Heathkit HW-101 - full restoration #1

** Yes, I do repairs on certain Heathkit rigs. Reach out to me directly: willeverett1 (at) gmail.com. Check out my website N5OLA.com for touch-up paint and other helpful stuff for the Heathkit restorer.
This is a quick and dirty run-through of a full restoration of this classic transceiver. I'll go through initial inspection through the various testing processes, final alignment and getting it on the air. This is geared toward hams with basic troubleshooting skills and a decent amount of patience, as these rigs can at times present a Gordian knot to unravel. This rig turned out to be well worth the effort, with fairly usual challenges and rock-solid output in the end.
I won't be using any complex testing equipment in this restoration, just a soldering iron, multimeter, old-school multimeter, an RF probe and a frequency counter. (The manual presents workarounds so that the latter three aren't absolutely necessary, but they make life easier.)
Errata: The meter is referred to in the video as a VTVM - actually it's a solid state multimeter. Old habits die hard. Also, as viewers have noted, the soldering iron is Japanese, not Chinese.
I don't often check the comment section on this video, but feel free to reach out via my email in QRZ. I do repair/restore HW-101s on spec, provided it's not a total basket case. Get in touch for more info.
Links:
HW-101 full manual (searchable): nebula.wsimg.c...
HW-101 service bulletins (searchable): nebula.wsimg.c...
HW-101 Resistors - quick reference: nebula.wsimg.c...
No endorsement is made nor implied to any commercial products referenced in this episode.

[@markusm.lambers8893]

Good evening! For a +50 year old HAM-radio, it is looking more than good! This is nearly a perfect restauration! Nothing else to say more! This is more than a perfect work! I can see the love, you took into the old rigs, ... ! I enjoyed to see, the radio comming to work again, ... after a long period of standing still! What a loveley and rewarding craftman-ship, you put in the rig. Absolutly stunning work and efforts, you placed inside that old radio! - I raised my hat to the master! - And this is not a 'phrase' that I used often, ... you could beleave in me, ... ! Love this/your videos! If I made any mistakes in my writing or spelling, please be aware, that English is not my native tounge. Please apologies my faults. Take care of you and good luck for the future! Go on, with this special kind of 'labour-work', for the old, but very beautiful radios! (Hi Hi ! ! !) - It reminds me, building my very first 'tube-radio' in 1974, as an 12 year old boy, only having a 'copy of an shematic', of a 'good- known working 0-V-2',(developed for a 'self- study- course', of a German non- profit- amateur-radio society.) equiped with two ECC81 (12AX25 ; I think this may be the US-name, for the tubes that I used!) made on a 'self-etched printed circuit' board. What a luxury 'gem' ! It was a real cool and very good working regenerative tube radio, with only a small number of parts, going from long wave, over medium wave, up to 10m HAM- band. It could 'demodulate' AM and also SSB/CW, with only the regenerative circuit inside! It was a 'hot' receiver, with a good selectivity, ... only using the feedback- knob, the volume and the tuning- dial, as 'adjustable and playable parts', onto this small radio. It used plug-in coils, for each HAM-radio or BC-band, ... ! But it works like a charme, I never see during my 'whole electronic carriere', any more. This '0V2- receiver' still exist, and is in a very good and working condition, even today! I often listen to '80m- rounds' in the late evening, and often enjoyed, 'band- openings' to the to the 'west- side of the USA', in the 'breaking morning'- time! (Grayline-DX! So sad that it is only a 'receiver', not a transceiver, ... ! Hi Hi ! ! ! ) - 1989, I made my amateur-radio license (db9pz) and never give up, that hobby, until now, ... ! Maybe, we can meet on the QRG, sometimes! 73 de Markus - db9pz - LOC: JN39fq - 5km/3miles east of LX !

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

I remember the days "long ago" sending CW with the HW-101, good memories.

[@W1RMD]

Didn't know you were a CW man. Cool! My grandfather used CW in Hawaii in WW2. He wasn't a ham, but he did help me study for my CW test back when I was getting my novice license back in 1993.

