[R-390] alternate R390A cases

[wli]

Greetings

Here are a few thoughts about one's R390A station. We all have at least one and often many more operable units, that are in contemporaneous use. The usual scheme is to install everything in six foot racks. 

Here is another way to do it. 

My goal was to set things up so that I could easily switch usage between my two R390A's and a R388 receiver. I have no room for a proper six foot rack, nor do I relish trying to wrestle a 390 chassis in and out of the top position, even if I had one. So I have been buying surplus 19 inch steel racks that are range from 16 to 24 inches in overall height, and at least 16 inches deep. These are cleaned up and repainted to match the receivers. They are just set on my workbench. All of them are open in the back. They are often found at hamfests for a few bucks, as they are not popular. Having a removable top is an additional plus for servicing. All the power and antenna cabling are run out the back out of sight. These short racks can hold one, or at most two, R390 sized chassis. This scheme is much cheaper than a Hammond cabinet.

The space above will hold a short height 19 inch rack such as a RTTY unit, or an antenna switch or whatever. In my case, one such case houses a Capehart R390A, and above it is a Williamson 20 watt mono audio amp fed from its diode load jack. Another rack houses a R388; above it is a homebrew antenna tuner-switch built in a surplus rack chassis that is only 3.5 inches high. A third short height rack holds an older Collins R390A, with a shelf above to hold misc small stuff. All receivers are run with the top and bottom covers off, to allow air circulation out the back.

The various 3 lead power cords are run to a switchable Tripplite power plate, fed by a fused and metered Variac. Each antenna coax is run thru the single antenna tuner-switch rack. 

The only front cords are the 600 ohm audio lines.

By having multiple easily handled racks, I can pull any chassis for servicing with a minimum of hassle, without worrying tipping a larger rack over, or trying to move a loaded rack just to get at the back.

Just a suggestion.... thanks

W. Li
Mercer Island, WA