#111

In this video we get a first look on a Heathkit Apache TX-1 transmitter. Been wanting to get an AM station back on the air for some time now. Stay tuned for this series of repair.
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[@jaybats7865]

Thanks for taking the time to explain not only your rigs, your procedures to diagnose and repair them, but also your test gear and how they work. You’re a good teacher Buddy and you make it fun to follow along. 👍👍👍

[@harlemmaddux9564]

You prolly dont give a shit but if you're stoned like me atm you can stream pretty much all the new movies and series on Instaflixxer. Have been binge watching with my girlfriend during the lockdown :)

[@lukamaxim9752]

@Harlem Maddux definitely, I have been using Instaflixxer for months myself :)

[@donaldshields2483]

I was enjoying watching you I wished I had a little bit of your knowledge I am a ham but I am I am 85 years old and back in the day when I got my novice license and I didn’t get a chance to really chill learn a lot and then I let my ticket right now two different times and then I went down to Boston and get my license back I was an over the road truck driver and back in the day I used to work a lot of 10 m mobile sound like I said I enjoy watching you and I hope you had a nice new year and we will be watching you some more God bless

[@LarryDeSilva64]

when i was a novice back in 1967 these were around too expensive for me at that time but i lusted after them and thought well maybe when i get my general class ticket i can get one but alas it didn't happen. I took my general class test and choked only got to 11 wpm not 13 and then my hopes of getting anything else were dashed when i flunked the tech test and I never went back again. Now at 67 im thinking of trying again I still work on radios but its always great to see someone who knows what they are doing working on these old transmitters.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Larry. Yes never give up, no code now. Thanks for the kind words.

[@d-labelectronics]

Good to see the project has launched! A true boat Anchor!

[@TheRadioShop]

Going to be a fun restore Terry. Had my first failure this morning. The final tuning strap snapped into. It is not original. Looks like a thin piece of aluminum. Got to fix that before going any farther now.

[@mikesradiorepair]

Nice old radios. I inherited one from my uncle (N3FLY) when he passed away many years ago. I really need to dig that monster out one day and refresh it. It's in mint condition and he was the original owner. He got it the first month it was released. Can remember walking into his radio room that was filled with radios, many current production high end rigs and you would still find him using this classic. Was probably his most prized radio.

[@TheRadioShop]

Make sure you get help digging it out. man it is heavy!

[@1903A3shooter]

O my gosh, I had one of those things in 1970, the best part of it was that I could start out on the phone band on 15 Mtrs. and wind up on 10 meters in a few moments with out touching any of the controlls. Never have seen any circuit drift so far or so fast. I love your videos and will watch everyone I can, but not this one, Good luck Buddy and 73. Dave W4GSM

[@TheRadioShop]

They can really be unstable. But after a proper rebuild and modifications they can actually work quite well.

[@user-vi6lw8dx5f]

@@TheRadioShop Hello, W0VMC is a master at rebuilding the TX-1 here in Minnesota. I had one with Drake R4B receiver. The performance was absolutely impeccable. Both the tx/rx was phenomenal. If these weren't so heavy I'd have another one. Thanks for the video

[@kroghsmachineshop4708]

Really interesting, I really like the old tube radios, It's almost like they are alive when they are turned on, looking forward to seeing you work on it 👍😊

[@TheRadioShop]

It will be an interesting repair.

[@DoRC]

amazing piece of equipment. I've never seen that clock spring type of linkage before. I'm used to seeing chains in that situation. very interesting.

[@TheRadioShop]

This thing is a work of art. Only time I ever seen a roller dial work like this one.

[@amyluke4598]

This video really brought back old memories to me, Buddy. I had an Apache xmtr from late '60s to 1974 when I had built a Heathkit HW101A and moved to New Bern, NC for 4 years. I used a Hallicrafters's SX-101A Mk3 receiver. With the Apache, the SB-10, and the SX-101A I had a HEAVYWEIGHT STATION. I really enjoyed using the Apache.. I don't think I had any problems with it during those years.

[@rollerbald]

Hi Buddy. I can remember using one of these monsters back in the ‘60’s at field day when I was a teenager just starting in ham radio. We stayed up all night and worked the world on CW with a dipole on 20 meters. Good times! Glad you chose to do a series on this great old rig. 73, Bill KC5SB.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Bill. I remember seeing one back at a field day also. The operator would not let anyone touch it. Said it was his prized unit lol. He made lots of cw contacts with it.