[@N5OLA]

Wow, the master himself! I've enjoyed many of your "will it work?" videos. One day I hope to build your magic probe. :)

[@brental1]

Great video. Brought back lots of memories. After my FIL, who had used Morse as a railroad operator and dispatcher earlier in his career, retired he got into ham radio. I found one of these, partially assembled, on a bulletin board in a Radio Shack store in Newark, OH in early 80s. I bought it and took it to a Heathkit store, as I recall, in Columbus, OH. They completed the assembly and did all the calibration/adjustment. My FIL used it for at least 10 years. After my FIL passed, I gave this unit, and all his other ham equipment to his neighbor. How I wish I would have kept it! BTW, I have a Heathkit FET-VM which has the same meter as the VTVM you used

[@williamralph5442]

This was the first rig I built. I took my time and double checked every step. The rig didn’t work. I was so disappointed. Back in the day Heath Kit stores were plentiful. So I dropped off the rig, and got it back in 3 weeks. The rig had some bad parts, not my fault. I loved that rig. Thanks for posting. ‘73 Wa1evz.

[@W1RMD]

What a nice condition this rig is in! The lazy Susan is a EXCELLENT idea for working on these "boat anchors"!

[@Dogsnark]

I’m not a techie - just a guy who put together a few Heathkits back in the day. This brings back lots of memories of those days. Really fun to see one of these rigs that I remember lusting after (but was never able to afford) brought back to life.

[@donepearce]

Please use compressed air to blow out most of the water before you start heating. Tap water contains a lot of minerals that will stay behing after evaporation.

[@ydonl]

Thanks for this, sir! It did my heart good to see the thing in the sink, and then all soaped up. The first time I heard of such things, it was about Tektronix cleaning oscilloscopes this way when they'd come in for service. If you come from a more timid background, it's an eye-opener!

[@johnhere59]

In High School I built this radio for my Electronics class, my teacher was a old USMC radioman and was spot on.

[@rogercowan1703]

excellent video, Will. This is exactly how I have restored 15 HW-101's in the past 2 years. Keep up the good work because these rigs are still good radios and we need to keep them on the air.

[@N5OLA]

Agreed, Roger. Thanks!

[@andrewford2783]

​@@N5OLA p0flf LP 0y

[@Larry-AK0Z]

Roger, roger.

[@KenBergquist]

I really enjoyed this. My dad WA2YEJ (SK) ran a 101 for the longest time. Great memories, many thanks. I had to lol every time you called the IM-16 a VTVM when it says 'solid state' on the front panel. You said it with such conviction, it just got funnier each time.

[@N5OLA]

Yeah, duh. Was using a stand-in for my VTVM and it's a hard habit to break.

[@etienneguyot9069]

Nice job on this piece that is emblematic of Heathkit. 73 from France.

[@f.bowling6527]

This video is outstanding! Thank you for doing something at a level that every beginner can understand.

[@bloodwashed5550]

did you sell it?

[@radio-ged4626]

Hmm... 🤔 I thought if there was no gator or a very faint gator on the tube that meant that the tube was almost spent? Great receiver, I really like the style of it. Heathkit stuff is always interesting to me.

[@N5OLA]

Some tubes have no getter because they are graphite based. Getter buildup never goes away, as far as I know, even when the tube is spent.

[@ivokaravanic139]

bravo

[@mikkorintala2969]

Can you really wash with soap and water? How long do you have to let it dry before turning on the power?

[@N5OLA]

20 mins in the oven, let sit another 20 mins, then put it in the sun for a day, or a heat lamp. To be on the safe side, allow 2 days' drying.

[@johnkemas7344]

I'm in the process of doing one of these right now. Lots of fun! Mine had similar problems to yours. Power supply needed completely rebuilt and bought a 3rd party kit that made the process simple. My cabinet is in good physical condition but badly faded. A repaint job with a coat of Hunter Green from Home Depot made her look like new. Face was in good shape and just needed cleaned. Great rig. I've got find the crystal filters though. Great restore video, thanks! I've never tried the warm soapy water clean, makes me cringe but I know it works. Big fan of the DE-Oxit products too. W3BUW

[@grahamstevenson1740]

All electrolytic capacitors have paper separators/dielectric AUI, that absorbs the electrolyte and keeps it in place between the aluminium anode and cathode foils. In some esoteric audio capacitors, silk is substituted for the paper.

[@w9gb]

Hakko is a Japanese company. The Chinese (mainland) have spent the past 20 years copying (cloning/stealing) their designs. The Chinese can not build the Ceramic heaters (Japan spent $1 billion in early 1990s perfecting ceramic technology for auto industry).

[@N5OLA]

Thank you, I stand corrected. Good to know.

[@hunt555fish]

Will I have seen you restore a couple HealthKit HP23’s and I wonder which kit you would recommend.They both looked great but which is your favorite? Ron NB3W

[@dalependleton6420]

Very impressive restoration. You are a master craftsman.

