[R-390] Interesting R390A

[Barry]

I was just looking at it again and noticed the lettering for the back side of the front panel (e.g. by the limiter pot/switch).  I can't see any other lettering on the back side, though.

If this is a ham/swl modded radio, someone really went to a lot of effort.

I agree that the extra hardware does look cheesy so it's probably not a Navy mod.  Wonder why someone would want to attach a large power resistor like that with plastic ties and stick-ons?

Barry - N4BUQ

> The name plate had to be moved because round head screws were used on the
> front panel instead of flat head screws - it appears the original name
> plate holes were filled in and painted over.  Also the five 6-32 front
> panel screws have fiber washers under the heads.  In another photo you
> can see that round head screws were also used on the back panel instead of
> pan head.   There appears to be standard component labeling on what can
> be seen of the rear bottom of the front panel in one photo, but the front
> panel shade of gray doesn't seem to be quite right and it appears to be a
> satin gray (from the diffused head-on flash reflection). 
> IMHO, what with the front panel rework and mods, the screw replacements,
> the paint change, and the four pin control jack on the back with a hand
> lettered label on the chassis, my guess is this is a ham, or possibly a
> MARS, customized receiver being represented as a "rare" military
> original.   Why?  Having been involved in military electronics
> maintenance, nobody would go to that much trouble, i.e. if the parts
> weren't in the parts stores, the equipment repair just waited until the
> proper parts came in.  Also, if these were standard Navy mods (haven't
> seen any docs referring to these though), there would be more than one
> unit out there.  And you would catch h*** if you went ahead and did the
> mods on your own.  
> In the same vein, Some circuit mods also seem to be in evidence.  Caveat
> Emptor, as always...but it is interesting.
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> -- Steve