The return of Heathkit?

[S Viemeister]

<http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>

[Graham.]

On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:14:41 -0400, S Viemeister
<firs...@lastname.oc.ku> wrote:

><http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>

Fantastic press release, answered all my questions about the company,
but none about the products for the 21st century, like will the SMT
workstation be included in the kit, or will they assume you already
have one, like you would had an iron.

Or will you be "building" in the sense people say they are "building"
a PC, which of course they aren't.

I never built any Heathkit stuff, it was just too expensive.



--
Graham.

%Profound_observation%

[S Viemeister]

I built loads of it - my Dad was a consultant for them, and I did
pre-release test-building, so those kits were free.

[Bob Eager]

I cloned one - the MA-5 mono amplifier. EL84s for output AFAIR.

--
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
My posts (including this one) are my copyright and if @diy_forums on
Twitter wish to tweet them they can pay me £30 a post
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

[Andy Burns]

S Viemeister wrote:

> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>

Take the survey <http://heathkit.com/survey>

or come back tomorrow <http://www.heathkit.com/tomorrow.html>

Will the first product be a wigglyscope?

<http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://heathkit.com/oscil.html&strip=1>

[John Rumm]

I remember when they added it to the Maplin catalogue - some nice
looking stuff (plus lots of "too simple" basic projects), but as you
say, a frightening price.

I remember reading through all the stuff about HERO-1, and thinking -
wow would love to build that. Then I saw the price and thought perhaps not!


--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

[Geoff Pearson]

"S Viemeister" <firs...@lastname.oc.ku> wrote in message
news:b28cti...@mid.individual.net...
> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>

I still have the stereo tape recorder I built in 1968.

[S Viemeister]

So do I. Two of them - one built-in, one 'portable'.

[Geoff Pearson]

"S Viemeister" <firs...@lastname.oc.ku> wrote in message
news:b28cti...@mid.individual.net...
> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>

I've done the survey.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <a83ur8lof2uor79ep...@4ax.com>,

It certainly was - but the odd thing good value compared to commercially
available products. One was their valve voltmeter - still got one here,
but can't remember the last time it was used.

--
*Microsoft broke Volkswagen's record: They only made 21.4 million bugs.

Dave Plowman da...@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[Graham.]

On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:34:04 -0400, S Viemeister

From the questionnaire (my asterisks):

Suppose you could get a special "insider" limited-edition model of a
new Heathkit, maybe with special design features, and only a select
few people can own it, *but it costs more*. How much extra would this
exclusive model be worth to you?
Choose one of the following answers

--
Graham.

%Profound_observation%

[S Viemeister]

On 6/17/2013 12:24 PM, Graham. wrote:

> From the questionnaire (my asterisks):
>
> Suppose you could get a special "insider" limited-edition model of a
> new Heathkit, maybe with special design features, and only a select
> few people can own it, *but it costs more*. How much extra would this
> exclusive model be worth to you?
> Choose one of the following answers
>

Hmmm.

[meow...@care2.com]

On Monday, June 17, 2013 1:14:41 PM UTC+1, S Viemeister wrote:
> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>

I use (check all that apply):
Check any that apply

* iPad
* iPhone
* Android phone
* Android tablet
* Kindle
* Windows phone
* Windows tablet
* Blackberry phone
* Blackberry Playbook tablet
* Other: 1940s dial phone


NT

[The Natural Philosopher]

I am proud to say I don't use any of the above.

--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc’-ra-cy) – a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

[Frank Erskine]

On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:42:55 +0100, The Natural Philosopher
<t...@invalid.invalid> wrote:

>On 17/06/13 20:29, meow...@care2.com wrote:
>> On Monday, June 17, 2013 1:14:41 PM UTC+1, S Viemeister wrote:
>>> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>
>> I use (check all that apply):
>> Check any that apply
>>
>> * iPad
>> * iPhone
>> * Android phone
>> * Android tablet
>> * Kindle
>> * Windows phone
>> * Windows tablet
>> * Blackberry phone
>> * Blackberry Playbook tablet
>> * Other: 1940s dial phone
>>
>>
>> NT
>I am proud to say I don't use any of the above.

