[R-390] Skycraft lore
frankshughes at aim.com
frankshughes at aim.com
Wed Jan 26 09:57:28 EST 2011
So nice to see that others are enjoying Skycraft!
I still have meters in service that I bought from them in the 1960's.
Just this week I found a small, quiet box fan for cooling the R-390's hot spot.
We always try to drag out-of-town engineering oriented folks there just to see their
expression when entering the door.
The best one was a CISCO Multicast engineer.
After entering the doorway, Reed says 'I am in need of a 30 ton bottle jack for
my press project"
Reed - you are tripping over one, look down......
-----Original Message-----
From: r-390-request <r-390-request at mailman.qth.net>
To: r-390 <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wed, Jan 26, 2011 9:24 am
Subject: R-390 Digest, Vol 81, Issue 32
Send R-390 mailing list submissions to
r-390 at mailman.qth.net
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
r, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
r-390-request at mailman.qth.net
You can reach the person managing the list at
r-390-owner at mailman.qth.net
When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
han "Re: Contents of R-390 digest..."
oday's Topics:
1. re; dogbone caps (wli)
2. Re: OT: Update on Blaupunkt (rbethman)
3. Re: re; dogbone caps (rbethman)
4. Capacitors (Jim Haynes)
5. Update on visit to SkyCraft Surplus and Parts - Orlando
(Tom Bridgers)
6. Re: Capacitors (Barry Williams)
7. Re: re; dogbone caps (Les Locklear)
8. Re: Update on visit to SkyCraft Surplus and Parts - Orlando
(Dan Martin)
9. Want To Trade (Perry Sandeen)
10. Re: [Glowbugs] Update on visit to SkyCraft Surplus and Parts
- Orlando (Tom Bridgers)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
ate: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:51:18 -0800 (PST)
rom: wli <wli98122 at yahoo.com>
ubject: [R-390] re; dogbone caps
o: n4buq at knology.net
c: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
essage-ID: <607148.96772.qm at web110106.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
ontent-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
WOW, that was good detective work!
I have not seen a dogbone cap failure, Les experience with *many dogbone
ailures* is news to me. Live and learn I ses'
W. Li
-----------------------------
Message: 2
ate: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:16:50 -0500
rom: rbethman <rbethman at comcast.net>
ubject: Re: [R-390] OT: Update on Blaupunkt
o: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
essage-ID: <4D3F21A2.3060209 at comcast.net>
ontent-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I've had several go bad in an SX-101 MKIII.
It's why my new DVM has capacitance testing, and I still have an old
eath C-3.
You never know WHAT might go bad. I'm developing a "habit" of lifting
ne leg of damn near every component, so I can test them.
I bought a whole batch of metal film resistors too!
Bob - N0DGN
On 1/25/2011 9:49 AM, Les Locklear wrote:
I've seen several bad dogbones in 51J series receivers. YMMV
Les Locklear
Gulfport, Ms.
DX'ing Since '57
------------------------------
Message: 3
ate: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:22:39 -0500
rom: rbethman <rbethman at comcast.net>
ubject: Re: [R-390] re; dogbone caps
o: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
c: wli <wli98122 at yahoo.com>
essage-ID: <4D3F22FF.3070203 at comcast.net>
ontent-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
The apparent failure mode of the dogbone caps is whether they were
oated on the INSIDE.
Every single one I've found bad, had NOT been!
Bob - N0DGN
On 1/25/2011 12:51 PM, wli wrote:
WOW, that was good detective work!
I have not seen a dogbone cap failure, Les experience with *many dogbone
ailures* is news to me. Live and learn I ses'
W. Li
------------------------------
Message: 4
ate: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:58:06 -0600 (CST)
rom: Jim Haynes <jhhaynes at earthlink.net>
ubject: [R-390] Capacitors
o: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
essage-ID: <alpine.LFD.2.02.1101251354240.3496 at Frances>
ontent-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; format=flowed; charset=US-ASCII
Now if you want some Real capacitors, look at the offerings in
ww.tubesandmore.com (Antique Electronic Supply) for the audiophools.
aps at $37. each! Handmade with paper and beeswax. Maybe the price
s so high because the beekeepers have to risk their lives getting
he wax away from killer bees. Or does wax from honeybees make for a
weeter sound? You could make a name for yourself among the audiophools
y doing some "research" to show that there are differences in audio
uality according to the kind of plants the bees are gathering their
ectar and pollen from.
