[HBR] My approach to the HBR... Suggestions?

[Peter Bertini]

Okay, here goes...  I'm still amassing   the parts for
my version of the HBR receiver. I'm 90 percent there,
and finalizing the design.  Some
days I feel I'm about 40 years too late, and that I'm following
in the footsteps of dead men.  None-the-less, the project
is becoming an obsession... Here's what I want to do; 
and any advice or guidance would be appreciated.

IF stages: Ist IF of 1600 kHz, using retuned Command set
1415kc IFTs.  I plan to add a 6BJ6 IF stage at 1600kc, with
cascaded command IFTs at the input and output. (four tuned
stages.) This
is for the sake of being able to control the IF bandpass and 
stopband attenuation to some small degree, and to be 
able to play with the gain distribution between mixers.
At worst, it will give me two IF gain controls to twiddle :)

2nd IF @ 85kc, three stages using 6BJ6s (since I have
a few sleeves of new ones on hand.)
  
Again, I plan to use cascaded  IF transformers throughout the
85kc strip, with the hope that I'll be able to sweep align 
the IF strip to achieve a good shape factor. 
I may be out to lunch, but I have the transformers
and want to use them and experiment with what can be done
just using  LC selectivity.  

LO will be a 6U8 (or 6CB6 and 6C4).  The 6C4 will be a
buffer for a 6ES8 used as a Pullen mixer.

HFO at 1515kc, and I'll use the same mixer and osc.
tubes as above for the 2nd mixer stage.

Product detector will use a 6JH8 balanced mixer.
BFO will have presets for LSB, USB and maybe
variable for CW?  Not sure yet.  Still trying to figure
out the best way to do the hang AGC.

I picked up a good sized enclosure (12" deep, 19"
rack panel front) so I have the room to experiment
with, and to accomodate the extra stages. I'm
planning to add the IF notch filter (85kc) and the
Q-Multiplier for CW selectivity.
If anyone has any suggestions or input, I'd love to
hear it. I'm still picking through the tidbits on the
HBR website, and waiting for the CD to arrive :)

Pete