[R-390] Classified Equipment

[Jerry K]

Compared to the relatively dirt simple but equally effective 390A, the 
WRR-2 was (to me) a needlessly huge, ridiculously complex (about 70 
tubes), noisy, heavy (250 lb without mountings), radio shack heater. I 
hated 'em, the RM's hated 'em, I think God might have even hated 'em. As 
a result, ours probably had 10 hours of use in the three years I was 
aboard that particular ship, and most of that was just to turn them on 
to do PMS. The 390A's were on the other end of the spectrum. We all 
loved them, they worked almost flawlessly 24/7, and maintenance was a 
total piece of cake.

However, if you like a challenge and have the room and a strong back, 
lots of info at WRR-2 <http://www.navy-radio.com/navy-rcvrs.htm> is 
available, including an outstandingly written (as usual) USN manual for 
download.

I have always loved the way the Navy wrote tech manuals. So much so that 
after I retired, I ran a 50-person tech manual development shop for 
NAVSEA (I worked for a DOD contractor) for many years out in Norfolk. It 
was the most enjoyable civilian job I ever had.

I will admit that with new tubes and a full alignment to specs, the 
WRR-2 is a great receiver. But like the Oak Ridge Boys song says, 
"Sometimes the pleasure ain't worth the pain". Kind of reminds me of the 
AN/URC-32, which I wasn't too fond of either. But that's just me, I like 
stuff that works great, doesn't break very often, and is easy to fix 
when it does. Art Collins made a lot of those, but he also threw up an 
air ball once in a while. :)

73, W5KP





On 6/7/2010 11:55 PM, Roy Morgan wrote:
>
> On Jun 7, 2010, at 5:20 PM, Jerry K wrote
> :... Fun stuff to work with, cutting edge technology at the time.
>> The amazing thing is, it actually worked quite well, as did the 390A's,
>> which is more than I can say for the AN/WRR-2's!
>
> Jerry,
>
> I've no direct experience with the WRR-2. At one point I thought I 
> might try to get one.
>
> Can you tell us what they did wrong, or didn't do that they should 
> have?  Maybe they simply had too many tubes!
>
> Roy
>
>
> Roy Morgan
> k1lky at earthlink.net
> 529 Cobb St.
> Groton NY, 13073
> Home: 607-898-3607
> Cell: 301-928-7794
>
>
>
>