[R-390] What's the latest military manual discussing R-390A?

[Tom Nicholson]

Nick, Bill & Les,

     Sorry, but I couldn't resist!!!! OLD memories! Went thru Keesler in 
late 1959 & early 1960. We called Basic Electronics "BED's".  Solid 
state theory was quick and easy. "Transistors are NPN & PNP & they work 
fine, next subject is"!!  Still remember that the instructor would tap 
his podium when ever he was making a point about something that there 
would be a question on the test about. :-P Went to ECM maintenance at 
Wolfe Hall, 2nd floor. We were trained on the SP-600 and were only shown 
the 390's in a rack of about 12 of them. Was told they were a "gear 
drive nightmare" & IF SELECTED we would come back for upgrade training 
at a later date. As fate would have it, after graduating, I was selected 
to go to Stewart AFB & train at IBM in Kingston NY on the AN/FSQ-7 SAGE 
computer maintenance.

     Living now in Florida & cannot wait to get over to Keesler and see 
what is left of the "old place"!!!

     Apologize for being of topic.

Tom W1ALZ


On 12/17/2013 8:45 AM, Les Locklear wrote:
> You'll be happy to know that that course is still being taught at 
> Keesler AFB. I do remember they were using the Racal 6790 series in 
> the mid 90's. I retired out there in January 2009 and have no 
> knowledge as to which receiver they are now using.
>
> Les Loxklear
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Bill Kulze
> Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2013 7:33 AM
> To: Nick England ; R-390 at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [R-390] What's the latest military manual discussing R-390A?
>
> I went through Ground Radio school at Keesler Jan - June '77 and the 
> first thing after basic electronics was Rx principles on the R-390. I 
> don't think it was the 'A' as I seem to remember a squelch circuit. As 
> a matter of fact, solid state was only the last couple days of the 
> basic electronics part.
>
> Bill W2NVD
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
> [mailto:r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Nick England
> Sent: Monday, December 16, 2013 9:47 PM
> To: James A. (Andy) Moorer
> Cc: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [R-390] What's the latest military manual discussing R-390A?
>
> 1977 -NAVEDTRA 10251 Cryptologic Collection Equipments 
> http://www.navy-radio.com/manuals/crypto-equip.htm
>
> 1978 - NAVEDTRA 10232-B Cryptologic Technician M 3&2 
> http://www.navy-radio.com/manuals/10232b.htm
>
> 1988 FFG-7 Class Frigate Radio Communications Systems Manual shows an 
> R-390A in the installation drawings. A brand new R-390A also shows up in
> 1984 construction photos
> http://www.navy-radio.com/ships/ffg7.htm
>
> cheers,
> Nick England K4NYW
> www.navy-radio.com
>