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Saturday, August 2, 2025

Bill WA5DSS's FB SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver

 

Bill WA5DSS built this beautiful receiver back in December 2024.  Somehow I failed to include him in our Hall of Fame.  Well, better late than never, right?   Please let me know if we have missed anyone else. 

I think it looks and sounds great, on both CW and SSB.   Note the Costa Rica station in there in the SSB portion of the recording.  

Back in December 2024, Bill wrote: 

Bill, Dean,
I forgot to send you a recording. This is what I recorded last night. I did not let it “warm up” so the stability is a little better after awhile. Also, I have a knob for tuning…just haven’t hacked off the head of the bolt yet.

I have put the receiver up for now. I am trying to get a Heathkit DX-60 on the air for New Years Eve Straight Key night. It’s the only time I attempt a straight key. Also I am amazed at how difficult it was to operate these old cw radios. No wonder I didn’t get many contacts back in the early sixties...

...This has been an interesting project for me. I have built many kits since becoming interested in electronics during the 1960s but this is the first time I have started with unetched boards. I think I prefer the “dead bug” style over Manhattan. I don’t have the patience to plan out where all those islands go! 


Bill WA5DSS

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