[R-390] R390(non A) questions Pearls of Wisdom

[Stan Gammons]

Interesting.

I seem to recall seeing an R-390 at a hamfest many years ago.  The 
things I've read on the R-390 say it was harder to work on than the "A" 
and more expensive to manufacturer and it had great audio. Yes, it does 
seem backwards.  I would think the R-390 would sell for more than the 
"A" since fewer were manufactured.   Seems like I gave $215 for the 
first "A" I had.  It was purchased from Fair Radio in the late 80's.  
Seems like most want 6 times that much for one now. Anyone know how the 
R-390 performs compared to the "A"?    I've seen the Sherwood numbers on 
the "A".  No numbers for the R-390 though.

73

Stan
KM4HQE



On 9/7/2018 4:00 PM, Cecil Acuff wrote:
> This may stir some up but...
>
> What you will find with the R-390/URR is that it’s a much better built radio. You don’t need lists of trouble prone capacitors...because there aren’t any. All high quality mil spec (when that meant something) metal cased capacitors with glass seals.
>
> No mechanical filters that tend to wear out and fail, no electrolytic filter caps to rebuild...the 390 uses oil bath caps that rarely fail.
>
> Biggest issues are a few 47 ohm 2 watt resistors that go out of spec. Some below the audio tubes and some below the regulators in the power supply. Standard practice is to replace them with 5 watt wire wound cement blocks.  Also the regulator tubes run hot so a muffin fan in that area helps a lot...beyond that it’s tubes, out of tolerance resistors and cleaning, lubing and alignment.  They sound better too.
>
> Some will say the 390 is a mans radio and the A a boys radio. 😦
>
> It’s strange... the 390As seem to sell for more and there were way more of them made than the 390s....seems backwards to me.
>
> The 390A is a cost reduced version of the R-390/URR...not sure how many they built but it wasn’t anywhere near the 60+ thousand A models.
>
> Won’t see much from Rippel on the 390. Was told they scared him...probably urban legend though...haha!
>
> Cecil
> K5DL
>
> Sent using recycled electrons.
>
>> On Sep 7, 2018, at 11:53 AM, Roger Ruszkowski <flowertime01 at wmconnect.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Ed,
>> You ask,
>> Is there a comprehensive list of mods and restoration tips, along the lines of Chuck's?
>> Eager to learn more about this receiver, as I am on the verge of getting one. Thanks in advance.
>> 73,
>> Ed NI6S
>>
>>
>>
>> The R390 Fellows keep up the following web site.
>> www.r-390a.net/
>>
>> The R390 and R390A both exist and we Fellows just keep them together.
>> The R390A TM says read your R390 TM for procedures to complete R390A maintenance.
>>
>>
>> Roger
>>
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