[@jimgiordano8218]

I enjoyed your video. I am working on a HW-100 that has both filter's installed, they must have been an option because the face plate is not silk screened with the "SSB and CW" positions. I'm also rebuilding the HP-23 power supply to go with it.

[@tim2140-c7z]

Awesome video! I am an aspiring Ham ... (studying) I recently acquired one of these radios. Same scenario ... dont know anything about it. Didn't know where to start, but now I think I do!

[@TechEwolfStuff]

would love to see more about the alignment process with the HW-101. I have a stubborn sb-102 that needs alignment and neutralzing, as there RF when in tune but without any LEVEL on it.

[@ATOMSHAMRADIO]

Really cool. This is were radio is at this is going to be fun😀 it needs a recapping for sure awesome find

[@NebukedNezzer]

35 years ago I was at a neighborhood garage sale. bought one of these with power supply lots of extra stuff for 20 bucks. mine has the cw filter. I put dial cords and springs in to replace the rubber bands. the radio worked great. its been on the storage self ever since.

[@tedrobinson372]

These days, you can find a good working oscilloscope for less than you paid for this rig. Likewise with good test equipment. You can buy the best stuff now for next to nothing. There is no point trying to dabble with this stuff without some decent test equipment.

[@KennethScharf]

That extra wire could have been installed by the former owner if he also has a Heath monitor scope. Then the wire might have been mentioned in the manual for the monitor scope.

[@scottb5662]

You're a good tech and I think the builder of that '101 did a good job too. So cool.

[@petertyrrell6690]

A great, very helpful video. Thank you.

[@tennesseered586]

I'd recommend a final rinse of distilled water. Good video, tnx and 73.

[@soundbwoikilla764]

We worry about our phones getting wet but here you are scrubbing those circuit boards like giving your dog a bath

[@mauriciosinigaglia4761]

Absolutily good.

[@giovannicaracuta3002]

Old radios are like old radio amateurs! They must be honored! You did this. COMPLIMENTS. (i7iwn)

[@mikefinn2101]

Great video and I learned a lot as I have one which I should go thru as it has been so long since I built it in 40yrs ago forgot a lot. Still works but I am so happy Will you took a great time going over this I deeply appreciate your video thanks Mike 73s wb7qxu

[@russellsher3703]

Lovely job. I like rinse and repeat cleaning method 😅

[@RichardLemieux-xb2ru]

Very nice work! I have just started working on an SB-102 which is very much the same radio. I am working with little test equipment. I have DMM and oscilloscope but no VTVM or tube tester so I am in for some workarounds. I would like a searchable manual for the 102 but the links you have only to the manuals for the HW-101. Do you have a general link to other manuals? Thanks for the video, it going to be a big help to me.

[@N5OLA]

Haven't seen a searchable SB-102 manual, but PDFs are available online.

[@tubeDude48]

For POTs, you should use *DeoxIT Fader F5* That's what it's made for, NOT Gold!

[@towerman75]

Great restoration, and noticed that you are not a stranger to HW-101 radios. First store bought rigs were Heathkit SB-401 and the SB-303. Built both myself and was a pleasure. Hope to see more of your videos in the future.

[@DucatiMTS1200]

I've pulled back four FT101's from the brink over the past 3 years. Old rigs are just so much fun to get going again. I get such a kick out of overcoming our throw away world. Great video and these videos take quite an effort also. Keep up the good work. 73 de GI8WFA.

[@Chris_Grossman]

This is an excellent video. Clearly you have done this many times before. Thank you.

[@vinceherried497]

Just started watching. This was my first HF transceiver. It took about 20 minutes for the frequency to stabilize. Mine worked fine after I finished building it.

[@wecontrolthevideo]

Great restoration! I built one when I was 18. I got half way through and I stopped and it got put away in the closet for another day. I got distracted by college, cars, girls (not in that order!) and it took me about a year before I pulled it out and finished assembling it. I was totally amazed that the first time I turned it on, it came to life, 20M alignment was already close enough to hear plenty of activity before I did the total alignment. I used it for about 10 years before trading it and then getting brand new TenTec Omni D, one of the early all solid state rigs. I don’t know if I will pick up another HW-101, but your guidance in this video will certainly guide me if I do. 73 Dave K7DR.

[@N5OLA]

thank you, and I hope you find another 101, they're such fun.