Likewise, apart from dial phones.

--
Frank Erskine

[polygonum]

On 17/06/2013 21:03, Frank Erskine wrote:
> Likewise, apart from dial phones.

You use a dial phone? A real one - not one of those dummy ones with buttons?

Couldn't stand one of them with our 11 digit numbers. Glad they were
never implemented on mobiles. :-)

--
Rod

[Peter Percival]

Two stereo tape recorders? That'll be quadraphonic, then.

--
I think I am an Elephant,
Behind another Elephant
Behind /another/ Elephant who isn't really there....
A.A. Milne

[Peter Percival]

The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 17/06/13 20:29, meow...@care2.com wrote:
>> On Monday, June 17, 2013 1:14:41 PM UTC+1, S Viemeister wrote:
>>> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>
>> I use (check all that apply):
>> Check any that apply
>>
>> * iPad
>> * iPhone
>> * Android phone
>> * Android tablet
>> * Kindle
>> * Windows phone
>> * Windows tablet
>> * Blackberry phone
>> * Blackberry Playbook tablet
>> * Other: 1940s dial phone
>>
>>
>> NT
> I am proud to say I don't use any of the above.

Nor I.

[Frank Erskine]

On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:14:18 +0100, polygonum <rmoud...@vrod.co.uk>
wrote:

>On 17/06/2013 21:03, Frank Erskine wrote:
>> Likewise, apart from dial phones.
>
>You use a dial phone? A real one - not one of those dummy ones with buttons?

I have dozens of them of various antiquities.

I also have a (small) switchboard with dolls-eye indicators.

:-)

--
Frank Erskine

[polygonum]

Is that weasel words? :-)

Do you actually use them for dialling bloody great numbers and
responding to voice prompts?

--
Rod

[The Other Mike]

On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:14:41 -0400, S Viemeister <firs...@lastname.oc.ku>
wrote:

><http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>

Can't see any point in them starting up again. They were always expensive, the
only way they can make them cheap is to outsource to China and you'd be better
off buying a complete working bit of kit than a box of bits.

It also probably needs two dollars to the pound and an honest translation of
prices for them to make any impact here and that is ignoring the fact that
wherever you live in the world you can buy extremely competent ready built test
kit and RF gear from the Japs and Chinese (you can also end up with crap too!)

If you need a gadget then someone has already produced one and sells it
delivered to your door often for less than the cost of just the return bus fare
or car parking for a commuter into a major city.

If someone hasn't made a gadget then you don't bother or you roll your own from
discretes, a PIC, an Arduino or a Raspberry Pi.


--

[The Natural Philosopher]

I got used to buttons 30 years ago..

[Frank Erskine]

On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:38:46 +0100, polygonum <rmoud...@vrod.co.uk>

wrote:

>On 17/06/2013 21:35, Frank Erskine wrote:
>> On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:14:18 +0100, polygonum <rmoud...@vrod.co.uk>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 17/06/2013 21:03, Frank Erskine wrote:
>>>> Likewise, apart from dial phones.
>>>
>>> You use a dial phone? A real one - not one of those dummy ones with buttons?
>>
>> I have dozens of them of various antiquities.
>>
>> I also have a (small) switchboard with dolls-eye indicators.
>>
>> :-)
>>
>Is that weasel words? :-)
>
>Do you actually use them for dialling bloody great numbers and
>responding to voice prompts?

I rarely dial v. long numbers, but yes, I use several of them
regularly. Star and hash can be a bit problematical so I also have a
DECT phone...
The switchboard doesn't get much use since there's only me in the
house.

--
Frank Erskine

[Davey]

On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:21:06 +0100
Peter Percival <peterxp...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> > On 17/06/13 20:29, meow...@care2.com wrote:
> >> On Monday, June 17, 2013 1:14:41 PM UTC+1, S Viemeister wrote:
> >>> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>
> >> I use (check all that apply):
> >> Check any that apply
> >>
> >> * iPad
> >> * iPhone
> >> * Android phone
> >> * Android tablet
> >> * Kindle
> >> * Windows phone
> >> * Windows tablet
> >> * Blackberry phone
> >> * Blackberry Playbook tablet
> >> * Other: 1940s dial phone
> >>
> >>
> >> NT
> > I am proud to say I don't use any of the above.
>
> Nor I.
>

Nor I. I do have a 1970s dial 'phone available, in case of need, such
as a power cut.
--
Davey.

