Category: DC RX Hall of Fame

Ramakrishnan VU2JXN’s FB SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver: “Extremely thrilled! Hooked!”

This is a really important Hall of Fame entry for us. This is our first completed SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver from India (more will come).

Most importantly, this receiver was built by our good friend Ramakrishnan VU2JXN (ex VU3RDD). Ramakrishnan goes way back in SolderSmoke history. He was the one who first suggested (in 2006!) that our podcast needed a blog to go with it. This was the origin of the SolderSmoke Daily News. A short time later we announced the birth of Ramakrishnan’s daughter. That same daughter now has her ham license and will build a second receiver with her dad.

Ramakrishnan VU2JXN

The roots of this receiver are deep in India. When Dean and I first went to the local high school to talk about ham radio support, I carried with me a Direct Conversion Receiver inspired by Farhan VU2ESE. In fact, that receiver had a picture of Farhan and quotes from him taped to the wooden base. When Dean and I designed the receiver that we tried to build with the High School kids, we used an oscillator based on the DC receiver that Farhan was building with youngsters at Indian girl’s schools. That is the receiver design that we are using in this SolderSmoke Challenge.

Ramakrishnan is in Bangalore now, which is where he built this receiver. Ashish N6ASD is also there now, and is building a receiver.

Ramakrishnan writes:

This morning before I got ready to come to work, I got a few minutes
to turn on the radio and catch the morning nets. Extremely thrilled to
get this working. The PTO is very stable.

Needless to say, you folks convinced me to get back into homebrew
and you have hooked me into it with this project.

I am off to my ailing mother’s place tonight. I don’t have a station
there, but I am carrying a copyof EMRFD with me (I have two!).

I want to listen with this receiver as you all always say
and make simple modification to this receiver and improve it.

Again, couldn’t turn off from it even though I am at work! The bug has
caught me.

Here is some more video of Ramakrishnan’s receiver:


Congratulations Ramakrishnan. Welcome to the Hall of Fame!

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Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

John KN6FVK’s FB Homebrew SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver — Crickets Killed with Barkhausen-Be-Gone Spray!

I went to bed worrying about this one. John KN6FVK had been having a lot of problems. He had repeatedly reported hearing nothing (crickets!) when he fired up the receiver. Members of the Discord group had provided a lot of coaching, but still, CRICKETS! John had a good sense of humor. When I pointed out that oscillations in the AF amp are caused by a feedback path that meets “the Barkhausen criteria” John said he went to Lowes and bought a spray can of Barkhausen-Be-Gone. It seems to have worked. Actually I think John put some additional capacitance on the DC rail of the AF amp. In any case, he was going to wait for the evening for test out the fixed receiver. The time difference with California meant that I went to bed with fingers crossed. Happily the BBG spray and (more likely) the extra capacitance worked. John sent us some really nice videos of his receiver in action. I really like the inscriptions on his pine board. This should become “a thing.”

John writes:

I‘m very ok now…. — sigh / smile — THANK YOU ALL for your help and patience. As painful as this was, it was a lot of fun and I learned a lot. After I build an actual work bench, I might try this again (looks are important). But I’m definitely going to start playing with it and learning from it. On to Mods and Upgrades! Need to learn-up on this “Barkhausen” silliness too. -73

Here is John’s receiver pulling in CW (WB6CGJ):

Congratulations John, Welcome to the Hall of Fame.

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Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

Alan Wolke W2AEW’s FB Homebrew SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver

It is really and honor to have Alan Wolke W2AEW build one of our receivers. Alan is a true wizard. Armed with an amazingly popular YouTube channel, he has taught electronics and ham radio to thousands of grateful viewers worldwide. A Field RF Application Engineer for Tektronix, Alan has a special knack for showing us how to get the most out of our test gear.

So many times have I gone back to videos that Alan made years ago, just in an effort to refresh my memory on the insights that he shared. For example, it was from him that we learned how the diode ring mixer really works — what it really means to say that this mixer multiplies signals by 1 and -1. Alan even showed us how to get our ‘scopes to display the multiplication. This was all very cool and very typical of Alan’s work. His videos have been an important reference for this direct conversion receiver effort.

