I have been the proud owner of this Collins designed R390A/URR general coverage, HF radio receiver for just over four years. Many consider this Collins R-390A/URR the last great military receiver of the tube era. It was restored by WA3KEY right before I bought it. I am selling it because I have run out of room for new radios.
Condition - Everything still works perfectly. I have it mounted in a Hammond Rack Cabinet. The AC Infinity automated cooling fan with temperature sensor is mounted on the rear of the rack to keep the radio from overheating (Important!). The fan direction has been changed so air circulates into the cabinet. There are a couple of scratches on the top of the cabinet (see pictures), other than the radio is in great cosmetic shape with the typical wear marks on the panel edges. The knobs were repainted this year.
History - In many circles, the R390A is the finest HF tube radio receiver ever built. Weighing in over 75 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 overload/strong signal environments.
Originally built by Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, IA, the R390A was designed by 2 teams. The mechanical team being led 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. Stories are told that R390A's are still in use by the NSA where senior operators far prefer their quiet, yet stellar performance over modern, mega-dollar receivers from Harris, Racal and Watkins-Johnson.
Condition - Everything still works perfectly. I have it mounted in a Hammond Rack Cabinet. The AC Infinity automated cooling fan with temperature sensor is mounted on the rear of the rack to keep the radio from overheating (Important!). The fan direction has been changed so air circulates into the cabinet. There are a couple of scratches on the top of the cabinet (see pictures), other than the radio is in great cosmetic shape with the typical wear marks on the panel edges. The knobs were repainted this year.
History - In many circles, the R390A is the finest HF tube radio receiver ever built. Weighing in over 75 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 overload/strong signal environments.
Originally built by Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, IA, the R390A was designed by 2 teams. The mechanical team being led 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. Stories are told that R390A's are still in use by the NSA where senior operators far prefer their quiet, yet stellar performance over modern, mega-dollar receivers from Harris, Racal and Watkins-Johnson.