[R-390] Judging a R-390A for potential purchase

[Tim Shoppa]

> A checked receiver with replacement meters sells for $600 from Fair.

A different data point from Fair: A "Used/Reparable" unit comes with
no meters, a very grunged up geartrain, lotsa dirt everywhere, and
some green dots indicating that Fair has swapped modules around
from various units until they had a mainframe filled with working
(but maybe not perfect) modules.  Oh, yeah, don't forget that big
yellow stripe across the front.

I'm a couple of weeks into refurbing my yellow striper, getting maybe
an hour or two each morning to play with it.  At $350 it's the most
fun I've had in a long time.  

If your objective is to start with a working radio, $600 or $610 or
whatever is a bargain.  I would be reluctant to spend that much on
a clean but unknown-condition radio without a lot of pictures and
very good assurance/reputation from a seller.  Fair has that good
reputation automatically.

I'm wondering what to take on next... maybe a tube transmitter.
Anyone here with opinions of the T-195/GRC-19?  I have no personal
interest in SSB modes, and it looks like it could be fun.

Tim.