[R-390] R390A spotted in Youtube video AGAIN

[Glenn Scott]

Hi fellow R390(A) Enthusiast,
 
>From time to time I watch videos on Youtube, especially from the time era of the 50's - 60's looking for info on what we now call Vintage Electronics or Boat Anchors. I have found a number of videos where I have spotted R390(A) series receivers.


This is a video made for or by the Navy, circa 1968, regarding their Electronics Technician program. The video was interesting and did have at least 3 segments where R390A receivers were shown in an electronics class. 


In 2 of the spots, the RF Mech assembly was being exercised from the front panel and you can easily see gears moving and racks pulling cores in and out of their intended coil forms. Well,,,, you can really only see the racks going up and down.


The entire video, in my humble opinion, is worth watching but the R390A clips can be found at the following time spots. I don't believe I missed any R390A spots; if I did please post them.


  8:12 - 8:19
  8:30 - 8:39
10:45 - 10:47


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_yffRxJNHM


Note in the segment running from 8:30 - 8:39, the jig that the R390A is mounted on which allows one to quickly tilt the unit into different positions;  perhaps rotate as well.  That would be helpful, for some of the adjustments to say the least.  I have my bag of tricks for working on these beast on my benches but I may fabricate something similar, especially, since my back is now TOTALLY SHOT. Maybe a Teflon pad at the bottom for a smooth left/right swing..( Any thoughts????? ) Maybe a carpenter in our group can make some drawings....hint hint...


Now days we enjoy using these receivers and some of us enjoy rebuilding them but as we all know, it was not long ago when these receivers were essential to the security and safety of our country. Our military and government thought well enough of the R390 and R390A that they were used to some extent, for over 2 decades. I have heard VERY recent reports that the NSA still keeps a few in service. (Can anyone verify this???) I wonder if other receivers used by our military and government had that length of a service record. ( Anyone know? )
Maybe an R390 or it's cost reduced A model is not quiet as pretty as a Collins 75A4, Hammarlund HQ 180 or Hallicrafters SX 115 but if I could only have one receiver, it would be a hard choice between an R390 and a R390A. Again, this is my opinion, you may have another favorite.


Regards,


Glenn WA4AOS
DSM Labs
dsmlabs (dot com)