[Frank Erskine]

On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:14:12 +0100, The Other Mike
<rootpa...@somewhereorother.com> wrote:

>On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:14:41 -0400, S Viemeister <firs...@lastname.oc.ku>
>wrote:
>
>><http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>
>
>Can't see any point in them starting up again. They were always expensive, the
>only way they can make them cheap is to outsource to China and you'd be better
>off buying a complete working bit of kit than a box of bits.

But for many people _the_ enjoyment is in actually constructing stuff
and getting it working - indeed modifying/improving it.

I've had an amateur radio licence for decades but have no interest in
bread puddings or the weather in wherever. I'm only interested in the
technical aspects of equipment and maybe propagation.

--
Frank Erskine

[Davey]

I was living in the US when the IBM PC became available. Heathkit's
version was a lot cheaper, and could have a whopping 702K of RAM, which
the IBM could not, offering only 640K. 'Cheap' was of course a relative
term, I shudder to think what that money would buy me now. The PC
itself was stretched to the limit, eventually having a 386 processor
installed (remember them?). It is now in the great computer graveyard
in the sky.
My first PC was a Sinclair ZX-81, still stashed in a box
somewhere.... but it needs an NTSC TV to connect to. If I wanted to, of
course, and that is not high on my priority list; the 'high' there is
optional.
--
Davey.

[Graham.]

On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:14:18 +0100, polygonum <rmoud...@vrod.co.uk>
wrote:

The first cordless phone I saw had a little rotary dial.
Someone has brought it over from the USA.


--
Graham.

%Profound_observation%

[Graham.]

On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:57:45 +0100, Frank Erskine
<frank....@btinternet.com> wrote:

>On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:14:12 +0100, The Other Mike
><rootpa...@somewhereorother.com> wrote:
>
>>On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:14:41 -0400, S Viemeister <firs...@lastname.oc.ku>
>>wrote:
>>
>>><http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>
>>
>>Can't see any point in them starting up again. They were always expensive, the
>>only way they can make them cheap is to outsource to China and you'd be better
>>off buying a complete working bit of kit than a box of bits.
>
>But for many people _the_ enjoyment is in actually constructing stuff
>and getting it working - indeed modifying/improving it.
>
>I've had an amateur radio licence for decades but have no interest in
>bread puddings or the weather in wherever.

The Tony Hancock character of 1961 bought his station for �500

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-1633409/Historic-inflation-calculator-value-money-changed-1900.html

values it at �9,439.20 at today's prices.



--
Graham.

%Profound_observation%

[Bob Eager]

No wonder he could afford to ship bread pudding to Belgrade.

[John Rumm]

On 18/06/2013 00:09, Davey wrote:

> My first PC was a Sinclair ZX-81, still stashed in a box
> somewhere.... but it needs an NTSC TV to connect to. If I wanted to, of

lots of modern TVs will display NTSC composite video (not always in
colour, but that is not going to be a problem with the ZX81)

> course, and that is not high on my priority list; the 'high' there is
> optional.


--

[John Rumm]

On 17/06/2013 22:14, The Other Mike wrote:

> If you need a gadget then someone has already produced one and sells it
> delivered to your door often for less than the cost of just the return bus fare
> or car parking for a commuter into a major city.

Same argument applies to making furniture and many DIY tasks... does not
seem to stop us.

> If someone hasn't made a gadget then you don't bother or you roll your own from
> discretes, a PIC, an Arduino or a Raspberry Pi.




--

[Road_Hog]

"S Viemeister" <firs...@lastname.oc.ku> wrote in message
news:b28cti...@mid.individual.net...
> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>

Doomed from the start. It will be heavily over priced. Gone are the days of
the '70s where you could save a feq quid by putting a kit together yourself.

I've recently got back into electronics and I'm shocked by some of the
prices companies are trying to charge for kits. I've been looking around at
SW radio kits and they're basically taking the piss.

