Waking up receiver from cold storage - Collins R390 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Steve-MWDX · 6th Jan 2021, 9:30 pm

I’m looking to make contact with an experienced radio restorer somewhere in the York vicinity.

The reason for my request is because I have an ex-US military valve radio Collind R390A/URR that has been in storage for 20 years. I know it worked fine and was calibrated before storage but I don’t want to blow it up by plugging it cold straight into 240volt mains. I know it’s a top of the range rig but after this time it could conceivably have duff capacitors.

I could get a variac, or make a electrolytic capacitor reformer (I have the techie knowledge) but it seems silly to do this just for one receiver – I don’t expect to be restoring more any time soon.

Rather I’d like to get together with someone who has the right gear/workshop/experience. I'd prefer to do this relatively local as this radio really does live up to the description "boat anchor" and isn't easily shipable

Can anyone assist?

agardiner · 7th Jan 2021, 10:15 pm

Hopefully someone local will reply to you, but if not then I would be happy to take a look once lockdown restrictions ease. I am about a 3 hour drive from you and agree it is not really something you can ship!

Steve-MWDX · 8th Jan 2021, 12:30 pm

Thanks. Yes it is an 85 pound beast of a receiver. For anyone who has never seen it, it is an amazing piece of mechanical and valve design. possibly the best valve communications receiver ever made. So I'd like to treat mine with caution as I wake it up!

6th Jan 2021, 9:30 pm	#1
Steve-MWDX Diode Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: York, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 2	Waking up receiver from cold storage - Collins R390 I’m looking to make contact with an experienced radio restorer somewhere in the York vicinity. The reason for my request is because I have an ex-US military valve radio Collind R390A/URR that has been in storage for 20 years. I know it worked fine and was calibrated before storage but I don’t want to blow it up by plugging it cold straight into 240volt mains. I know it’s a top of the range rig but after this time it could conceivably have duff capacitors. I could get a variac, or make a electrolytic capacitor reformer (I have the techie knowledge) but it seems silly to do this just for one receiver – I don’t expect to be restoring more any time soon. Rather I’d like to get together with someone who has the right gear/workshop/experience. I'd prefer to do this relatively local as this radio really does live up to the description "boat anchor" and isn't easily shipable Can anyone assist?

7th Jan 2021, 10:15 pm	#2
agardiner Heptode Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Thetford, Norfolk, UK. Posts: 729	Re: Waking up receiver from cold storage - Collins R390 Hopefully someone local will reply to you, but if not then I would be happy to take a look once lockdown restrictions ease. I am about a 3 hour drive from you and agree it is not really something you can ship!

8th Jan 2021, 12:30 pm	#3
Steve-MWDX Diode Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: York, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 2	Re: Waking up receiver from cold storage - Collins R390 Thanks. Yes it is an 85 pound beast of a receiver. For anyone who has never seen it, it is an amazing piece of mechanical and valve design. possibly the best valve communications receiver ever made. So I'd like to treat mine with caution as I wake it up!