[HBR] HBR-13 Progress

[Whitebear1122]

Thought I'd stop by and mention that I'm still making progress on the HBR-13 receiver, albeit slow progress.  I finished drilling the BFO cabinet over the weekend.  I have all the holes drilled and punched and the box mounted to the chassis.  I tend to overanalyze things to it took forever to make sure the BFO tune cap was lined up with the front panel bushing.  I'm a firm believer of "measure 100 times, cut 2 or 3 times"  hi hi 

I've come to the conclusion that I hate using a hand drill for anything on the HBR.  I drilled most of the holes with the drill press at work and they are all positioned fine.  The hand drilled holes are always off.  I might start looking around for a used drill press and keep it in the garage.  The milling machine at work has been a godsend and I"ve been able to learn how to use it and do all the chassis and front panel milling.  

A couple weeks back I brought a question to this list about the oddball screw size for the Eddystone 3 section variable capacitor.  Thanks again for the responses that solved the problem.  Walt Hutchins sent me 4 of those screws so I was good to go.  Last week I cut and built up a small stack of 1/8" aluminum bar to support the 3 section variable rather than standing it off the chassis on the two end screws.  This was done at Brecks recommendation.  The variable capacitor is well supported now and rock stable.  Yesterday I attached it to the RF sub chassis and it all fits and the variable shaft lines up with the Eddystone dial.  

Today I would like to line up and attach the rf sub chassis to the main chassis.  The only mechanicals left are main on the rear chassis where I have to drill holes for the AC power cord, fuse, and Cinch Jones terminal block for antenna, speaker, and mute. 

So I may be able to start wiring in another week or so.

I am curious (or apprehensive) to find out this radio performs after it's built.  I followed Ted Crosby's HBR-13 design with the exception of the IF transformers.  For the 1610 KC IF transformers I'm using two 1410 KC transformers from a BC-454 junker unit.  The plan is to change out the internal fixed capacitor and raise it to 1610.  I also acquired a set of 1650 KC IF transformers from a junker Hallicrafters SX-100 and have them in standby mode incase the 454's don't work out.  For the 100 KC IF's, I'm using 4 85 KC transformers from junker BC-453.  

I currently have a plexiglass front panel attached to the chassis and the Eddystone slide rule dial mounted.  It is intriguing to be able to look into the radio through the front panel and see some of the guts.  I haven't figured out what knobs to use.  I have some Daka knobs like the ones Ted Crosby used on his HBR but I'm not so sure they look that great on the 13.  

Anyone else building an HBR at the moment?

My long term plan for the past 40 years has been to build my own receiver, transmitter, vfo, and amplifier.   It's always been the mechanicals that held me back but I seem to have figured that out now.  IF the HBR-13 works then I'm moving on and building a transmitter.  

73, Scott WA9WFA