[R-390] New Owner

[Tom Norris]

On Sep 30, 2006, at 8:14 PM, Carole White-Connor wrote:

> Well, I just joined your fraternity today. I bought an EAC model,  
> serial no.
> 383. I downloaded the Y2K manual and am busy studying.
>

Congrats Joe!!!!

> I have a couple of basic questions:
>
> 1. This set trips the ground-fault interruptor in my basement. The  
> only
> other set that does so is an AN/GRR-5. What causes this and what  
> can I do to
> solve the problem?

Ahhhh, yes.  It's the same thing as is in the GRR-5, it's the line  
filter, but unlike the GRR-5, the R-390A uses a sealed unit.  There  
are a couple of options.  The easiest and less destructive way is to  
procure an isolation transformer.  The next step would be to remove  
the line filter from the radio and set it aside should you decide to  
sell the radio later.  This leakage is considered *normal* as this is  
a "brute force" AC input filter, but the leakage is such that it will  
trip a GFI -- and if the radio is not properly grounded on a non-gfi  
circuit it can raise the chassis to half the AC line voltage, which  
is not a good thing.

There are several good solutions on how best to attach AC, sans-input  
filter,  I think the most common *SAFE* way is to buy/salvage from  
old gear a computer-type AC chassis receptacle and mount it in the  
least destructive way possible where the old filter was mounted.   
With that sort of receptacle, you can use common computer/electronic  
gear cords to connect your receiver to power.  I have a radio with a  
VERY LEAKY filter that I need to do the same thing to myself.

The cheap/easy/LEAST SAFE way, is to simply attach the power cord to  
the wiring where the filter was previously connected, insulate the  
solder joints well with heat shrink, MAKE SURE the power cord and  
radio are grounded and MAKE SURE the cord has a strong strain relief  
so it wont pull itself out of the back of the radio.

With all these options always assure the receiver has a good solid  
ground.

> 2. How do I get onto this list's archives so I can run a word  
> search (e.g.,
> "ground fault interruptor"). I know that there used to be a way to  
> do so via
> the old Hallicrafters Collectors' site.
>

There are several versions of the archive, so there will no doubt be  
lots of advice on that one.....

> I'm sure this is only the first of many questions from me.
>
> Joe Connor

There are lots of good folks here to help...

73

Tom NU4G