Classic Heathkit

[Schell, Michael]

Rob,
I agree with you on the SB-221 and 220.  These amps and the manuals are
great and made a quality linear available to the average person.  The manual
is extremely well written and illustrated.  Note that the 220 sells for $400
to $500 in good condition, while a similar Ameritron goes for $1900 new.

Most importantly is the educational value to the kit builder. Many people
learned a great deal about elctronics and electricity by building any of the
kits offered by Heathkit.  The consumer lost a rare asset when the company
left the kit buiding arena.

73,
Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert S. Capon
To: HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV
Sent: 11/1/98 12:57 PM
Subject: Re: Classic Heathkit

Tom-

Thanks for writing.  I appreciate hearing your ideas.

Well, my list of honorable mentions might include the HW-8, the SB-221,
and
perhaps the Mohican.  The HW-8 set the standard for QRP rigs for a
decade, and
sold over 10,000 copies.  The SB-221 (and 220) is a classic that sold
many
copies, setting the standard for amps, with many design principals that
are
still in use today.  The Mohican might go on the list for pure elegance
of
design.

If I had 10 honorable mentions, I might also include the Conelrad alarm,
under
the category of "weirdest" or "most arcane" kits of all time!  The HW-16
deserves mention, because it was the first novice rig of many ham radio
operators.  I bought my HW-16 used, and sold it when I upgraded.  My
HW-16
might have been five guys' first radio!

Anyway, there clearly aren't any "right" or "wrong" answers, and I think
guys
are heavily influenced by when they got started in ham radio.

73,

Rob, W3DX

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --
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
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --
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
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --