| But What
Is It...? Firstly, a site that covers this excellent
set in far more detail (including schematics) may be
found at: http://www.roveroresearch.com/r392/r392.html
This is the receiver
component of another vintage Collins radio system and is
usually paired with the T-195 HF transmitter to form GRC-19.
It is often said to be a 'little brother' to the
venerable R-390 - in the sense that is is ruggedised and
simpler but performs just as well. It weighs in at a
hefty 55lbs in its water-resistant case and has no power
supply of its own - relying on the vehicle it was
installed in. It was developed in the late 1940's and
fully battle-tried in Korea although stayed in production
via Collins licensees (such as Philco, Stewart-Warner and
Western Electric) until the mid 1960's.
If the Collins R-390 &
R-390A are the ne plus ultra of American
boatanchors (in the same way that the Racal RA17L is
considered in Britain) then the little brother set comes
a close second in the race. It does not have all the
features of the R-390 but matches its performance.
Last updated 1st May 2003
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