[@cuban9splat]

Excellent! This old Apache takes me WAY back to my High School days (1961 - 1965). We had a ham radio club and our transmitter was the Apache and the receiver was the matching Mohawk. You are right about the Mohawk drifting. You had to let it warm up for at least a half hour for it to settle down and stop drifting. This station was really hot stuff back then, the cream of the crop. It cost a pretty penny back then too. Looking forward to the rest of the videos to resurrect this ol' gal. Thank you for posting it. 73 DE K7RMJ Frank

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Frank. This is one beast for sure. I need to find a receiver to go along with it. Not really wanting the Mohawk. Something different I think. Maybe something will come along.

[@cuban9splat]

Have you considered the Hamarlund HQ-170? It has the same frequency coverage and was a very good and popular receiver. You still find them on E-Bay regularly. Just a thought. Regards, Frank

[@billmoran3812]

I too, had an Apache / Mohawk rig in my High School radio club. 1965- 1969. Cathedral HS, Springfield Mass K1UHA.

[@TRXLab]

Ecellent Video Buddy. I had never a Apache on the Bench so it was really nice to follow. Thanks for sharing. 73

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Peter, glad to see you stop in

[@dennisperusse3837]

Awesome video. Very interested in seeing this series. Good grief, 107 lbs though! That's one heavy beast!

[@TheRadioShop]

:)

[@twil1818]

Looking forward to the rest of this series, also would like to know more about the vintage test equipment. I've been collecting old stuff like this with the hopes of learning how it works. I'll be working on a Heathkit DX-40 soon. Thanks for the videos, your doing a great service for all of us. 73 Tom K4CTW

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Tom. I love vintage stuff. All the test gear on this bench is as old as I am. Good luck on the DX-40

[@TerryMcKean]

That is a very nice 'mitter. They sound great on AM after the coupling capacitors in the modulator are changed out from the yellowy 510 pf stock values to something a little beefier. :-)

[@TheRadioShop]

Yes, should make for a good transmitter. I have not checked to see if it was stock or modified yet.

[@vetterfellow]

That was unfamiliar territory in that radio Buddy. too many goings on with that unit. Very complicated piece. A good looking rig nun the less. Great 5 star video. Thank you. Angelo.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Angelo. Yes a lot going on inside this beast.

[@DoRC]

you can easily insulate those probes with some extra large heat shrink tubing. works really well

[@TheRadioShop]

Yes that will work. Good idea

[@N8MLK]

Nice. Good to see The Apache is going to get some attention.73 Buddy, Mike/N8MLK

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Mike. Lot of work but worth it.

[@MrHarveyluke]

Good video, Buddy. I had TX-1/SB-10 combo back in '68 to '74, which I got right after I upgraded to General class. Receiver was an SX-101A Mk3 which meant I had several pounds of radio gear. I never liked having to null out the SB-10 for SSB but that was just the quirk of phasing SSB generation. The only thing I thing I would probably do on the front, is to somehow repaint the bezel on the VFO window, if you can get some of that Heathkit green. 73, Harvey KM4JA

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for sharing that Harvey. yes going to try and repaint that bezel and replace the missing heathkit logo. This will be my first true boat anchor rig.

[@dougmcartin3881]

That transmitter follows the old saying of the time of one watt output for every pound of weight. Maybe a Hallicrafters SX-101 would pair up with the old Apache. It's a bit less weight at only 75lbs. Thanks for the look see Buddy great presentation as always 73 Doug.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks Doug. You got that right about the weight!. The SX-101 would make for a nice rig.

[@lylewatts6370]

Wow that's a heavy unit...thought the FT-101 was heavy. Well I would need a new work bench for the radio with at least 1inch think wood. Thanks for working on that classic. I could have received a DX-100 Heathkit for free but the weight. My back aches when I think about it.

[@TheRadioShop]

Very heavy and my back now knows it lol. That DX-100 would have been a nice score.

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

WAHOOOOOOO WHAT A PROJECT

[@TheRadioShop]

A lot of work.

[@ironman7261]

Wow never seen EICO and Heath branded tubes before!

[@TheRadioShop]

Yep. It is full of them.

