[R-390] Classified Equipment

[Dennis Deaton]

Bob,
I failed to mention the year that I first saw my R-390A.  It was 1958.  Long
before the EAC ad appeared in CQ.  I graduated from college (after high
school, Jr. college and the USMC) in 1971 and worked for DOD on a variety of
classified programs for the next 31 years.  The only classified equipment I
ever saw was krypto gear (KG-75's and -125's), jammers (ALQ-162's, -126B's
and -165's), missiles (SM-1's, SM-2's and RIM-2D's) and radar consoles
(AWG-9's, APG-65's and SPG-55B's).  The receivers and transmitters
associated with the krypto boxes were unclassified.  The jammers were
classified when loaded with the waveforms (techniques) associated with a
particular threat.  The radars had specific waveforms and frequencies
hardwired into their design.  The missiles and KG boxes are obvious.

When I ran the EW dept's microwave lab at Point Mugu, I had an R-390A
sitting on the lab bench just to receive WWV and set up the 10-MHz lab
reference.  A waste for that receiver.  But, it worked just fine.

Dennis, WA6ACC

-----Original Message-----
From: r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
On Behalf Of rbethman
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 9:34 AM
To: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [R-390] Classified Equipment

On 6/7/2010 11:25 AM, Dennis Deaton wrote:
> As far as the R-390A receiver being classified equipment goes, I saw my
own
> R-390A (Collins unit from the first contract) when I was in junior high.
My
> dad was attending night classes at our local high school, working on his
> GED.  I went along to the electronics class with him.  Being a new novice,
> the class instructor was kind enough to let me go into back room and
operate
> the school's club station while class was being held.  The station was
this
> R-390A and a Heathkit DX-40.  The school had received the receiver NIB
from
> a DOD grant.  I'm certain that DOD would not give classified equipment to
a
> public school!  Many years later, an old grade-school buddy of mine who
> ended up teaching at our old high school called as said that the
> administration was basically shutting down the electronics classes and
that
> he needed to "clean out" all the excess "junk" from the classroom.  He
asked
> if I wanted the R-390A.  Two nano-seconds later I answered "YES"!  It's
now
> on the bench in the process of being restored.  I'm going to match it up
> with a Johnson Adventurer.
>
> Dennis Deaton, WA6ACC
Dennis,  Those whom understand that this is the case get it.  Then there 
are a number of folks that DON'T!

Trying to convince them that the ONLY thing that was classified was the 
"Engineering Report", is wasted breath and energy.  [ROTFLMAO]  Those 
folks do not have a grasp on the appropriate "Markings" for classification!

Bob - N0DGN


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