This one for example, best part of a hundred quid for a basic regen radio.
The case probably costs a pound or two from China, resistors cost a penny
when bought in bulk, capacitors a few pennies and transistors under a pound.
A fair price would be Ł30.

http://www.radioworld.co.uk/catalog/mfj-8100k_world_band_swl_receiver_kit-p-4710.html


Needless to say that the same radio costs less than Ł60 (even when you've
added 20% VAT on) in the States.

[Peter Percival]

Do such things communicate with modern exchanges?

[Peter Percival]

S Viemeister wrote:
> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>

Only after I'd completed their survey did I wonder why this (supposed)
company was so insubstantial. Who are the directors? Where are its
offices? (By the latter I mean "where is it headquartered". Yuk.)

[Brian Gaff]

I built the old Mohican receiver, but it was let down by its wobbly front
panel that made it unstable when tuning. amazing how well the actual design
worked for its germanium transistors, but oh, what a crap ssb resolution
system, no product detector.


I also built other shortwave radios of theirs for other people which
generally worked well but flimsy plasstic bits did tend to let them down.
Expensive at times, certainly, nowadays you can see the way the winds blew,
as low cost manufacturer of the same basic designs were cheaper than
thekits, and probably still will be.
Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active

[Brian Gaff]

MFJ, is that made From Junk?

Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active

"Road_Hog" <nos...@spam.com> wrote in message
news:wqudnYHZb5Y8ZiLM...@news.newnet.co.uk...

>
> "S Viemeister" <firs...@lastname.oc.ku> wrote in message
> news:b28cti...@mid.individual.net...
>> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>
>
> Doomed from the start. It will be heavily over priced. Gone are the days
> of the '70s where you could save a feq quid by putting a kit together
> yourself.
>
> I've recently got back into electronics and I'm shocked by some of the
> prices companies are trying to charge for kits. I've been looking around
> at SW radio kits and they're basically taking the piss.
>
> This one for example, best part of a hundred quid for a basic regen radio.
> The case probably costs a pound or two from China, resistors cost a penny
> when bought in bulk, capacitors a few pennies and transistors under a

> pound. A fair price would be �30.
>
> http://www.radioworld.co.uk/catalog/mfj-8100k_world_band_swl_receiver_kit-p-4710.html
>
>
> Needless to say that the same radio costs less than �60 (even when you've

[meow...@care2.com]

On Tuesday, June 18, 2013 8:29:25 AM UTC+1, Peter Percival wrote:
> Davey wrote:
> > On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:21:06 +0100
> > Peter Percival <peterxp...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> >>>> * Other: 1940s dial phone

> > Nor I. I do have a 1970s dial 'phone available, in case of need, such
> > as a power cut.

> Do such things communicate with modern exchanges?

Yes, the change in phone standards since the 40s is the shift from pulse dial to tone dialling, and plenty of exchanges still support pulse. For any that dont, you can use a remote/pocket dialler held up to the mic, or dial on another phone.

I forget the REN value of old phones, its too long ago. But it doesnt much matter.


NT

[Tim Lamb]

In message <kpnoru$ii$1...@news.albasani.net>, The Natural Philosopher
<t...@invalid.invalid> writes

>On 17/06/13 20:29, meow...@care2.com wrote:
>> On Monday, June 17, 2013 1:14:41 PM UTC+1, S Viemeister wrote:
>>> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>
>> I use (check all that apply):
>> Check any that apply
>>
>> * iPad
>> * iPhone
>> * Android phone
>> * Android tablet
>> * Kindle
>> * Windows phone
>> * Windows tablet
>> * Blackberry phone
>> * Blackberry Playbook tablet
>> * Other: 1940s dial phone
>>
>>
>> NT
>I am proud to say I don't use any of the above.