On this project, Alan dug into his junk box, only to discover to his dismay that he didn’t have the AF transformer that we recommended. I am sure that Alan could have whipped up several alternative circuits that did not require the transformer, but he wanted to build the receiver the way we recommended, so a slight delay took place while Mouser filled his order.

Alan did build the circut modularly, stage-by-stage, using the Manhattan method, but he admits to giving in to his temptation to use a very small board. This may be the most compact of our 60+ DC receivers. In an encouraging reminder that even the great ones worry about unwanted feedback, Alan writes:

Why am I always compelled to build as compactly as possible? I hope feedback doesn’t bite me in the butt!


Thank you Alan! And welcome to the Hall of Fame!

(This picture was created by displaying NTSC video from my digital camera on Alan’s old Tektronix 485 oscilloscope using a simple converter circuit that is described in a video on my YouTube page)
QR code for his YouTube site
X Y Screen
On the SolderSmoke Blog there are 41 posts tagged with “Wolke–Alan”:
https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/search/label/wolke%20–%20Alan
Alan’s QRZ page:
https://www.qrz.com/db/W2AEW
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Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

Phil W1PJE’s Amazing MIT SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver

We are really pleased to see that Phil W1PJE has completed his direct conversion receiver and has thus joined the Hall of Fame. Congratulations Phil.

We are shamelessly calling this the “MIT receiver.” But the truth is that Phil’s job at MIT was not part of this project, and in fact distracted him from his radio building efforts. There was, however, one moment in which Phil had sent us a video of his receiver in progress. There was some audible fan noise in the background. Phil apologized, noting that the noise came from a nearby receiver that monitors upper atmosphere winds using meteors. Now that, my friends, is some cool MIT stuff.

Phil writes:

Hi Bill and Dean,

After a long hiatus (and a restrung antenna), I’m happy to report the Soldersmoke DC receiver is finally done and working well. The relatively long video above shows a tour from CW to SSB to AM to digital telemetry to time signal (CHU at 7.850 MHz). A bonus frequency counter was included to show the viewers where I was in the band. It’s not pretty but it works. I need to slow down the tuning but that is a future job. Sorry for the serious wobbly attempts to zero beat the AM carriers but I can fix that later… hmm.

Thanks for the fun and reminding me of a time when I was an undergrad at the EE bench. Modifications are next when I can find a few minutes.

73
Phil W1PJE

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Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

The Hall of Fame: 71 Direct Conversion Receivers Completed (so far) with 7 Honorable Mentions. More coming. Update.

Dean KK4DAS’s Receiver


Please let us know if you spot any errors, or if we have inadvertently missed anyone. Don’t worry about being late to the game — the challenge continues. All of the info is still available (see below).

As of May 19, 2025 1717Z:


So far 71 completed receivers, with 7 honorable mentions:


NE3U (KY4EOD) Matt
KQ4AOP First ham signals ever heard!
N9TD Derek
AC3NG Ryan
VK3TPM Peter Marks
W4KAC Ken
W4KAC Ken built a second one!
N2EPE Erik
VA3NCA Wayde
KI5SRY Mark — Gears on PTO screw
KA1MUQ Frying pan receiver
AA1N Adam
ZL1AUN Aaron — Using SSB transmitter
W8UC Never before homebrewed.
VK4PG Phil — Nice case, “really pleased”
G7LQX Working well, video of CW and SSB.
KE2AMP John Spring on PTO screw — great
N9SZ Steve nice receiver
KD9NHZ Piotr Nice one
KE8ICE Calvin, Very cool receiver.
WV3V Jayson! Got it done!
GM5JDG Martin.
KF8BOG Jim: A long struggle, but success.
Chris Wales Fantastic video.
YD9BAX Wayan! Homebrew transformer!
N0NQD Jeff
WN3F Roy — Made new stickers!

