[Boatanchors] SP-600 v. R-390A

[Al Parker]

Hi Bob,
	YOu've probably opened up a real can of worms ;-)  This subject, plus 
the general "what's best of all rcvrs?" gets worked over regularly on 
various lists.
	YOur last question first -- Almost all of both rcvrs were bought by the 
US govt (various agencies), and were bought as rack mount.  There 
probably were more SP-600's supplied with cabinets, but still very few. 
  Yes, cabinets are available, but they are deeper than most by a cupl 
inches.  They both will fit the same cabinet.
	The R-390A design is at least 10 yrs newer than the SP-600, and the 
designs are quite different.  The 390 is probably a little more 
sensitive than the SP-600, and you "know" what freq. your hearing much 
better as it's dial readout (390) mechanically digital.  The R-390(A) is 
a pain to band cruise with, the SP-600 is easy.  The SP-600 has less 
tubes, is, over the span of 5-10 years, less requiring of maintenance 
attn, assuming each is in good condition to start.  Both will probably 
have required some attn to put into good (close to spec) condition.
	That's a very short summary, it kinda boils down to what you want to do 
with the receiver.
	You'll get lots of opinions, YMMV.
73,

Al, W8UT
www.boatanchors.org
www.hammarlund.info

"There is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much
worth doing as simply messing about in boats"
Ratty, to Mole

On 1/19/2011 10:05 AM, Bob Jackson wrote:
> I overheard a discussion on a local repeater earlier this week regarding
> these two receivers and which was, overall, the better of the two. Not
> knowing much, if anything, in depth about either one, I thought I'd ask
> you guys for your opinions, pro/con about them.
> I did notice that there's an SP-600 currently on ePay but it's a rack
> mount unit. Can cabinets be found for these things?
> Cheers,
> Bob AG5X
>
>
>
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