+1 although my wife does have a Kindle.
>

--
Tim Lamb

[Tim Watts]

They were OK when they were invented:

http://www.aboutrobertsbridge.org.uk/Robertsbridge%20Memories.htm

"S. Barden: High Class Meat Purveyor - Phone [Robertsbridge] 33"

:)

--
Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://squiddy.blog.dionic.net/

http://www.sensorly.com/ Crowd mapping of 2G/3G/4G mobile signal coverage

Reading this on the web? See:
http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Usenet

[Tim Watts]

You're all missing the point - these were kits for fun and education, with a
final purpose. You're all saying the kit was just for the purpose of an end
product, in which case you're right. But if you consider the kit was a neat
little pile of bits and a nice case and you could have fun putting it
together and then end up with a nice/useful product - then they were
brilliant on the whole.

[charles]

In article <p5i59a-...@squidward.local.dionic.net>, Tim Watts

True. I made their stereo preamp (c1961) and also assembled a pair of
speakers. They had a shop in Tottenham Court Road (quite close to where
Maplins is now) so you could see and hear a 'finished' vesrion.

--
From KT24

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18

[whisky-dave]

On Monday, June 17, 2013 4:45:01 PM UTC+1, Geoff Pearson wrote:
> "S Viemeister" <firs...@lastname.oc.ku> wrote in message
>
> news:b28cti...@mid.individual.net...
>
> > <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>
>
>
>

> I've done the survey.

Me too, and was suprised by the importance they seem to think Ham radio is .
I've never been intrested in that side or electronics.

[Davey]

On Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:24:19 +0100
John Rumm <see.my.s...@nowhere.null> wrote:

> On 18/06/2013 00:09, Davey wrote:
>
> > My first PC was a Sinclair ZX-81, still stashed in a box
> > somewhere.... but it needs an NTSC TV to connect to. If I wanted
> > to, of
>
> lots of modern TVs will display NTSC composite video (not always in
> colour, but that is not going to be a problem with the ZX81)
>
> > course, and that is not high on my priority list; the 'high' there
> > is optional.
>
>

True, I think they accept the PAL60 version of NTSC, or whatever
it's called. One rainy day, when there is nothing else to do......see
my comment about priorities.
I am sure that I don't have any of the programme tapes, though, but
there should still be the optional 64K RAM extension that hangs off
the back.
Memories!
--
Davey.

[Davey]

On Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:29:25 +0100

It did a year or so ago, when I last checked. And the availability of
such a device is often quoted as desirable in case of power failure,
your DECT 'phone will be dead, and your mobile will be un-rechargeable.
Plus my local exchange is about as un-modern as it is possible to be,
it only provides the lowest level of ADSL. 21st century? We're
struggling to get into the 20th!
--
Davey.

[tony sayer]

In article <535dab9b...@charleshope.demon.co.uk>, charles
<cha...@charleshope.demon.co.uk> scribeth thus

I never made a Heathkit but did over time get some Practical Wireless
designs to work and some in Wireless World but it seems these days the
overall the "Tech" has changed for a lot of applications.

Take a tape recorder almost no one uses these for domestic use anymore
its all digital. Now make a digital Card player?. The chips are so
bloody small you'd need specialist equipment to place them, hot air
stuff etc far beyond that the Ampex iron can manage. The software well
perhaps, but all in what are you going the learn and make?.

Take a CD player, same again but a transport and perhaps you might be
able to do in conventional say 14 pin plug_able chips but why do that
when you can do all thats required on one umpty pin one but there again
soldering it to the board if large surface mount?.

Perhaps the audio amp is still a possibility and perhaps the only likely
one now plus perhaps speakers if your good at wood fettling.

Course valve amps can be a good proposition but is there that much of a
market for them?.

As to ham equipment the few I know seem rather proud of their multi
function kilo pound unit that does a lot in a small space,, now don't
all come back at once and say "I've just built a 1 K linear for SSB"!..

Course the fM tuner of olde?. Now best done in the digital domain and a
DAB kit radio?.

Perhaps the kit has had its day but saying that they still can be useful
for some apps, we often need to knock up custom bits and bobs and one
instance recently called for a telephone remote controller the one here
from Quasar kits proved just the job and it was still enjoyable
soldering it together it is in kit form;). Least you feel you've made
something useful:)....

http://www.quasarelectronics.co.uk/Item/as3140-4-channel-dtmf-telephone-
relay-switcher-module


--
Tony Sayer

[Tim Watts]

On Tuesday 18 June 2013 11:25 tony sayer wrote in uk.d-i-y:

> Perhaps the kit has had its day but saying that they still can be useful
> for some apps, we often need to knock up custom bits and bobs and one
> instance recently called for a telephone remote controller the one here
> from Quasar kits proved just the job and it was still enjoyable
> soldering it together it is in kit form;). Least you feel you've made
> something useful:)....

