The Collins R-390A is arguably the finest tube-era military HF receiver ever built — but it was designed in the early 1950s for AM and CW reception. As amateur and military communications transitioned to single-sideband (SSB), several aftermarket solutions emerged…
R-390A Aftermarket SSB Adapters: A Comparison Guide R-390A Aftermarket SSB Adapters: A Comparison Guide Mike Peace · March 9, 2026 · Amateur Radio, R-390A.NET The Collins R-390A is arguably the finest tube-era military HF receiver ever built — but it…
The Boatanchor Legends series honors the individuals who built, preserved, and shared the technical knowledge that keeps the R-390A and its sister receivers alive. From the editors of the Y2K Manual to the archivists who saved disappearing documentation, from the…
Boatanchor Legends: Barry Hauser — Y2K Manual Co-Editor & Community Voice Boatanchor Legends — A Tribute Series Barry Hauser New York Y2K Manual Co-Editor • Reflector Voice • Community Historian Barry Hauser brought two rare qualities to the R-390A community…
Boatanchor Legends: DW Holtman, WB7SSN — Y2K Manual Technical Illustrator Boatanchor Legends — A Tribute Series DW Holtman, WB7SSN Y2K Manual Contributor Technical Illustrator • Digital Draftsman DW Holtman brought a draftsman’s precision to the R-390A community’s most important document.…
Boatanchor Legends: Gary Gitzen — Y2K Manual Contributor Boatanchor Legends — A Tribute Series Gary Gitzen Y2K Manual Contributor Technical Knowledge • Community Expertise Gary Gitzen is one of the credited contributors to “The 21st Century R-390A/URR Technical Reference” —…
Boatanchor Legends: Tom Norris — Y2K Manual Contributor Boatanchor Legends — A Tribute Series Tom Norris Y2K Manual Contributor Technical Expertise • Community Knowledge Tom Norris is one of the credited contributors to “The 21st Century R-390A/URR Technical Reference” —…
Boatanchor Legends: Scott Seickel — Y2K Manual Contributor & Reflector Participant Boatanchor Legends — A Tribute Series Scott Seickel Y2K Manual Contributor R-390 Reflector Contributor • Technical Knowledge Sharer Scott Seickel holds a distinctive place in the R-390A community: he…
Wei-i Li The Archivist Every technical community generates far more knowledge than it manages to preserve. Conversations happen, problems are solved, solutions are shared — and then the thread scrolls off the page and the answer that took three experts…
Clemens Stubbe Østergaard The Scholar at the Receiver The R-390A community has always attracted serious people — engineers, technicians, former military operators, and dedicated amateurs who approach the receiver with the same rigour they bring to their professional lives. Clemens…