Over the past year, from a desk in my home in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, I’ve been building a high-performance HF SSB transceiver from scratch. This Freedom7 HF Transceiver project has been a great journey but I need collaborators. Here’s the reality.
One person.
No team.
No funding.
No company.
In that time, I’ve designed multiple microcontroller systems, written embedded C++ code, completed two full versions of receiver-chain band-pass filters, implemented seven switched BPFs on the input side, built encoder-driven VFO control with selectable step sizes, and displayed live frequency data on a working front panel — and that’s just part of the story.
This is not theory.
This is real hardware, real software, and real progress.
And I need help.
“I Could Never Do What You’re Doing”
When I share this project with friends in my radio club, the Johnston Amateur Radio Society (JARS), I often hear the same thing:
“I could never do what you’re doing.”
I want to say this clearly and respectfully:
That belief is wrong — and it’s holding something back.
Most people assume that helping with a project like this means you have to be an RF expert, a programmer, or a career engineer. That’s simply not true. World-class systems are not built by one skill set — they’re built by people with different strengths working toward the same goal.
Let Me Be Very Clear About What This Is (and What It Is Not)
I want to remove any uncertainty right up front.
The Freedom7 HF transceiver project will be an example of what can be achieved when we collaborate.
Exploring the Freedom7 HF Transceiver Project
- I am not forming a business right now
- I am not asking for money or investors
- I am not asking anyone to quit their job
- I am not making promises or selling anything
The Freedom7 HF transceiver is not just a personal project; it’s an opportunity for collaborators to see if we can collectively build something huge.
What I am looking for is interest.
Genuine interest from people who want to be part of something being built carefully, honestly, and correctly — one piece at a time.
The Freedom7 serves not only as a technical challenge but also as a platform for sharing knowledge.
Who I’m Looking For (Hint: My radio friends could be collaborators)
You do not need to be an RF engineer to contribute.
I’m interested in hearing from:
Joining the Freedom HF transceiver project means becoming part of a community that values innovation and craftsmanship.
- Builders and solderers
- Tinkerers who like assembling things
- Testers who enjoy finding what doesn’t work
- Documentation writers and editors
- Software developers (any level)
- Engineers from any discipline
- People curious about U.S. manufacturing
- Legal or regulatory minds
- Organizers, planners, and strategists
- Folks who just want to learn by doing
If you’ve ever thought:
Through the HF SSB transceiver, I hope to inspire others to pursue their engineering passions.
“I’d love to help build something real.”
Then this project might be for you.
I see this project as a way to engage with others who share a love for radio technology.
Why This Matters to Me
I spent 15 years helping build nuclear submarines for the U.S. Navy. We were doing world-class work then, and I still believe that kind of discipline, pride, and craftsmanship matters.
I also believe we’ve lost something along the way — not just manufacturing capability, but the habit of building things together.
This radio project is my attempt to reclaim a small piece of that.
Not with hype.
Not with shortcuts.
And not by rushing to market.
But by designing a radio the way world-class systems are built: modular, testable, documented, and understood.
Where This Might Go (and Why That’s Okay)
Maybe this becomes a kit someday.
Maybe it turns into a small U.S. manufacturer.
Maybe it remains an open learning project.
I don’t know yet — and that’s okay.
What I do know is this:
Every detail of the Freedom7 HF transceiver matters, and I appreciate all the help offered.
Understanding the Freedom7 HF transceiver will help us face challenges and innovate.
Good things are built one honest step at a time, and they’re built better together.
This project will be a testament to our dedication and teamwork.
That’s the standard I’m holding myself to.
My One-Sentence Philosophy (Use This Anywhere)
Here’s the line you asked for — your repeatable, plain-spoken anchor:
“I’m not trying to build a company — I’m trying to build something worth building.”
That’s the heart of this entire effort.
An Open Invitation
By focusing on the HF SSB transceiver, we will create something truly special.
If this resonates with you — even a little — I’d like to hear from you.
No resumes.
No commitments.
No obligations.
Just interest.
Because no meaningful system — radio or otherwise — is ever built alone.
You can also read about my goals and strategy here.
My About page provides the background of my project, the Freedom7 HF Transceiver.
If this story resonates, comments are welcome. You can also reach me at david [at] kr4bad-dot-communications. no com
And if you believe understanding matters more than black boxes, you can subscribe to my WordPress https://kr4bad.com/?subscribe=1.
73 KR4BAD David
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