[Elecraft] Simple Superhet

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Thanks for the nice words Bill...

The genesis of that project is right here on the Elecraft reflector. A
couple of years ago, Mychael, AA3WF (aka 'toroidguy') commented in an =
e-mail
to me that it was great fun and very satisfying to build the K2, but =
after
finishing it successfully he still didn't understand much about
superheterodyne receivers. Being a little younger than me, he also noted
that he felt like being a "real Ham" meant that he should have some
experience with vacuum tubes.=20

The sharp pens of the QST editors reduced that background to a
"...kit-building friend" in the article, but it was Mychael's prodding =
that
got me to thinking and tinkering.=20

The little receiver uses tubes, but runs entirely from 12 volts dc, so =
one
can poke around in the circuit without fear of getting 'zapped' with
voltages any more dangerous than those found in the Elecraft rigs. It =
also
permits safe "breadboard" construction similar to that used in the =
1920's
and 30's. The tubes run at microwatt power levels, so incidental =
radiation
from the oscillators in the receiver is miniscule - no greater than most
solid-state rigs today - in spite of the minimal shielding.=20

You are right. The solenoidal coils could be replaced by toroids. =
Indeed,
PVC is NOT the best material for coil forms anyway. But PVC works, it's =
easy
to get and the big coils make it easy to adjust and experiment. On the =
other
hand, toroids are 'self shielding'. They would eliminate the need for a
shield in the construction and the whole thing could be built smaller =
and
more compact if desired.=20

Mychael has gone on to build several tube-type transmitters, and even =
set
aside his paddles to develop an admirable fist on a bug, all for the fun =
it
- but that's his story to tell you about.

To me that's what this hobby is all about - having fun and sharing it =
with
others!=20

Ron AC7AC