• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Heathkit is Back

Register to hide this ad
I hope they go back into audio and test equipment. I always wanted to build something from Heath....but missed the bus there.
 
Plenty of small kit vendors out there now (Ramsey, Velleman for a couple). Was in Radio Shack yesterday and saw they now are selling the Parallax line of modules for whipping up all sorts of little electronic doo-dads of the programming/controller type.

Similar to Heathkit, Elecraft (www.elecraft.com) makes a line of top-rated ham gear. Kits go from fully discrete components in the K2 out to just assemble the board level and mechanical parts in the K3.

Here are a few more:

http://www.hobbyengineering.com/
http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/robot/robotstore.html

This is a great shot in the arm to the electronics hobby, IMHO.

Cheers,

David
 
That's pretty cool, and hope it works out, as seems like most of todays in the short term disposible mind set. Still using a Heathkit transistor tester I got for Christmas one one year. If you can believe it, what I asked for as a little kid.
 
Thanks for the additional links, especially Elecraft!

dshoaf said:
Plenty of small kit vendors out there now (Ramsey, Velleman for a couple). Was in Radio Shack yesterday and saw they now are selling the Parallax line of modules for whipping up all sorts of little electronic doo-dads of the programming/controller type.

Similar to Heathkit, Elecraft (www.elecraft.com) makes a line of top-rated ham gear. Kits go from fully discrete components in the K2 out to just assemble the board level and mechanical parts in the K3.

Here are a few more:

http://www.hobbyengineering.com/
http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/robot/robotstore.html

This is a great shot in the arm to the electronics hobby, IMHO.

Cheers,

David
Click to expand...
 
FYI: My first 'day job' was working for Heathkit and yes it was a lot of fun :) My first taste of computers full-time was running their BBS system. Anyone remember the Haynes 1200 baud modem, it was a leap ahead of the acoustic couplers (at 300 baud!). Also remember us getting the first Winchester 20MB hard drive at the store, we felt like Kings of storage :)

And yes, the speaker kits, tube amp kits, spectrum analyzer kit, double and triple trace scopes... and the nearly impossible-to-build Hero robot with arm accesssory (followd by the easier to build Hero Jr.).
 
300 ?!? I started with a 110 baud and a thermal printer terminal....


now I feel old.....




enjoythemusic said:
FYI: My first 'day job' was working for Heathkit and yes it was a lot of fun :) My first taste of computers full-time was running their BBS system. Anyone remember the Haynes 1200 baud modem, it was a leap ahead of the acoustic couplers (at 300 baud!). Also remember us getting the first Winchester 20MB hard drive at the store, we felt like Kings of storage :)

And yes, the speaker kits, tube amp kits, spectrum analyzer kit, double and triple trace scopes... and the nearly impossible-to-build Hero robot with arm accesssory (followd by the easier to build Hero Jr.).
Click to expand...
 
Old is... remember taking a box of punch cards with you to the computer 'laboratory'. Using the hole 'confetti' at football games (that stuff NEVER gets out of hair when wet!). Then being happy when they switched to tape... paper tape with holes punched in it! Wish i kept those boxes of cards.

Q: How was the physical size of punch cards chosen?

A: It was the then size of the United States Federal Reserve Debit Note (a.k.a. US Dollar).
----------------------------------
Q: What is a 'line' of code those old guys talk about?

A: 80 characters, same as that of a punch card.
 
Speaking of Heathkit and computers...

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=121354

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showpost.php?p=1340509&postcount=21

attachment.php


attachment.php
 
I am excited about their announcement! Heath was and is a great company with excellent products. The first radio that my dad and I built was a CR-1 Crystal radio kit. I lost track of it over the years but I am looking for another one. I wrote to them suggesting that they re-release the CR-1 exactly as it was originally introduced. One can only hope.

I did see that they have a swimming pool monitor kit being prepared to be released. That scares the heck out of me. The product liability issues with those things makes Heathkit low hanging fruit for predatory lawsuits. The cost, time and effort to defend themselves even if their product works perfectly and they have a book of disclaimers just can't be worth what they could earn on the sale of pool alarm kits. One law suit, which is inevitable, could crush them. I suggested that they take a good hard look at the liability issues with pool alarms before they release one and put their efforts into something without that kind of liability. Something like a good USB DAC -- or a CR-1!

I will be keeping an eye on them. If their new product quality is anything like their original products they will be great!
 
Update, I just got a reply from Heathkit. The swimming pool monitor kit will only monitor ORP and pH.

I told you those guys were good! :thmbsp:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BinaryMike
New Tattoo
Replies
10
Views
968
elgato8905
elgato8905
similost
Heathkit to return to business.
Replies
6
Views
904
Rangefinder
R
voltcontrol
Anyonr from NY? Giant Tesla coils @ NY Hall of Science
Replies
2
Views
492
68custom
68custom
buglegirl
Heathkit Really Is Dead Now It Seems
Replies
13
Views
2K
wbain
wbain
Rod Beauvex
Heathkit website updated. (12-20-13)
Replies
11
Views
650
BillyBatts
BillyBatts
Back
Top Bottom