Unscientific Poll

[jq]

Brian - you've asked some interesting questions. You may find some
interesting answers....

1. Yes I have, many (I guess it's in my blood). I've built an Elecraft K2,
some Ramsey's, some Elencos, some Velleman's, and of course, some Heathkits
including a vintage 2mtr HT. (I could have profited handsomely on this kit
on eBay if I didn't build it, but it's not the money). I collect unbuilt
Heathkits partially for the collectible aspect and partially for the
building pleasure. I have about 30 or so unbuilt Heathkits currently. I've
paid between $25 and $1500 for unbuilt kits with the average being around
$150-$200. This winter, I will assemble an unbuilt Heathkit Hero 1 (so what
if I paid $1200 for it on eBay, the pleasure cannot be counted in dollars).

2. Generally any kits that serve some functionality around the house (e.g.,
GD series, TV's, radios, and ham gear).

3. It would depend on the complexity of the kit.

4. a. (provided quality parts/tools were provided with adequate
instructions).

5. The Heathkit experience would be hard to resurrect. The Heathkit name (or
any variation thereof) will never replace the real thing. The closest
company on the market today to the Heathkit experience, quality, and pure
enjoyment of kit building is Elecraft. Ten-tec would be a distant second
place. However, both are ham radio kit makers. Velleman of Europe has
probably the largest variety of non-ham kits on the market but are difficult
to find and a bit pricey.

6. The generation that grew up with Heathkit, grew up at a time when
technology was equal to or less expensive to build than to buy. With today's
mass production and the introduction of surface-mount technology, providing
quality kits (of any genre) which cost less than their assembled
off-the-shelf cousins, and are physically the same size or smaller, would be
a difficult venture for most companies. Rapid technological growth and
imported electronics is what put Heathkit out of the kit business in the
first place - - not customer disinterest. Would today's kids have the
interest in kit building? Some would, but most were born in the
'give-it-to-me-now' generation and wouldn't have the patience for building
or the inclination for learning electronic theory.

... end of opinion, John KA0SEY

----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Wood <brianmwood at EMAIL.MSN.COM>
To: <HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV>
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2000 11:19 PM
Subject: Unscientific Poll


> I want to thank those of you who responded to my request for information
on
> Heathkit's current status. It's a long, sad story, and apparently the
> current owners are happy with the way the educational business is going
and
> aren't too interested in reviving the kit business.
>
> I'd love to hear from everyone on the list for answers to the questions
> below. It's decidedly unscientific, but I'm really curious!
>
> 1. Have you built a kit of any kind in the last year? (Even unbuilt
> Heathkits from EBay!)  How much did you spend?
>
> 2. If Heathkit-style electronic kits were revived, what would you most
like
> to build?
>
> 3. Printed manuals are very expensive and many companies are offering them
> on on CD. If you could save 10% (or $50, whichever is lower) on the cost
of
> the kit by getting just the user's manual, theory of operation, schematics
> and troubleshooting guide in printed form, but had to print the assembly
> portion of the manual yourself on your own computer from CD-ROM or even
> online via the web, would you order the kit this way?
>
> 4. If there were PC boards with surface mount components on them in the
kit,
> how would you like to assemble them:
>    a: Using a provided magnifying glass and tweezers, I'd remove the tiny
> parts from the muffin tin, one by one, where I had sorted them, then I'd
> glue the parts on the board using provided glue, then I'd heat the parts
> using a provided (optional) heat gun and watch it reflow before my very
> eyes.
>    b. I'd glue the parts on, then I'd be happy to send it to you in a
> provided, pre-paid mailer, where it would be reflowed, tested and shipped
> back within one business day.
>    c. I'd glue the parts on, then I'd like to take it to a local store
where
> they could reflow it and test it.
>    d. I wouldn't even try this.
>
> 5. Suppose new company were to spring up that offered kits in the same
> manner as good ol' Heathkit but had a different name and a Lucent or
Agilent
> style tag line (my current favorite is "Moor Co. - Continuing the Heathkit
> Tradition", since a moor is another name for a heath in England) would you
> be OK with that? Or does it *have* to be Heathkit itself to have real
> meaning? Bear in mind that using a tag line like that would require a
> license from Heathkit Co.
>
> 6. Do you think today's kids can be torn away from the 'Net long enough to
> build a kit?
>
>
> Thanks!
>
> Brian, W0DZ
>
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