[R-390] Interesting receiver

[Gregory W. Moore]

GE Gentle listmembers,

As one who owns one of both, and has worked on both, I would venture to 
say that the 390 wins hands down in all respects.
That being said, this is the word of a former Naval Aviator, and there 
just aren't too many R-390's or R-1051's in Naval A/C except for 
specialized ones ;-).  Given the fact I own  both an R390A and an R1051, 
my opinion is the R390 is easier to tune, easier to copy SSB with or 
without the CV-591/URR (just use the BFO) unless you are using it to 
copy ISB --hi-- and the sound quality is far better...

This is my own opinion, and is open to flame wars etc, etc. I enjoy a 
little controversy once in a while --hi hi--

73 de Greg "GW" Moore WA3IVX/NNN0BVN

Cecil Acuff wrote:

> I agree it's an engineering marvel...one that replaced an engineering 
> marvel the R-390 series.  But in terms of performance, outside of 
> frequency stability and SSB demodulation, it's pure receive 
> performance is bettered by a good R-390A...probably even a good 
> SP-600.  The R-1051 suffered from a lot of internal noise...it's full 
> of germanium transistors.  I heard in the later years it was costing 
> the military around 30K each for the G and H models.  That was 
> probably in the 80's if I were to venture a guess.
>
> Cecil....
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Francesco Ledda" 
> <frledda at verizon.net>
> To: "Cecil Acuff" <chacuff at cableone.net>; "Transmaster" 
> <22hornet at gmail.com>; "R-390" <R-390 at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 1:09 PM
> Subject: RE: [R-390] Interesting receiver
>
>
>> I think that it is an amazing reciever, considered that was designed 
>> in the
>> early sixties.
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>> [mailto:r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Cecil Acuff
>> Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 1:02 PM
>> To: Transmaster; R-390
>> Subject: Re: [R-390] Interesting receiver
>>
>>
>> Originally built by General Dynamics.  Came in the R-1051 with no
>> designation, the B, C, D, E, F, G and H designations.  Some G and H 
>> models
>> I'm told are still in service in subs.  A very complicated receiver of
>> modular design but will stay dead on frequency once warmed up for
>> weeks..months etc....thanks to a 5 MC TCXO module.   Poor filter 
>> selections
>> but has a great feature for beating selective fading by using the double
>> sidband mode and it's two IF and audio chains zero beat on a SWBC 
>> station.
>> Really cool!
>>
>> Not particularly sensitive and with low audio output.  Tuning method not
>> popular which I think has hurt it desirability.  When working properly a
>> pretty good receiver for SSB and SWBC.  Poor for CW.  When broke a 
>> real dog
>> to work on.
>>
>> Will be a classic because of it's unique electro-mechanical design.
>>
>> I'm surprised to see any listed with Fair Radio as I bought all the
>> remaining complete radio's they had probably 5 years ago.  Maybe they 
>> got
>> some more.  Last time I checked the military was crushing all of them 
>> coming
>> out of service and selling for scrap.
>>
>> I gave away the last 6 or 7 I had to get them out of the shop...tired of
>> tripping over them.  They were complete but non-functional...
>>
>> Cecil Acuff
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Transmaster" <22hornet at gmail.com>
>> To: "R-390" <R-390 at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 12:05 PM
>> Subject: [R-390] Interesting receiver
>>
>>
>>> I was looking through Fair Radio Sales website and I spotted this 
>>> receiver
>>> R-1051B does anyone know who built this unit and when they where in 
>>> use.
>>> Receivers have always fascinated me to see what engineers come up with
>>> to do the  essentially the same job over the years.
>>>
>>> Ken
>>>
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> Kenneth A. Crips, W7ITC Home of the Chew Crew,  Red Headed
>>> Irish Terrier House Ninjas, Beezie, Chic', and Cowboy
>>> 10th degree black belts in Mouch Fue, Bed Fue, and
>>> Con Artist Fue.
>>


-- 
GREGORY W. MOORE NNN0BVN
NCS/SHARES/ALE
120 N CEDAR LANE
UPPER DARBY, PA 19082-1306
TEL:484-461-1672
FAX 484-461-1671
CELL: 215-805-9260
nnn0bvn at navymars.org