The Heathkit GR-78 General Coverage Receiver

In this video we look at the Heathkit GR-78 General Coverage Receiver. I cover the history of the radio, it's features, and take a look at it inside and out. I discuss the restoration of this particular unit and demonstrate it being operated.

[@bobclarie]

Your videos are taking me back in time, and renewing my enthusiasm in radios that I grew up with. I built many Heathkits. Jeff, Thanks for taking us back down memory lane. '73 Bob

[@barryf5479]

Same here. I started out building Heathkits in 1969. I'm about to put up a new antenna and start getting in to shortwave and ham radio again thanks to the motivation Jeff has given me. Heathkits (and ham radio) gave me so much enjoyment throughout the years but I've been off the air since 1992.

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

great radio and great video. 73.

[@BrightBlueJim]

Ah. I came here to see how big this radio is, and it was helpful seeing you operate the radio, but I didn't really get a sense of the size until the very end, seeing it bookended by the Mohican and what I guess is a SW-717.

[@grillsandaxlegrease3578]

I have two of these. One just like this and another more green one with a few mods such as the vernier dial. I love to use it for general portable use.

[@greggaieck4808]

Jeff tranter your Hathkit gr_ 78 general covelagl receiver is cool my hobbys are painting pictures and lisining to shortwave and ssb iam thinking about getting my ham license I have 4 shortwave receivers me and my cousin are going to a Swap meet June 5th 2022 Sunday morning at 8 am in Milwaukee

[@Hunkiralyfi]

It has good sound quality!

[@DavidGillooly]

That is a nice review. I remember looking at this radio in the Heathkit catalog when I was very very young. It looks like it was in pretty good shape. I am restorimg an old Knight Kit StarRoamer SW receiver myself. Did you have to clean the "slide rule" type display? It looks like it is shiny and like new in the video even at 720 p resolution.

[@chriskillingsworth6435]

I built this radio, and loved its looks. I wasn't impressed with its performance though. I was heavy and solid, yet portable.

[@donholdaway2819]

Jeff, The content of your videos is very good, however, your lighting could be improved, especially for the top portion of the screen. I have most of the Heathkit Shortwave receivers. I think I have 4 to go to complete my collection. I consider the amateur radios in a different class, so don't attempt to collect those. I have lots of fun listening to these low end radios, Heath and others like Allied, and seeing how well they can receive. I also enjoy building my own sets, and would love to correspond to folks with similar interests. Regards, Don H.

[@Moejoe69]

Where do you buy parts for this GR-78. I need the whip antenna.

[@BrokebackBob]

Jeff, is that BNC connector something that was added? Also, the knob for the audio volume is a replacement. Even though I am a very experienced Heath builder, that unit looks like it would be a bear to build. That modular "shaft through the boards" seems to assume the unit will never need board-level service of the boards that the shaft goes through. By the way, I very much enjoy all of your videos, just really excellent!

[@dirtfarmer69]

i built one... that other antenna port is a add on... not in or addressed in the kit.

[@greggaieck4808]

Jeff tranter my other hobby is lisn to music records and CDs and fmstreo on my Yamaha reciver

[@jefftranter]

I checked the assembly manual and the BNC connector is not original. Someone (not me) added it some time in the past.

[@jethrobodine9299]

129.00 was alot of money back in the day.

[@sarjim4381]

I assume you mean band F is 18-30 MHz, not 18-20?

[@itspabs]

Do you know what kind of transformers does it used?

[@jefftranter]

It is a custom power transformer, unique to this radio, Heathkit part number 54-226. A reference I found listed it as 120/220V primary and 6V @ 50 mA secondary. You should be be able to find a similar transformer with approximately 6VAC output and a current rating of at least 50 mA.

[@itspabs]

@@jefftranter thank you 🙏

[@valeriubalineanu1235]

Ok

[@shaneoneill4203]

play the damn things what talking about it