------------------------------
Message: 5
ate: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:59:13 -0500
rom: Tom Bridgers <tarheel6 at msn.com>
ubject: [R-390] Update on visit to SkyCraft Surplus and Parts -
Orlando
o: R-390 Group <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>, GB Glowbugs Tetrode
<tetrode at googlegroups.com>
essage-ID: <BAY155-w45E34E8A8BE39F7FF42AA190FC0 at phx.gbl>
ontent-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
kyCraft Surplus is a must-visit destination if you're going to be in Orlando.
ver 3 separate visits, totaling about 4 hours, early this month I had a great
ime ... and still didn't see everything they had in inventory.
ost of their prices are terrific. I purchased a lot of screws, nuts, solder
ugs, solder posts in quantities of a hundred to get the 30% discount. I found
ome aluminum L-brackets for 15 cents each that are going to be perfect for
read-board construction projects. Transformers of all flavors are on the
helves and the isolation xfmrs and 6.3 vac, 3 amp xfmrs were priced right and
o I purchased several of each.
witch hardware, which is either expensive or not available locally in
reensboro, is available at SkyCraft at attractive prices and so I purchased the
ssociated washers, nuts, and internal lock washers -- all at very attractive
rices.
found some thin 6" by 3/8" brass strips that I'll use in some projects in the
orks.
ot surprisingly, the box of R-390 mini connectors that I'd seen in previous
isits was empty of those flavors this year, but had beaucoup of other types in
he box.
heir website has photo's of the inside of their store -- go to the about us
ab, and down toward the bottom of that page there is a store photo's tab. See:
http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/about-us.aspx
3,
Tom
------------------------------
Message: 6
ate: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:09:17 -0600
rom: Barry Williams <ba.williams at charter.net>
ubject: Re: [R-390] Capacitors
o: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
essage-ID: <4D3F2DED.3000802 at charter.net>
ontent-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I don't think this is for the audio guys, but I could be wrong. The tube
rices are jacked up for them since they are willing to pay it, but
here is a different market for paper caps and old resistors.
I have a few old issues of ARC magazine and there are some interesting
rticles about restoring am, and am/fm radios below and at museum level.
his is where a restorer would want the old paper caps just for looks as
he radios are brought up to perfection inside and out. I know what some
re restored with new caps and old caps are carefully placed over them
o hide the work.
arry
Now if you want some Real capacitors, look at the offerings in
www.tubesandmore.com (Antique Electronic Supply) for the audiophools.
Caps at $37. each! Handmade with paper and beeswax. Maybe the price
is so high because the beekeepers have to risk their lives getting
the wax away from killer bees. Or does wax from honeybees make for a
sweeter sound? You could make a name for yourself among the audiophools
by doing some "research" to show that there are differences in audio
quality according to the kind of plants the bees are gathering their
nectar and pollen from.
______________________________________________________________
------------------------------
Message: 7
ate: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:26:14 -0600
rom: "Les Locklear" <leslocklear at cableone.net>
ubject: Re: [R-390] re; dogbone caps
o: "wli" <wli98122 at yahoo.com>, <n4buq at knology.net>
c: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
essage-ID: <625AB822E6DB43298F172FF742E9ABE4 at locklear>
ontent-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Well, not "Many", between a 51J3 and J4 if I remember correctly, there were
ive. I was shocked to find one bad.........
Les
----- Original Message -----
From: wli
To: n4buq at knology.net
Cc: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 11:51 AM
Subject: [R-390] re; dogbone caps
WOW, that was good detective work!
I have not seen a dogbone cap failure, Les experience with *many dogbone
ailures* is news to me. Live and learn I ses'
W. Li
______________________________________________________________
R-390 mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:R-390 at mailman.qth.net
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
------------------------------
Message: 8
ate: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:03:22 -0500
rom: "Dan Martin" <pitfit at comcast.net>
ubject: Re: [R-390] Update on visit to SkyCraft Surplus and Parts -
Orlando
o: "R-390 Group" <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>, "GB Glowbugs Tetrode"
<tetrode at googlegroups.com>
essage-ID: <F5071179797C40E8A1F630C3BDA7144D at MartinsPC>
ontent-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
I'm happy to hear it is still there. It has been around for what, 40 years
r so? As a Tampa native until 1987 I drove from Tampa to Daytona countless
imes and often stopped at Skycraft. Even as a "young married thing" in the
id-70's my wife completely supported my wandering up and down the aisles.
o this day she describes my interest in copper, whether wire, terminals,
ittings, antennas, or in general, as "liking bright shiny things to bring
ack to the nest". After looking at the innards of my R-390A some years ago
he started referring to all of my boatanchor radios as "radio machines".
a! A better description was never coined!
Though I now live a long way off I still visit FL very occasionally and hope
o return to Skycraft one day. It is a marvelous stop for any solid copper
oatanchor.
Dan
B4GRA
----- Original Message -----
rom: "Tom Bridgers" <tarheel6 at msn.com>
o: "R-390 Group" <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>; "GB Glowbugs Tetrode"
tetrode at googlegroups.com>
ent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 2:59 PM
ubject: [R-390] Update on visit to SkyCraft Surplus and Parts - Orlando
SkyCraft Surplus is a must-visit destination if you're going to be in
Orlando. Over 3 separate visits, totaling about 4 hours, early this month
I had a great time ... and still didn't see everything they had in
inventory.
