Thanks for the suggestions. I ordered the Ramsey kit as a way to have
something to play with for now.

Next step is to lash together either a PLL-VCO combo or DDS to
control the tuning from a cheapo processor (e.g. PIC). Any
suggested starting points for this would be much appreciated (for
example "National LMX2xxx plus Minicircuits xx" or "forget that,
AD DDS is better because.......")....8-).

The guts of the Ramsey widget consists of an SA602 and an
MC1350 (single conversion with 10.7 Mhz IF). Potential ways to
"improve" upon this???

Thanks again.
Bill (RF Newbie - but willing to learn 8-)...

"bigamps" wrote in message
...
Kits:
http://www.hamtronics.com/r121.htm
http://www.vectronics.com/products.php?prodid=VEC-131K
http://www.hobbytron.net/R-AR-1.html

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi...ction&key=AR1C
schematic and other info on one of the kits:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/circ/aviarx/aviarx.html

kits are an easy way to get those Unobtainium plated parts in small
quantities.