[R-390] Restoring my '390

[Barry]

> Well, as long as I can scan the panel [I may have to do it in 2 sections,
> but that's OK] making a cnc file to turn plain stock into a
> recessed-lettering panel is just mindless busywork...but if I can get a
> freshly silkscreened panel from W3HM, so much the better...some might call
> it sacrilege, but...I wonder if he's ever done, or can do, an R-390A panel
> in St. James Grey?  It wouldn't be 'purely authentic', but personally I
> think it'd look sharp.  Blanking a new panel out of raw stock ought not be
> difficult for this hobby machinist...I'll have to drop him a line...
>
> 73, Brian KA9EGW

I painted a couple of front panels with the same color as used on the S-Line
front panels.  They looked great.  Yes, they're not authentic, but I wasn't
painting them for the government either.

I would think the biggest problem might be keeping an old panel flat for the
engraving process.  I think a list member, Hank, may have done this, though.
I think he passed them through a significant amount of flattening,
smoothing, and conditioning before machining them.

Whatever you do, if you engrave them (or restore previously-engraved
panels), it is ill-advised to attempt to have them powder-coated.  BTDT and
the results are very "iffy".  One panel turned out good, the other had to
have the engravings filled in, sanded smooth, and silk-screened.  Long,
boring, sad story.

Good luck with it.

Barry - N4BUQ