COLLINS R-390 A/URR serial nr 2611 [RADIO]

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(Egon van Kampen did the check-up of this radio for me. The radio was preserved so perfectly by Wim Penders PAoPGA that little needed to be done.)

From Fred Osterman's catalog "Shortwave Receivers Past & Present 4th Edition Communications Receivers 1942--2013":

In 1998, Chuck Rippel WA4HHG wrote:
In many circles, the R390A is considered to be the finest HF radio receiver ever built. Weighing in at 85 lbs, this electro-mechanical wonder was designed in the early 50's and released February 24, 1954. Thanks to features such as a 6DC6 first RF amplifier, a suite of Military Grade Collins mechanical filters and full tracking RF and IF sections, the R390A is capable of copying signals down to its -143db noise floor, close to the galactic limit. All this while operating in high over load/strong signal environments.
Originally built by Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, IA, the R390A was designed by 2 teams. The mechanical team being lead by Fred Johnson while the electronics team was overseen by Ernie Pappenfus, K6EZ. Besides Collins Radio, there were 13 other sub-contractors which built R390A's until the last one rolled off the assembly line in 1984. Banks of these fine radios served the country in all branches of the military and also the CIA and NSA for monitoring communications from behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War years where the R390A was classified TOP SECRET until the mid-1960's.






Youtube version:
see also, about such meters:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWM5MVmHZUM

Reacties

Frans zei…
John writes: "This is the one with the Barcus Berry in the neck, correct?
I love thinking that this very machine was a spy's best friend
keeping her warm during the Berliner kuehle nacht. Rzzzz!"
15 maart 2019 om 01:38
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