[Hallicrafters] Home Built Receivers - my story if you want it

[TC Dailey]

Speaking of home-made stuff, perhaps some of you have heard of the HBR series of receivers that originally appeared in 1963 QST's.  They were designed by Ted Crosby (W6TC SK)  Mine was built from these plans in 1964.  They do have a website, and there are an amazing number of variations.  They were built in 8, 11, 13, & 16 tube versions, and used a set of 3 plug-in coils per band.  The sensitivity and selectivity are astounding.  Mine delivers "very readable" cw on 80m @ .045uv.


Hi Folks,

My HBR-11 came to me via an ordinary flea market in Denver.  It was bought, along with several other pieces of "junque" from a seller, by KGØHS (Carl) out here.  After a few weeks, Carl asked me to look at "this thing", as it was missing a tube, and had no markings as to what it was, but did have this really nice National "ACN" dial.  Finally, he just gave it to me, as he felt he'd never get around to messing with it.

I kept it under the bench for about 6 months, until one day I noticed the slipped Dymo label, under the lip of the cabinet, saying "HBR-11".  I had figured out by this time, that HBR meant "Home Brew Receiver", but still didn't know much about it.  

About that time, I received yet another complimentary copy of Ham Radio Trader, which was still being printed back then.  In it, I found an ad by Charlie Brenner (WB9GJW) for an "HBR-16".  Figuring it had to be a cousin of the "11", I emailed him.  Charlie was WONDERFUL enough to send me:  the ORIGINAL QST articles, a copy of "HBR Notes" (original version), A Full schematic, and copies of the ORIGINAL cut-sheets of the tuning capacitor, & the J.W. Miller I-F cans.  Armed with this info, I determined the missing tube, and brought it up s-l-o-w-l-y with my variac... Joila'... NOISE!  After repairing about 14 different problems, mostly solder joints, 2 tubes, and loose hardware, I aligned it with an HP-606 (one of the few that will do a 100 kc signal - it has a 100kc 2nd. IF), and it was terrific.  I should mention, that all I had was the 40m coil-set.

About a month later, I found another piece of Dymo tape under the wiring, and it read "WAØLJO".  I looked the call up in an old callbook, and found that it belonged to a guy - listed in Denver, CO.  (HEY!  That's where I LIVE!) I looked up the name in a Denver phone directory, and sure enough, there was still that listed name at the old address.  After attempting to explain why a total stranger was calling her about an old radio, the lady ultimately informed me "Oh my, that's my son... I think he was a teenager when he built that old radio!".  She gave my number to her son (who now lived in Golden, CO - about 10 miles from me), and we spoke on the phone, finally promising to try to run into each other at the next hamfest.

It gets better...

At the Jefferson County hamfest, I was walking up to the front door, and I saw my friend Carl, with another guy.  Carl says "Hey, you wanna' meet the guy who built that receiver?"... I said "Sure!".  We spoke, and it came to light that Carl actually WORKED WITH EVERETT!  Imagine that... you buy an old radio at a "civilian" flea market, and it turns out that a guy you work with, is the guy who built it, back in 1964!.  Everett and I spoke, and he said to come over to his house later... I did.

Arriving at the house, Everett came out of his old garage bearing a small cardboard box... it still had the "ALLIED RADIO" label on it, postmarked 1965.  Inside was the treasure... the coil set for 20m, and 2 of the 3 coils for 80m, along with several BRAND NEW National 5-pin coil forms.  I've just found some No. 26 wire, and cut down an old 100 mmfd APC variable to 55 mmfd, so will be winding the last coil this weekend.

So, how's that for a story?  The amazing circular world of Ham Radio, and how W6TC lives on.

Tom Dailey
WAØEAJ - now WØEAJ