The R-390A Frequently Asked Questions Page
Al L. Tirevold, WA0HQQ, supported and administered this website for a very long time. He is SK in July, 2021, and will be missed.
 
Welcome to the R-390 Series Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Page. The R-390A/URR radio receiver is arguably the best performing high-frequency (HF) receiver of the tube era. Its sensitivity, selectivity, resistance to adjacent strong signal overload and resetability set it far apart from its contemporaries.  It was designed in the early 1950's by Collins Radio Company under government contract and manufactured by a number of companies.  The receiver was used in many different roles in the U.S. military, other government agencies, and civilian operations ranging from point-to-point radio communications to Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) gathering to communications for the Apollo space program.
 
This compendium of knowledge is assembled to provide those with an interest in restoring, operating, or just reading about the history of the R-390A/URR with a set of reference material to assist in their endeavors.
 
This page would not have been possible without the generous efforts of many contributors who have provided documentation, recollections, experience, and opinions in abundance. Their contributions are attributed on the pages where they appear.

Overview

Provides introductory information about designs, physical characteristics, operational characteristics, intended uses, current uses, construction and features.
 
History
 
Manufacturers

Provides information about each manufacturer of the R-390 family of receivers.
 
Variations

Provides information about variations on the theme of the R-390A receiver. A 24 volt watertight version was produced for mobile operation. A lightweight version was produced for airborne operation. Specialized versions for remote operation, very low frequency (VLF) operation, and for use with frequency synthesizers, etc. were also produced.
 
References

Provides links to reports, manuals, books, videos, web pages, magazine indexes and other periodicals
 
Systems and Accessories

Provides information about R-390A communications systems, accessories used with the R-390A and some current accessory information.
 
Technical
 

This section has been moved to the 'References' page. 


Non-Technical

Information about non-technical items.


Send Comments to the FAQ-Meister: (root[at]r-390a[dot]net)
Version: 26 - - Last revision: 2023-May-13