On-air Reception Test. COMPLETE.

After about three-weeks of construction, the time had finally arrived to test the 1934 QST De Luxe Superhet Receiver on the air!  With power supplied, tubes lit, dial indicator lamps lit, and coils installed, I plugged in the louspeaker and connected the antenna lead (active vertical in backyard) and began tuning around the 160M band to find that “first” on-air signal…Continue reading …..

Wiring, Smoke Test, Alignment

The construction process continued with wiring the underside of the chassis.  I acquired NOS lacquered, cloth covered wire in several different gauges.  All components (carbon comp. resistors, caps, etc.) are NOS, mostly 50/60s vintage.  Wide, waxed covered, white dental floss was used for lacing the wire bundles where needed.  In commercial gear with wire harnesses, lacing was generally done first, then the harness installed.  For this one-off homebew project, I just laced the wire bundles in-place after installation.Continue reading …..

Front Panel Embellishments

The final touches on the front panel were installed today.  Dial markers were added just above the BFO, RF gain, and crystal filter phasing control knobs.  The markers were made by filing down the heads of #2-56 screws.  These are similar to the dial markers used on the National HRO series receivers.

Next, an information tag and main tuning calibration chart were added.  The hi-resolution (300dpi) graphics were created in GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program).  The calibration charts (160, 80, 40, 20) were modelled after the early HRO style paper charts that were on the plugin coilsets, with a 0.1 in. grid.  In fact, the satin-black metal frames and clear plastic covers (yellowed from age) to mount the information tag and calibration chart were taken from an old HRO coilset.  The frames are held in place with #4-40 black screws.  The front panel has tapped holes to accept the screws.  When changing bands, the calibration chart above the main tuning dial can be changed by removing the top screws and loosening the bottom screws.  The charts can be slide in and out from the top.

The yellowing of the plastic  covers really adds a nostalgic appearance to the receiver.

With all of the front panel work complete, it’s time to start wiring!