Today I just acquired a Heathkit HW-101 transceiver kit. From a family whose father bought about 1971 and never put together. In the original shipping box and appears to be missing the knobs and tubes.

This is what I got :

https://northland-drifters.net/HW101Project.htm

Seems like a good winter project since always was interested in ham radio ... so seeing this as a good beginning starting point.

Looking for knowledgeable minds to enlighten me.

Thanks.

What a treasure you have there. To some it is old and ugly. But in it's day it was a very good radio and could be able to be used after you finish the assembly. Congrats. .................... de KL7JIU aka drill sgt.

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Originally posted by drill sgt:
What a treasure you have there. To some it is old and ugly. But in it's day it was a very good radio and could be able to be used after you finish the assembly. Congrats. .................... de KL7JIU aka drill sgt.

Hey ... I am old and ugly too !

Perfect match, who says online dating doesn't always work.

My very first radio was a Hot Water 101

Then an SB-102, followed by a Kenwood TS-820S.

And there’s vintage nets so you can get on and drift with others.

I think that unless you are already pretty experienced at building and troubleshooting electronics, trying to build and get to actually work a fairly complex vacuum tube circuit with a bunch of 50-year-old parts is a recipe for serious aggravation.

Too bad you're not closer.
I have a functioning HW-101 w/RIT mod, power supply, Bencher paddle, and Yaesu mic I've offered to donate several times before to anyone that visits the Black Hills and wants them.

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Originally posted by maladat:
I think that unless you are already pretty experienced at building and troubleshooting electronics, trying to build and get to actually work a fairly complex vacuum tube circuit with a bunch of 50-year-old parts is a recipe for serious aggravation.

I have built numerous computers from the chassis up since the late 80s. I am confident I can handle this project.

Have a band-aid holding the bridge of my glasses together and my belt line is up just below my nipples.

Am golden.

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Originally posted by bald1:
Too bad you're not closer.
I have a functioning HW-101 w/RIT mod, power supply, Bencher paddle, and Yaesu mic I've offered to donate several times before to anyone that visits the Black Hills and wants them.

Am due for a road trip. Have driven numerous times to Spokane from Seattle and back in one day, so love driving.

Have a LEO street partner that now lives in Dickenson ND and would like to road trip to see him too. Since winter now, maybe best to wait till spring.

This "old dion-saur" would love to meet you some day "sir". :P

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Originally posted by old dino:

This "old dion-saur" would love to meet you some day "sir". :P

It would be my pleasure to meet you! And should you find yourself in my neck of the woods, the aforementioned equipment is yours gratis.

Looks like a neat project.
Hopefully you can source the missing parts.

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Originally posted by bald1:

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Originally posted by old dino:

This "old dion-saur" would love to meet you some day "sir". :P

It would be my pleasure to meet you! And should you find yourself in my neck of the woods, the aforementioned equipment is yours gratis.

And I too "sir" will take care of you too. Will make sure to ask you for a laundry list to bring from my neck of the woods.

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Originally posted by Patrick-SP2022:
Looks like a neat project.
Hopefully you can source the missing parts.

Me too ... but I and like that guy in the military who has a knack for finding things no matter how difficult.

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Originally posted by old dino:

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Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by old dino:

This "old dion-saur" would love to meet you some day "sir". :P

It would be my pleasure to meet you! And should you find yourself in my neck of the woods, the aforementioned equipment is yours gratis.

And I too "sir" will take care of you too. Will make sure to ask you for a laundry list to bring from my neck of the woods.

I'm still laughing about our exchange about the "Sir" business. A "CARE package" from the great Northwest isn't necessary.

As I'm sure you know, Dickerson ND is due north of Rapid City SD. It'd be great if you make the trip to see your old running mate as well as swinging by here.

Just went into the storeroom and took a quick snap of the rig:

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Looking for knowledgeable minds to enlighten me.

First off, unbuilt Heathkits are a real treasure. It's like finding an unfired S&W revolver from that era. seriously.

second. toss the capacitors and find a recap kit or just order new caps from Mouser.

Tubes should be easy to find (still) and knobs are easy if you don't care about getting the original knob set.

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Originally posted by radioman:

First off, unbuilt Heathkits are a real treasure. It's like finding an unfired S&W revolver from that era. seriously.

second. toss the capacitors and find a recap kit or just order new caps from Mouser.

Tubes should be easy to find (still) and knobs are easy if you don't care about getting the original knob set.

Excellent advise and should he make it out here to retrieve mine, he will be able to combine the two and have a top notch Hot Water rig with a bunch of spares.

Consider visiting www.qrz.com and posting a request for advice in the "boat anchor" sub-forum. There are many aficianodos who will help you.

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Originally posted by old dino:

quote:

Originally posted by maladat:
I think that unless you are already pretty experienced at building and troubleshooting electronics, trying to build and get to actually work a fairly complex vacuum tube circuit with a bunch of 50-year-old parts is a recipe for serious aggravation.

I have built numerous computers from the chassis up since the late 80s. I am confident I can handle this project.

Have a band-aid holding the bridge of my glasses together and my belt line is up just below my nipples.

Am golden.

Serious question, I’m young enough that I’m not sure. Was late 80s early enough that any of those builds involved soldering individual components and the use of a multimeter or oscilloscope?

quote:

Originally posted by maladat:
Serious question, I’m young enough that I’m not sure. Was late 80s early enough that any of those builds involved soldering individual components and the use of a multimeter or oscilloscope?

Certainly could have.

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Originally posted by ensigmatic:

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Originally posted by maladat:
Serious question, I’m young enough that I’m not sure. Was late 80s early enough that any of those builds involved soldering individual components and the use of a multimeter or oscilloscope?

Certainly could have.

That’s what I thought, but I wasn’t sure. I couldn’t remember when the various really-kit home computer kits disappeared in favor of the stick-a-bunch-of-cards-in-sockets process.