[HBR] HR-67

[hbr@mailman.qth.net]

In a message dated 4/11/02 1:33:40 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
vze2gmp4@verizon.net writes:

> After looking through my stack of QST's and stuff I can't seem to 
>  find anything on this HR-67.  Can someone direct me to it.

The HB-67 did not appear in QST. It was first described in the 1967 ARRL 
Handbook, and was designed by W1DX (Byron Goodman). A later version appears 
in the 1969 Handbook, but by 1971 the receivers are all sandstate.

The HB-67 is an 80 meter receiver having a 455 kHz IF, a crystal controlled 
converter for the 40,20,15, and 10 meter bands, and a solid state power 
supply all on one chassis. The coverter is switched out of the circuit on 80 
meters. Selectivity is fixed at 2.1 kHz by the use of an SSB mechanical 
filter. Audio-derived AGC is provided, and the 80 meter section uses a 
single-ended 7360 mixer. 
>  
>  My own thoughts on building an HBR are two.  Either duplicate one of 
>  the models exactly or use the general layout and ideas to build one 
>  suited to one's own operating needs and desires.  Being that it's 
>  going to be used as a ham band receiver doesn't mean it has to be 
>  second class.  Being a bit of a receiver nut for years and have spent 
>  most of my time lately laying out plans for a new one, I have come to 
>  the following conclusions:
>  
>  -Keep it simple (which can be very complicated)

Agreed! No reason to include features you won't use. 

>  -Single conversion using high freq. IF filter(s)

Yup.

>  -The front end will use a 7360, or a 6J6 mixer

There are other beam-deflection tubes that are more common and cheaper than 
the 7360. The 6JH8 and 6ME8 are often-overlooked examples. 

The Pullen mixer design is credited with high performance yet is simple and 
sure-fire. The recommended mod for the 75A-4 first mixer is a 6ES8 Pullen 
mixer over the 7360.

>  -No RF stage

This can cause problems with IF feedthrough, images and spurs, but is a good 
idea if you can get adequate RF selectivity ahead of the first mixer. I have 
often thought that a double-tuned input circuit using really BIG Miniductor 
or other high Q coils might be the answer. 

>  -Modular construction

A good idea but drastically increases construction time. 

>  -There will be a couple of transistors and IC's in it

If desired, sure. But there are very few things that cannot be done "hollow 
state" style. (I have built two complete and different bandswitching 100 watt 
output CW transceivers, and both of them have NO solid state devices at all - 
not even in the power supplies. I did use a pair of 1N34As in the SWR bridge, 
though). 

>  -For once, I'm also going to make it look attractive

Yup. A little spray paint can do wonders.
>  
>  part of my prerequisites  is that I also use as many parts as 
>  possible out of my Junque box/room. 

I have too many parts and too little time! 

Some things I would add:

- power supply and speaker should be a separate unit. 

- tunable oscillator should be of "unit" construction (think of the LMO in 
the Heath SB series or the PTO in the Collins sets). 

- allow lots of room on the chassis and panel. 

- design so that all parts operate below ratings to insure long life

- don't be afraid to create a one of a kind design that meets YOUR needs. 
Half  
   the fun of homebrewing is being able to choose what's important and what's 
not.

- don't be afraid to start small and work your way up, or to tear apart and 
rebuild if 
   you get better ideas.

73 de Jim, N2EY