[R-390] Dumb Mechanical Alignment question

[Barry]

Very good!  If it's working on one band (BCB), then it likely is not the PTO.  I think I'd tend to check the crystal oscillator(s).

73,
Barry - N4BUQ 

> Got her all back together. The good news is it picks up my super loud local AM
> stations about where they should be on the dial! The bad news is that’s
> basically the  ONLY stations it gets!!! Seems to have lost all sensitivity.
> I’ll work on it; I doubt it’s the RF deck since stations come in at 950 and
> 1260 and 1500 kc as they “should”. Will check PTO and tubes.
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Jul 16, 2026, at 7:27 AM, Paul Roche <rochep at comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>> Thanks so much, I might get it back together today and will give it a shot!
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Jul 15, 2026, at 10:50 PM, Jacques Fortin <jacques.f at videotron.ca> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi Paul,
>>> 
>>> When the counters are at 07+000 the PTO output have to be at 2.455 Mhz.
>>> The PTO output change "in reverse" relating to the tuned frequency: if the shaft
>>> is turned clockwise, the output frequency decreases, if it is turned
>>> counter-clockwise, the output frequency increases.
>>> 
>>> 73, Jacques, VE2JFE in Montreal
>>> 
>>> -----Message d'origine-----
>>> De : r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net <r-390-bounces at mailman.qth.net> De la part de
>>> Barry via R-390
>>> Envoyé : 15 juillet 2026 22:13
>>> À : PAUL ROCHE <rochep at comcast.net>
>>> Cc : R-390 Mailing List <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
>>> Objet : Re: [R-390] Dumb Mechanical Alignment question
>>> 
>>> Since the PTO tunes from 3455kc down to 2455kc, you should be able to hear it on
>>> a general coverage receiver with a BFO.  Be aware that the PTO shouldn't be
>>> made to travel very much past those two frequencies.
>>> 
>>> Good luck with it.  It sounds like you're almost there!
>>> 
>>> Barry - N4BUQ
>>> 
>>>> I was home today with Strep throat so decided to just set it to 7+000
>>>> and remove all gears , using fishing line/hemostats and tape to keep
>>>> every cam in position, and the re-assembled. All seems good. I dread
>>>> put RF deco back into the radio only to have to take it out again, but it has to
>>>> go in at some point.
>>>> Have replaced bumblebee caps.
>>>> 
>>>> Once it is in how do I confirm all is working properly with my PTO?
>>>> Listen to the PTO with a portable shortwave receiver?
>>>> 
>>>> Tightening those clamps is scary since I got this with two broken ones.
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>> 
>>>>>> On Jul 15, 2026, at 8:44 AM, Paul Roche <rochep at comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> OR now that everything is set to 7+000 do I just carefully remove
>>>>> gears, try to to move KHZ or MHZ shaft, and re-assemble with gears
>>>>> in correct positions? That might be easiest. Bandswitch and Geneva gears are at
>>>>> 7+000 right now.
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Jul 14, 2026, at 8:42 PM, PAUL ROCHE via R-390 <r-390 at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Now have my detent spring (thanks to Don) and time to get all set
>>>>>> for 7.000+. I can pull up all the cams with a tool EXCEPT the
>>>>>> second cam from the left, it does not have a clamp. How do I set it
>>>>>> up so it is at the line when I am at 7.000+? Do I just leave
>>>>>> everthing as it is now (at 7.000), remove gears till I can get at
>>>>>> it, and then rotate IT to the line and carefully re-assemble gears
>>>>>> and cams? I am afraid if I do this and go back to full CCW it will NOT stay
>>>>>> where I want it when I am finally up to 7.000+.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Am I missing something obvious? I could set all cams to the marks
>>>>>> and the counter to 7.000+ and bandswitch correct but then my 10 turn
>>>>>> stop on MHZ knob would be off.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Paul
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