New Heathkit Transceiver

[Carl WA1KPD]

Check out the Heathkit web site. They have partnered with Elecraft to introduce the HW-102, a modern update to the Heathkit HW-101 amateur radio transceiver. If you pre-order now, you can get one for the same price that the HW-101 originally sold for in 1970: $399.

[w8khk]

Carl, that is a great deal.  After I looked at some of the design changes and new features, I ordered mine immediately.

In keeping with Heathkit's strategy for passing surplus bargains on to the customer (like using 1625s for modulators in the Dixie 100), they no longer use 6146s in the final.  Instead, your choice of a pair of either 829B or Raytheon 4D32 tetrodes, no extra cost due to buying up all available surplus.  They doubled up on transformers in the HP-23D power supply, using surplus from Collins, left over from Art's basement stash.  They obviously realized the rig would be employed for many old buzzard transmissions!

Not a single solid state device in the new rig, instead using the robust RCA 6CW4 nuvistor sprinkled about the circuit board instead of those funky compactrons.  

In keeping with currently popular operating trends, there is no CW or SSB mode.  The balanced modulator is permanently unbalanced, ALC is non-existent, and the bandpass is selectable via either 4KC or 8KC filters.  (Looks like some of the Heath engineers have been snooping around the AM Window).

Instead of aux jacks on the back panel, they have added modulator output and sample RF output, such that an oscilloscope can be connected to view either a trapezoid or envelope pattern with no modifications or extra accessories.   No more driving around at night with the headlights off!

It looks like Heathkit may be back in the running for the long haul!

[Carl WA1KPD]

Rumor has it that this is just the start.

In addition, they used a very ingenious method of filtering. the band pass filters are actually mechanical using the same manufacturers as Altoid containers. the smaller ones are very close to the 4/8 KC, 3.89604938603 KC and 8.34503826504876 KC to be exact.
The patented Timtron SBE is automatically built in to each unit as the VFO is mounted on Dollar General Tin Foil.

In the spirit of the season Gotham is coming back with a dipole kit, a log periodic kit and a 200 ft tower kit. The tower can be assembled by one person  in 3 hours and with the LP has worked the following stations in one afternoon:


(URØMC, op) 4,639,194 39 A LP 4Z4AK (UT7DK, op) 2,312,220 28 A QRP HG5Y 1,067,647 37 B HP CN2R 5,338,937 46 B LP D4C (IZ4DPV, op) 2,975,632 12 B QRP FY5FY 1,074,258 39 C HP 5B/W2TAA (RV1AW, op) 4,219,995 28 C LP HA8DU 2,278,792 28 C QRP HA5KDQ (HA7ANT,op) 1,412,260 39 D n/a P3N 9,500,568 27 E n/a TMØHQ 34,506,131 34,506,131 28 F HP OM5ZW 3,596,027 28 F LP DL2CC 1,821,456 28 F QRP DK3WE 730,600 30 G HP RJ4P 2,239,812 12 G LP YV1KK 1,467,612 29 G QRP R2AD 191,684 28 H HP SN7Q 3,823,176 28 H LP LZ9R (LZ3YY, op) 1,689,800 2015 Ukraine 2012 Israel 2007 Hungary 2014 Morocco 2008 Cape Verde 2014 French Guiana 2010 Cyprus 2006 Hungary 2006 Hungary 2013 Cyprus 2014 France 2015 Slovakia 2015 Germany 2015 Germany 2015 European Russia 2015 Venezuela 2015 European Russia 2015 Poland 2015 Bulgaria 28 H QRP OK2FD 543,582 2015 Oldest Records 75 A HP RZ1OWA 38,208 1986 European Russia 90 A HP 7J1ACH 30,600 1986 Minami Torishima 22 C HP UAØBEO 70,560 1986 Asiatic Russia 24 C HP UA C HP UAØQGY 6,510 1986 Asiatic 1986 Asiatic Russia Smallest Record Score 7 H LP KJ0P 1 2015 Minnesota ZONE RECORDS Zone Category Power Station Score Year Country/Section 1 A HP KL7Y 1,421,676 1992 Alaska 1 A LP KL1JP 3,485 2015 Alaska 1 A QRP 1 B HP KL7Y (WA2GO, op) 1,447,686 1999 Alaska 1 B LP WL7UQ 11,026 2010 Alaska 1 B QRP 1 C HP KL9A 2,603,000 2002 Alaska 1 C LP KB7Q/KL7 64,206 2006 Alaska 1 C QRP KL7/WA4DOX 638 2010 Alaska 1 D n/a KL7RA 785,625 2008 Alaska 1 F HP AL9A 143,550 2015 Alaska , Zone Category Power Station Score Year Country/Section 2 A HP XK7SZ (VE7NTT, op) 1,329,482 1998 British Columbia 2 A LP VE6EX 307,781 2012 Alberta 2015 Czech Republic 2 A QRP VE7JKZ 13,536 2005 British Columbia 2 B HP VA7RR (@VE7SZ) 2,303,070 1999 British Columbia 2 B LP VA7DXC 55,522 2010 British Columbia 2 B QRP VA7IR 4,375 2011 British Columbia 2 C HP VE7NTT 909,832 1997 British Columbia 2 C LP VE7JH 293,436 2012 British Columbia 2 C QRP


