[HBR] Where to start?

[Ken Lopez]

Greetings,

I just subscribed to this list.  For many years I have been saving the
odd part here or there in anticipation of building a really good
homebrew receiver.   I haven't done much homebrew since my '20s, and
that's getting to be a while ago now...

So I have a few questions for the list.  I have not had time to visit
the archives in depth, so if my answers can be found there, please
direct me.  I don't want to add unnecessarily to the traffic on the
list. 

First, what are the relative merits of the general HBR design that makes
it so desirable as a home brew project?  If I get started on this thing,
it may take a very long time to finish due to work and family.  I want
to make sure I'm building a rig I'll be happy with for a long time.  I
have some great vintage and new radios, so it need not be the
"ultimate", just satisfying in terms of usefulness on the bands, fun to
build, easy to modify, etc.  I plan to mate it with a number of
commercial low power CW rigs by Johnson and Heath.  Perhaps build a
mating transmitter.  

How well does it actually perform on AM, CW, and SSB?  I'll admit I'm
primarily interested in CW, but the other modes will be used as well.  

What are the relative merits of the different "models" of the HBR?  

What are the various list members working on and why did they choose the
particular version they have?

What are your thoughts about a mating transmitter for CW, or even SSB?  

Suggestions for good sources for parts?  I have a couple of good friends
who have been buying up estates just to save all this stuff from the
dumpster.  Perhaps a shopping run would be in order!

That's enough for now!

This looks like a great list and I look forward to your input and discussion.

Cheers,
Ken N6TZV