"TC Dufresne" wrote in message
...
Hi:
I am having a problem with a "Simple Receiver for Beginners". It is from a
design that was featured in an old (1981) ARRL handbook. It is a DC
receiver, looks like alot of fun, but it isn't fun now.
Here is the problem.

1) No oscillation! I can't find it (the VFO) on my DX-398 receiver at
all,
or on my Radio Shack freq counter.
2) The power (+ side) electrolytic is supposed to be a 500uF, 16 volt. I
am
using a 470uF 35 volt. It gets really hot!! Short somewhere?!?!?!

Electrolytic capacitors are polarized. Probably you reversed the cap and
smoked it.

The VFO is REALLY simple, it has one transistor and about 7 other parts. I
can't seem to see what is wrong, and I have tried.

I would sure appreciate some Elmer'ing here!
ANY help would be much appreciated. I have the above mentioned tools at my
command, a multimeter, and an old Heathkit "scope. (which I really don't
know how to use.

Start by looking at the voltage at the electrolytic cap, and see if you in
fact have voltage or not.

Any chance?
Thanks in advance,
Tom
KCØGXX