[@jerryfox3731]

Thank you for this video. I really enjoyed watching you go through this radio. it has given me a lot of new tools to work with in doing things. You instruction was great. Jerry Fox

[@jstreutker]

This is the radio my high school electronics teacher had in the radio room in the early 80s at the rear of his shop classroom. I operated 40m CW only on it for many hours during class while he concentrated on the slower students. He never let me do any voice work, to limit distractions. He had some students build it a couple of years before I came on scene and he never let me take the cover off. So I really enjoyed watching this.

[@Maria-EstherEsparza]

Why didn’t you use distilled water to final rinse?

[@cwguy8960]

That is BEAUTIFUL!! Sounds great, too! I have a set of Heathkit Twins I'll restore sometime, but I do use them on the air today. That looked like a fun, very worthwhile project, and those rigs are a blast to operate too. I worked you on 40M a few months ago - I wonder if your HW-16 had been refurbished as well. Very nice video - I watched the entire hour-plus! 👍👍/ N0DET

[@N5OLA]

Good to hear from you! Yes, that HW-16 was refurbished like this one, except a total teardown and reubuild. 73!

[@Echapm40]

Thanks for this video. I have an HW-101 that needs work. The AVC is really flakey. I am going to measure the resistors and see what I need to do. Any hints on the AVC?

[@N5OLA]

Do you have a searchable PDF? There's one in the video description. I'd download that and look at the circuit description of the AVC in the back of the manual and analyze everything in that particular circuit. Check out the resistor PDF I uploaded as well and check them all if you haven't already. Good luck!

[@Echapm40]

@@N5OLA OK did that. Thanks again

[@coreyprocyk9078]

I had the same one that a friend of mine found it and gave me, but I didn’t have the power supply, I was in the midst of trying to build a power supply for it, until my old landlord evicted me illegally and probably sold it to someone else, which I am quite upset about it.

[@mauriciosinigaglia4761]

A lot of heathkit stuff to restore. More please.

[@mikebanker5098]

Not complaining just an idea

[@jimw7ry]

Great video Will... Why do I get the feeling that I'm watching and listening to Bob Ross... The famous painter that was on public television.... LOL 73, Jim W7RY

[@N5OLA]

Funny! 73

[@holgers5216]

good job, btw, Hakko is Japanese, not Chinese

[@jmcarp0]

Its a beautiful radio. Thank you!

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

I'd rather use a whole can of electronics cleaner, than wash with water ...

[@MrGigi-dz9cv]

You need to take account, that paint fades overtime.

[@zbyszekpodchmielony2642]

of course ! 👍👍👍 water penetrates the elements and over time "will return with the problem" Best 73!

[@rustybus66]

Hey, will love your videos . Quick question, it may due to me being cheap . But what is a good price range to buy these hw101 and 100 and the like .

[@N5OLA]

Belated reply ... really depends on where you find them. At a swapmeet, $75. On eBay, $150. But it really depends on the condx and whether it has tubes, CW filter, etc. Fully restored $375.

[@jimw7ry]

You did not show how to clean up and lube the Jackson Brothers drive... :( 73, Jim W7RY

[@N5OLA]

Yep, I do have to leave out some of the details, just gets to be too much info. And I record on a phone, so can't work and record at the same time without major contortions.

[@mikebanker5098]

I'm confused you tell us what to do but no visual of any work being done. How do you adjust the voltage. How do you remove the capacitor. Most of it is common sense but really not a tutorial more like a what I did😊

[@N5OLA]

Yeah, I leave out some of the details, sorry. I record with a phone and can't hold it and work at the same time.

[@darrylwmurphy738]

That color is Turquoise

[@markwillmer5799]

Brilliant well done from down under AU

[@BobN.WB1EVU]

This was timely as I've rebuilt the power supply and now I'm starting on the 101. What did you do for the belts?

[@N5OLA]

Ebay. I can send you a set for $10 shipped.

[@blackknight1397]

Very nice work

[@davidhollfelder9940]

“Band On The Run”

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

That’s nuts!

[@97Boston]

Hey Will, Great restore video. Had a chance to pick up a Hot Water 101 but it was a nicotine box. I had just dealt w/ a Tempo One nicotine box, gave it the dish washer treatment. Then a week in a box in the sun, to much skepticism. I passed on the 101. A lot of your methods can be applied to many vintage rigs. Thanks 73 de 97

[@joemazza1011]

Well this video is really helpful thank you. I've been getting into electronics I bought this Heathkit GW 21 and put new capacitors and it's got great audio and works pretty good and all the carbon resistors our original should I just leave it be I haven't checked them it is an old walkie-talkie the carbon resistors look okay I have not tested them should I just leave it be you think. If not could I actually test them answer key it's not a tube type.

