[R-390] R390A meters

[W2xj]

I prefer the radium meters but realize that it is a strong indicator that the radio never went through maintenance so the radios with replacement meters are likely in better shape. About 25 years ago I had 3 R390s 2 had radium meters. I’ve worked with R390s radios over 50 years, often close up for long periods of time. My worst health issue is the aftermath of a severely broken ankle due to overly intense activity. 

Sent from my iPad

> On Jun 13, 2018, at 10:20 PM, Robert Meadows <rpmeadow at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 
> In my past, dealing with WII vintage aircraft instruments, it was always
> best choice to send the instruments to a certified overhaul shop where the
> instrument dial/face would be properly removed, the instrument
> services/overhauled as necessary and a new dial/face installed that didn't
> have any radium in it.  
> In my locality, there is a Govt facility that processed such instruments for
> disposal/sale, utilizing sailors in many cases to remove the instruments
> from their packing boxes, (the cardboard was worth money).  The instruments
> were "placed in a hopper".  Well sailors being sailors, many were broken.
> The radium still resides in the surrounding waterways and a "closed" swamp,
> according to the officials in charge of the cleanup... go figure.
> 
> Even the early Big Ben alarm clocks are full of that magic glow in the dark
> dial powered by radium.  The phosphor eventually burns out, but, the radium
> will be around for a long time.
> 
> Why not just leave the meters alone and don't f....    with them.  
> Madame Curie learned the lesson the hard way.
> 
> Cheers All
> W4RRD
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
> On Behalf Of Charles Steinmetz
> Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 9:17 PM
> To: r-390 at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [R-390] R390A meters
> 
> Several people have contacted me offlist asking how much risk there is 
> if one *does* open a radioluminescent 390/390A meter.  This is a very 
> tough question.
> 
> My answer is:  I know nothing about you, or your abilities concerning 
> careful detail work that requires fine dexterity and hand-eye 
> coordination, or your ability and willingness to follow instructions 
> down to the last detail.  Therefore, I must recommend that you *DO NOT* 
> open a radioluminescent 390/A meter *for any reason*.
> 
> If you decide to ignore this advice and *do* open such a meter, you must 
>