[R-390] Re: clock??

[2002tii]

Scott wrote:

>Hey, Thats a good idea. I like it. I had a reply from Dan about a tank clock
>which I like too. also a thought about an hour meter. I think the B+ meter
>is a real winner.

C'mon, folks, surely we can do better than that.  Here are eleven 
suggestions to get the discussion started:

How about a little CRT (or these days, LCD) that shows signal 
strength on the vertical axis and instantaneous frequency +/- the 
center of the IF on the horizontal axis, like the Marantz 10B FM 
tuner?  (Yes, I know, such a display isn't nearly as useful on an AM 
receiver, but it would look way cool.)  Or a 6E5 tuning eye?  (Looks 
almost as cool, but much easier to design and implement.)  Or an 
electric pencil sharpener, so your logbook will always look 
neat.  (You DO keep a logbook, don't you?)  Or a video camera hooked 
to your computer so all your friends can go to your website and watch 
you twiddle the knobs?  (You DO have friends, don't you?  Sorry, I 
forgot -- you're a radio operator. . . .)  Or a bottle opener.  (Your 
beer DOESN'T have twist-off caps, does it?)  When the radio is full 
of bottle caps, it is time to empty it and perform periodic 
maintenance.  Or an altimeter (so you know how high you are.)  Or an 
automotive cigarette lighter?  Or a big, military-looking switch with 
a safety lockout, labeled "DETONATE" (whether, and how, you implement 
the rest is up to you).

How about a little speaker, in case you want to use your 390 as a 
portable receiver and don't want to have to lug around that big, 
heavy, external speaker?  Or a whip antenna that pulls out, hinges 
up, and extends to six feet or so (similar to the one on a Drake 
SW8)?  (This is the answer for all those occasions when you've said, 
"I'd love to bring my 390 over to your place, but it's just too much 
effort to move the twin sloper. . . .")  Or an automotive ignition 
switch wired in series with the power switch, so nobody can use your 
390 when you're not there?

How about a display for a digital frequency readout?

Now it's y'all's turn.  And use a little imagination this time!   ;-)

Best regards,

Don