Heathkit HW-7 & HW-8 - a Few Restoration Hints

[@twohandsandaradio]

I really enjoyed this. I don't know a thing of what I watched but it was enjoyable to watch from beginning to end. 73 Sir!

[@n8nkqrp595]

thank you :)

[@markg6jvy135]

Dropping some knowledge bombs here 👍👏👏

[@KX4UL]

Excellent! Thanks for doing this video Chuck. We left Florida yesterday so we are now in Tennessee. It will be a few weeks before I can work on my HW-8. Take care my friend!

[@n8nkqrp595]

Oh no.. I've lost you for a few weeks. lol. Moving is a NIGHTMARE! Sorry to say this- but better you than me! Don't rush settling in. When Kyle and I moved here 3 years ago, it took me a full 3 months before half the boxes were put away.. and a year before the last one was opened and stored. When you work on your HW-8, any questions at all and you can email or call me. I dearly love troubleshooting simple QRP transceivers. Be well, and easy there soldier.. you've got a big job ahead of you. 73 OM :)

[@FjHenderson]

Love it. I bought a small can of deoxit and sprayed some tuning knobs on my amplifier that were stiff to turn. I was extremely hesitant about doing it, I had never used it before and didn't want to ruin my amplifier. I eventually got inside and cleaned up the knobs from the inside and was careful about cleaning up the extra liquid, in that it didn't evaporate like others I've used and the knobs turn sweet now. Was really impressed by the product. But the naphtha and other chemicals work to. Have a great day stay safe and healthy.

[@n8nkqrp595]

Yep, that stuff is amazing. You can even get it in liquid form. One thing about it is that it has an ideal lubricant added, and just the right amount. Like you said, it not only de-oxides contacts, but it lubricates as well.. and frees up sticky pots perfectly. Thanks for watching and for your comment! :)

[@danishnative9555]

Potato Slicer endpoints are a common overlooked issue on a lot old old gear. It's a rotating mechanical electrical contact. Good you pointed that out.

[@jeffdyer2393]

Hey have you ever restored a hot water 101? I came across 2 of them and I want to restore at least one of them. I think it's going to be more then I anticipated.

[@n8nkqrp595]

Hey Jeff. No, but I've restored my SB-101, which is electically identical, all except for the VFO, or what Heath calls the 'Linear Master Oscillator'. It's an assembly in your radio that came from Heath assembled and aligned. Only other big difference is your dial.. 5 KHz markings as opposed to my 1 KHz. There are a few other subtle differences.. like with it's metering.. but that's about it. You can handle 98% of the problems you're likely to encounter with the help of YT vids. There are some really good ones.. especially on the HW-101 because it was far more popular than the SB. If you have any troubles you can email me or call if you like. Good luck :)

[@georgealbertacanadaeh1038]

hello, I came across one of these units which I have now. it came with a small external board that seems to connect to the back of the unit, it has a selective turning know on the board with three position have no idea what it is or what it does? But anyway when I first powered the unit up it worked great! then after about 1 hour the unit went dead? Have been checking voltages according to the original schematic and cannot see any problem. Looking at the board it looks like it has been sitting in a garage or somwhere, I can see the transistor legs appear rusty and the board is very dirty. (anything I can use to clean up the board?) So anyway I was excited when I first powered it up and heard signals coming in, I did not transmit just tuned into bands but ten it just died? Any elp or suggestions would be helpful as I would love to restore this kit. Thanks, George from Alberta Canada. Electronics hobbyist. Amateur radio student at this time.

[@StuartM0TTQAmateurRadio]

I was trying to read the date on the sticker on the chassis on the HW-8. Did it say 1977?

[@charlesmarlett6856]

Awesome video. Thank you! Chuck - WB9ZDS