[R-390] Re-R390 Putting a Cap on Caps

[ks1u]

Mike:
     Hello and welcome to the list.  I have dealt with Fair Radio and they 
really are good guys, I have never had anything but good luck with them. 
However, I have always used them for parts and not the whole radio.  Since 
you have been thinking about this for a year or so, I wouldn't discount 
finding one "in the wild".  Buying from a commercial source is a lot like 
going to the fish market for dinner versus getting one from a swap meet or 
local auction.  Going on the hunt, armed with patience and knowledge is 
probably the least expensive way to get one.  There are also guys on the 
list who could probably help you out as well.
     If you do start hitting the swap meets and auctions, I wouldn't walk 
away from a basket case if the price was right, most of us have parts and 
sub chassis filed away in our basements and garages.  Since these sub 
chassis can be easily swapped out, my philosophy has always been, you can 
never have enough replacement parts or tubes.  I have for instance about 40 
complete sets of NOS tubes for the R-390A.  I keep a list with me when I go 
to swap meets and when the price is right I grab them even if I don't need 
them.
QRZ.com lists your address as Bartow, FLwhich, means the Orlando Hamfest is 
coming up and you'll almost certainly see one or more R390's / R390A's 
there.  There's also a nice hamfest in Stuart as well as a few other places 
within a few hours drive.  Personally I like to get there early and stay 
late, you'd be surprised how the prices drop on some of these heavy radios 
when it's time to pack them up.  I particularly like my chances of a good 
deal when the XYL is helping pack up these radios as the show is breaking 
down and the crowds have dwindled.   Anyhow, the best deals are those radios 
which are complete, dirty and not working.  There is enough expertise on the 
list and through numerous websites that getting a complete, non working 390 
to play is really quite reasonable a project.  Let us know how you make out.

George