[R-390] Mods and Mods

[Perry Sandeen]

Hi Guys,

Wrote: 5) Antenna Input Conversion to 50 Ohms "To replace antenna input connectors with SO-239
Connectors that mate with standard ham equipment." (In this mod, he removes the "break-in relay"
completely (I think he means the antenna relay actuator), solders jumpers to various parts of the
antenna relay module and connectors, removes the two antenna connectors and replaces one of them
with an SO-239 connector.  SHUDDER!!)

Somewhat mild rant follows:

I suppose if you are using your receiver with or near a transmitter Having the antenna relay makes
since.  For those of us who are just using them for listening it is really a PITA.   By the time
you put on a Twin-ax adapter, then another adapter to a BNC or worse a SO 239 you have a 5 or 6
inch monstrosity sticking out the back.  This can be a problem when one wants to use it on a table
top that’s less than the size of the Titanic.

For listeners only its probably better to gut the sucker and sell it on epay while replacing it
with a binding post or RCA connector.  I do agree that the workmanship should be good.

Drake installed two SO-239’s on my R8.  They are useless.

The rants about "originality" and "value" have gotten to the point of absurdity. These are 50+
year old, usually gray, mass produced radios for the military. Style-wise from the beginning, they
were maybe a half step up from an Edsel.  Like a Stihl chainsaw, their value is in their price-
performance- maintainability  parameters.  "Museum  quality"??  Vomitus ad-nausium!  Somebody
smokin’ dopem’ and suckketh canal water.

I want my radios to run well and long.  Yeah, I really don’t want my radios so ugly that I have to
put a paper bag over them when I use them.  But give me, or I’ll make me, a radio that works
excellently. So what if I have to gut it to put in modern caps, low noise non-drifting resistors,
and solid state electronically regulated slow warm up power supply?  IT MAKES THE RADIO BETTER
THAN WHEN IT ROLLED OFF OF THE ASSEMBLY LINE.

BTW, the "original design forever" people are using the black IREC tube shields.  It seems very
disingenuous to use that "Mod" and curse others.  I mean after all, Art didn’t install it
originally. He used the silver tube wreaking type.   Come on now you "Purists", you just can’t
have it both ways.

Regards, Perrier


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