Re: Amateur Radio Ops here..
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Parallax</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've got an old A/N R390A lying around somewhere...LOL </div></div>
You know those were built for the Gov't up until the last contract for the Navy (Fowler) in 1986. They were retired but a number were called back after refurb in the early 1990's when the front ends of some of the sophisticated solid state gear couldn't stand the static from blowing sand, the dry weather and dust. The R390A needs no fan, nothing to clog... and in good trim it has a hotter, quieter and generally better receiver then my P-3 Orion's Watkins-Johnson WJ8718A/MFP HF surveylance receiver.
You are right... no CW needed anymore, just some electronics background and that isn't hard up to General Class. You run into many,many ex and active military on the HF bands. Computers haven't replaced everything... </div></div>
My first life in the military right out of boot camp was spent at Ft Devens learning to be a 33S - EW/Intercept Systems REpairman.
It was not until I tried to reinlist that they broke my MOS up, and 33R (Aviation) had no openings so I ended up a 31V in the ArcticLight infantry..
I was the R390 man - I had 42 of them and basically brought about 30 of them online using 12 spares. THey are the most awesome AM receiver a person could want.
I had one when we disbanded the unit but like a dumb ass I sold it, for $75 (In 1986)...
I'm looking for another though.
I may have to do the CW - after I do this CISSP certification..