[R-390] Fair radio blue strippers

[richard may]

Mike. I would like to tell you my experiences with Fair radio. I bought a "Blue stripper" from them about a year ago. 
If you order one from them, expect about a three week wait before it is shipped. Gary at Fair explained to me that it takes this much time to get the radio up to their advertised "Checked out" condition. Here is what I found when I received it:
1. Broken wire on VU meter: Repaired.
2. Seperated RF slug: found it in the can and expoxyed it.
3. BFO inoperative: BFO can replaced. Unit had been screwed beyond its limits.
4. Crystal Calibrator out of tolerance: Replaced crystal.
5. RF rack spring missing: installed spring to stop hangup (This could have happen when shipped).
6. Electrolytic (C609) in AF deck charred: Replaced, common problem.
7. Frame bent. Replaced side panel and rebent back panel best I could.
8. Filter choke (L602) damaged: Replaced choke. (This happened when the chassis was damaged. Somebody used this thing for a football, probably at the disposal site).

In all fairness, Fair radio supplied the necessary parts free to repair the unit. I also decided, since I was there, to pick up some additional parts (PTO, etc). Gary gave me the run of the place to select the best parts. All sub-units have been removed from the unrepairable receivers and thrown into large bins. If you order an IF deck for instance, you probably will receive the unit with all connectors attached and undamaged. The reason it is advertised as "With no connectors" is because some of the have been cut off or damaged. My guess is that about 80 percent will be OK.
Gary also told me that it won't be long before he will be in the parts business only. I saw only three palats of receivers that were still sealed. My guess is about 125 left and that was last Feburary.

Hope this gives you a better understanding of what to expect. If I had to do it again, I probably would buy a "uncheck, repairable" At least I know it will will turn on and receive at least one station. (His words).

Good luck, Richard W8FCW, richardmay at hotmail.com