I finally got the thing built, a V5, and with some trepidation, powered it up, fully expecting to see smoke coming out the cabinet. Oddly, I got sound out the speaker, albeit "tinny".? (I was a bit surprised that there was no backlight on the panel, but I do not see why there would be, but a flashlight fixed this.)
Though I could tune in on a signal, I could not zero in on a SSB signal, as it sounded like a toy. The speaker was a Nagoya I got for my mobile FT-7100M, which worked fine for that, but not for this. I think it is 8 ohm, possible 4 ohms.
I went and dug up my MFJ headset, and put it on, and the sound was a little better - was able to copy WWV code bulletin on 40. (Well, I was able to hear it - copying 18 WPM is quite another matter.) I did discover that the passband is likely for SSB, as I was hearing several stations at once, sort of like one of my old Swan rigs with no CW filter. (As a Novice, I got good at using my brain as a filter, as I did not have a rig with a CW filter until around 2014.)
Is there an impedance I should be looking for in speakers? The Nagoya is 8 ohm, as are most external speakers, or do I need an amplified speaker, or a certain type of headphone?
Please understand, I did not expect earthshaking results from an absolutely rock bottom affordable kit, and know I will have to "tweak" a bit before it works right.
Thanks everyone! 73 es gud dx!
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Alex Netherton, W5ALX
Buncombe County NC, EM85ro
Alex Netherton