#398: My build of the SolderSmoke Challenge Direct Conversion Receiver for 40m @w2aew

Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

This video introduces my build of the 40m direct conversion receiver that was conceived by the fine folks on the SolderSmoke blog and podcast. This is a fun project to make a simple 5 transistor receiver (for AM, SSB and CW) for the 40 meter amateur radio band (7.0 to 7.3MHz). Included below are several links with more information on this project:

Intro video to the DCR Challenge Project, from SolderSmoke's YT channel:
youtube.com/watch?v=rLjxU2rMeXw

There are detailed videos on each functional block of this receiver on the SolderSmoke YT channel:
youtube.com/@soldersmoke/videos

Hackaday posting on the SolderSmoke Challenge DCR:
hackaday.io/project/190327-high-schoolers-build-a-radio-receiver
Lots of links in that article.

The "Hall of Fame" composite blog listing of many of the builder's radios:
soldersmoke.blogspot.com/search/label/DC%20RX%20Hall%20of%20Fame

A lot of technical discussion and files can be found on their Discord channel:
discord.gg/Fu6B7yGxx2

I hope you go build one yourself!

#398: My build of the SolderSmoke Challenge Direct Conversion Receiver for 40m

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