Most of their prices are terrific. I purchased a lot of screws, nuts,
solder lugs, solder posts in quantities of a hundred to get the 30%
discount. I found some aluminum L-brackets for 15 cents each that are
going to be perfect for bread-board construction projects. Transformers
of all flavors are on the shelves and the isolation xfmrs and 6.3 vac, 3
amp xfmrs were priced right and so I purchased several of each.
Switch hardware, which is either expensive or not available locally in
Greensboro, is available at SkyCraft at attractive prices and so I
purchased the associated washers, nuts, and internal lock washers -- all
at very attractive prices.
I found some thin 6" by 3/8" brass strips that I'll use in some projects
in the works.
Not surprisingly, the box of R-390 mini connectors that I'd seen in
previous visits was empty of those flavors this year, but had beaucoup of
other types in the box.
Their website has photo's of the inside of their store -- go to the about
us tab, and down toward the bottom of that page there is a store photo's
tab. See:
http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/about-us.aspx
73,
-Tom
______________________________________________________________
R-390 mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:R-390 at mailman.qth.net
This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
-----------------------------
Message: 9
ate: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:10:48 -0800 (PST)
rom: Perry Sandeen <sandeenpa at yahoo.com>
ubject: [R-390] Want To Trade
o: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
essage-ID: <182148.88808.qm at web38007.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
ontent-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
ist,
I want to acquire three R390-NON-A I.F. modules for making some DIY R725
eceivers.
I?m willing to trade a HRO 500 for three complete IF strips OR a complete Motrac
390A complete with IREC tube shields.
If interested please reply off list.
Regards,
Perrier
-----------------------------
Message: 10
ate: Wed, 26 Jan 2011 09:24:02 -0500
rom: Tom Bridgers <tarheel6 at msn.com>
ubject: Re: [R-390] [Glowbugs] Update on visit to SkyCraft Surplus
and Parts - Orlando
o: Hue Miller <kargo_cult at msn.com>, GB Glowbugs Tetrode
<tetrode at googlegroups.com>, R-390 Group <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
essage-ID: <bay155-w51F0CCDC3382CBD04ACF2B90FF0 at phx.gbl>
ontent-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
had the same question about how does SkyCraft survive. But here's what I
bserved.
arge numbers of buyers are in this store all the time during the week and they
ob it on Saturdays. Everytime I was in the store, there were at least 10 to 15
eople exploring the store looking for parts. During the week days that I was
here, I noticed home owners and electrical contractors buying all manner of
lectrical items ... some priced at $25 to $100 each. Which apparently was a
ot cheaper than they could buy a Lowe's or Home Depot. How do I know they were
lectrical contractors? When I arrived and left, their panel trucks were in the
arking lot!
n Saturday I arrived about 2pm and the place was like an ant hill. There must
ave been 50 people scrounging around looking for parts. About a third of those
ere clearly students looking for semiconductor and robotic type parts. Another
hird were probably hams. And another third we DIY home fixer uppers... Now
ear in mind that was 2 PM. I'm guessing the crowds starting showing up when
hey opened up at 9 AM... And on and on it goes all day long on Saturday.
egarding SkyCraft's nut. I imagine their rent is not too high. They are not
ocated in the high rent district. Cutting the other way, though, is on
aturday, there must have been at least 5 or 6 (or more) sales people roaming
he floor helping people find what they were looking for. And the sales people
ere busy, busy, busy. None of them were standing around chewing the fat....
t was very nice to have someone to turn to ask about things, but then I
ondered how in the heck can they afford to pay these people? Dunno. One thing
s for sure they didn't make much off of me or probably other hams. So they
ust be making it off of the home owners and electrical contractors.... It's a
uzzle for sure.
ne other thing I noticed. Behind the counter, just to the left, there was a
uy on the computer the entire time I was there. I'm guessing he was probably
uying surplus from some source .... and maybe selling stuff to other buyers....
nyway, judging from the volume of people coming in ... and buying, SkyCraft is
ot going out of business anytime soon.
3,
Tom
rom: kargo_cult at msn.com
o: tetrode at googlegroups.com
ubject: Re: [Glowbugs] Update on visit to SkyCraft Surplus and Parts - Orlando
ate: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:50:39 -0800
What I don't get is, how can these places stay in business selling small parts
ike that?
hey have to crack a nut of several thousands of dollars a month in rent and
ages,
ven if both are below local market average. Maybe I shouldn't ask, because
sking
reaks the spell. But I have seen so many surplus stores disappear after a few
easons trying to make a formula I see as unworkable, work. Again, how can you
ake a surplus store formula work by selling small parts??? -Hue Miller
-
CZC
his is a transmission from the Glowbugs list
o unsubscribe from this group, send email to
etrode+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com
or more options, visit this group at
ttp://groups.google.com/group/tetrode?hl=en
NNN
------------------------------
_______________________________________________
-390 mailing list
-390 at mailman.qth.net
ttp://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
nd of R-390 Digest, Vol 81, Issue 32
************************************
More information about the R-390
mailing list