As per usual, Jim is a true gentleman and has made some very valid points. The 2N2XX is an order of magnitude more complex than -- say -- the NorCal 40A or SW-XX+ and certainly sports some esoteric parts.?
That said, the Winter edition of the 1998 QRPp publication (NorCal QRP) was devoted to building the Jim Kortge 2N2-40 original. It was done by Paul Harden, NA5N, sporting his marvelous hand illustrations. This was a stage-by-stage/circuit-by-circuit pictorial and text manual on how to recreate Jim's wonderful Manhattan construction masterpiece along with notes. Also, around that time, the Arizona Scorpions offered a PCB with the outline of the circuit and marks where the pads should be placed.
It might be a way forward for those wishing to relive history. (It's on my bucket list despite the overbearing temptation to stuff through-hole parts, apply juice, and get on the air.) Of course, in order to "distribute" these, permission must be asked of Jim, Paul, Doug Hendricks, et al. However, Jim has left up his site with a description of his original rig and updated documentation.
At the risk of being overly-maudlin, I had the pleasure of meeting with and talking to Jim at a Pacificon back in the days of yore.To boot, I saw firsthand his marvelous little radio -- meticulously constructed -- and that set the hook, so to speak.
William, k6whp
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"Cheer up, things could get worse. So I cheered up and things got worse."
k6whp