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WA2ONH

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ARTICLE - Heathkit: An Employee’s Look Back
« on: December 01, 2020, 07:51:53 AM »

From the "ElectronicDesign" web site ...
https://www.electronicdesign.com/

Heathkit: An Employee’s Look Back
By Lou Frenzel - Nov 30, 2020
https://www.electronicdesign.com/communiqu/article/21148923/electronic-design-heathkit-an-employees-look-back

"Lessons of a successful electronic business — an interview with Chas Gilmore, former Heath executive.

My career at Heath had two parts. From 1966-1977, I progressed to Engineering Manager, Product Line Manager (Kit and Assembled) for Instrumentation, and Director of Engineering before joining another division of Schlumberger (then-parent company of Heath), and then starting a software company. I returned in 1984 as VP of Engineering and Marketing, eventually becoming General Manager. By then, Heath was owned by Zenith. I left Heath in 1993 after we closed the kit business.

Over the years, Electronic Design has published many Heathkit-related articles and blogs. Recently,
I had a chance to talk with Chas Gilmore, who was a Heath executive. For those of you who fondly
remember Heathkit and miss its products, here’s a look back at this amazing company and the lessons it offers."

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N8YX

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Re: ARTICLE - Heathkit: An Employee’s Look Back
« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2020, 08:17:47 AM »

I've personally met Chas.

Bought from him a prototype synthesized VFO for the SB-104 line, a matching prototype antenna tuner, engineering proof-of-build SB-230 and a prototype HR-1680 (dark green face).

I have a few things to sort out with the VFO (in the divider chain) and the HV PS for the '230 requires recapping - then I'm going to put the entire ensemble (along with an SB-104A and the usual 104-line accessories) on one of my vintage benches. Seeing the rig and accessories in the Heathkit catalogs of the day as well as in magazines such as Elementary Electronics galvanized my interest in the company and in ham radio in general.
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W1VT

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Re: ARTICLE - Heathkit: An Employee’s Look Back
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2020, 09:27:45 AM »

I put together a Heathkit HR-1680 receiver when I was 14.  I used it to copy W1AW the following summer gain enough proficiency to pass the 5 and 13 WPM FCC code tests.  It worked quite well on 10 CW the following year when I got on the air with a DX-20 transmitter.

Zak W1VT
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W6BP

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Re: ARTICLE - Heathkit: An Employee’s Look Back
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2020, 01:20:32 PM »

Excellent article. Thanks for the link.
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KM1H

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Re: ARTICLE - Heathkit: An Employee’s Look Back
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2020, 04:06:50 PM »

I first got into Heathkits by building a DX-100 for myself to celebrate getting my General in 1956. I was soon building those and the smaller rigs for others from home out on LINY until the USN Active Duty days from 1959-63 where I received a formal education in electronics and repairs as an ET.

That led to a job until 1969 at National Radio where I continued at home with various products, especially the amps. I also built amps to order and a few other items for the two Heathkit Stores in the Boston area and later at a pair in the Chicago area. Another part time job was working for Herb Gordon and DeMambro in the Boston area doing repair work on all ham product lines. That experience led me to still be doing it at a slower pace as I push 80 ;D.

Carl
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K4HB

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Re: ARTICLE - Heathkit: An Employee’s Look Back
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2020, 06:44:37 AM »

While taking a TV repair course during the 70s, along with it came some Heathkit test gear and a GR-2000 TV. One plug-in board was sent at a time to be assembled as the course advanced. This TV was ahead of it's time with all solid state other than the CRT, and screen display of the channel. People couldn't believe I had a TV with no knobs in view.  Heathkit GR-2000

Heathkit was prompt to send replacement parts. It was a sad day when they went out of business.
« Last Edit: December 03, 2020, 06:51:36 AM by K4HB »
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N9LCD

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Re: ARTICLE - Heathkit: An Employee’s Look Back
« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2020, 07:49:29 PM »

I built about a dozen Heath kits in the early 90's but no receivers, transmitters or transceivers.

The only thing that didn't come out good was an o'scope calibrator that had to go back for factory service.

My only "gripe" was calibrating things like the o'scope calibrator; a bathroom scale; indoor-outdoor temperature-humidity unit; and a VTVM.  I would have paid for a calibration service.

And we still have the digital alarm clock and switched outlet strip I built.  Both are still in service.
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