AB5XQ Bill
KB7ZUT Andy
AA1OF Jer

VictorKees Holland
KC9OJV John — Manhattan-style convert
WZ5M 1, 2 or maybe even 3 receivers!
K1KJW Jim in Vermont
KC5DI Dallas — friend of WZ5M
Gary Australian — Wooden PTO form
LU2VJM Juan in Argentina
K1OA Scott “Most fun in 50 years”
KC9DLM Ben — Had EFHW problems
PH2LB Lex Yellow, Glue Stick
AI6WR David
G6GEV Dave (It was a blast!)
KC1ONM Wayne MakerLabs NH
KB1OIQ Andy MakerLabs NH
KA1PQK Jay MakerLabs NH
W1TKO Mike MakerLabs NH
K5KHK Karl
SM0TPW Mikael
KI7LKB Brian (coat hanger tube)
M6CRD Chris
W2DAB Dave in NYC
W4JYK Wes of VWS
KA4CDN Mike of VWS
M7EFO Adrian
VK5RC Rob
KD8KHP Dave
VK1CHW Chris
KA0PHJ Brian
W0IT Louis
W1PJE Phil
W2AEW Alan
KN6FVK John (Barkhausen-Be-Gone Spray)
VU2JXN Ramakrishnan
AA0MS Doug
9V1/KM7ABZ Paul in Singapore
VK2BLQ Stephen
N3FJZ Rick
Daniel VE5DLD
Student 1 Student of VE5DLD
Student 2 Student of VE5DLD

Student 3 Student of VE5DLD

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Honorable Mentions:


*AA7U Steve No PTO
*VK7IAN Ian — No Manhattan boards
*KC1FSZ Bruce’s build on a PC board
*CT7AXD Graham — different AF amp
* DL1AJG Andreas
* Student 1 Student of DL1AJG
* Student 2 Student of DL1AJG
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Candidates for the Hall of Fame:
SA5RJS Rasmus
KA9TII James
AA7FO Chuck
K7WXW Bill
VA3ZOT Tony Surface Mount — Honorable Mention?
KM5Z Mike Yancey
AB2XT John (Done, just need the video)
KO7M Jeff (Piper Cub)
KD4PBJ Chris
VU2TUM Puneit Singh
N6ASD Ashish in Bangalore

For more information on how you too can build the receiver:


Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

Louis W0IT Completes a Very Long-Term Goal and Finishes His Direct Conversion Receiver

Louis W0IT did what true homebrewers often have to do: he persevered in an effort to make his machine work. And he succeeded. Congratulations Louis. Welcome to the Hall of Fame.

Louis writes:

I rebuilt all the boards, new components except the band pass filter and the mica caps, all which looked to be working up to spec. I bought the squares as they are smaller than the ones I made and while harder in someways they kept the mess down. I bought some J310’s from Mouser and either the ones I had were less than optimal or I fixed something in the resolder. I ended up with 4 batches of those. They all tested different and the Mouser sourced ones had the lowest Vg (turn on voltage?) according to my 12$ tester at 1.65 V rather than 2.35 or 2.65 for the Amazon ones. The noise on it sounds almost identical to the noise on my Kenwood on the same antenna. Thanks Everyone. It’s part of a very long term goal.

A very nice post about ham radio in Thailand by Louis:
https://louiskatz.net/wpt/
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Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

Brian KA0PHJ’s CBLA SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver

Brian KA0PHJ finished his receiver in early March, and has been adding mods ever since. He hopes to build another one for 80 meters and to use it with his Michigan Mighty Mite.

VIVA EL CBLA! VIVA!

Brian writes:

Bill,

I got my DCR finished in early march (built as designed), then added the RF gain, fine tune and frequency display.
Wow, what fun!!
Gave me an excuse to organize all my discrete components and finally buy a Rigol!
Now I plan to build one for 80m to go with the CBLA Michigan Mighty Might:)
Keep up with good work.
73,
Brian.
KA0PHJ

FB Brian! Congratulations!

