you should check over all your solder points and make sure they are all connecting on your dub boxes, if you've followed the instructions/schematics and everything is in the right place and the right way round (if you are using ic's, diodes, electrylitic caps, etc) It helps to put IC's in a socket, then you can always take it out and try a replacement easier than trying to desolder one, also IC's normally have a small dot above the number 1 pin so you know which way round it should go..
rather than breathing in all that solder smoke, you should get a solder fan from maplins, its a small fan that sucks the air away from you through a small carbon filter saves your lungs hurting! actually worth investing in they are about 15 quid, when you throw away the filter you realise that it is worth it when you see the crap that builds up on it.
we've all been newbies, i've been doing CB for 6 years and still count myself as a learner and have always found others to be helpful and have always tried to help when i can. I think what BBN is trying to say is that more people seem to bypass the experiment stage and go straight to the asking for help. It's great that peoples advice has helped you move on to bigger and better things before you know it, you will be helping others too, thats the way it goes, or should.
good luck on your mission....................ian