WBR Regen Receiver For 40M

The WBR Regen Receiver was designed by N1BYT and appeared in the Aug 2001 issue of QST. A reprint can be found in the ARRL book "More QRP Power". This design stands out from almost all other regen designs by the fact that it utilizes a Wheatstone Bridge type arrangement of the tank cicuit. This serves to isolate the oscillator from the antenna, resulting in virtually no radiation into the antenna port - a common issue encountered with regens, which can cause hum. The receiver is very stable and has very low drift. It is also quite sensitive - pretty amazing for two transistors and an IC!

I made a few changes to the original design. I substituted a wirewound pot for the regeneration control, and omitted the regen preset trimpot R5. Other changes included the substitution of the 2.2K resistor R12 for a 10K trimpot so that the lower end of the band coverage could be set exactly. I also followed the author's suggestion of using the audio chain from his OCRII receiver for a little more audio power. The OCRII also employs an LM386 IC, nut also has a 2N3904 preamp. While the LM386 IC in the OCRII doesn't have a 10uF cap between pins 1 and 8, I installed this component in order to get the maximum amplification.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• WBR
• WBR Regen
• 40M regen
• regenerative receiver
• N1BYT

[NT7S]

I loved your commentary and the audio from the WBR is amazingly good given the low complexity and the "popcorn" part used. Great job!

[AA7EE]

@NT7S Thanks Jason. The audio quality during the video portion is below par as I was using an old cheap compact, and I didn't record any decent SSB due to band conditions. I didn't want to wait any longer, as it was just time to get this thing out and behind me so I can take a break!

[G0IFI]

That's one of the nicest sounding regen sets I've heard, I love the finish of the double sided copper-clad PCB too.

I find when I build a regen rx in a pique of innui, I end up using it more than the commercially made gear. They're great fun and solid performers for the simplicity.

[protelboy]

Hi, i love your radio, what a nice job! Your method of cutting little islands for the connections is very cool, how do you make the little squares of pcb?

[jphdg]

Very nice receiver. One of the better home brew receivers I have seen. Very nice layout and found the way you made the case is very interesting. Looks fantastic and works well.

Well done and keep up the great work there.

73 John VK3TVZ

[K7AGE]

Outstanding, thanks for the narration so that we all can understand! Very nice job of building the receiver. Randy

[raccoonnyc]

Maybe this is what they mean when they talk about the "art of electronics".

Nice job.

Tom, ak2b