[R-390] A vs non A
Randy and Sherry Guttery
comcents at bellsouth.net
Tue Oct 9 14:26:54 EDT 2012
On 10/9/2012 11:33 AM, Robert Newberry wrote:
> I may be picking up up what I believe to be a R390. When I was talking to a
> friend about this he kinda scoffed saying they were less desirable and
Kinda Scoffed? I believe I'd be looking a some other motive
than "helping" you... several come to mind - none of which
are very complimentary of your f
> harder to work on than the 390A.
From a purist standpoint that is perhaps "fact", but
barely. One of the design goals of the "A" was to simplify
maintenance and mechanical issues - and there are certain
things (such is maintaining sync in the tuning gears) that
are "easier" in the "A" than non A. That said - they are -
in most people's opinion relatively minor - and are often
out-weighed by the non-A's advantages.
> Anything I should be looking out for on a 390?
It's "nice" if the "green gear" is present. It's usually
attached to the front of the geartrain by a screw. It's
used to maintain gear sync during maintenance that requires
getting into the RF deck, etc. It's a convenience, not a
"disaster" if not available. Watch the heat in from the
6082s (26.5V version of the 6080 - which itself is an
industrial version of the 6AS7) - they run blistering hot.
Otherwise - the things you'd look for in an "A" are the same
in a non-A (condition of geartrain, cams, slug racks;
missing parts, etc.).
Things that should be replaced right off?
If the receiver has been in regular (recent) service, no.
If not - I'd check the filter caps carefully. There isn't a
"ticking time bomb" in a Non-A like there is in an "A"
(specifically an original C553 in the "A").
> Are parts harder to find on a 390 than they are on a 390A?
There were a lot more "A"s built than non-As - so yes some
part are harder to find. However - considering even the
meters on an "A" are entering the realm of "unobtanium" -
I'd hardly call that in and of itself an issue.
Should a 390 be avoided and continue looking for a 390A?
Absolutely! You should also pass the contact info for it's
current owner to me so I can "warn" them as well... ;-)
Go for it!
--
randy guttery
A Tender Tale - a page dedicated to those Ships and Crews
so vital to the United States Silent Service:
http://tendertale.com
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