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Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

Chris VK1CHW’s FB SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver — With A Very Innovative Homebrew PTO Coil Form

Chris VK1CHW sent us the above “proof of life” video. And alive it is! FB Chris. I especially liked the approach he took to the coil form for the PTO: He is getting a 3D printed one, but in the meantime he improvised with some electrical conduit and a bolt. Improvise satisfies! FB Chris. Congratulations and welcome to the Hall of Fame.

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Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

Dave KD8KHP’s FB SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver

Very cool build by Dave. That PTO coil form looks great. And the receiver sounds especially good on sideband. FB. Congratulations Dave!

Dave writes:

This was a fun build, and I learned something.

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Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

Rob VK5RC’s FB SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver. MDS?

Rob VK5RC has completed his SolderSmoke direct conversion receiver. Congratulations Rob. And it is good to know what we have a Medical Doctor among our builders — this adds prestige and expertise to the project.

Rob measures a Minimum Discernible Signal at -95 dbm. I think that is kind of weak performance. Much depends, of course, on how you define “descernible.” Some books say you need a 10 db increase in audio. Others say you just need to be able to tell there is a signal there. I have gone with the latter definition and have measured MDS of around -120 dbm. I wonder why there is such a difference in measured MDS.

In any case, it is great to see Rob’s receiver inhaling all of that great Australian SSB (see video above). Thanks Rob, and congratulations.

Adrian M7EFO’s FB SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver

Adrian has completed a very FB direct conversion receiver. Really nice work. It is especially pleasing to see that Adrian is a member of GQRP. FB Adrian. SSB above, CW in the video below. I think that China Radio International signal would be a good early target for your tinkering and mods. We fought a similar battle against Radio Marti.

Adrian writes:

Did it!!! It Works.! Receives CW, SSB,FT8. Awesome. Thanks Bill. Thanks Dean. It was fun. Now for the tinkering and modifications.

CW too. As an added bonus it picks up China Radio International radio whether I like it or not.😄

Hello. I live in East Barnet a suburb of London, UK.

I work as an electronic technician and tech support for a small company.

My rig is a Xeigu G90 with a home made dipole cut for 20 metres and 40 metres and run QRP at 5-10 watts, 5 watts FT8, I’ll save the kilowatts for boiling the kettle! I’m using an old PC server power supply.

The shack computer is a Raspberry Pi3 Raspberry Pi400 (Stolen Borrowed from my daughtercheeky). I am surprised at how well my set up works. Sometimes.

I am a member of the GQRP club and have started building some kits and homebrew in the Manhattan style.

Currently studying for my UK Intermediate licence with Bath Based Distance Learning.

Mike KA4CDN’s Engraved SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver — Another VWS RX!

Mike KA4CDN is an experienced homebrewer and a member of the Vienna Wireless Society. He took the SolderSmoke challenge and built the direct conversion receiver. Congratulations Mike, and welcome to the Hall of Fame!

Mike writes:

The goal of the project was mainly to test my conversion of my Ender3 3D printer into an engraver for making PC boards. Thank you Bill and Dean for leading the project. It had been a while since my soldering iron was hot on an RF electronics project. It is amazing how fast I get rusty and forget stuff. Now I’m going to pick back up on my crystal filter that I started I think two years ago
;-( Awesome!

For more information on how you too can build the receiver:


Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

The Hall of Fame — Completed SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receivers (So far — more to come!)

Dean KK4DAS’s Receiver

Please let us know if you spot any errors, or if we have inadvertently missed anyone. Don’t worry about being late to the game — the challenge continues. All of the info is still available (see below).


