[R-390] wow... the R-391A does exist

[Les Locklear]

XC-1 exists in Massachusetts.

Les Locklear

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Barry Hauser" <barry at hausernet.com>
To: <paul at pdq.com>; <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 09, 2006 9:49 AM
Subject: Re: [R-390] wow... the R-391A does exist


> Hi Paul & Gang
>
> Well, if genuine, it may be of some historical interest, but that's about 
> it.
>
> Good thing you didn't waste a heart attack over it and I'm not sure that 
> additional photos of the autotune area would help much -- the components 
> are not there.
>
> If you look closely at the view of the bottom you'll see a remnant of 
> it --  that casting that runs about 2/3rd's of the way across the bottom. 
> And what does it have on it?  Hardly anything is what.  See all those 
> holes in the casting?  The only thing there is the transverse shave with 
> worm-drive gears -- 3 of them.
>
> I think you have one or two '391's right?  There should be two mechanical 
> modules, nearly the same, for each of the KC and MC shafts (the heads 
> containing the pawls, etc.), a controller module with small relays and 
> rotary switches -- that also has the wheel with the 8 channel numbers, 
> probably a sealed relay -- and, last, but not least, the motor, which was 
> probably supposed to stick into the power supply area a bit, I don't know.
>
> It appears to have the extra controls on the front panel, but who knows if 
> the switches are wired - -I don't see the stray ends where the autotune 
> modules would be.  Wiring would go to the motor and from the switches to 
> the sealed relay and controller module.  I do see what appears to be an 
> extra wiring bundle coming out of or near the audio deck.
>
> Unless someone out there is sitting with the missing pieces, there is 
> probably no practical way to complete it.  I don't have a side-by-side 
> comparison, but it does NOT look like the autotuner parts from an R-391 
> would fit.  Motor is way over on the left on those above the can cap.  At 
> any rate, you'd have to strip out a good, complete R-391 in the attempt to 
> skootch in the parts.  Good complete R-391's aren't exactly cheap -- and 
> many of them that are complete, do not have working autotuners.  (Probably 
> most of them.)
>
> You can get some idea of the extent of what's missing if you take a look 
> at Ray's (W2EC) web pages http://www.w2ec.com/r391bot.html
>
> So, basically what you have there is an unusual front panel with a couple 
> of added switches, a channel window and an interesting tag.
>
> I don't know if anyone has seen a complete R-391A.  It's possible that 
> this one never had the modules -- maybe they were never completed.  Can't 
> swear by it from the photos, but I don't see hardware markings or 
> "shadows" where all those modules would be.  Even with this artifact, it 
> may still be a question as to whether the R-391A ever existed except on 
> paper and in the form of some prototypes that didn't past muster or 
> weren't finished. (Unless someone has seen a complete one, working or 
> not?)
>
> It's also missing quite a few knobs and one meter, some tubes, a number of 
> cans missing from the IF transformers.  Would seem to have served as parts 
> donor in the past.
>
> I wonder if the bidders are aware?  The auction has hardly begun and the 
> bidding is way up there.  Seller has 100% positives, but says he thinks 
> it's mostly complete - -which I suppose it is, ... but, I suppose he might 
> not be aware.  I suppose it will go sky high, even with some bid 
> retractions.
>
> Would be nice to have some clearer photos of the front panel.  Could blow 
> one up to full size and ... well.
>
> Barry
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Paul H. Anderson" <paul at pdq.com>
> To: <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Sunday, April 09, 2006 9:38 AM
> Subject: [R-390] wow... the R-391A does exist
>
>
>>
>> I would not normally post 'seen on ebay', but this is absolutely 
>> astounding.
>>
>> There's an R-391 XC-2 radio on eBay - item # 9710078628.
>>
>> I think I about had a heart attack when I saw it (I'm a big fan of 
>> R-391's).
>>
>> I asked the seller to list more pictures of the autotune area - hopefully 
>> we can learn more about it.
>>
>> No relationship to the seller...
>>
>> Paul
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>
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