[R-390] General valuation?

[Don Cunningham]

Hello from a new member to the list.  I guess I should say returning 
former member, as I was on this list many years ago.  I sent a reply to 
Roger only by accident, so will try to put it on the list the right way now.

I wish we would see R-390A equipment/parts listed on here from time to 
time, especially parts available.  A "parts donor" or even better might 
be in the offing if I could find one close and in reasonable shape.   I 
am bringing back up two radios that have been down for a while, and will 
likely need some help from the list as well as a part or two along the 
way.  Ebay prices on the parts are still a bit ridiculous and small 
parts (clamps, Oldham couplers, etc) non existent there or seemingly 
from Fair Radio anymore.  One of these receivers is in very good shape, 
just not run for too long and the other had a previous owner that 
butchered sections to "improve" things, so it will be a long process of 
putting back right.

I appreciate all the work done in the past, and those that contributed 
to that work.  More knowledge available than can be easily and quickly 
read!!  Nice work though and helpful.
Thanks all,
Don, WB5HAK

On 9/12/2019 2:51 PM, Roger Ruszkowski wrote:
>   Reuben A. Popp   in a restored CY-979A cabinet are pricy cabinets but make good table top operations. Receivers with meters start at 3 and end at 5.Fellows are selling face paint and now pin stripe knobs this year.As cosmetics. I have listened to paint dry but do not understand how it improves receiver selectivity. There is nothing in a R390/A that can not be repaired and return the receiver to operation. Receivers that have set years are no problem.The R390.net has the Pearls of Wisdom that has all the knowledge collected sorted and ready to help you get your receiver back on the air. There is a step by step walk from into the shack up through full inspection, repair, and alignment processto a good fully functional receiver. A Saturday afternoon activity once a year as you do an oil change and wash. One AC / DC volt meter a special spline wrench and long #1 Philip screw driver will troubleshoot any electronic problem in the receivers. You eye ball the gear train andyou do own a military clean machine where dirt is friction.  R390/A are receivers that ran 24 7 for six months. 4380 hours between maintenance activates.On time to warm up time of tubes is if the tube is on for more than two hours Tubes will fail emissions before the filament opens from thermal cycling. Turning the receiversoff and on will not change tube life or performance. The whole receivers do well to warm up and stabilize before going on air. About one a year the Amateur Owner needs to do 8 hours of cleaning, lubricatingand alignment of the receiver. Do wash the front panel and pin strip knobs on occasion.It is a four hour job but that's not the way we move it. Tube life is over 10,000 hours. R390/A are mechanical and need all the knobs exercised to keep the receivershappy. Yea you need to pet the things to keep them purring. Every dollar under 500 is how well was the last PM doneand how long ago in operating hours. If you move any R390/A in and out of a rack / cabinet  it incurs theexact same mechanical vibration risk and will notcare how long it was since last thumping by gravity stopped. Transportation cost exceeded anchor value.Nice 400 - 500 dollar receivers are setting because the cost of relocation is an equal cost. There are receivers available but the entire Amateur market for the R390 and R390/Aover the last 30 years has not supported a central pool. Fair Radio Sales in Lima Ohiokeeps parts but has given up R390 receiver sales because cost to ship exceeds product value.Drive to Lima and spend a day shopping in an electronics logistics depot.Look in your R390 parts manual for part numbers when ordering parts.The company catalog  is not the R390 or R390/A parts manual any more. The receivers are still best on the Planet and doing well.Their value is holding and no end of parts is in sight. Receiver less meters is under 300 and with acceptable replacements at 300. Respectfully, Roger Ruszkowski AI4NI-----Original Message-----
> From: dog <agfa at hughes.net>
> To: r-390 <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thu, Sep 12, 2019 11:24 am
> Subject: Re: [R-390] General valuation?
>
> Generally worth what someone is prepared to pay. I've got a couple too
> I'd like to sell, but I'm not giving them away at the moment. It may
> come to that.
>
> On 9/12/2019 09:40, Reuben Popp wrote:
>> Good morning all,
>>
>> Quick question for the group.
>>
>> What is the general consensus on the price for a R390A in very good shape
>> (with meters), in a restored CY-979A cabinet?  I have a lead on such a
>> unit; I have been told it is in great shape in the cabinet and was working
>> when last used.  However, it has not been powered on for the past few years.
>>
>> Thanks in advance
>> Reuben A. Popp
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> R-390 mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:R-390 at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html