[@davidbrittenham4631]

I have a TX-1 with the matching RX-1 receiver, SB-10 SSB adapter, and HA-10 amplifier. I agree, the RX-1 isn't all that great a receiver, although there are a number of modifications that turn it into a fairly decent unit if you are willing to spend the time and do the work. So, don't be afraid to try one. I'm getting ready to tackle the mods for mine now. If you want a different receiver, but from the same era, one of the later Hallicrafters SX series or Hammarlund HQ series would be a good choice. If you don't care to go with an older one, and want one of the best, I'd recommend you go with the Hallicrafters SX-28. The TX-1 and SX-28 was my station back in '60's. No boatanchor receiver has the character that the SX-28 has. I've never heard any other receiver that sounded as good on AM broadcast. I own 3 of them, one fully functional and restored, one needing minor work, but physically almost perfect, and one in good physical condition but needing electrical restoration. It will be restored one of these days and made fully operational again. At around 90 pounds, the SX-28 can hold it's end of the work bench down just as effectively as the TX-1 can hold the other end down.

[@TheRadioShop]

Thanks for sharing that David. I would love a SX series but the shipping on them are crazy. Never see them at the local ham fest here. One day I will get lucky I hope. Thanks again my friend.

[@davidbrittenham4631]

Yeah, shipping is a bummer. The SX-28 I am getting ready to restore was purchased in 2001 on E-Bay. The seller packed it very well, double boxed, thick bubble wrap and Styrofoam between the boxes, radio wrapped in more bubble wrap, etc. But, UPS dropped in on the rear bottom corner, bending the case, corner of the chassis, and breaking the antenna terminals and a couple other items. They denied the claim, saying it was not properly packaged. I swore I would never ship or have one shipped again. I found the parts I needed on E-Bay, but there may be other damage that I don't know about. I have never turned it on. Health and life issues got in the way. I'm just now getting things back to "normal" with regard to working on gear. Keep an eye on E-Bay. They show up for sale in all parts of the country. I haven't seen an SX-28 at a hamfest since 1976. It went for $75. I didn't have $75 to spend on it at the time. Shoulda, coulda, woulda....

[@God-CDXX]

I am in the middle of building a TX-1 witch sat under my bench for 15 years I bought this thinking is was only needing a rebuild not a out right scratch build I am having a great time doing it .. I am glad it was un built kit .. now the only person I can blame is my self .. if there is a mistake made

[@TheRadioShop]

Now that is pretty cool. I know it would be fun building one.

[@douro20]

Ever seen anything which uses 808 tubes? If rectifiers are 5R4s I'm surprised no one has put in 5R4WGA/WGB ruggedized rectifiers in it.

[@TheRadioShop]

Not that familiar with the 808 tube myself.

[@PapasDino]

Maybe the "H" in Heathkit really meant "Hernia"! Will be nice to see and maybe hear this old girl on the air. 73 - Dino KL0S

[@TheRadioShop]

You got that right Dino. I can think of a few other words also. Will be nice to get it on the air.

[@Homer19521]

I've read that those old voltage charts were designed around a 20kohm/volt VOM like a Simpson 260 or Triplitt 630. - Bob

[@TheRadioShop]

That is true. More on the line like the HP 410A

[@Homer19521]

I thought the HP410A was a Hi Z meter?? ~10Mohm?

[@TheRadioShop]

From my manual" Input Impedance: Input capacity is 1.3 mmfd ; input resistance is 6 megohms at low frequencies. At high frequencies resistance drops off due to dielectric losses: DC input resistance is 100 megohms for all ranges. A lot of my old tube service material calls for the 410A. I also use the 260 quite a bit.

[@TheRadioShop]

You Know Bob you may have a point there. I will need to verify the schematic and see what it list for measurements. My thinking just may be wrong on this. Glad you brought this up

[@Homer19521]

Typical VOM's (20kOhm/V) will load down the circuit on some measurements. The voltage chart considers the loading effect of VOM's on the reading. So if you get have abnormal reading using a Hi Z DVM or VTVM, you may try the 260 to see if it is different.

[@mikesradiorepair]

By the way, do you want an old can cap to rebuild and install in this. I have a 55 drum that's near full of old used caps I have removed and are bound for the recycle yard one day.

[@TheRadioShop]

May need one. This is a three section can. three 20UF at 450 volts. Do not think I have one but need to look.

[@user-vi6lw8dx5f]

Hello, Do you sale the Apache with SSB adapter? Thank you

[@Ziggerzzz]

It's Signal not Single :)

[@TheRadioShop]

Correct, a nasty habit I need to correct.

[@Beretta96Dan]

Hey, Buddy, who did you get to lift it on the counter? No wonder you exhale deep from your nose!

[@TheRadioShop]

Man this thing is a back breaker. Had my son come over to help move it.

[@dennisperusse3837]

Awesome video. Very interested in seeing this series. Good grief, 107 lbs though! That's one heavy beast.

[@TheRadioShop]

Will be fun for sure. If my back can take it lol. Thanks Dennis