[Spooks] equipment

[Milspec390 at aol.com]

Portables are fine. This worthless scribe runs two longwire antennas feeding 
two multicouplers which in turn feed an R-390, R-388, 51J-4, RF-550, DX-394, 
DX-398, DX-400, DX-440, Sony ICF-2010, FRG-100. Portables work well and do not 
overload. Key is keeping RF Gain control low.  R-390 and R-388 still have best 
ability to pull weak station from amidst adjacent powerhouses, but portables 
mentioned perform well, day in day out, on a variety of SSB, AM, and RATT 
freqs.
     All sets have strengths and limitations. One can spend very well on a 
tabletop and not see much improvement over a calibrated DX-440 or Sony '2010.  
   Most important, receivers run indefinetly. When they break, repairs never 
cost as do those for cars. Receivers never leave you stuck in desolation late 
at night, as can cars when they break. Radios never strand one in the middle 
of a summer squall, as do boats when motors become tempermental.
  You'll never owe marina fees on a receiver, whether  portable or tabletop, 
solid state or tube type.  No one was ever injured by an exploding receiver, 
different from backyard cookout chefs and gas grills. There are no reports of 
broken arms, legs, pelvises, clavicles, necks, or any other bones, while 
enjoying radio listening, different from athletics.
   Another fine set, Magnavox D-2935 or D-2999, stable on  SSB, quiet, good 
RF Gain action, you can camp on freq for days, or tune around courtesy of large 
dial, digital readout.
   Agree re digital readouts. Older mil grade sets like the R-388 lack 
digital readout, but calibration is in 1 KHz increments, you can easily resolve to 
200 KHz, they are rock stable, highly sensitive, high narrow dynamic range, 
reliable. The wonder of our hobby is that equipment dating from the Korean era 
compares favorably with new receivers, all of which represent superb 
techological innovation, and provide years of enjoyment. 

                                                                              
                    Best,

                                                                             
Paul V. Zecchino

Englewood, FL
300 Miles due north of Habana
listening most closely