Heathkit Electronic Kits

[towerclimber37]

As I look, more and more, for stuff to build my ham shack, I lament, more and more that Heathkit no longer makes a lot of the electronic kits that they used to.

I don't know about you guys, but some of their gear was totally cool..I mean, have you seen the retro SWR meters and such that they used to sell??

On top of that, they were seriously cool for helping folks learn basic electronics..and it was gratifying to build them..after you were done, you actually had a useful piece of equipment that you knew, front and back because you built it.

so I have to ask, does someone know if there are any heathkit type companies out there?

(on a side note, I checked the ULS again today..STILL no ticket...I'm bummed out.)

 

[jhooten]

Ten-Tec <--------- click here

 

[towerclimber37]

bless you for helping a newbie.

Actually ten tec is in Sevierville Tn..right down the road from me.

 

[towerclimber37]

arrg! I was hoping more for something like the build it yourself swr meters and stuff like that.
I'm not ready for CW operation, yet.

 

[zz0468]

arrg! I was hoping more for something like the build it yourself swr meters and stuff like that.
I'm not ready for CW operation, yet.

Look again:

Ten-Tec Watt Meter-HF-Kit

 

[jhooten]

Just above the first kit are three tabs, the last is Accessory and fun. That is where to fine the SWR meter kit. The middle, Receivers has some usable kits with good performance.

 

[mdulrich]

Ramsey Electronics

Mike

 

[RickS31]

No one will ever rival Heathkit on their kits. They were well thought and designed, had great documentation and build instructions and, as was mentioned, taught many of us electronics. I built over 20 of them. Surprisingly, when I worked for Digital Equipment Corp. I was the account manager for them out in W. Michigan in Benton Harbor. Got to see first hand the engineering and process to develop those kits as well as the support they provided us novices.

Ultimately, cheap foreign electronics, miniturization and lack of interested kit builders created their demise. While there are kit suppliers out there now, none can rival the selection and quality that Heath had. I still had some of their equipment, fully usable, until last year. Running for over 40 years.