R392 Solid State Conversion

How to convert a R392 military radio to 100% solid state. The reason so much of this video is devoted to making plug-in modules is because you can't convert the radio to SS without some method of making modules. There are other methods of making them. In the next video we will show you more of the workings of the radio and how to make PC board types with SMD mounted parts that look more professional. China can make them for you for a price. Watch for future videos.

[@danielsamson9505]

Good job.👌👍

[@EUC_Senior]

WOW!! Another great conversion. You should open a store and sell those transistors on a tube base. De N2DMI

[@rfburns3472]

Charles, I am glad you're back with another conversion. After successfully converting to solid state a BC-348, BC-455 and BC 454, I am temped to do a R392 if I can find one. Looking forward to the manual. The manuals you suppled me with for my conversions were excellent and easy to follow. 73's

[@W4AX]

Charles: Another great conversion! I like the new sockets you’ve built. Thank you for making an excellent video. I may still convert my “spare” 392 to SS. Well done! Mack

[@burnerphone7220]

Thank you Charles. You have sparked my interest with regards to solid stating my rR390a.

[@charlessmith833]

I've done both the 390A and the 392. Each one is a winner. No more tubes.

[@ks1u]

Another great job, Charles. I'll have to order one of your conversion books for this too. My R390A is coming along, but I ran into some family issues which slowed the conversion down a little.

[@migsvensurfing6310]

Interresting. I have thought about the same since some tubes in my country are getting rare. Tubes from the 20s and 30s. I had a handheld military radio a long time ago and I think it had some 6 volt tubes named novistors or something like that. I can imaging because of the voltage the conversion is "easy". Nice work, seems to work very well. thanks for showing.

[@Homer19521]

You're sick Charles. Nice job. TU 73

[@clifffiftytwo]

I’ve ordered several of your sets of plans and always enjoy the videos of your solid-state conversions. While you’ve discussed the circuitry somewhat I’m curious about your design process. Do you attempt to replicate the characteristics of the tube you’re replacing, resulting in a standard design for that tube in other radios? Or is the design more a reflection of what’s needed for that stage, given the b+ voltage as a starting point, for example? Could you convert an All American Five for us !!!

[@charlessmith833]

Each tube circuit is a custom fit to the circuit, not to the tube. Any tube receiver can be successfully converted to SS if you know all the tricks but each model would be different. Whatever the circuit wants is what it gets. It is hard to outguess the final circuit. A lot of trial and error is involved. What you think might work may not work at all. You have to custom fit everything. At the same time you have to understand what you are doing. It is a learning curve that never stops curving. I haven't seen a receiver circuit yet that I could not conquer but I'm sure there is one out there just waiting in the bushes.

[@user-zi9gz3ml8f]

How do you order a set of plans for doing this upgrade? Is there a link to a website that I didn't see?

[@charlessmith833]

If you watch the video to the end you will find my email address.

[@CARL557511]

I've seen and done alot of things when it comes to radio, but what you have done is truly GENIUS!! Outstanding work and much respect! Carl kc8ylt.

[@totallysmooth1203]

I've got a BC348-R that is so junked out I might as well solid state it. Is there a video for that?

[@charlessmith833]

I have a manual for the BC348-H,K,L,R solid state conversion. The manual is $7.00 plus $9.65 Priority Mail. You will also need 8 special chokes for $1,00 each for a total of $24.65. If all the coils are present and there is no damage you should be able to do a successful conversion. The KZbin video is called "BC348-H,K,L,R Solid State Conversion". My email is [e-mail]

[@davidpotter5752]

Why? My R-392 works just fine as it is original.

[@charlessmith833]

Great tube radios but when converted to SS you don't have to figure out which of the two dozen tubes went bad or what resistor has burned. Instant on is great. There a lot of pluses to SS. However, I'm not insisting that you convert yours.

[@W1ZY]

Fantastic! I subscribed immediately. Compare this Old Timer Real Ham to the graying Bozos on Utube inciting cultural wars or selling square pillows! fantastic stuff here.

[@scharkalvin]

I would have pushed the pin in first, then heated the socket and then added solder at the pin.

[@charlessmith833]

You must tin the socket pin first or else the soldering will be poor. I have tried inserting the wire first without tinning the socket pin and the results were not good. I have ruined some sockets that way and made them unusable. Some galling of the pin from the heat occurs and the metal refuses to accept solder. Also, when you solder the tabs on the back side you will note that the solder tends to roll off and refuses to stick thoroughly. The metals and plating of the socket pins is not wonderful and will work against you. Do it the way I showed in the video and you can be confident the pins are properly soldered. I have tried using ceramic sockets that have a very small hole and will not allow you to tin the pin first and had very poor results. Later on you may experience solder failure due to poorly soldered pins and have to do a lot of troubleshooting to find out the cause.

[@jerrydaugherty3781]

Another good video, I would like a copy of the prepared manual. I believe you have a copy of my email and I guess the paypal info from my last purchase has been long enough to have droped off the end. Thanks, Jerry W9FS