[@N5OLA]

It's a walkie-talkie. If it works fine, I would just use it and enjoy.

[@joemazza1011]

Yeah it seems to work pretty good I pick a lot of skip up on it they use it once in awhile I have a lot of old vintage 1960s walkie talkies that I recap they all seem to work pretty good after that I enjoy listening to skip on the radio but I want to start getting into tube type vintage radios

[@SkyWire88]

That clamp you found is sometimes called a speed-nut. They're not real strong, but they go in difficult locations very easily. I'd forgotten if any come with the HW-101 kit. There are a couple types. Very nice video --- 5 Star fun. 😅

[@JeffreyGroves]

1975? Did you mean 1965?

[@N5OLA]

Not sure what you're referring to. The HW-101 was first released in 1970.

[@robertwilliamleembruggen5847]

Yes! You're doing it right. I get great results from Simple-Green. I also soak screws, washers, nuts and knobs. A 50/50 mix gets it done.

[@migalito1955]

Nice Heathkit. Well done video too. 73 from kc2wvb and I am inspired to fire up a TxRx which has not seen a volt in a few years.

[@MotownRadio]

Nice work! I'm doing one myself. Had to pull the IF board to repair some lifted traces and a real butcher job on a swapped resistor.

[@MotownRadio]

IF board completely recapped and nearly all resistors changed. Repaired lifted trace. Just got it back together tonight and receiving great. Jackson drives are shot, have two on order!

[@N5OLA]

Hope it all came together. 73

[@johnhelt5475]

Very nicely done!

[@Neptun78rus]

good job!

[@d.jensen5153]

Wish I could find a loving home for my Tempo 2020. It deserves more care than it's getting.

[@ATOMSHAMRADIO]

I didn't know you can wash a radio that came out great i ever get another boat anchor i will try it

[@ATOMSHAMRADIO]

Looks great😮

[@ATOMSHAMRADIO]

That one tube went to air from the crack in it

[@Larry-AK0Z]

I leave my all tube radio's on all the time. No problems. What do you do?

[@N5OLA]

I turn them on when needed, allow 20 min warmup.

[@Larry-AK0Z]

@@N5OLA Copy that, thanks!

[@alvinrussell9747]

nice job i have a hw-32 i going to make over. i have a lot of heathkits of all kinds.

[@vinceherried497]

I had no RF probe or service builtin.

[@tolkienfan1972]

My Dad had one that looked exactly like that. Wish I still had it

[@LordCarpenter]

Nicely done! Totally fascinating.

[@vanhetgoor]

Cleaning an iPhone with a brush.

[@F_Tim1961]

I'm surprised that this 100 W out (say 220 W in ) rig does not have a massive HV transformer to go with it. Perhaps there is a power supply in a separate box that you don't mention. I take it the output tubes are in that LHS ventilated box. It's interesting how Heathkit used PCBs with valves. This was done on a lot of TV sets too for a time - the main issue is heat conduction down from the tubes and subsequent lifting of the PCB traces. However, a PCB makes it a lot harder to make wiring errors if it has a component layout.

[@N5OLA]

Yes, it has a separate power supply .

[@paultomlinson528]

Beautiful work and fun

[@williamogilvie6909]

Looks brand new!

[@jonka1]

I've been around a long time but I have never heard of Geranium diodes before. Do you know where I can get some?

[@N5OLA]

Use Schottky equivalents. Germaniums are obsolete.

[@markratner4445]

I have a bunch of heathkits like this in better condition. Where do you sell them? I live in AZ

[@N5OLA]

I sell them on QRZ.

[@n9zro]

Why would you not use spray electronics (tuner)cleaner on the board ?

[@N5OLA]

You could. Many roads lead to Rome. For me, a good sink scrub does the job.

[@w9akwqsl]

DID YOU DO THE VFO REBUILD???

[@N5OLA]

Yes sir.

[@darrylwmurphy738]

Cleaning a circuit board with soap n water will remove dirt n grime. An use a toothbrush and scrub the board but not aggressively. An rinse with water, simply let the system Air dry or use a hair dryer.

[@coldinspringfield7571]

you should have just painted the whole cabinet

[@Maria-EstherEsparza]

Excellent work, BTW. Very thorough and proper. -Kudos