[R-390] R390-A Contract Choices.

[Flowertime01 at wmconnect.com]

In a message dated 3/28/05 3:05:48 PM Eastern Standard Time, K4HCA at alltel.net 
writes:

I have been looking for an R-390A for last few months. Question; Apparently, 
these fine receivers were manufactured by several (?) different companies.  
>From those of you who have had experience with them, are receivers manufactured 
by one particular company more desirable as a restoration project than 
another? Or, put more simply, if one had a choice, which one would you recommend? 

Many thanks,

Harold

__________________

Back when (68-75) we had the receivers by the hundreds. We considered them 
all equal. They were all alike inside and out side. There were differences (wire 
harness, cosmo PTO). Some gear trains ran better than others but any and all 
receivers would work to specifications.

We did not go out of our way to swap modules around but it did happen. If you 
get one that mostly matches inside, you make consider buying some lottery 
tickets. Fair Radio is selling working receiver for $600.00. 

Watch the meters. Some receivers had glow in the dark paint on the meter 
face. Some tree huggers though us fellows would be licking the paint on our meter 
faces or throwing R390/A in the land fill. Many receivers had the meters 
pulled before they went to salvage sale. The cost of replacement meters with 
"acceptable" interior paint can drive the cost of a receiver up.

The state of the tube set can increase the price. Consider what it is going 
to cost to replace a set of tubes.

The next real cost is the work that has been done on the receiver. A simple 
semi annual preventive maintenance cleaning and alignment performed by a 
skilled technician takes a minimum of 4 hours. Plan to spend all day Saturday twice 
a year doing a cleaning, tube check and alignment on your receiver. Skilled 
electronic techs are billing $20.00 $25.00 an hour for independent time. More if 
they are supporting a commercial shop overhead. A real gear cleaning, panel 
paint job, recap, audio deck rebuild (different cap values for better audio 
sound) or other real repair can push the price of a receiver up over the 1,000 
mark real easy. 

The 3 K item was a real stretch.

Real deals are still being found real regular. Start shopping and do not pass 
over any because of the perceived contract it come from. If its all there it 
can be returned to full function. Some real care and it can out perform the 
generic run. Super smooth gears trains are very doable. Better audio through 
some audio deck changes. Better sensitivity through tube selection (not a lasting 
change as tubes age). Better performance through some cap and resistor 
changes.

You may have to pay for work that has already been done. You can do the 
needed work your self. There are several of us fellows on the reflector here who 
will do work for you. Mostly you will select a local fellow to you as UPS can be 
done but it cost. Crates and freight service is a pain to arrange and also 
cost.

You may already have an offer or two from the list for a receiver.

Let us know what you find. Let us know what problems you find in the receiver.

Happy Operating

Roger KC6TRU