I completed the VFO work and all the RX alignment steps (calibration, filter alignment) in 50 minutes. All the tests and alignment steps went quite well.
The only problem I hear is obviously internal (hear it with antenna disconnected and 50 ohm shunt applied). It is about S1 level, but it does modulate stronger signals. To my ear it sounds like a digital communication process of some sort that is happening every 12 seconds. (Brief burst, 1 second pause, 3 second burst; repeating every 12-13 seconds).
Bottom line: A 1 uV signal is quite strong/clear on both 30 and 20 meters.
