Tomorrow's Heathkit

[George Gleim]

Hello, and thanks for the bandwidth.

This question is a bit off topic, well, kinda, but I'd like to post a
question to the group:

What radio(s) sold today will become the Heathkit's in the year 2020.

One of the many reasons that I think Hams can use 25+ Heathkit radios
today is that:
(1)   Heathkit used Quality Components in their construction
(2)   Heathkit used many 'off the rack' components and few 'custom'
built items.
(3)   Heathkit manuals and documentation are excellent
(4)   Heathkit's were made for Hams, by Hams, and can be serviced with
inexpensive test equipment

I suspect that there will STILL be many Heathkit radios in operation in
the year 2020.  Why?  Becasue than CAN.  And, there will still be a
group of Hams that appreciate the older gear and what it can/could do.
Perhaps I am like many of you that found the need to purchase 2 or 3
radios just to make (1) VERY NICE one and have a good supply of repair
parts.  Yes, this will eventually deplete the number of operational
radios.

So, will any of the currently produced radios today live in the year
2020?  One good shot of static cap ZAP a custom Integrated Circuit
rendering an entire radio useless.  And, I'd be winning to bet that
those custom I.C's will be VERY difficult to find in 20+ years.  But,
I'd be winning to bet that I can still find a pair of NOS 6146B's or
perhaps a 12AU7A.  And, if I did indeed find a replacement custom I.C.,
I don't think that the local Radio Shack will be selling surface mound
solder stations for $4.99

I guess that I'm asking because I'd like to purchase a radio (new one)
that will last as long as my Heathkit's do/did and really have no idea
what currently marketted radio would fit that bill.

Your thought's please.

Thank You!

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --
To subscribe: listserv at listserv.tempe.gov
and in body: subscribe HEATH yourfirstname yourlastname
To unsubscribe:  listserv at listserv.tempe.gov
and in body: signoff HEATH
Archives for HEATH: http://www.tempe.gov/archives
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --