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| Reviews Summary for Collins R388/URR (51J) |
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Reviews: 8
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Average rating: 4.6/5
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MSRP: $1200-1464
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Description: General coverage receiver used by the US Defense Department
from 1952 until the early 1960's
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More info: http://
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You can
write your own review of the Collins R388/URR (51J).
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W0OGH
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Rating: 4/5
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Jun 8, 2008 10:21
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Good radios
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I own two of these receivers, R-388's. I sent one back to Howard Mills, W3HM for overhaul. A bit expensive but the radio has been updated with mods, calibration, replaced broken coils and works great. Calibration is right there. Lots of comments on it from visiting hams. My 2nd 388 was originally used as a training unit for the Navy. It's in very good condition also and other than the calibration being off it appears to be working fine. I still look at them on the auction place wondering if i should buy another one. No room for it but they are a really attractive Radio. I am looking for the data plate that goes on the front panel as one of my units plate is missing. Also i've been told that the "S" meters were a problem. On one of my radios it sticks at about the 60-70 db point and as they are a "sealed" unit, not reparable.
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KQ6IG
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 30, 2004 22:09
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Pretty Good
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I owned an R-388 receiver for a short time, but found it to be an impressive receiver. It has general coverage reception, and is very sensitive. It has pinched restricted sounding audio which works when you're trying to pull in that weak DX-station. It is a short wave DX man's dream.
I sold mine because I'm a high-fi buff, and I found the pinched audio offensive. However, there are times when conditions are difficult, that I wish I had mt R-388 back!
Omar
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N1BEC
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 26, 2004 19:47
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The R-388 is a great AM receiver!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had an R-388 for over 20 years. I has fortunate enough to buy it with my BC-610-I when I was in college.
The R-388 was the matching receiver, housed in a large mil box along with an EE-8, J-38 key, and a 12 volt input/110 volt 60 cycle AC dynamotor.
Didn't do much with it for years, but farmed it out to a friend. If it weren't for the fact that the end points were out of tolerance and not adjustable, I probably would not have seen it again!
Finally got around to performing a complete restoration in the late 80's. Built a VFO test jig, and had it running again shortly. Make doggone sure the VFO works within tolerance before you buy one, or get a good downward adjustment on the price, as the rebuild is a royal pain!
It worked great for about two weeks before the power transformer shorted. I solved that by substituting a TV tranny and changing the filtering to choke input.
It's worked like a champ since then! May have to swap the volume pot at some point.
This is another keeper. Jump on one if you get the chance!
73's, -Tom
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N4UE
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Rating: 5/5
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May 20, 2004 21:26
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Wonderful!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I was fortunate enought to own two R-388s and one civilian version, the 51J-3. I sold the two 388s and kept the J-3. It has a perfect front panel and the insides look like the day it was made. I was always VERY impressed with the sensitivity of these radios. Even on 10M, they performed right up there with my high priced rice radios.
Obviously, they were not intended for SSB reception, having been 'born' before that mode became popular. I found that by reducing the RF gain and using the BFO (liked I learned to do back in the 60's), it made a fine SSB receiver. This is due to it's exceptional mechanical and electrical stability.
One day, just for giggles, I decided to see if the bypass and coupling caps needed replacement, like the caps in all my beloved boatanchors have.
(my 75A-4 had some reallllly bad ones in it!).
Lo and behold, the caps were all of the 'dogbone' variety and were perfect. No wonder it worked so well!
I found a PD-1 SSB adaptor on e-Pay, er, e-Bay and connected it up. Although it works very well, one must still reduce the RF Gain slightly, or the audio doesn't sound as it should.
The only negative thing about the PD-1 (and it's no fault of the device), is that it connects to the IF output of the radio and thus needs an external AF amp to drive a speaker. This is easily solved. A visit to the local flea market turned up lots of cheap, small, solid state amps with enough power to blow your speakers of choice.
I kinda wish the main tuning dial had a 4:1 ratio like the A-4.........
New dial drums are available very cheaply and they make the radio look like new!
Typical Collins build quality. Excellent! Also, the J-3 doesn't have the MFP coating (varnish) on the chassis.........
Mine is rack mounted below the 390A and it's a keeper!
regards,
ron
N4UE
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WB6NVH
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 20, 2004 15:43
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Great receiver for AM
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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As a former Collins service center manager, I would like to add a few details on the R-388. If you are thinking about buying one, ask whether the dial end-points are still within specifications. The PTO (VFO) in the 51J-3 and 4 series as originally supplied had a problem with aging which means that today, most of these receivers have KHz dials which do not track properly across the entire range, and are far off at both ends. This requires internal surgery on the PTO to correct, as the problem is usually outside the compensation range of the factory adjustment. The R-388 is not exactly the same as a 51J-3; the R-388 is a military version which among other things such as anti-fungus paint, uses a different antenna input circuit designed to match electrically short whips such as on mobile communications shelters. You may need to experiment with baluns to get a perfect match to certain HF antennas, although throwing out 50 feet of hookup wire will work well ! With an outboard SSB adapter, the R-388's are a great all-around receiver. The noise limiter works well. The crystal phasing filter system is not very effective (compared to some Hallicrafters designs of the 1950's.) The outer covers for the 51J series receivers are important for proper operation.
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N6KYR
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 13, 2002 15:45
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Classic receiver
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I had the opportunity to own 3 (yes three!) of these great receivers. My first foray into the R-388 receiver was when I swapped a CV-89 RTTY converter for one of these. The other two were swaps with the last one being a pristine late '62 Navy contract unit (that is, when the R-390's were too expensive, the Navy contracted Collins to make the R-388 in 1962 as a lower cost alternative).
I managed to scrape up a cabinet for this one. Afther that, it looked extremely good sitting next to my old 75A4. I used it in conjuction with a Viking Valiant transmitter. My only complaint about the R-388 was it's "tight" audio. The R-388 is a communications grade rx designed to do the job and cut out the adjacent channel and interference. If you wanted to get better audio, you'd probably have to do some minor rebuilding of the audio section. Other than that, it was (and is) a classis rx. If you're in the mood to do some bandcruising and you are a Collins nut (and don't mind the absence of the vaunted mechanical filters ala the 51J4) the R388 may be your cup o' tea.
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N8FVJ
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 3, 2002 13:01
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Good receiver.
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Good, not great (R-390, R-390A is great). Earlies 50s design is one of the first to allow anyone to find a frequency. Well designed dial. Receiver is hot up on ten meters and this radio is built like a tank. Of course, no product detector makes riding the RF gain a pain on SSB. Somewhat weaker audio, but I am fussy. I like 10 watt push-pull audio. So, buy it as a very good AM radio.
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W7ITC
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 15, 2002 16:01
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Great receiver
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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You hear so much about the 75A's but not much
about the 51J's or in this cause the R388/URR
(51J3) These are excellent receivers a well
tweaked radio can keep up with modern solid state
receivers. The radio does not use any hard to
get tubes, and it is very easy to maintain in
peek condition. I have several MilSpec receivers
including the storied R390A/URR. The R388 is my hands down favorite. It's only short coming is it
does not have a product detector so SSB reception
operator intensive. I do have an ELDICO SBA-1
SSB adapter when I retune it for the R388's IF output frequency it SSB reception is vastly improved. Take a look at this radio you will like
it.
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