So You Want to Build a Heathkit? Unbuilt Too Expensive!

Not my usual Heathkit video. This is my reaction to "Unbuilt Heathkit" listings on EBay for NOS Heathkits with ridiculous asking prices. For some reason, this is particularly the case with tube-based Heathkit audio-related kits. So why not re-create Heathkits as they would have been, but with modern substitute, and reliable, components. Feel free to comment. All are answered.

[@Wizardofgosz]

Heathkit was a big part of my youth because my dad was a HUGE Heathkit guy. From what he says, Heathkit offered a 25" color TV set before any of the big manufacturers, so he built it, and watched the moon landing on it. That set was in our TV room until the picture tube went and dad didn't have time to fix it. He always swore he would fix it, but after enough time had passed he couldn't find a replacement for the picture tube and he junked it. But growing up he built (and I helped build) dozens of their kits. Our entire home stereo was Heathkit, the doorbell, various pieces of test equipment, and I even did their Novice HAM Radio course. He even had a Knight reel-to-reel open-reel tape deck that was in our basement growing up that I played with. It got me interested in recording and it became an obsession, and I ultimately went to school for audio engineering (after studying EE for 2 years at a Junior college). Years later I found an Allied Electronics catalog in the basement and I was able to find the exact model reel-to-reel machine that he had built all those years ago.

[@dtss_smudge]

I would have loved to build a Heathkit color TV back in the day, but it would have represented a significant investment on my parents' part, and they'd have to wait until we finished building it before we could, well, watch TV. There are several KZbinrs who specialize in restoring analog TVs, but oddly, it appears no Heathkit TVs have survived... Thanks for commenting and greetings from a fellow EE.

[@darrelldixon9044]

