Tom,
What voltage do you get at the collector of Q70 after the mod ?
At 16-07-18, you wrote:
I have some 2sc945 transistors marked with the highest "beta"(AKA hfe) rating, so I took one with a 360 hfe and replaced Q70. I made no other component changes. The 2sc945 is supposed to be specially designed for audio pre-amps, so it should be good.
Always solder with full length pants! :-))
The results are totally positive. I have more AF gain, the IARU HF contest could not overload it and I did not burn myself with the soldiering iron or drop molten solder onto my bare legs.
Raj
Raj vu2zap