of modules mfg. by seeing a detailed picture, in the radio, 
but not all. It is pretty tough unless you are willing to pull the module. 
The power supply of course is marked on the shelf, but the others are harder 
to see. In some cases you can read the crystal osciallator deck mfg. while 
still in the radio.

Hope this helps. There is a  lot to learn about these wonderful radios. The 
important thing is, they can all play very well, whether depot dog or 
pristine.

Many people prefer the last EAC contract, newest, possibly the least wear. I 
tend to go by the individual radio, re: wear , etc. Don't particularly like 
Motorolas or Stewart Warners.

Ask if I can answer any more questions

Randy Stout