[R-390] CU1388/FLR9

[John Vendely]

Tom,

These are nice couplers, but they are loaded with oddball, tightly 
selected PNP RF transistors of unknown type, and custom power dividers 
of nonstandard impedance designed for use with these specific 
transistors.  It's not unusual for some of the transistors to be bad, 
and finding replacements which will not degrade intermodulation 
performance is a difficult matter.  Considerable reverse-engineering 
would be required to "do it right".  In addition, they have a 
hermetically sealed power supply unit which is a pain to repair if 
defective.  If at all possible, inspect it carefully, and test for gain 
(unity) and frequency response before buying.  Caveat Emptor!

I still have a couple of these, and back in around 1990 when they were 
released in large quantities, it was easy to find good working ones, and 
these performed well.  Those up for sale today are often defective or 
crappily repaired.  I would say $60-$100 tops for an unmodified, 
properly working unit is about right.  Pricing should take into 
consideration the fact that you'll be hard pressed to make effective 
repairs if (when) it fails...

73,

John K9WT

On 5/14/2012 7:42 PM, Tom Chirhart wrote:
> Can anyone give me an idea of the value of one of these couplers? It is capable do handling 8 receivers.
> Thanks
> 73 Tom K4NCG
>
> Sent from my iPad
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