bcdlr wrote:
Guys, this is has been an interesting discussion. I wish I was more
knowledgeable - I would venture out building like that but I just don't
know enough.
---
I'm kind of starting over. Long story...
What would be a good receiver - or good enough to listen for VFOs, test
and build, etc.
Or better yet what should I avoid?
What about something like the Ten-Tec 1056 kit and some way to band
switch - maybe modules...
It's kind of a catch 22 - I have to have a receiver to build one (or
transmitter).

A good receiver is important in any ham shack.

You can build state-of-the-art performance, especially
for a single-band receiver. While some have talked
about DDS/PLL VFOs, don't underestimate the perfor-
mance of a good LC VFO built with modern components,
after a bit of tweaking to nail down the temperature
compensation.

I know you have your heart set on building something,
and there have been excellent suggestions in this
thread, but it's not a crime to buy your first receiver
to give you a known-good building block for further
development.

Laura Halliday VE7LDH "That's a totally illegal,
Grid: CN89mg madcap scheme. I like it!"
ICBM: 49 16.05 N 122 56.92 W - H. Pearce