Heathkit HW-101 lucky find!

[N3QE]

The HW-101 is a halfway decent radio... but nowhere near new. It had an exceptionally long life in production (spanning from the late 60's (if you count its earlier incarnation) through the 80's.

Perception-wise it's not up there with collectible classic equipment (e.g. Drake, Collins) or with modern rigs. But it's better than average for what the average ham was able to buy in the 60's or early 70's, and with a little TLC it'll last for a few decades more.

If you enjoy tinkering around with tubes, knbos, dials, broken O-ring drive belts, etc., you'll love it. Download the manuals from BAMA and start reading about the rig.

Frequency stability is so-so at best, and the filters not incredibly sharp on receive, but it can work just fine for CW and SSB and even a couple of the less demanding (stability-wise) digital modes.

[N2BIX]

I still have my origional HW 101,I built in the 1970's and it still works even after going through a fire at my house which smoked the hell out of it. The newer rigs (which i also have)just don't do it for me even though they have more features. I love the kerchunk of the relays and the warm glow of the tubes ,and so far as sensitivity goes ,it can hear things my icom 736 does not even know are their! Go figure! I guess i am just old fashioned! I always get good signal reports back on the rig as well!Some day when most of us old guys are gone ,you will be able to tell the Hams of the day how you used to tune your finals , ck your alc etc and probably hear a lot of newer hams who won't know what you mean. Have fun with it!Randy
PS It also comes with human being size knobs!

[SEAGIANT]

Hi,
    Well, I'd like to thank everyone for all the information and opinions for this radio. Most especially Mark that first suggested to throw it away(grin) It seems he got some blood up from the loyal owners of the Hot Water-101 and really got me some good info! Thanks!

[W9PMZ]

what real ham throws anything away?

unless it is auctioned on eBay..........

73,

Carl - W9PMZ

[W4PBU]

What a buy!!!
A few years ago I purchased the same radio,ps & speaker from our ham club but paid quite a bit more.
All like new.
I also got all the original paperwork & manual with it.
I have a had a blast with this rig, it works great and takes me back a few years, love the old tube rigs.
It really becomes a topic of conversation when you put it on the air.
I also have a Heatk SB-102 with all the goodies and it is like new also.
If your rig works you stole it, if not it can be repaired quite easily unlike the solid state stuff.
I use the Shure Brothers 444 mic with my boat anchors and it works well.
Let me know how it all works out, best of luck.
Dave
W4PBU Tampa, FL

[N4ASX]

I know this is one OLD thread, but I started on an HW-101 in 1978 (licensed in 1971, but could not afford HF until later). I recently picked up two HW-101s. One will go to a high school club as a starter for them and the other will stay in my shack.  The HW-101 may not have the ears of my Ten Tec's, or my Kenwood TS-450, but it has great selectivity and puts out over 100 watts. I have also owned Collins and Drake gear, but the HW-101 holds a special place and performance is not too bad.

[K9FON]

I know were there is an old HW 101 and power supply. I might see if i can get it for a song just to have another old rig to play with.