As of April 29, 2025 0942Z:

So far 59 completed receivers, with 4 honorable mentions:


NE3U (KY4EOD) Matt
KQ4AOP First ham signals ever heard!
N9TD Derek
AC3NG Ryan
VK3TPM Peter Marks
W4KAC Ken
W4KAC Ken built a second one!
N2EPE Erik
VA3NCA Wayde
KI5SRY Mark — Gears on PTO screw
KA1MUQ Frying pan receiver
AA1N Adam
ZL1AUN Aaron — Using SSB transmitter
W8UC Never before homebrewed.
VK4PG Phil — Nice case, “really pleased”
G7LQX Working well, video of CW and SSB.
KE2AMP John Spring on PTO screw — great
N9SZ Steve nice receiver
KD9NHZ Piotr Nice one
KE8ICE Calvin, Very cool receiver.
WV3V Jayson! Got it done!
GM5JDG Martin.
KF8BOG Jim: A long struggle, but success.
Chris Wales Fantastic video.
YD9BAX Wayan! Homebrew transformer!
N0NQD Jeff
WN3F Roy — Made new stickers!

AB5XQ Bill
KB7ZUT Andy
AA1OF Jer

VictorKees Holland
KC9OJV John — Manhattan-style convert
WZ5M 1, 2 or maybe even 3 receivers!
K1KJW Jim in Vermont
KC5DI Dallas — friend of WZ5M
Gary Australian — Wooden PTO form
LU2VJM Juan in Argentina
K1OA Scott “Most fun in 50 years”
KC9DLM Ben — Had EFHW problems
PH2LB Lex Yellow, Glue Stick
AI6WR David
G6GEV Dave (It was a blast!)
KC1ONM Wayne MakerLabs NH
KB1OIQ Andy MakerLabs NH
KA1PQK Jay MakerLabs NH
W1TKO Mike MakerLabs NH
K5KHK Karl
SM0TPW Mikael
KI7LKB Brian (coat hanger tube)
M6CRD Chris
W2DAB Dave in NYC
W4JYK Wes of VWS
KA4CDN Mike of VWS
M7EFO Adrian
VK5RC Rob
KD8KHP Dave
VK1CHW Chris
KA0PHJ Brian
W0IT Louis
————————-
Honorable Mentions:


*AA7U Steve No PTO
*VK7IAN Ian — No Manhattan boards
*KC1FSZ Bruce’s build on a PC board
*CT7AXD Graham — different AF amp
—————————————–

Candidates for the Hall of Fame:
SA5RJS Rasmus
KA9TII James
W2AEW Alan
AA7FO Chuck
K7WXW Bill
W1PJE Phil MIT
VA3ZOT Tony Surface Mount — Honorable Mention?
KM5Z Mike Yancey
AB2XT John (Done, just need the video)
KO7M Jeff (Piper Cub)
KD4PBJ Chris

For more information on how you too can build the receiver:


Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

Wes W4JYK’s FB SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver by a Vienna Wireless Society Makers Group Member


I was very glad to see Wes W4JYK finish this reciever. Wes is a member of our local radio club — the Vienna Wireless Society, and is part of the club’s Makers Group.

Wes writes:

The DCR is up and running. Listened to East Cars Net along with a few other stations. Very cool! and good project.

Thanks Wes and congratulations on entering the Hall of Fame!
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For more information on how you too can build the receiver:


Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

Dave W2DAB’s NEW YORK CITY Homebrew SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver. Manhattan Construction IN MANHATTAN! FB!

Dave W2DAB is a long-time friend of the SolderSmoke podcast. When Steve Silverman was moving out of NYC, Dave went on the subway down to lower Manhattan to retrieve (for me) Steve’s HP-8640B signal generator. And that thing is heavy! Months later I picked it up from Dave. Dave is also rumored to have participated in some of the SolderSmoke sticker operations in New York City. I will neither confirm nor deny his participation.

Dave obviously did a beautiful job on this receiver, and it sounds great. Dave’s reception is hampered by his high-rise location — he is currently limited to the use of a mag loop. I thought about suggesting that Dave take his receiver down to Central Park or to the banks of the East River, but I worry that this device might be too much even for the famously tolerant residents of the Big Apple.

By the way, that station Dave heard was Percy, KF2AT, right up the road from him on E 106th Street.

Dave writes:

The really nice part of this project is that it’s so broken down that I can understand all of the parts and I can keep working on this to make it better and better. Improvement and patience are necessary traits for successful home brewing. I don’t rule out a Park DCR Activation, as I like to say Manhattan construction is so much more interesting done in Manhattan.

