Hello --

I've looked a bit for a nice R-390A to go with my National HRO 60 and
Hammarlund SP-600. A local audio shop clearing an old warehouse has offered
me a combo of a Stewart Warner-built R-390A (Serial Number 27) and TMC
(Technical Material Corporation) CV-657A (BuShips) SSB adapter they are
clearing from an old warehouse. Both units light up, but I hear only noise
on the headphones -- I can't tune in even local BC stations. Both units
appear to be complete --covers in place, correct knobs -- and in fair to
good cosmetic condition. They also have a EAC R-390A in much worse condition
they might throw in.

I would appreciate any thoughts on their value, and a possible source of
information about the TMC SSB unit. I remember seeing a bit of TMC gear back
in the 50's, but haven't seen any advertisements for them dating after the
60's.

Thanks for any help -- Mitch
(Not a ham, just an old SWL geezer who loves boatanchors.)

The WoodMitch Shop wrote:
I've looked a bit for a nice R-390A to go with my National HRO 60 and
Hammarlund SP-600. A local audio shop clearing an old warehouse has offered
me a combo of a Stewart Warner-built R-390A (Serial Number 27) and TMC
(Technical Material Corporation) CV-657A (BuShips) SSB adapter they are
clearing from an old warehouse. Both units light up, but I hear only noise
on the headphones -- I can't tune in even local BC stations. Both units
appear to be complete --covers in place, correct knobs -- and in fair to
good cosmetic condition. They also have a EAC R-390A in much worse condition
they might throw in.

These used to be common as dirt on the surplus market. They aren't any
longer. They also aren't much fun to work on.

Contact Chuck Rippel in Chesapeake, VA. He is doing a grand business in
refurbishing R-390s, and he'll probably be willing to make a trade for
several old units and get you a rebuilt one.

I would appreciate any thoughts on their value, and a possible source of
information about the TMC SSB unit. I remember seeing a bit of TMC gear back
in the 50's, but haven't seen any advertisements for them dating after the
60's.

The TMC SSB unit is unavailable and everybody wants one. The last time I saw
them for the sale they were in the $500 range.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

If you are able to dig into these and repair them, you'll
have one of the *best* SW setups around. IMO its certainly
worth the effort. For SW the R-390 is a better choice, but
the R-390A is still hard to beat.

I've also got a few SP-600's, as well as 51J3 and 51J4's.
The R-390 is better in all respects. SSB converters are in
big demand right now and are worth almost as much as
the R-390A's.

Steve
"The WoodMitch Shop" wrote in message
...
Hello --

I've looked a bit for a nice R-390A to go with my National HRO 60 and
Hammarlund SP-600. A local audio shop clearing an old warehouse has
offered me a combo of a Stewart Warner-built R-390A (Serial Number 27)
and TMC (Technical Material Corporation) CV-657A (BuShips) SSB adapter
they are clearing from an old warehouse. Both units light up, but I hear
only noise on the headphones -- I can't tune in even local BC stations.
Both units appear to be complete --covers in place, correct knobs -- and
in fair to good cosmetic condition. They also have a EAC R-390A in much
worse condition they might throw in.

I would appreciate any thoughts on their value, and a possible source of
information about the TMC SSB unit. I remember seeing a bit of TMC gear
back in the 50's, but haven't seen any advertisements for them dating
after the 60's.

Thanks for any help -- Mitch
(Not a ham, just an old SWL geezer who loves boatanchors.)

Steve wrote:
If you are able to dig into these and repair them, you'll
have one of the *best* SW setups around. IMO its certainly
worth the effort. For SW the R-390 is a better choice, but
the R-390A is still hard to beat.

I've also got a few SP-600's, as well as 51J3 and 51J4's.
The R-390 is better in all respects. SSB converters are in
big demand right now and are worth almost as much as
the R-390A's.

The audio on the 390A stinks... the 390 is better but still nothing I
would want to listen to strong shortwave stations on. The ringing of the
mechanical filters is not pleasant at all. But these things just pull
weak signals out of nothing.

I have compared one of the current Watkins-Johnson military surveillance
and intercept receivers with the 390A... the user interface on the WJ is
a lot better and the spectrum display on it is fabulous, but the 390A is
just as good at picking weak signals out of the grass.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Mitch,

Congrats on the new rig. I have an R-390a also. Great Radio I use an
old Railway Communications Selective Voltmeter as an SSB converter
with a 7360 balanced mixer sounds great.You've probably discovered by
now that one of the conversion oscillators in the 390 has stopped
oscillating. Mine did that right off and it was the 6ba6 vfo tube.
Your mileage may very.

Good luck!

Tony WA6LZH






On Jul 27, 9:18*pm, "The WoodMitch Shop" wrote:
Hello --

I've looked a bit for a nice R-390A to go with my National HRO 60 and
Hammarlund SP-600. A local audio shop clearing an old warehouse has offered
me a combo of a Stewart Warner-built R-390A (Serial Number *27) and TMC
(Technical Material Corporation) CV-657A (BuShips) SSB adapter they are
clearing from an old warehouse. Both units light up, but I hear only noise
on the headphones -- I can't tune in even local BC stations. Both units
appear to be complete --covers in place, correct knobs -- and in fair to
good cosmetic condition. They also have a EAC R-390A in much worse condition
they might throw in.

I would appreciate any thoughts on their value, and a possible source of
information about the TMC SSB unit. I remember seeing a bit of TMC gear back
in the 50's, but haven't seen any advertisements for them dating after the
60's.

Thanks for any help -- Mitch
(Not a ham, just an old SWL geezer who loves boatanchors.)