[R-390] The radio machine, getting bit by the bug

[John]

I'm told I started my electronics career at age two when I made an 
electric piano.  Found a power cord with bare wires at one end.  Wrapped 
one end around the piano leg and plugged it in. Lots of sparks before 
the fuse blew.  Don't remember it myself, of course. Age 11, 1953, I 
received a Cub Scout crystal radio kit for Christmas.  Never got that 
working much, but it sparked an interest.    Not long after, the family 
acquired a radio/phonograph, and I was allowed to keep the family radio, 
a 1938 Truetone D727, a radio with 8 memories (motorized push button 
tuning), which had SW up to 15.8 MHz. Went begging at the local radio/TV 
repair shops, and was occasionally given unredeemed radios to tear up 
for parts, most of which also had SW, and had been already been 
repaired.  Built a xtal radio which could pick up WWL from 300 mi away. 
  Added a power supply to an surplus ARB receiver.   Spent 4 years in 
the Navy as a Radioman. There we had R-390's for CW and AM, Added CV-591 
for SSB and CV-157 for mux RTTY to the R-390's, Used R-1051 for mux in 
1966. Got out and worked as a electronic technician, and later engineer. 
  Bought a HRO-50 about 1968, which I destroyed trying to improve it. 
Got the swl bug in the 1970's and went through lots of different radios. 
SB-310, SPR-4, HRO-500, pair of WRR-2's (wife was sure happy when I got 
rid of those), R-389 (shouldn't have sold it for $200), R-390, FRG-7, 
XCR-30, SX-190.  Designed a few receiver modifications along the way. 
Went into business manufacturing active antennas and digital displays 
under the KRS name.  Turning a hobby into a business took the pleasure 
out of it.  Got licensed about 1980 but never active other than field 
day with the local club.
Recent shack photo -  <http://www.jlkolb.cts.com/>

All caused by a crystal radio kit.  Keep that in mind when buying 
presents for kids.

John  KK6IL http://www.jlkolb.cts.com/