[R-390] A (very) big project

[Mark Richards]

Amateur Radio has sent some of the first raspy dits and dahs across the
ether and communications into orbit by satellite.  Perhaps it's time to
engage in what may be seen by some as insane: re-manufacture the R-390a.

After all, we know how to re-build them.

The supply of these radios is, despite the interest and forward-thinking of
surplus dealers and the tinkerers, traders and preservers among us, drying
up.  Evidence the cost of these beautiful beasts - even un-restored.  And
it's likely that the value of our R-390 stock will not be dropping anytime
soon.

When NASA used to do things right; when the US was less averse to risk; when
there was a true mission with leadership and commitment behind it, great
things were achieved.  The successes would have otherwise been impossible
without a massive effort of the ten thousand vendors who built specialized
parts and pieces, all brought together by invetive minds and a system of
management that was invented to meet the challenge.  We have the same in our
R-390 community.  Someone does panels.  Another has experience in tubes.
The expertise and capability I've witnessed on this reflector over the years
is  astounding.  And the commitment to keep these radios alive seems to me a
widely-shared idea.

Some might ask "why?".  "Why would we re-build something that could be so
much easier produced with circuit boards, plastic, microprocessors and
bytes?"  Perhaps the answer is in that very question.

Maybe these thoughts are just crazy early morning ramblings.  I put them out
knowing that it would be impossible to back them up with much in the way of
my own experience, knowledge, or financial substance.  

Would there be enough of a market for the reproduction of this radio?  How
would the effort be organized?  Would it need financing to sustain itself?
Would it ever break even?

Guess I'm selfish.  I'd love to see this come to be.

Mark Richards
K1MGY