Questions About Heathkit Receivers

[Larry Gauthier]

Ken:

While all that Stu says is true, there was a more significant marketing
difference from us at Heath. The SB line was our "top of the line" gear, and
was designed to match (and compete against) the styling and feature set of
the Collins "S" line. [no, please let's not get into whether it actually
_did_ or not... "let's not go there" ;-)]

The HW series, on the other hand, was the economy model -- not as pretty,
but less expensive. Kinda' like a Cadillac _vs_ Chevy line from GM.
Internally, the gear was almost part-for-part identical - with the
significant exception of the LMOs as Stu mentioned. Sure, there were some
convenience differences such as the ease of changing VOX settings and hinged
cabinets _vs_ take-apart cabinets, and better visual dial resolution... but
the schematics were an almost perfect overlay.

-larry
wb8bgo

-----Original Message-----
From: Stewart Lyon <stu_w6cux at JUNO.COM>
To: HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV <HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV>
Date: Friday, May 21, 1999 4:48 AM
Subject: Re: Questions About Heathkit Receivers


>Hi Ken and welcome to the wonderful world of ham radio.  I've been at it
>for 50 or more years and am still enthusiastic.
>
>I think you mean "transceivers" when referring to HW and SB. Assuming
>that, the real difference between, say, a HW-101 and a SB-101 was the VFO
>and dial assembly. The SB dial and VFO is very smooth and linear whereas
>the HW dial/VFO was "warbely" and difficult to calibrate.  Considering
>that they currently sell for nearly the same price ($120-$200), I would
>definitely pursue a SB-101or -102.
>
>However . . . being a Heathkit nut is similar as being a Mustang nut
>(which I was).  When I finally realized they were a styled Falcon, I
>began to look for something else.  If you are into Heathkits because you
>love old stuff with tubes (my case) then carry on. But if you're not
>carrying the baggage of nostalgia, maybe something more modern would work
>better. As I posted earlier, I would look at some of the older (~1980's)
>Japanese transceivers. They had a lot of performance for the $.
>
>73, Stu W6CUX
>
>On Thu, 20 May 1999 23:07:09 -0700 Rhonda & Ken Morton
><kdmorton at TELEPORT.COM> writes:
>>Hello to the list!
>>
>>I am a new Ham (KD7FLE) and am looking for a first HF receiver and or
>>transceiver. I have always like Heathkit equipment (and I am old
>>enough to
>>remember going into a Heathkit 'toy store' before they closed), and
>>have
>>been looking into a Heath unit.
>>
>>What is the difference between the 'HW' and the 'SB' series of
>>receivers?
>>>From what I can tell they seem to have been produced at the same
>>time. Is
>>one 'better' than the other? I am interested in SWL'ing HF as a way of
>>increasing my interest in learning code, but also want voice (SSB &
>>AM)
>>modes.
>>
>>Thanks for your input!
>>
>>Ken
>
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