Q. What does HBR stand for?

Ans. Best guess is "Home Brew Receiver" or "Ham Band Receiver", Mr. Crosby never published the answer to this question. However July 1957 QST on page 148 refers to the HBR-14 article as a "Ham Band Receiver".

Q. Why build an HBR now?

Ans. Probably because a majority of us read the original article(QST July 1957 when we were just beginning in Ham radio and at the time did not have the money or were busy chasing skirts but. . . now we have the parts and the time.

Q. Are parts available?

Ans. They are everywhere but particular at hamfests and ebay. Sometimes complete "parts sets" appear on ebay.

Q. What are the hardest parts to acquire?

Ans. It appears that the 100 Kcs IF coils and the main 3 section variable tuning capacitors are the hardest items to acquire. The tapped BFO coil for a Hartley Oscillator is also hard to find. On these pages there are suggested alternatives. The main tuning dial can also be hard to find. There are several different ways to substitute for the coil forms.
    

Q. Where do I find schematics etc.

Ans. ARRL has all of Ted's articles available in the publications search area.

Q. Which version should I build?

Ans. I recommend building the original HBR-14 as it is published with the
two "feedback" changes in QST. It is a fairly basic design and the tubes are used in single function circuits for ease of construction and trouble shooting.

Q. I just looked at the article on the HBR -14, and counted 12 knobs and switches. Why all the controls?       Click for Picture

Ans. The toggle switches are for T/R and Calibrate. The other controls are pretty standard except that Ted included an "IF Gain" and "Mixer gain"control which you will find very useful and it is a feature this is unique to the HBR series. BTW you will find two additional "pot"controls on the main chassis which are adjustments for the S-Meter. Most builders omit HF oscillator calibration trimmer so that illuminates one control and leaves you with 11.

Q. I do not like to wind coils.

Ans. Better move on to another project or find a coil winding buddy.

Q. Where can I get help with the project.

Ans. First read these pages but be sure and visit the another HBR web site maintained by K5BCQ.                http://www.qsl.net/k5bcq/HBR/hbr.html

Consider joing the QTH.net HBR receiver internet list.           
                           http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hbr

Q. Are high voltages present?

Ans. Yes, keep one hand in the pocket during testing and trouble shooting. Be especially careful when reaching inside the receiver to adjust the S-meter controls, there is B plus on the meter terminals.

Q. I just don't think I could build a 14 tube receiver and then flip the switch and do the smoke test, too traumatic.

Ans. Build the receiver one stage at a time and test that stage before building the next stage. Start with the power supply, then do the audio section, then the IF stages. Don't omit the S-Meter circuit it will come in handy during testing and alignment.

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