[R-390] R-390A Multiple Signal Peaks

[Bill Scurlock]

I obtained my first R-390A a few months ago and have been slowly becoming familiar with it.  There is one operational characteristic that I don't know whether it is normal or not.  As the receiver is tuned across a carrier signal, there are multiple peaks observed on the Carrier Level Meter, and also changes in the audio frequency response resulting in some degree of audio distortion regardless of which signal peak is selected by the tuning knob.  The difference in signal level represented by these "peaks" and "dips" in the carrier level meter are somewhere around 100 microvolts or so where I did the testing (at carrier levels of about "40" on the meter).  Visually, the needle on the carrier level meter would swing one or two "needle widths" between signal peaks.  The AGC was on during these tests.

There are 6 identifiable signal peaks across the 16Kc. bandwidth position, spacing varies from 1.1 to 3.2 Kc., and the average spacing is 2.52 Kc.  In the 8Kc. bandwidth position, there are also 6 peaks with spacing from 1.2 to 2.5 Kc., and the average spacing is 1.78 Kc.  In the 4Kc. bandwidth position, there are 5 identifiable signal peaks, spacing varies from 0.3 to 1.0 Kc., and the average spacing is 750 cycles.  At 2Kc. bandwidth, only 3 peaks can be seen, and they are about 600 cycles apart.  Only one peak can been observed at the 1Kc. and 0.1Kc. bandwidth positions.

I checked the IF tuning, and it is stagger tuned as per instructions.  Although I am suspicious that this may be a factor, I wanted to send this email to the group before I started making changes in the IF tuning arrangement.

I have other questions for the group, but wanted to address this one first.

Any assistance you can provide will be appreciated.  Thanks.

73, Bill, K5GCW