OK, after all the new parts, it still works!
vertical lock /hold is much more stable!
horizontal is still a bit touchy, having to tune in the varicap (h-lock) all the way, to get it stable, had to order yet
another 100pf cap from mouser, spending more on shipping than the part, as I only had one.
sure, I could have gotten it cheaper from someplace else, but they take 3-5 days, and mouser gets it here in 1 day, no matter what!