[R-390] R-389 stuff, Part I

[William J. Neill]

The observation about EMP brings back an awkward memory.  I lived in  
San Antonio between 1981 and 1989 and was a member of the Assn of Old  
Crows and a few other spook groups at the time and once a month, AOC  
and AFCEA would have a luncheon at Kelly AFB officer's club.  At one  
particular luncheon (at which my hero, Bobby Ray Inman was the guest  
speaker), a USAF COL from ESC was seated diagonally from me and we  
struck up a conversation about HF comms.  He was describing current  
technologies employed by USAF for HF comms and some of the spiffy  
solid-state receivers and other odds and ends they were using to keep  
peace alive in the world.

Upon conclusion of his comments, I described that I was running four  
R-390( )s and and few other vacuum tube receivers at home and being a  
technological dinosaur, I just didn't understand how beneficial the  
new receivers were other than saving lotsa weight and maybe some  
watts.  The nice COL then offered up some truly fond memories of R-390 
( )s, R-388s, and SP-600s and concluded his comment with "Well, son,  
at least you'll still be working after the first EMP".  Even today, I  
think that is a classic, almost legendary observation, coming from a  
true professional.

Bill Neill
Conroe, People's Democratic Emirate of Texas


On Jan 14, 2007, at 3:19 PM, odyslim at comcast.net wrote:

> Bill, I am with you. How many could there be left. The seller of  
> the 4k radio
> said there were only 200 left. Where did he get his numbers? I am sure
> over half are at the bottom of the sea or buried by one of those  
> huge dozers
> with those spiked steel wheels they use to crush things with before  
> disposal.
>
>  Someone should do a 389 and 390 census. Or has one already been done.
> On the other hand maybe we should skip the census, Uncle Sam might  
> take
> them back after the big EMP comes.
>
>  Scott
>
>  -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: "William J. Neill" <wjneill at consolidated.net>
>> McKinney, Texas, eh?  My brother-in-law and his wife live in
>> McKinney.  Would be nice to have another R-389 to provide
>> companionship with one I've had for probably 40 years or more,
>> Collins S/N 363.
>>
>> I wonder just how many R-389s are still alive and where they are.
>>
>> Bill Neill
>> Conroe, Texas
>>
>> On Jan 14, 2007, at 10:30 AM, Cecil Acuff wrote:
>>
>>> When you find one in your pile of stuff for $1200 that is complete
>>> but needs restoration drop me a note.....I might be able to get
>>> that past the CFO.
>>>
>>> Nice as the R-390 on Ebay, and probably the one you have for sale
>>> is, both are too rich for my budget and thus out of reach.  I'll
>>> continue to use my SP-600VLF and Frequency Selective Voltmeter.
>>>
>>> Cecil.....
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dan Arney" <hankarn at pacbell.net>
>>> To: "Cecil Acuff" <chacuff at cableone.net>
>>> Cc: <ToddRoberts2001 at aol.com>; <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
>>> Sent: Sunday, January 14, 2007 9:54 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [R-390] Wow R-389 sold for $4K on Ebay
>>>
>>>> I have a R-389 just as nice plus original manual and original
>>>> covers for $3950.00 packed and ready plus UPS shipping and
>>>> insurance. Firm, or $3900.00 prepaid pick up in McKinney TX.
>>>> Will go on the bay on the 17th if no takers.
>>>>
>>>> Hank
>>>> KN6DI/5