(Percy KF2AT is also in Manhattan.)
Thanks a lot Dave, and congratulations, Welcome to the Hall of Fame!

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For more information on how you too can build the receiver:


Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

Chris M6CRD’s FB SolderSmoke Homebrew Direct Conversion Receiver

Chris M6CRD built a really nice looking recceiver. And it sounds great too, both on CW (above) and SSB (below).

Chris writes:

Hi Bill. It is using an audio transformer on the output but its an ebay one of unknown impedance. The description said 1.3k:8r but I have my doubts how accurate that is. The radio runs fine after I quenched some initial oscillation with larger caps on the power rail of the audio amp, its just a little quieter than I suspect it should be with the correct transformer.

I told Chris that Dean and I had also had some early trouble with AF transformers of questionable specifications. But in any case his receiver was clearly inhaling very nicely.

Congratulations Chris. Welcome to the Hall of Fame!

For more information on how you too can build the receiver:


Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

Brian KI7LKB’s SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver with a FB Unique PTO Coil form Using a Coat Hanger Tube!

Brian KI7LKB has built a very FB SolderSmoke direct conversion receiver. He made the PTO coil form himself, using the cardboard from a coat hanger as the tube. (I have used these tubes for many homebrew inductors. I thought I was alone! FB Brian.) In the video above we see Brian’s receiver pulling in SSB signals.

Brian writes:

Finished the DCR! Even with S-7 noise, from here in Southern Nevada, picked up stations in Canada, Texas and Louisiana. Built to plans, except the PTO coil form was fabricated from a clothes hanger tube mounted in a fiberglass frame. Antenna is an inverted “V”. A ham since 2017, I’m always looking for something to build, and the Soldersmoke podcast provided an educational and appropriately challenging project. I particularly like the fact it is modular, and I’ve already identified other applications for the audio amplifier. Your guidance was excellent and I learned a bunch. Thank you!

Here is Brian’s receiver at work in the CW portion of 40 meters:

Thank you Brian. Congratulations! You homebrewed a receiver!

For more information on how you too can build the receiver:


Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

Mikael SM0TPW’s FB SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver from Sweden

I was very pleased to see Mikael’s video. This is our first receiver from Sweden. In his QRZ page Mikael talks of learning CW while in the military, and of making a few contacts with the equpment of his regiment. I had a similar experience — I once made a CW contact with the rig assigned to our team.

Mikael writes:

Thank you Bill.

I’ve been a Ham for 35 years with a long gap in the middle of 20+.

I am of course a Soldersmoke listener and tried to build this dcr when you built it in the highschool project, but I didn’t succeed that time and gave up.

But with all the guidance here on discord I gave it one more go, and succeeded. 😊

The hardest thing was, as for many other, the af stage and oscillation. But some bypass caps and problem solved.

I got so much help just reading all posts here so thank you all in this community!

Now I will lean back for a while and listen to my baby. I am a proud father right now.

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Indeed Mikael, that is what Farhan advises: sit back and enjoy the receiver that you have built. Congratulations! The receiver sounds great on CW and on SSB.

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For more information on how you too can build the receiver:


Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

Mike W1TKO’s Beautiful SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver

Mike W1TKO is a realtively new ham, getting his ticket in 2022. But he has already done something that 95% of all hams never do: He has homebrewed a receiver. The personalization of the receiver adds a nice touch of class to the project. FB Mike. Congratulations!

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For more information on how you too can build the receiver:


Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel:

Jay KA1PQK’s Wonderful SolderSmoke Direct Conversion Receiver

On Jay KA1PQK’s QRZ page he says that he has long been interested in the minimalist side of ham radio. This project certainly fits in with that, but there is noting minimalist about the satisfaction that we can seeon Jay’s face as he tunes the receiver that he hombrewed himself. FB Jay. Congratulations!
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For more information on how you too can build the receiver:


Join the discussion – SolderSmoke Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

Documentation on Hackaday:

https://hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver

SolderSmoke YouTube channel: