Topic: Talking about HeathKit

[Mark / Ohio]

Decided to keep from veering another thread too far off course I would instead start a new one on the subject for a change.   

I mentioned as several others about having an early model HeathKit weather station (ID-1290) and posted a link to a picture of it.  After some more investigation I found that same website I linked to for the picture has a bunch of information posted on the different things the company had to offer. Also you can download some of the old catalogs, manuals, etc. 

Take a look at the home page toward the bottom in the HeathKit section:

http://www.tech-systems-labs.com/

[ncpilot]

I love the smell of burning rosin in the morning, it smells like... Heathkit!

Those photos bring back memories... I built a shortwave radio, radio control set, multiple integrated amps, and possibly a few more. Also built a couple of Dynaco products--although I think those came with completed circuit boards...

If I tried really hard, I bet I could find the original construction manual for the tube amps my dad built...

Probably if you remember Heathkits, then you will remember going to the drugstore to test vacuum tubes... 

[tomcj2]

I have built several kits, stereo equipment, a 27 in colour TV.  The only thing I have left was the original kit, a soldering iron, GH-17.  I used it just last week.  They were great fun and a good learning experience.

[Mark / Ohio]

...Probably if you remember Heathkits, then you will remember going to the drugstore to test vacuum tubes... 

Yep, been there done that.  I have enough old tubes laying about I've been thinking about getting a tube tester to see which ones still are good.  We had one where I work (like the one pictured below) but the boss up and sold it one day 10+ years ago.  I did not even know he was thinking about getting rid of it or I would have made him an offer.  I have probably a dozen old tube radios, a portable stereo, and an early Emerson 9" or so black and white VHF band only TV.  Most of them came through family to me.

[Anthony]

Yes I remember going to the drug store to test tubes. I wonder if that why my hair is starting to turn grey now and fall out? Now where did I put my cane?

[tomwxman]

...the boss up and sold it one day 10+ years ago.

Mark you need a new boss!!!

I built a bunch of Heathkits in my time and yes the Dynaco amps also (I have two, I think they're the Dynaco stereo 400). Oh and an IMSAI 8080 microcomputer. Still have most everything, including my last kit which, oddly enough, was Heath's best Weather Station which I never got commissioned. IIRC the wind direction indicator was flaky and I never got round to troubleshooting that so it sits on my shelf. Then my wife got me a WMR968 so who knows if I will ever find time to play with the Heath weather station again (sigh). A thing of beauty though...

[ncpilot]

I've still got my Dynaco 416... oh yeah, I built a Hafler pre-amp and amp. There's actually some demand for the Hafler's...

Any market for a Dynaco that has a flaky channel?

[Mark / Ohio]

...
Any market for a Dynaco that has a flaky channel?

Since you built it you should know how to fix it.   

[ncpilot]

Yeah, but getting parts is a b*tch! 

[Mark / Ohio]

Sad but very true!  The old ECG crosses for generic parts are gone and I only have limited success with NTE anymore.

http://nte01.nteinc.com/nte/NTExRefSemiProd.nsf/$$Search?OpenForm

Sometimes you can dig around here and find availability or cross numbers if your lucky enough to find a number painted on the part. (log in as guest)

http://www.encompassparts.com/

Different world now then what it was back then.  If it's a model specific part your likely SOL.   

[tbweather]

I never got into building electronics kits from Heathkit, but many years ago I drove over to their factory in St. Joseph Michigan and picked up a grandfather clock kit to build. It was a great project. I still have the clock and it still works.

[Mark / Ohio]

I remember the digital clocks they had but not one like that.   

I've wanted to build a grandfather clock or get a kit for years.  I have a carriage clock I bought as a kit from Emperor and assembled back in the early 1990's.

[W Thomas]

Sad but very true!  The old ECG crosses for generic parts are gone and I only have limited success with NTE anymore.


Different world now then what it was back then.  If it's a model specific part your likely SOL.   

Thats for sure! I used to have good luck with ECG and fair with SK for RF specific parts when the original GE or Motorola P/N
was not handy.Anymore it's a shot in the dark..everything seems to be built and designed with "disposable " in mind!

[Mark / Ohio]

I think it all started as a secret master plan of job security for semiconductor engineers then spilled over to the manufacture's design engineers.   

[W Thomas]

I think it all started as a secret master plan of job security for semiconductor engineers then spilled over to the manufacture's design engineers.   

Must have!
And all the investment to handle SMD components!   
I remember when some of our radio equipment was considered a heat source LOL!

[Mark / Ohio]

...
Must have!
And all the investment to handle SMD components!   
I remember when some of our radio equipment was considered a heat source LOL!

CB lingo terms "Footwarmer" and "Heater" comes to mind.     In some ways though we have came full circle with the new HD TV's on the market.  Ventilation and airflow are once again of a greater concern.  Good to help with heating costs as long as your in a colder climate area.