|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
| Reviews Summary for Heathkit HD-1410, circa 1975 |
|
You can
write your own review of the Heathkit HD-1410, circa 1975.
|
WD8PNL
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Apr 8, 2008 20:22
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Extreme Versatility
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
Many other folks have mentioned the versatility of operational convenience of the HD-1410. I'll mention its electrical versatility.
The HD-1410 is extremely versatile in two aspects: variety of power sources, and key line accommodation. It may obtain power from three different sources: 12 VDC, 120 VAC, or 240 VAC. Its key line output is bipolar and, consequently, accommodates positive polarity key lines (e.g., keying of solid state circuits, or cathode keying of vacuum tube circuits) as well as negative polarity key lines (e.g., blocked-grid keying of vacuum tube circuits). In regard to use with vacuum tube circuits, the keyer output specifications (especially maximum current rating) can be made more robust by replacing three transistors with modern devices of greater ratings: replace Q5 with an NTE288 transistor (PNP), and replace Q6 and Q7 with a pair of NTE287 transistors (NPN). The NTE288 and NTE287 replacement transistors are rated at 300 Volt, 500 mA, 625 mWatt.
I own two HD-1410 keyers and I've set their transformer primary straps differently: one is strapped for 120 VAC power, and the other is strapped for 240 VAC power.
Although Heathkit products always provide first-rate electronics, Heathkit products generally have second-rate mechanics. The mechanics of the paddles is second-rate and this is the reason why I rate the HD-1410 keyer at 4 rather than at 5.
|
|
N3QE
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 20, 2008 12:06
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Solid keyer, few gotchas
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I built one of these in Junior High. And still use it today, nearly 30 years later. It's a shame that the eham reviewing system only has a button for "more than 12 months" when in this case I need a button for "more than a quarter century".
Really, really solid feel with the lead weight in the bottom (don't know what it means for ROHS if you've got a pound or so of lead!). Lotsa power options for mobile/accessory power.
A couple of minor gotchas that might wave away the typical "appliance operator" but were not a big deal for me as a Junior High kid:
1. Needs a mod to key Ten-Tec Triton and other solid-state rigs that need a very low voltage drop in key-down. Most common way to do the mod is to jumper around a diode but there are others (I used a solid-state optoisolator).
2. I built the mechanical key mechanism from the kit so I understood it quite well. BUT if that bottom screw ever comes loose, or if you ever have to loosen it, it's a b**ch to get everything tightened back up. I did it for the first time in decades and it was moderately frustrating.
Usually the best way to adjust the mechanics is simply bend the bars/contacts where you want.
The cam lever for adjusting spacing etc. is workable but not particularly elegant compared to a lot of more "exposed" solutions. But it's perfectly reliable - I can really throw it in my backpack and carry it around without messing up the mechanical settings.
|
|
W6QE
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 13, 2006 19:56
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Old, but reliable
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
Originally, I bought and built one in the late 70's. Just bought another at a locaL swapmeet, built a power cord and it works. Not state of the art compared to my Kent, but some nostalgia and a fun thing to just play with. Grab a piece of history if you have the chance.
Milt.
W6QE
|
|
WX4O
|
Rating: 4/5
|
Mar 28, 2006 16:45
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent Keyer
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I built one of these around '75 or '76 to go with my them new TS520. Used it for years and always enjoyed it. Recently bought another one from eBay to go with the TS520SE I also bought off eBay. Good pair.
|
|
KC8Y
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 28, 2006 13:41
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent device!!!!!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
This was my 1st experience in using a keyer...It was a joy in building & adjusting...Received my Novice-ticket, in 1969; was WN8CXC...
|
|
KB5DRJ
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 28, 2006 12:44
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
I love these keyers
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
When I got my first license (KA9LBM) back in 78 during high school, the club station had one of these fine keyers. I made hundreds of contacts using the keyer during my 4 years in high school. When I got out of the Navy and set up another station I bought another one and still use it today.
This is a good solid and reliable keyer that is fun and easy to use.
|
|
N4UE
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 18, 2006 06:02
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Wonderful!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
Once I realized how good these keyers are, I bought several more. One was non-working (and almost free), but as another reviewer noted, they are easy to fix.
One thing I noticed is that the speed is 'adjustable' during construction. One unit was set up for 'high speed'. This makes adjusting the speed at my comfort level, touchy. The manual describes how to set them up. I much prefer the 'slow' versions, but it's not enough of a problem to go into the fast one to change it.
I also enjoy my Heath SA-5010 with Bencher paddles.
ron
N4UE
|
|
AB7JK
|
Rating: 3/5
|
Feb 16, 2006 14:29
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
ok
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
Bought the keyer used and it has two issues.
1) The two paddles seem to have different spacings from the contacts - feels weird and I don't have time to rig something to cure it.
2) Keyer has a memory that anticipates the next character to be sent. Supposed to be easier but so far I haven't gotten used to it so I usually put the keyer aside and use CW Type instead.
|
|
KD5DFM
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 31, 2005 02:02
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great keyer/ paddles
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
i got mine at a ham fest for 20.00 and I'm so glad i did . i really enjoy this device . if you see one be sure to pick it up cause i know you sure will like it ;-)
|
|
WA0DTH
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 26, 2004 14:38
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Versatile Keyer
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
Having trained from the master of Squeeze Keyers, W0EPV Ed brown, I have always used Iambic or straight keyers. He taught me how to use them as a beginner in 1961. I built my 1410 in the mid seventies from a kit and I still use it today.
I taught three code classes with it.
I did install external paddle connection so I can use my Bencher Iambic paddles with it. There are no external adjustment for weight and the speed adjustment is a little course. But no problem with that. The neon bulb went out in mine so I replaced it with an LED supported with a rubber grommet. I had to install a 316 ohm resistor in series with the LED to drop the 5 volt down so the current through the LED was 16ma or so.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
