[R-390] R-390A s/n4214 [8719-p-55] known issues

[ka9egw at britewerkz.com]

Not much, really.

I verified it can find the calibrator signal every x900kc, x500kc and x100
kc across the entire tuning range at all 6 IF bandwidth settings.  My wrist
is already tired just from that HI. On local BC stations narrowing the IF
bandwidth costs fidelity, but the volume doesn't change much through all 6
settings.  I'd guess from that nothing's majorly dead in it.

Without looking at the schematic I'm guessing the two wires
[white-red-blue-black and white-red-green-black; or is that red really an
odd brown?] ending in midair in the vicinity of the two solder points on the
antenna relay by the J10x label, drive the antenna relay coil.  However,
since everything goes to no-signal-perceptible when the random wire is
disconnected from the "C" connector, I plausit the relay is making contact.

The set has no meters; I have replacements; this has been discussed already.

The audio quality is not evaluable since my
specially-packed-where-I-couldn't-lose-it 600/8 xformer is MIA.  Into a pair
of Hi-Z Brandes cans at the phone jack, it doesn't sound TOO much worse than
those cans do on any other radio, which isn't really saying much.  But
they're "brasspounder cans" anyhow.  An 8-ohm Klipsch across "line" gives
enough audio to listen to on local BC stations, WWV, etc...at mediocre
fidelity.

All the tube shields got lost in my last move in '04.  They were not IIRC
corrugated-insert black ones, so I really don't care except to note the
tubes will have to be packed separately to ship the radio.  The 3TF7 is good
with no visible glow.

I note there was a sticker on the back [now on the bench next to the radio;
the glue was shot] detailing some field mod TM11-820 or something dated
[looks like] 1975, the ink is faded badly] , and it is an Army Security
Agency sticker, so I don't know what that may imply as to anything
nonstandard about the receiver.  [Going by the fact the NASA R3930's for the
Apollo program had a vernier on the BFO and other stuff.]

Much grit and stiffness in the geartrain.  To be expected; the geartrain has
never been rebuilt.

SO...overall I would have to rate this receiver as a non-basket-case
suitable candidate for restoration.

73 de KA9EGW