tales of trouble ie the HW5400

[MIKE BRYCE]

well boys and girls...

 after spending two weeks on this HW5400 yesterday, I have come to the
conclusion  that the HW5400 is the most screwed up radio heathkit ever put
out on the ham market

ah.. but your thinking that perhaps this is just one rotten egg in the
basket.

well this is number three that I have owned. All have the same problems.

1. The thing clicks when the main tuning knob is turned. Although the
receiver is muted to prevent chirping as the PPL lock and unlock as you
tune. The receiver still has a slight click as you tune the knob.

2. Unbelievable ho-hum receiver. Forget about "working the weak one" with
this HW5400. Signals 4 khz away cause the agc to pump.

3. Really goofy and I mean GOOFY power supply connections as well as speaker
connections. What were they thinking of?

4. The matching power supply runs so hot under load I would be afraid it
could catch fire. Fan cooling is a must. (Who says you need a tube rig to
warm the shack!)

5. Although a mute point now, the HW5400 is (was) just way more than joe ham
could handle. Three PLL, two VCOs, microprocessor oh my! The SB-104 is a
walk in the park compared to the HW5400

6. Personal opinion, but the knobs are way too small. Especially the volume
and RIT knobs.

All and all, I'll take the SB-104 any day. In fact, I have 23 SB-104s
sitting in the shack, and only one HW5400.

Perhaps I'll try another one and see if it is a wacked up as the one I have
now. I know the other two I did own, were not better, just as screwed up..

Will be down at dayton this year, same spots as before, 509, 510 and 511.
Drop by and say hello!


Mike Bryce, WB8VGE
SunLight Energy Systems

http://www.seslogic.com
http://www.theheathkitshop.com

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