[R-390] R-390 "non A" cap replacement list/order?

Fri May 27 09:14:38 EDT 2016

There is a good solid state replacement for the 6082 out there somewhere. From Canada as I recall.

Lester B Veenstra  MØYCM K1YCM W8YCM
lester at veenstras.com

Physical and US Postal Addresses
5 Shrine Club Drive (Physical)
452 Stable Ln (RFD USPS Mail)
Keyser WV 26726
GPS: 39.336826 N  78.982287 W (Google)
GPS: 39.33682 N  78.9823741 W (GPSDO)

Telephones:
Home:                     +1-304-289-6057
US cell                    +1-304-790-9192 
UK cell                    +44-(0)7849-248-749 
Guam Cell:              +1-671-929-8141
Jamaica:                 +1-876-456-8898 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Jacques Fortin [mailto:jacques.f at videotron.ca] 
Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2016 10:18 PM
To: 'Jason White'; 'Lester Veenstra'
Cc: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [R-390] R-390 "non A" cap replacement list/order?
Importance: High

Hi Jay,

Lucky you, there was only about 17000 R390 made, which is way less than the 64000 R390A. (see attached production figures / order numbers pdf attached).
I have one (see attached) and compared to the R390As the capacitors are of more higher quality.
All those in mine are still good (all Sprague Vitamin Q sealed in metal containers) after all this time.
I only have to change some resistors that drifted out of tolerance (especially in the power supply chassis).
I recommend also that you begin searching for the 6082 regulator tubes if you don't have spares already.
All the other tubes types (except the 3TF7) can be found easily.
There is a lot of info available about the R-390 on the R-390 web site: just dig for it.

Good luck with it !
73, Jacques, VE2JFE

-----Message d'origine-----
De : R-390 [mailto:r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net] De la part de Jason White via R-390 Envoyé : 26 mai 2016 15:21 À : Lester Veenstra <m0ycm at veenstras.com> Cc : r-390 at mailman.qth.net Objet : Re: [R-390] R-390 "non A" cap replacement list/order?

They indeed made mine at least. I took a quick photo of the nameplate and part of the RF deck labeled Motorola.

https://imgur.com/a/tC07J <https://imgur.com/a/tC07J>

-Jason White, K1EXZ

> On May 26, 2016, at 2:51 PM, Lester Veenstra <m0ycm at veenstras.com> wrote:
> 
> I was not aware that the R-390/URR was ever made by anyone other than 
> Collins
> 
> Lester B Veenstra  MØYCM K1YCM W8YCM
> lester at veenstras.com
> 
> Physical and US Postal Addresses
> 5 Shrine Club Drive (Physical)
> 452 Stable Ln (RFD USPS Mail)
> Keyser WV 26726
> GPS: 39.336826 N  78.982287 W (Google)
> GPS: 39.33682 N  78.9823741 W (GPSDO)
> 
> 
> Telephones:
> Home:                     +1-304-289-6057
> US cell                    +1-304-790-9192 
> UK cell                    +44-(0)7849-248-749 
> Guam Cell:              +1-671-929-8141
> Jamaica:                 +1-876-456-8898 
> 
> This e-mail and any documents attached hereto contain confidential or 
> privileged information. The information is intended to be for use only by the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this e-mail or any documents attached hereto is prohibited.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: R-390 [mailto:r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jason 
> White via R-390
> Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2016 2:02 PM
> To: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [R-390] R-390 "non A" cap replacement list/order?
> 
> Hello list!
> 
> I recently got my hands on a Motorola manufacture R-390 “non A”. I’d wanted a 390A for a long time but I kind of fell in to this 390 and I figured the LC filters vs mechanical filters wouldn’t be a big deal to me. I’m finding out, though, it’s a lot harder to find “non A” specific information. 
> 
> I’m not sure where this radio has been for the past 60 years, but it seems as though no one has ever messed with it. All the modules are Motorola except the power supply, and I don’t see any weird mods or out of place items. As far as I can tell it’s pretty much the way it was when it left Motorola. Where I can find serial numbers they all seem to match. 
> 
> I brought it up on a variac and it appears to be working OK, just out of alignment a bit. I can tune around and hear signals where I expect to find them, pretty much, with the dial being off by about 20-40Khz one way or the other. I think the PTO may not be all that linear anymore. The tuning is not “heavy” and everything in the gear train seems to be moving as it should. All the slug racks follow the cams and none seem to have dropped off. It’s not as sensitive as I know it should be but I’m assuming that’s just age and should sort itself out when I start freshening it up.
> 
> I bought this radio to be a “user” instead of a museum piece, so I’m pleased to find it’s in mostly usable condition, but I know that before I start putting hours on it I should start replacing some of the old caps and out of spec parts.
> 
> I can find lots of information on doing that for the R-390A but it seems I may be more on my own with the R-390? Anyone know if a list of the bits to replace exists anywhere, or of any gotchas or "DO IMMEDIATELYs" I should know about? I know with the R-390A there are caps that should be replaced to keep from blowing out filters when they fail, I don’t know if there are similar components to worry about on the “non A”. I’ve also been told that the caps used in the “non A” aren’t as likely to need replacement- I’m not sure what to think there.
> 
> Basically, I’m interested in hearing what you folks who know this 
> radio better than I would address immediately. My plan is to address 
> those items first before digging in to trying to align it (I need to 
> get my hands on a VTVM still anyway, I’ve always borrowed one)
> 
> Thanks for lending me your ears/eyes
> 
> - Jay White, K1EXZ
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