One of my proposals on the survey was for an updated version of:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221241966802
The plasma (or VFD) alarm clock.

It was easy to build, mains powered (no bloody wall wart), settable for 110
or 240V 50/60Hz.

It had a really nice display - auto dimming. Far superior to any clock on
the market now (I've tried a few!).

LCD is crap and LED is not as nice as VFD.

I suggested they update the design and replace the clock IC with an AVR,
preprogrammed to support different alarms for each day of the week[1] and
supply the C source code for the AVR as well as briniging the programming
pins out.[2]

[1] I use my phone as an alarm as it has more features than any piece of
crap from Argos. But I would really like a nice clock with the same multiple
alarm functionality.

[2] This way, a child of 12 could solder it up and it would "just work". But
an enthusiast could tweak the code and add another level to the kit.

And the end product would kick the arse of all the mediocre crap on the
market now.


The second suggestion I made was for kits connected with RF and home
automation. There's a huge amount of interest there.

[Peter Percival]

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
> In article <a83ur8lof2uor79ep...@4ax.com>,

> Graham. <m...@privacy.net> wrote:
>> On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:14:41 -0400, S Viemeister
>> <firs...@lastname.oc.ku> wrote:
>
>>> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>
>

>> Fantastic press release, answered all my questions about the company,
>> but none about the products for the 21st century, like will the SMT
>> workstation be included in the kit, or will they assume you already
>> have one, like you would had an iron.
>
>> Or will you be "building" in the sense people say they are "building"
>> a PC, which of course they aren't.
>
>> I never built any Heathkit stuff, it was just too expensive.
>
> It certainly was - but the odd thing good value compared to commercially
> available products. One was their valve voltmeter -

I have one! I think it's under the stairs.

> still got one here,
> but can't remember the last time it was used.

[Peter Percival]

The Natural Philosopher wrote:

> I got used to buttons 30 years ago..

Maybe so, but can you tie your own shoe laces?

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <P5MgAYSI...@bancom.co.uk>,

tony sayer <to...@bancom.co.uk> wrote:
> I never made a Heathkit but did over time get some Practical Wireless
> designs to work and some in Wireless World but it seems these days the
> overall the "Tech" has changed for a lot of applications.

I've still got a Linsley Hood amp in use - built from the data given in
Wireless World. Still sounds good.

--
*Why were the Indians here first? They had reservations.*

Dave Plowman da...@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

[tony sayer]

In article <3gr59a-...@squidward.local.dionic.net>, Tim Watts
<tw+u...@dionic.net> scribeth thus

>On Tuesday 18 June 2013 11:25 tony sayer wrote in uk.d-i-y:
>
>> Perhaps the kit has had its day but saying that they still can be useful
>> for some apps, we often need to knock up custom bits and bobs and one
>> instance recently called for a telephone remote controller the one here
>> from Quasar kits proved just the job and it was still enjoyable
>> soldering it together it is in kit form;). Least you feel you've made
>> something useful:)....
>
>One of my proposals on the survey was for an updated version of:
>
>http://www.ebay.com/itm/221241966802
>The plasma (or VFD) alarm clock.
>
>It was easy to build, mains powered (no bloody wall wart), settable for 110
>or 240V 50/60Hz.
>
>It had a really nice display - auto dimming. Far superior to any clock on
>the market now (I've tried a few!).
>
>LCD is crap and LED is not as nice as VFD.
>
>I suggested they update the design and replace the clock IC with an AVR,
>preprogrammed to support different alarms for each day of the week[1] and
>supply the C source code for the AVR as well as briniging the programming
>pins out.[2]
>
>[1] I use my phone as an alarm as it has more features than any piece of
>crap from Argos. But I would really like a nice clock with the same multiple
>alarm functionality.
>
>[2] This way, a child of 12 could solder it up and it would "just work". But
>an enthusiast could tweak the code and add another level to the kit.
>

Well well!, we made one like that it was all in a perspex case and with
a large dim "able" fluorescent display and indeed our 6 year old
daughter at the time soldered it together and put most of the bits in
the board and the thing worked first time:).

