[K3PZN-List] Candidate Club Project - Regen Receiver ??

[Curt Milton]

I have been exploring the possibility of a group build effort focusing on a working, useful Regen receiver.  It would be something useful to receive HF signals (likely targetting 80 meters).  Several articles and other info is available on solid-state designs, using the same technique as was widely use by amateurs in the 1930's and 40's before superhets came into practice.  

Interestingly these receivers can be built with a very small number of electron devices -- typical one bipolar and one junction FET and an audio amp IC -- that's all !  These rigs need a rather complex coil and several potentiometers and typically a couple variable capacitors (which could be the metal variety or even varactor diodes.  The parts cost is rather modest and now I am concluding we can get away without a printed circuit board.  Builders would be on their own for a 'chassis' and 'front panel' and would be encourage to tailor their designs a bit (we'll furnish plenty of references).  If one wishes they could make the receiver look modern or antique.  I presume cost per builder for 'board' components will be modest.  A little more cost might be involved for ~ 3 potentiometers.  Perhaps $20 or less per builder.  Of course we'll encourage participants to check their junkboxes (I should have some knobs to contribute and maybe some fixed capacitors
 that are indeed vintage).  

Unlike some of the 'toy' regen's that were common in the 1960's (before my time!) we would aim for useful performance (meaning we could mate it with an 80m transmitter and make contacts with it).  Regen's work well on CW and SSB, and also can receive AM.  

If a few of us are interested, we could indeed build some Regen's this winter.  Maybe one or two 'advanced builders' might consider also making a tube version -- whatever floats your interest!  So let me (and or the list) know what you think, or if you have another project suggestion.