Its good to see the old days returning. will WRL be back soon?

[w8khk]

In addition, they used a very ingenious method of filtering. the band pass filters are actually mechanical using the same manufacturers as Altoid containers. the smaller ones are very close to the 4/8 KC, 3.89604938603 KC and 8.34503826504876 KC to be exact.
The patented Timtron SBE is automatically built in to each unit as the VFO is mounted on Dollar General Tin Foil.

After I finish assembly and test, I plan to loan it to the ARRL for product testing and possibly a review in QST.  Perhaps The Tron can perform the testing when he comes back to work with Bob finishing the mods to the Gates BC-1T.

Who but Timtron could better evaluate (indeed, even properly operate) the SBE???

[KB2WIG]

I was just asked by Heathkit to help with the paper tape reader for the new RTTY system. The only trouble seems to be their Green design using a 22uA loop current.

KLC

[W3RSW]

Well I’ll be pickled in brine, a fantastic rig at last.

Y’all missed the digital quantum freq. readout.  How else can a rig be totally retro, omitting all solid state without conjuring up the Unknown, now Known?

I sent HeathCraftdouble deposit. I know I’ll be high on the list.

I can’t wait to work Czechoslovakia again!

[w8khk]

Y’all missed the digital quantum freq. readout.  How else can a rig be totally retro, omitting all solid state without conjuring up the Unknown, now Known?

Reading the fine print......    In keeping with their quest to maintain low costs via surplus channels, for an additional $39.99 plus shipping, they will include a used but clean BC-221 or LM.  They assume any AMer worth his salt can cobble together a power supply for the freak meter.  We don't need no stinkin' digital readout.

[Opcom]

How odd. Their chief engineer e-mailed me last week to discuss buying the Tucker Transmitter. (I'm thinking WHY? are you crazy or love to fiddle 15 minutes to change bands?) Don't tell outside the board, but they have committed to building what the lady (yeah -female Chief EE in charge of amateur) said will be a "real KW-class AM transmitter kit" I was doubtful, since building that beast today would cost as much as a car but she said the kit would probably sell for about $22K after various technical and ease-of-use modernizations to the design, such as two 3-500z modulating 2 of the same instead of a single 4-1000, and using a tapped PI-L instead of the huge roller in there, glitch resistors, HV wire fuse, etc.

She actually asked me if the post here about plasma balls flying around in the roller inductor and no damage resulting was true. OK well yes that did happen.

