[R-390] An Update - now called R-390A 8-16MHZ Cam Alignment

[wa3frp at aol.com]

First of all, thanks to those who responded with that was information very useful in resolving this Cam Alignment
issue.  I agree that the title of my subject line was incorrect. It should have read R-390A 8-16MHZ Cam Alignment 
or R-390A RF Deck Cam Alignment Question or something similar.
 

Second, it is interesting to note that the detailed information that I got about how to align this cam does not appear 
to be present in the Y2K R-390A/URR Technical Reference.  So maybe, it should be added.
 
This was my problem.  I had always assumed that the cam alignment was not in issue with my R-390A. I had not, until this
week, ever removed the front panel.  The top cams which as easily visible with the front panel installed were OK.  And, I was 
not chasing a cam alignment issue when I removed the front panel. But, I quickly noted that the cams associated with 
8 - 16 Mc and 2 - 4 MHz were both out of alignment by 10 to 15 degrees.

One solution offered, was to move the KHz knob to a point where the 8 - 16 MHz cam aligns with its mark and make that the 
new center point.  But, that would not work in my case as the 8 - 16 MHz cam needed to rotate clockwise by 10 to 15 degrees 
which would have put the KHz dial well past 7+0035.  So, I started to look at what was needed to remove a minimum number
of gears to leave my Veeder Root counter properly centered with the end stops at xx-965 and xx+035 and the 8-16 cam in
alignment. 

This is when I noted a novel solution that I have not found in the literature on hand here nor in any comment I received online. 

I found that by simultaneously releasing the clamps 16-32, 4-8 and 2-4 the four slug racks, associated with 16-32, 8-16, 4-8 and 2-4,   
all fell. This meant that the cam for 8-16 MHz was now free and available for adjustment without having to remove and reset any
gears nor jiggle with the ten-turn stops. Could it be that easy?  I can't find any negative effect and all of the cams are now aligned.

So, please take a look at this and tell me if the documentation should be changed to indicate that (1) the adjustment of the cam 
for 8-16 MHz should always be made first and that this is accomplished by releasing the above mentioned three clamps and by
hand rotating the gears until the 8-16 MHz cam is in its proper position, (2) temporarily locking the 8-16 MHz cam in place by tightening 
the clamp associated with the 2-4 cam without regard to the 2-4 cams position, (3) then individually adjusting the 16-32; 4-8; 
2-4; 1-2 and 0.5 -1 cams.

I have to note that the gear I used to hand rotate the 8-16 cam into position was the large gear closest to the no-mar clamp for the
16-32 MHz cam. Also, note that this is a split gear and that care needs to be taken to assure that both sides of this gear remain in 
place and in contact with its associated gear on the 8-16 MHz shaft. Otherwise, the split gear will lose tension and you will be looking
to reset both springs that hopefully are still attached to the split gear. (This did happen to happened to me).

Comment?

73 de Russ WA3FRP