Back in the 60's and 70's My father was in the Airforce working in Photo Reconnaissance developing film from the SR-71 and U-2 Spy Planes. From '73 to '76 we lived in England where he was stationed at RAF Alconbury. He wanted to to be stationed at Fairchild AFB when we returned to the United States. This required he "Cross-Trained" into Electronics/Avionics, as Fairchild only had a KC-135 Air Refueling Wing, and a B-52 Bomber Squadron. He used many Heathkit Test Equipment Kits to start learning Electronics prior to Avionics Technical School. Towards the end of the time in England he ordered a Heathkit Color Television Kit, and assembled it. I believe it was called a "GR-2000". He ordered the 120V/60HZ version to bring back to the US and use when we returned. This meant it could not be operated or tested until then. I was a small kid and was fascinated watching him build it, and developed my own passion for Electronics. He did not order the console enclosure, and instead chose to build one from Oak Pallet Wood. Unfortunately during transport from England to the United States, the the rear of the CRT Picture Tube was damaged, and he needed to replace it. He did all the Calibrations/Alignments and we used the TV for many years after. I can still remember the circuit boards containing the potentiometer adjustments for the various channels. I become obsessed with Electronics from grade school on, building various Radio Shack kits, and owned many many Radio Shack 100 in 1, 300 in 1 electronic experiment kits and later other similar products. During my 7th grade, I "drooled" over a Heathkit Catalog, and asked for an Analog Breadboard Trainer kit, and Digital Breadboard Trainer Kit which I assembled over the next few day. I also got an "IC Timers" Project Kit, and "Op Amp" Project Kit with them. I soon completed the projects included and took "Continuing Education Units" Tests included and received Heath Kit Certificates for both. Soon after, a friend of my Father gave me an assembled Heathkit Oscilloscope and other Heathkit Test Equipment furthering my passion. Other items he gave me which I still wish I had was a 1940's Heathkit Catalog and Radio Shack Catalog. It was very interesting to see the products from that era. I continued my studies in Electronics and later Computers for the remainder of my Jr.High and High School Education. I took Electronics Class all Junior Year, and during my Senior Year was a "TA" (Teacher's Assistant) at my High School for the Electronics Instructor, and also was accepted into a "Vocational Skills Center" which I traveled to each day and filled 3 of the remaining 5 classes. I was disappointed when I first started attending the Vocation Skills Center, as the topics covered were very basic! The Instructor saw my advanced knowledge and took me aside and said, I will give you the tests for course curriculum and determine where I should begin further study. I took test after test, and occasionally he would help clarify any areas that needed any explanation. after a short time I came in expecting another written test and was told "That's it!, those were all the Test for the 2 year Curriculum!" I was given "Free Range" to explore anything else I wanted, and was given access to "Microprocessor Trainers', A Heathkit Robot, and a Stock Room full of Electronic Parts, Components, Analog and Digital IC's, all donated by Local Technology Businesses. I was like "A Kid in a Candy Store!" Occasionally The Vocational Skills Center would have an "Open House" at night for Parents to attend and see what each of the various programs (Auto Mechanics, Welding, Food Services, Computers, Machining) were working on. During these, the Electronics Program would have several tables setup with the various projects, where the majority were Mine! By Graduation I was well on my way to many years working within the Fields of Electronics, Computers and Networking. My Jobs included, Computer/Network Shop and Field Technician. Data Automation Manager for a Squadron at Fairchild AFB in charge of all Computer, Network, and POS Systems for 32 Facilities including 4 Dining Facilities, 2 Lodging Operations, and other functions. I also was tasked with designing a complete MIS System and Network and getting it implemented, as well as Operations of several Main Frame Computer Systems. I also simultaneously joined the Air National Guard at Fairchild and attended nearly a year of Avionics Technical School, Graduating with a 97.8% Average through the entire School. I returned to work as an Avionics Guidance and Control Technician on the fleet of KC-135 Air Refueling Tankers. I later taught Electronics & Computer/Networking Classes at ITT Technical Institute for 4 Years. Following that I worked as an Electronics Technician for SEL (Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories) Troubleshooting and Repairing sophisticated Microprocessor Controlled Power Generation and Distribution Equipment built there for use throughout our Nation's Power Grid, and in other Countries. This Lifelong Passion was all setoff by the "Spark" resulting from those experiences watching my Father and the "Heathkit" products he built and learned from. I still have vivid memories of the small envelopes and packages containing the components used, and the detailed instructions for assembly. The smell of hot solder and flux as I carefully constructed the kits, and the joy and satisfaction of a fully operational item when completed. I really miss the days of getting the latest Heathkit, and Tandy/Radio Shack Catalogs and flipping each page deciding on what I really wanted to buy next. Going to the local Radio Shack store to buy tools, components, perfboards, for my latest projects....

[@dtss_smudge]

Heathkit did spark our interests in EE, competing, etc. Thanks taking the time to write this.

[@Wizardofgosz]

KC-135s and B-52's. That also sounds a lot like a base I grew up near. Griffiss AFB in Rome NY.

[@dell177]

I built Heathkit, EICO and Knight Kits in the 60's and 70's. I still have 7 of them on my workbench. You saved money and learned a lot building them.

[@dtss_smudge]

And most Heathkit test equipment is still as useful today as it was back then. Even "obsolete" test equipment (IG-57 I'm looking at you) is still useful to those restoring obsolete products. Thanks for the comment.

[@johnwest7993]

I built several Heathkits back in the '60's. They were my entrance into the wonderful world of electronics. I have numerous pieces of Heath gear, both tube and transistor, from power supplies, to test equipment, to ham gear that I've built, picked up from ham swaps, or from friends who have become Silent Keys. Also, my business partner is an old Heath engineer, so I'm deeply involved with Heath. Recently I've considered just building some simple projects based on the Heath schematics themselves as I have a large selection of surplus parts. But to be honest, I'm having fun building custom projects based on things like the (tr)uSDX QRP transceiver, then adding more bands, low-pass and band-pass filters, RF attenuators, RF pre-amps, RF power-amps, battery packs, antenna auto-tuner kits, audio amps, good speaker, SWR meter, large color display, switches, buttons, etc, every mod and feature I've felt like adding based on these building block sub assemblies, and putting it all in one convenient package. I loved Heathkit. Still do. Still maintain and use my Heath gear. But tech marches on. There is more to learn and more to do.

