HW-8 Update

Well, the HW-8 works, but it needs help.  I guess that is to be expected for a radio of its vintage.  The receiver is hot, but too many of the stations heard are in one spot (hi).  I worked stations in the first hour of this past weekend’s WES, but it was difficult.  I listened to the radio on 40 meters during the daylight hours on a web SDR receiver and the signal sounded clean.

I am not sure where to go from here.  Alignment is in order, but lack of test equipment and aging coil cores have me concerned.  I do have the alignment tool I believe from my HW-7 build so so many years ago but am just not sure whether it is worth the risk of the cores breaking.  Having the VFO a lot closer to frequency would be nice.  Also, I have to get headphones that are a lot more comfortable to wear or take the plunge and modify the radio.

For some reason I just feel bugs are the best keys to use with my QRP radios.  It is not for the lack of keyers I could use.