[R-390] Identifying Collins 390a

[Llgpt at aol.com]

My sentiments exactly! The Stewart Warner's and Amelco's have the heaviest  
coating of alodining I have seen, the 67 EAC's must have skimped on that  
process, just a light spritz of water/cleaner and the modules are  "silver".
 
With a few exceptions, the Collins are worst looking of the manufacturers,  
due mainly to there age. Cecil and I had a few Collins R-390A's a while back 
and  they were the cleanest Collins 390A's I've witnessed in many, many years. 
Of  course ymmv.
 
One thing that is certain, they "ALL" had to meet the same specifications  in 
the end.
 
'nuff said.
 
Les Locklear
 
 
In a message dated 4/11/2005 8:16:31 AM Central Daylight Time,  
chacuff at cableone.net writes:

Folks  are way too hung up on the "Collins" built radios which are the oldest 
of  the entire series and I have not personally seen nor heard from this 
group  that they are any better built radio's than the others.  The fact that 
 
they seem to bring more at auction is a false economy....but one that will  
continue to be exploited I'm sure.  There is no basis for it.   As mentioned 
the 67 contract EAC is not only the newest of the series that  is commonly 
available but also has incorporated some more modern touches  in it's 
manufacture that does add value.  One of the ugliest radio's  to pass through 
my shop was a 67 EAC and one of the cleanest is my 56  Motorola. (all Mot. 
modules)  I am going through a Stewart Warner  (all SW modules) that is an 
SJC survivor and it is amazing how well it  held up to the weather and how it 
has cleaned up.  So don't feel like  a second rate citizen if you own either 
one of those two makes of the 390A  series.  They are great radio's  too!

Cecil...

WB5VCE