Heathkit HW-101 tube radio CW QSO

We take a look at getting an old 1970's tube transceiver, †he Heathkit HW-101 back on the air and gaze at the beauty of lovely tubes

[@StevenRosenberg]

That's a beautiful radio -- and it looks great inside

[@franciscomolinerpena777]

Gracias por traer a los jóvenes la belleza de nuestros equipos que tanto nos ilusionaron. 73’s

[@CMCSS-to3to]

Claro amigo, soy muy joven pero estoy interesado en apprender el codigo con tiempo. Tengo un video juego que me enseña

[@billryland6199]

My first SSB rig was an HW-100 I built.

[@HamRadioQRP]

Heathkit's assembly manuals were top notch. I'd be interested to know how long it took you to assemble and align your HW-100

[@visitslovenija]

Hah, nice! It does look in great condition, so quite a find. The HW101 was my first ham transceiver way back when. Still have it, so I should dust it off and get it on air once again.

[@HamRadioQRP]

I run my old equipment off a Variac at around 115v to present a more friendly voltage to the tubes than the standard voltage of 122v at my house. I monitor voltage and wattage draw with an electronic meter that captures all sort of metrics. The old HW-101 is the antithesis of my Elecraft KX3 in terms of power efficiency. The KX3 idle draw is millivolts. The HW-101 idles at about 135 watts. Max wattage draw seems to be around 350w transmitting at 100w output. It's a nice room heater. On the other hand the audio out of the HW-101 is smooth and beautiful compared to the screechy KX3. Chasing a stable frequency as the Heathkit's VFO warms up is another blast from the past.

[@visitslovenija]

All that power is no bad thing in a northern winter though! And, yes, I added a home brew huff-and-puff stabiliser to the VFO on mine. Works great.

[@s3bpilot]

Very enjoyable. Thank you for posting.

[@dri50]

That 101 looks really clean inside. Best of luck with it. I've been searching for a HW101 or a SB102. 73's KC3MBK

[@paimg0uut]

wow fantastic great radio

[@tonyturtle5805]

you have a real gem there, nice note!!!!

[@nealdaugherty7110]

I had one of these! It worked good.

[@jstreutker]

MEMORIES! That was the model at my Toronto-area high school's ARC in the early 80s where I learned morse code and did CW with the eastern US states.

[@mirmbloatbust4783]

I love it when I toggled CC on from the video settings during the QSO, only text "[Music]" was shown.

[@PY2FRQ]

Very good Rich, 73 from PY2FRQ

[@frycz66]

Dziękuję, piękny klasyczny filmik. Też mam radia Heathkit HW-12 i HW-8 piękna klasyka. Pozdrawiam serdecznie Robert SP5RF z Polski.

[@jeffdyer2109]

I just want you to know that I really enjoy your videos and blogs. I am currently looking for an old heathkit tube radio and power supply to restore. I've noticed your not as active making videos and blogging I hope all is well. You inspire many people with your hard work. Looking forward to more. Thank You.

[@mike94560]

I built my HW-101 new. Sold it when I went in the Navy. Guy recently sold it back to me for the price of shipping. I restored it. I need a bigger shack to use it. No room.

[@HamRadioQRP]

Yep, it needs some space to radiate heat.

[@jacksaudades5387]

Excellent! !!

[@franklagaet2115]

I need to start my Hot waters up again too...been too long not used ! HW8, HW101 x2 and a SB101. One HW101 is used as amplifier for qrp kits :-)

[@HamRadioQRP]

The HW-101 is a blast to use. Love the beautiful sounds that come from that all tube goodness

[@MatjazKostrevc]

Very nice !

[@jvolstad]

My first modern transceiver was a HW-100 and later I upgraded to the 101.

[@nickmajor2547]

What a beautiful sounding Radio. 😊👍 72 Nick G0HFL

[@warplanner8852]

Rich, many thanks for your CW video efforts! Also appreciate the Wolf code practice review. Picked up the software and it's part of my daily regime. (My CW is rusty but sprucing it up in my retirement.) A recommendation on a rugged, decent DMM would be to look for a Fluke 27/FM on eBay. They were recently kicked loose by the U. S. Army and are reasonably priced. Get the grey ones, NOT the yellow ones and also get one with "27FM" on the front. Those have true RMS for the AC measurement. These will measure up to 1,000 VDC/VAC safely; no futzing with voltage dividers. Keep up the excellent work! de k6whp dit dit

[@HamRadioQRP]

K6WHP, thank you for the DMM recommendation. I went the opposite direction and picked up an old Heathkit VTVM IM-11 for $5.00 at a hamfest. Of course it didn't work when I got it home but I had fun restoring it and now I have a Volt meter capable of measuring voltages from my vintage power supplies. www.hamradioqrp.com/2018/04/metering-high-voltage-on-cheap.html

[@warplanner8852]

@@HamRadioQRP, just dropped back by to see how things are going. Re getting the VTVM, of course you did! Double your fun by repairing your own test equipment! That old circuit has been passed own since the late 50s and still is good today. Great for you and I love your efforts. 72 de k6whp

[@paulinmt2185]

Wow, 599's and a sweet sound! FB OM

[@nealdaugherty7110]

I built it while I was on SAC Alert. Fun times.

[@MoTown44240]

Nice audio sound. Receiver very quiet. Terry KB8AMZ

[@TheAnus1shock]

良いねえ！憧れの世界です。ヒースキット無いなら作るさ！

[@OldF1000]

Well some say real raidos glow in the dark and keep the shack warm ; )

[@gonebamboo4116]

Thanks but now I'm jealous.

[@russpury]

I built one of those in the mid 70s. Loved it until the transformer burnt up. What a stink! Couldn't find a replacement pre Internet search so I sold it. Looks and sounds great. FB N1ILC

[@BruceNitroxpro]

A full restoration would be required of an ancient rig like that to be fair... ala Paul Carlson's "Mr Carlsons Lab" fame on Patreon/KZbin. de KQ2E