[@dtss_smudge]

Fortunately, Heeathkits are fairly straightforward to refurbish and keep running, and, particularly for amateur radio gear, still as useful today os it was 60 years ago. Thanks for the comment and 73 from a fellow ham.

[@kc0jtl]

My grandfather LCDR Arden Carpenter (K0AWP), was an avid Heathkit builder. He kits from the 1950s through the 1980s of just about everything Heathkit had to offer. He built the first color television and first microwave on the block when my mother was a child. He was an avid radio amateur and build numerous full stations of Heathkit. When I became a ham radio operator, he gave me all of his old equipment and other things he had around. One item was an unbuilt kit from the 1980's. I remember it being some kind poor man's mic booster or something like that. I remember at the time (early 2000's) I questioned if I should build it or keep it unbuilt as it was so rare. I decided to build it because, for people my age, very few can say they ever built an original Heathkit. I made many contacts with my grandpa's old equipment, and when he passed away I applied for his old callsign. Now I am K0AWP. I think about him often, and miss him.

[@dtss_smudge]

Thanks, J.A. I would have loved to build a Heathkit TV. If only he, or I, knew, we'd have stashed a few unbuilt ones in a time capsule (aka attic). We thank your grandpa for building all those kits, as well as for his Naval service. Thank you for sharing a great story, and 73 from a fellow ham

[@dhelton40]

I built one of these in the early 1980s, just before Heath Kit closed. The case was Blue and white and different knobs. It is on my work bench and still functions perfectly.

[@dtss_smudge]

So FYI you have an IP-2728, which is electrically identical to the IP-18 but restyled in what Chuck Penson (who wrote the book on this) defines as Heathkit's "Post New Look" industrial styling. These are great little supplies.

[@ryelor123]

Thought the video said 'healthkit.' Sick at the moment so you got my hopes up only to crush them.

[@dtss_smudge]

Get well soon, and thanks anyway for stopping by and commenting.

[@CameraNut1000]

There is a vintage audio equipment store near me and they have one of the "audiophile" Heathkit receivers. They have a price of $2000 on it.

[@dtss_smudge]

This video was my backhand rant against "audiophiles" willing to pay absurd money for unbuilt(!) amplifiers, looking for that mythical "warm tube sound", thinking that the best audio comes from vintage electrically leaky paper amp-stage-coupling capacitors which will cause the tubes to red-plate and burn your house down....Oh, and thanks for the comment!

[@Wizardofgosz]

I found a Heathkit AA-32 integrated tube amplififer on a stereo forum about 12 years ago for $250 and was happy to pay it. I actually ordered equivalent parts from Mouser but haven't built it yet. One of the pots is locked up and I need to find someone who knows how to fix that before I build it.

[@dtss_smudge]

A drop of penetrating oil to the pot's shaft, followed by patience, ought to free it up. The good news is that most Heathkits have very few parts that are "unobtainium", pots included. Good luck and thanks for commenting.

[@Wizardofgosz]

@@dtss_smudge This is a pot with 2 decks and it is kind of unobtanium in the sense that the two-knob set was designed for this shaft. I've gotten all kinda of advice on how to fix it, but I don't want to damage the carbon traces or anything. Are you sure the oil won't hurt anything if it gets into the pot?

[@Wizardofgosz]

@@dtss_smudge I also did some small PCBs to replace those ceramic covered PECs that are used in the tone control section of the amp.

[@dtss_smudge]

I don't think a very small drop of oil would get to the pot traces or even damage them. KZbinrs routinely spritz WD40 all over their pots. Proper contact cleaner should be able to clean up any excess. Sounds like the pot has nothing to lose by trying. Dual-deck pots with concentric shafts (ie two knobs, each controlling one deck) can be replaced by two pots particularly if one of the controls is rarely adjusted, but you're right that an original pot would likely have to come from a donor rig.

[@markhodgson2348]

Please inform me about your availability for public speaking

[@dtss_smudge]

I can be DM'd for comments irrelevant to content.