Collins Designed R390 (Non A) Overview
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2024
- The best HF receiver of the valve/tube era. The Astonishing R-390 Receiver with 30 Valves, Permeability tuned circuits, Mechanical controlled by an immense gear train. RF performance excelled in every parameter.
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Thank you for a great video about a great HF receiver.
I spent 21 years with the R-390 (1971-1992). Okinawa, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, as well as five years at sea. Even when we had modern (for that time) solid state gear available, I always grabbed an R-390 if one was in the space.
EDIT:
It's about 30 minutes since I posted this comment. During that time I was trying think of the best thing I could say about the R-390. Here it is:
The R-390 is the M1 Garand of Electronic Warfare.
General Patton said the M1 was the best implement of war ever devised and won World War II. I had an "M16 Rifle Expert" designation in the Navy, and carried an M16 in Vietnam. I now own an M1 Garand. Having experience with both, I would take the M1 over the M16 any day. I feel the same way about the R-390 and any solid state receiver I've ever used.
Involved in Short Wave Listening and Amateur Radio (WA6UAJ) since age 13 (1963).
Used them at Clark, Misawa, and on the USS Midway... I believe the Sterett also had 390s. Spinning and grinning through a few LONG IO deployments!!!
Andrew L -
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Hi Peter,
Mike VK4QS here.
An excellent refurb and oral rendition of the Collins R390, a Mechanical and Electrical Masterpiece. I am fortunate to have one of each of these Behemoth Miracles. I have actually refurbished my Collins R390A, and what a journey it was, most enjoyable and educational.
I really enjoy your Receiver Reviews Peter and have watched many.
Keep up the great work.
Cheers Mike
Thank you for the Kind words Mike , its been a while great to hear from you. The R390 has to be my favourite. I have an R&S device monitor here with automated Sensitivity test. The R390 was 6-10dB better than anything else here, ( i know sensitivity isn't the only parameter to be concerned when measuring HF parameters but i was surprised how sensitive it was. )
Hi Again Peter, you mentioned that the Front panel was in bad condition and that it was repainted etc. Did you repaint or Powdercoat the front panel of your R390, yourself, or did you get it done by another company as it looks excellent. I would like to get the same done to the front panel on my R390. Cheers Mike@@vk4gxc
HI Mike, The panel was in pretty poor shape when i got it, it even had some mild pitting. But before stripping it back I took it to my local Auto paint company and had then do a colour match and make up a single use spray can up. When doing the colour match he rubbed back the upper coating a bit to get to some un oxidised paint. I then stripped the front panel ( I taped up the rear to prevent ant paint being disturbed as there was lettering for pots and cables etc). Once the panel was stripped. Gave it a light etch with soda powder then made up a very small amount of filler and filled the bad areas, luckily it wasn't near the engraved text. I ran a primer etch over the whole front panel and rubbed it down with 1000 wet and dry, you have to be carful not to put in too much primer/paint on or rub too hard or you will loose edge definition on the engraving. Once done I sprayed the panel evenly with the made up colour can. Paint I used was a Lacquer based paint (restored a few cars in my time). Once all hardened off I used a White Lacquer pen. ( they are on ebay from US) you rub the pen over the engraved areas being careful to fill but quickly removing the excess with a rag. It was slow going at first but got better as time went on. Once finally done, I gave a final light all over cut and polish. That was 5 years ago, that R390 sits next to my office table and still looks great, really happy with the finish. I would note that the final colour seems a little darker grey (Maybe a hint of Blue gray/green) than other R390(a)s that I have here so I am not sure if all the others have "oxidised' or this was the original colour?? However I do like the the colour as it goes well with the black knobs, (I used same process, on knobs of stripping and etch and satin black, from supercheap). I have handled the knobs a lot and the still seem good). Apologies for long answer but just went though it as it was. If your feeling confident I would go for it. Note it must be an engraved panel, I seem to think all original 390 non A are engraved anyway.
I used the R-390 and R-1051 when I was in the Naval Security Group in 1973-1995.
Hi Peter I have three of these I bought in 1994 from fair radio sales USA I got with one of the the companion direction finder great video 😊
We had many hundreds of these at Field Station Augsburg, as did all the field stations. Four per position. Hung out in the 3k to 6k region primarily, in my particular case.
A long use-life.. I remember several stories about the R-390 or R-390a being used during Desert Storm. It is a tube radio and could handle the static electricity buildup in the desert sand environment.
HI Yes i heard the same thing it makes sense, but could never verify it
The best... even better than the " A " version... no phase delay in selectivity filters.
phenomenal piece of equipment. oh, the signals i picked up on these...(three dits, four dits, two dits, dah...)
So funny. ...it looks better in a rack though...
I was trained on the R-390 during my 33T AIT, but I never worked on it as it was phased out before I finished school. That said, I did burned myself with the tubes once or twice while in school. Good times!!!
Thanks for the overview Peter
Hi Peter,
I'm hoping to ask you a couple of questions about the R391 I have been getting ready to work on. Is this the best place or is there another way I could possibly message you for a few questions. I'm very keen to get my radio running. Thanks M8
The R-390 has a remarkably effective set of audio filters...I wish my 390A's had the medium audio filter that the 390 has...!!!
I have often wondered how one gets hold of the beauties? A good job on refurbishment Peter
Hi ichabodon many thanks of the kind words, The R390's come up on Ebay or if you can go to a big radio show/rally in the US like Dayton there are a few around. Many will need some work but also there are some in good used condition. The R390 odes come in a a few variants R390, R391 and R390A, the A has the mech filters fitted which can be good or bad depending on your POV. It did take me a long time to find one, some years. As i write this the very unit above is on next to my desk and monitoring FAX. I do have a few radios but this is the only radio that is positioned next to my work desk and has been here since the Video! All the best VK4GXC Pete
whoops just heard you say yours was engraved... mine is not and I believe it is an original panel. My 390a is however engraved.
I have a radio that looks like this that used to be my dad's. If I sent pictures would you be able to identify it for me?
beautiful front panel, I believe unlike the "a" versions they were all stenciled not engraved. So how did you manage to either restore or obtain another panel with such beautiful lettering? Also a very nice overview of reception.
Hi Radioman, the panel was engraved and this made it easier, The original panel was in poor shape with regards to paint, I took it to a local paint supplier who had a color measuring set up. They mixed a matching can of blue/grey ($25). I then stripped the panel ensuring that any paint in the engraved 'troughs' were removed. primer etched, top coat then filled the engraving using a 'lacquer stick' ( Off Ebay). The lacquer stick leaves a little residue so final process was a light cut. Was a labor of love and enjoyed doing this set. It still sits close by my desk and used. It started off as a bit of rough unit so only way was up and I refurbed and tested every single thing on it. Found a mis-placed Ferrite slug in one of the front end tuners, Luckily I had a spare, leaky mica molds, repaired some damaged coaxial cables,. I was amazed how stable it was in alignment.
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Beware of these receivers if they have been repaired or modified by the dishonest and incompetent Rick Mish of Miltronix, Toledo, Ohio.
I want to hear about the unspoken classified stuff in your brains that you don't dare say... To leave In fear of your government is a horrible thing.. to have orders to "kill on site" yet won't dare be told I'm anyway shape or form why you had to carry those orders out in the first place.. our place to not ask questions or speak up or have feelings... Emotion... That's the darkness in many souls that eat humans alive from the inside out..
To live in fear***
what the heck are you going on about?