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Author Topic: Fresh Built Heathkit DX-40 and VF-1  (Read 4806 times)
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wa2pjp
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« on: September 30, 2021, 09:35:28 PM »

I finally built a DX-40 and VF-1 that has been in my collection for many years. I have collected many unbuilt kits of Heathkit and Knight-kit and have just decided that now is the time to build a few. Here are a few pictures of the DX-40 during construction. The box before being opened and the contents.


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wa2pjp
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« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2021, 09:36:51 PM »

Here are a few pictures of the assembly of the  chassis


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wa2pjp
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« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2021, 09:38:54 PM »

Here is the panel attached and the setup with the VF-1 and a National NC-98 receiver using a classic Astatic JT-30 microphone with the DX-40. I have been having a blast operating this station on 80 and 40 meters and could just image being a novice in High School using this station.


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K9PNP
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« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2021, 10:51:12 PM »

Built mine in 1958 to go with my S-85 receiver.  No VFO in those novice days.  Yes, was in high school then.  Was a good first rig.
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73,  Mitch

Since 1958. There still is nothing like tubes to keep your coffee warm in the shack.

Vulcan Theory of Troubleshooting:  Once you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
AJ1G
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« Reply #4 on: October 01, 2021, 02:14:17 AM »

Nice build Joe!  We’ll have to have a JN station QSO with DX-40s and VF-1s at both ends.  My DX-40 and VF-1 are not my original ones, but they are still can be paired up with my E.H Scott SLRM receiver which I’ve had since my grandfather gave it to me when I was 12 years old,

My pressnt DX-40 and VF-1 were acquired from a co-worker friend, they were built by his dad, and were and still are in near mint condition.

I always keep an eye out at DX-40s at hamfests for my original DX-40.  It had a small scratch in the front panel paint near the power on indicator light, I’ll know if it I see it.  I traded it to Glenn, now W2XB, then a neighborhood  JN few years younger than me, for a 35mm camera when I headed off to college.  Glenn’s a member here on AMPhone and now lives in North Carolina, had a QSO with him just a few days ago.
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Chris, AJ1G
Stonington, CT
wb1ead
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« Reply #5 on: October 01, 2021, 12:32:30 PM »

Hi All..nice DX-40..got one here but my VF-1 is powered from it's own supply rather than the rig..saves the tranny..
             Hey Chris AJ1G..this cud be big time coincidence but my DX-40 does have a scratch on the darker gray section halfway between the band selector and the red pwr lite..near the bottom and approx 1/2" long..you don't suppose do ya..?..
                        It has a very clean front panel other than that and works 100%   73 de DAVE WB1EAD 
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AMer livin in "Moose Country"
AJ1G
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« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2021, 01:00:15 PM »

Send me via email or post a pix here..mine may have been more at about 5 o’clock from red the power pilot
light in the dark gray.  Like I said, I’ll know it if’n I see it!  May have some old Kodachrome pix from
JN days to dig in…Traded it to Glenn now W2BX in summer of 1970.  Will have to ask him where it went next.





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Chris, AJ1G
Stonington, CT
K2AEP
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« Reply #7 on: October 01, 2021, 07:58:00 PM »

Hi Chris & Joe,  We should Start a DX-40/VF-1 Net, Mine is ready to Go. Phone Mode Preferred but CW could Re-Vitilize the JN Days.
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Opcom
Patrick J. / KD5OEI
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« Reply #8 on: October 01, 2021, 08:53:57 PM »

Gratifying to see a NOS heathkit assembled and nice work! Hopefully purists won't have a cow but these things were made to be built, used, and enjoyed!
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Radio Candelstein - Flagship Station of the NRK Radio Network.
W1RKW
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« Reply #9 on: October 02, 2021, 11:39:12 AM »

Joe,
Did everything work out of the box after being stored all that time?
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Bob
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Home of GORT. A buddy of mine named the 813 rig GORT.
His fear was when I turned it on for the first time life on earth would come to a stand still.
wa2pjp
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« Reply #10 on: October 03, 2021, 11:26:24 AM »

No, the two main filter caps were way too leaky to use, so I took the cardboard cover off them and put them on new caps just to make it look original. The grease on some of the switches had jammed the shafts so you couldn’t turn them and the contacts were very intermittent from tarnish so that had to be cleaned. Some of the resistors were way out of tolerance. Something I tell everyone, just because it is new in the box, doesn’t mean it is new and will work.
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WD8BIL
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« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2021, 02:29:04 PM »

Well done, Joe! I'll be listening for ya on 40!
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