So anyway they also have a line on all the remaining NOS 8020s for the negative peak keep-alive if they want to go ahead there are thousands of them same on 5R4s - minimal solid state, just the modulator bias, final bias, and HV rectifiers - but four 673s or 575As will be a very limited optional upgrade. Either way the sockets and SS "stick rectifier kits" would be included so just add the fil. iron and tubes -which one could do oneself if wanted. She said they'd like to have the HV regulated with a hi/med/lo switch so the operator could set each carrier level like on a BC rig but there is some contention over TRIACs in the final and mod plate iron primaries. Otherwise a pair of powerstats like in the present unit.

I ended up on the phone with her a few times last week. Don't ask what I was offered.. If I accept I'll move to a paid rent house near Heathkit for a couple months to explain and consult re: the present transmitter. Have to make sure my cats will be fed and played with while I'm gone. That's the big deal.

Gentlemen we are moving into a new Golden Age of the Electronic Renaissance.

[Steve - K4HX]

Just heard that Heathkit will be releasing a DX-100 W2VJZ Commemorative Version. Comes with a can of Quaker Oat and a bottle of maple syrup.

[Opcom]

Just heard that Heathkit will be releasing a DX-100 W2VJZ Commemorative Version. Comes with a can of Quaker Oat and a bottle of maple syrup.

Isn't the Maple syrup just for Canadian customers? I read that in the USA, you get Corn Syrup.

[w8khk]

On a more serious note, I actually have a Heathkit HW-101 transceiver kit and an HP-23 power supply, NOS, unbuilt kit, in the original shipping boxes.  A real time capsule. 

I was thinking that they might be a good opportunity for a new ham to build, for the kit experience.   Caps could be tested, and replaced if necessary, before construction is started.   At the Huntsville, AL hamfest last year I witnessed a restored HW-101 with a retrofit digital frequency display, using the band switch to program the actual frequency, considering the offset of the double conversion with the crystal oscillators.  Could be a fun rig to operate!

I have been wondering what to do with this package, maybe better to reveal it in a sideband forum instead of AM.  But if there is interest, I would entertain offers.  I suppose finding one in unbuilt condition, with the power supply, is somewhat rare.

[Carl WA1KPD]

Anyway, it was a fun April 1st

[Steve - K4HX]

You obviously didn't know Irb, W2VJZ.  :-)

FYI, he had sugar maples on his farm which he tapped and made his own maple syrup.

Just heard that Heathkit will be releasing a DX-100 W2VJZ Commemorative Version. Comes with a can of Quaker Oats and a bottle of maple syrup.

Isn't the Maple syrup just for Canadian customers? I read that in the USA, you get Corn Syrup.

[Steve - K4HX]

On a serious note, at least one guy made a more modern version of the Heath single bander, HW-22.

https://bitxhacks.blogspot.com/2017/04/hot-water-bitx-40-hack.html

[KC4VWU]

Wow! Looks like they've got a winner after 7-8 years  of sitting on their thumbs!

But seriously though, WHO does really own the Heathkit brand now? Is it still Data HOG Pros, the guy who flew hot to threaten everybody up one side and down the other about posting HIS property, but yet still hasn't offered jack sh!t for manuals.

It's a real shame!

Great April fools post though! 

[k3msb]

Just heard that Heathkit will be releasing a DX-100 W2VJZ Commemorative Version. Comes with a can of Quaker Oat and a bottle of maple syrup.

.... and if you order early, you get a free souind track of chicken frying in the pan and dishes clanging in the background!

[KB2WIG]

Ther is a recording of the dishwash/ whisteling the battle hyme....

And a comment about 'rap music'.

KLC

[Steve - K4HX]

http://w2dtc.com/w2dtc-sound-bites/2003-0311-w2vjz-singing.mp3

http://w2dtc.com/w2dtc-sound-bites/2004-1207-w2vjz-child-rapers.mp3

OK, Fine!

[KB2WIG]

Thats quite a message.

KLC

[Opcom]

Anyway, it was a fun April 1st

Oops. I thought it was an impropmptu lying contest!
err.. same thing!

I confess I did look at the heathkit site. A few new things since last time!