Hello,
I had to recompile my idv and came across the same errors that I 
reported back in May.  Specifically, many lines similar to the following:
    [javac]     * Copyright  1997-2004 Unidata Program 
Center/University Corporation for
    [javac] 
                  ^
    [javac] 
/mnt/home/kmanross/VisAD/idv/metapps/ucar/unidata/idv/ViewDescriptor.java:5: 
error: unrecognized character in input stream.
    [javac]     * Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307,
    [javac]                                                              ^
    [javac] 
/mnt/home/kmanross/VisAD/idv/metapps/ucar/unidata/idv/ViewManager.java:4: 
error: unrecognized character in input stream.
    [javac]     * Copyright  1997-2004 Unidata Program 
Center/University Corporation for
    [javac] 
                  ^
    [javac] 
/mnt/home/kmanross/VisAD/idv/metapps/ucar/unidata/idv/ViewManager.java:5: 
error: unrecognized character in input stream.
    [javac]     * Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307,
    [javac]                                                              ^
I have followed the instructions at 
http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/idv/docs/userguide/SourceBuild.html
word for word.
I downloaded both the idv_src_1.1.jar and idv_jars_1.1.zip files by 
right clicking on the respective links in on the IDV page.
I am using ant version: Apache Ant version 1.5.2-23 compiled on November 
12 2003
I cannot remember how I worked around this last time and would greatly 
appreciate help in figuring this out.
Many thanks!!
-kevin.
--
+------------------------------------------------------------+
Kevin L. Manross        [KD5MYD] <><          (405)-366-0557
CIMMS Research Associate               kevin.manross@xxxxxxxx
[NSSL-WRDD/SWATN]           http://www.cimms.ou.edu/~kmanross
"My opinions are my own and not representative of CIMMS, NSSL,
 NOAA or any affiliates"
+------------------------------------------------------------+