[HBR] HBR-11; lessons learned to date

[bignick at execpc.com]

Hello all,

I had just wanted to share
a couple experiences on building my HBR-11 so far ..

For one
thing, the space is very limited.  If anyone is building one of these
and is doing their own parts layout, I have found that one needs to leave
room between the front panel controls and tube sockets &
switches located directly behind.

Last night, I finished
wiring the product detector and I was just able to fit the
components on the tube socket.  My "detector switch"
and gain control pot leave little room for other components!

The technique of soldering a 1" piece of 18 gauge wire, vertically
to the tube socket's metal center ground connection is a very good
idea.  I don't think that the components would have fit in any other
way.

Speaking of components, in an attempt to preserve the
vintage look of the 60's I have been using NOS and recycled carbon
composition resistors.

I think I read where the carbon comp
resistors drift up in value over time?  Well, last night, I pulled
out a 100 Ohm 10% 1/2-watt resistor from my junk box.  After cleaning
off the gunk, my DMM measured the unit at about 148 Ohms!

Also,
luckily I have Ohm-ed out a vintage DPDT toggle switch prior to installing
it.  The switch was not making internal connections!  (I
actually drilled out the rivets and cleaned & tightened the internal
contacts & was able to save it.)

So, lesson here is to
check components prior to installation.

I know that these tips
were covered in some of Crosby's literature, but I thought it prudent to
reiterate :-)

73!

--Tom Nickel KC9KEP