[R-390] Special Purpose R-390

[Charles Steinmetz]

Nick wrote:

>The Clark contract could have been to modify a batch of receivers 
>without regard to whether they were 390 or 390A so the tag seems OK 
>to me. Users often didn't really distinguish between A and non-A.

I agree with that.  One point, however: the assumption seems to be 
that the radio pictured was made to a government contract.  But if 
that were the case, one would expect to see the contract number on 
the nomenclature plate, along with some official procurement ID 
(model number).  It is possible the six unreadable characters at the 
end of the second line are an official procurement ID, but the line 
in its entirety ("Type  .5 TO 32 MCS ^^^^^^") does not read very much 
like a government nomenclature plate.  The same is true of the third 
line ("Modified by Clark Instruments," identifying it as a 
modification and not identifying Clark Instruments further -- Co., 
Inc., etc.) and the plate generally (identifying the pre-modified 
item, and identifying it as "Collins").

So, I'm more inclined to think that "Clark Instruments" was some guy 
in his basement who modified at least one radio and had at least one 
nice-ish label plate made.  The fact that there seems to be no 
information about "Clark Instruments" on the web supports this 
hypothesis.  So, until we get word otherwise....

Best regards,

Charles