[HBR] Would Like to build an HBR - Parts Advice and HBR advice sought

[LeeCraner at aol.com]

Scott,
 
I would not recommend going with the HBR-14 (the first HBR design).   Ted 
Crosby learned quite a bit after publishing this article in 1957, and the  
HBR-16 (the second HBR design) was a big improvement.  With the exception  of 
the HBR-13 (that had back to back 2nd IF transformers for improved  
selectivity), the remaining designs were about the same, just adding features or  
using the newer multi section miniature tubes to reduce the tube count.
 
 
Start collecting the parts, then see what develops.  The toughest  parts to 
find will probably be the IF cans  (HBR's had either 100 kHz or 85  kHz 
IF's).  If you're luck to score the extra cans needed for the HBR-13,  you'll 
want to go that way.  If not, do the HBR-16 or HBR-11.  You  might find that 
the HBR-16 requires more machining with its higher tube  count, but is 
easier to wire and troubleshoot since it uses fewer  multisection tubes.  
 
The BFO transformer will also be one of your tougher items to  find.  Coil 
forms can be made up using PVC and old tube bases.  The  Eddystone dial is a 
work of art, but the National semicircular dials are  plentiful and I 
happen to like the old time look of them.  The tuning rate  is too fast for the 
Nationals, but you can ditch the National vernier for a  Jackson Brothers 
dual drive that are still available new through Surplus  Sales.
 
Don't worry too much about trying to find the original Miller tuning  
capacitor (#1461).  You can use about any three gang capacitor and remove  rotor 
plates until you've got each section about 22-25 pF.  In fact, the  Miller 
cap originally used by Ted Crosby will give you a non linear dial  readout, 
so you're better off finding a straight line capacitance cap  anyway.
 
I would recommend that you use a full size chassis (14"x17") rather than  
the small chassis' that Ted used in his later designs.  If you end up like  
the rest of us, you'll want to add circuits and tinker with the final product 
 and you'll appreciate the extra room.  In this same vein, what ever power  
transformer you end up using, make sure you've got adequate filament  
current.  Otherwise, you won't be able to add those extra tubes for extra  
functions as you continue to play with the finished product (I made this mistake  
when I built my "HBT-90" transmitter that matches my HBR-16;  I kept adding  
features until I ran out of spare filament current, causing me to add a 
separate  filament transformer).  Anyway, the 14"x17" chassis will mount nicely 
in a  19" rack cabinet that are more plentiful today than the small cabinet 
that Ted  used starting with his HBR-16.
 
Finally, pick up Jay Helms' eBook on the HBR's (_www.w6hht.com_ 
(http://www.w6hht.com) ).  It's only $10 and has a  wealth of information (over 500 
pages).
 
73 es GL
Lee WB6SSW