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| Reviews Summary for Heath Apache TX-1 |
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Reviews: 6
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Average rating: 4.5/5
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MSRP: $Unknown
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Description: A.M.& C.W. Amateur transmitter. Single Sideband operation with optional SB-10 adapter. Power input= 150 watts phone A.M.,180 watts C.W., 500 watts P.E.P. on S.S.B.-- Sold as a kit in 1959.
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Product is not in production.
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More info: http://
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write your own review of the Heath Apache TX-1.
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W8ZNX
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 29, 2007 11:25
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a great CW transmitter
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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have owned and used my Apache
for over 18 years
in this class of am/cw transmitter
the Heathkit Apache
is the best bang for your buck
the Apache
has first rate communication quality audio
the kind of audio you want
when the band is not so hot
never been much intrested
in running or listening to east coast audio
most of all
it is one of the best tube cw transmitters
in its pwr and price class ive ever used
if i was to own only one am/cw tube transmitter
in the 75 to 175 watt range it would be
a Heathkit Apache
dit dit Mac
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W5RKL
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 8, 2006 09:21
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Great AM Boatanchor Transmitter
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've owned my Apache TX-1 for 2 years. Although it's very heavy, I find that to be a small price to pay for an excellent and reliable 1959 AM/CW transmitter. A stock Apache will not have the nice low and mid range audio. I have modified a few Apaches to improve the transmit audio. The modification were not the simple change out of the interstage capacitors. Although that will improve the audio somewhat, the entire audio section has to be changed. The 12AX7, 6AL5 and the small round filter is removed and the remaining 12AU7, 12BY7 and secondary of the modulation transformer has to be changed. Doing so will greatly improve the transmit audio and eliminate the stock "Scratchy Apache" audio.
If you have the opportunity to pick up one of these fine transmitters, don't pass it up. With a little work by yourself or by someone who really knows what they are doing around an Apache, you will end up with an excellent, great sounding transmit audio and very reliable transmitter.
If you pick up an Apache and want it modified, just let me know, I can help you.
73's
Mike
W5RKL
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KQ6IG
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Rating: 3/5
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Jul 27, 2005 17:44
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Big Heavy Radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I owned a TX-1 that someone gave me for several years. Mine had an open audio driver transformer primary. I was lucky enough to find a replacement from a fellow on a boatanchor newsgroup. The tX is built tough, and heavy. Real battleship construction. It also uses real hi-fi 6CA7 tubes in the modulator.
What I did not like was the poor audio quality. Don't be fooled by "old radio folklore". This transmitter will never come close to "broadcast quality" unless you rip out, and rebuild the audio section.
However, it is a perfectly useable effective AM/CW rig. Costs less than many comporable non-Heathkit transmitter too. If you're considering a Valiant, but can't afford the rediculously ballooning prices, an Apache will do just fine, with close to comporable performance.
73 KQ6IG
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K1LNL
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Rating: 5/5
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May 18, 2005 11:33
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Still fun and heavier than ever
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The Apache was my first HF transmitter, built at age 16 in 1961. Put it in the closet in 1970 when I went into the Army. Pulled it out of the closet about 4 years ago after 30 years of non-use, cleaned all the dust out, replaced all the big caps to get rid of a wicked buzz on the output cw note, and it worked.
Mine had a very stiff bandswitch in the VFO, the one that is turned by a complex linkage that I wonder how it ever worked. Removed it and tinkered with it to loosen it up, replaced and now switches fine, still wonder how.
I had a nasty difference in output Cw sound between Xtal and VFO. After tinkering a bit I finally tried the obvious and replaced the 6AU6 VFO tube, with a 6AU6A, completely solved it. I suspected voltage regulation, but was surprised it was just the tube.
I have been using it regularly on 20m cw with a Heath HD-1410 keyer and an SB-303, got both on ebay and also restored them quite a bit. I am getting a pretty stiff HV and 180 W input and 142 W output on CW.
Got sick of listening to the fan and since I've seen plenty of other rigs using two 6146's and no fan, I added a switch on a bracket I attached to the VFO cage. Trying it like that now - much quieter. I assume I'll need to switch the fan back on for AM.
I'll try it on AM with my D-104 soon.
The Apache is a big old heavy, unnecesarily complex mechanically boat anchor. But I love to use it just as much as in the 1960's. I hope somebody wants it when I'm gone. 73's Carl
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AA1ZO
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Rating: 5/5
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May 24, 2004 12:44
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Great Boat Anckor!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is a great transmitter. 100 Watts of plate modulation. Nothing like it. People tell me that it really sounds good on the air. I've had to do some work to it when I first got it. I enjoyed working on it and getting it on the air. It is heavy however. It weighs in at 107 pounds. If you match this up with a good Astatic D-104 microphonium, you too will come close to that broadcash sound! If you want a good plate modulated AM rig this is the one.
73's
Clint
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WB5OAU
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 18, 2004 21:41
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Great workhorse
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought mine from a Goodwill store, and fixed the fault which caused it to have never ever worked correctly. I can't imagine the feeling of having put together this complex piece of gear (mechanically, not electrically) and have it spit sparks and smoke. I felt good actually getting it on the air for the first time in its 40+ years.
Great rig, very dependable. The "scratchy" moniker comes more from the rhyme with "apache" than for its audio characteristics. Lots of modulator audio and nice Chicago/UTC iron. Great rig, and cheap to boot. Match it up with the Mohawk and it's a handsome station. Buy a truss, or some BenGay prior to lifting it. A classic, heavy, reliable rig. I've owned mine 10 yrs.
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