Dunno what happened to it tho;!..

>And the end product would kick the arse of all the mediocre crap on the
>market now.
>
>
>The second suggestion I made was for kits connected with RF and home
>automation. There's a huge amount of interest there.
>
>
>

--

Tony Sayer

[Geoff Pearson]

"Dave Plowman (News)" <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
news:535db7d...@davenoise.co.uk...

and I built the WW FM tuner of 1978 - still in use. I etched the printed
circuit myself.

[charles]

In article <b2b4g2...@mid.individual.net>,

I made the 195? one, based on a gov suplus if strip.

[Geoff Pearson]

"charles" <cha...@charleshope.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:535dbec7...@charleshope.demon.co.uk...

from a radar set probably? Not 10.7MHz I expect? EF50s?

[charles]

In article <b2b87m...@mid.individual.net>, Geoff Pearson

<gspear...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> "charles" <cha...@charleshope.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:535dbec7...@charleshope.demon.co.uk...
> > In article <b2b4g2...@mid.individual.net>, Geoff Pearson
> > <gspear...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> "Dave Plowman (News)" <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
> >> news:535db7d...@davenoise.co.uk...
> >> > In article <P5MgAYSI...@bancom.co.uk>, tony sayer
> >> > <to...@bancom.co.uk> wrote:
> >> >> I never made a Heathkit but did over time get some Practical
> >> >> Wireless designs to work and some in Wireless World but it seems
> >> >> these days the overall the "Tech" has changed for a lot of
> >> >> applications.
> >> >
> >> > I've still got a Linsley Hood amp in use - built from the data given
> >> > in Wireless World. Still sounds good.
> >> >
> >> > -- *Why were the Indians here first? They had reservations.*
> >> >
> >> > Dave Plowman da...@davenoise.co.uk London SW To
> >> > e-mail, change noise into sound.
> >
> >> and I built the WW FM tuner of 1978 - still in use. I etched the
> >> printed circuit myself.
> >
> > I made the 195? one, based on a gov suplus if strip.
> >
> > -- From KT24
> >
> > Using a RISC OS computer running v5.18
> >

> from a radar set probably?

Yes

> Not 10.7MHz I expect?

Correct

> EF50s?

not EF50s. Minature valves. But I no longer have it, so I can't check.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

In article <b2b4g2...@mid.individual.net>,
Geoff Pearson <gspear...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> "Dave Plowman (News)" <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:535db7d...@davenoise.co.uk...
> > In article <P5MgAYSI...@bancom.co.uk>,
> > tony sayer <to...@bancom.co.uk> wrote:
> >> I never made a Heathkit but did over time get some Practical Wireless
> >> designs to work and some in Wireless World but it seems these days the
> >> overall the "Tech" has changed for a lot of applications.
> >
> > I've still got a Linsley Hood amp in use - built from the data given in
> > Wireless World. Still sounds good.

> and I built the WW FM tuner of 1978 - still in use. I etched the
> printed circuit myself.

Same here - drawing on the copper board free hand. So much easier using a
computer to do the artwork. ;-)

--
*He who laughs last has just realised the joke.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Definitely 10.7Mhz. The radars I worked on at Marconis started with a
first IF somewhere in the 500Mhz area I think, second was 10.7Mhz and
third was 455/465/470 Khz. After all why design special coils when those
were stock items?

However these days try finding an IF coil ANYWHERE except out of scrap
70's radios.

none one even designs electronics in a garden shed sort of way these
days. They all code up arduinos instead.

Mind you, I know where a lot of that stuff is to be found, from a
company that went bust in the 70s if anyone wants it :-)


--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc’-ra-cy) – a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

[c...@isbd.net]

"Dave Plowman (News)" <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:
> In article <P5MgAYSI...@bancom.co.uk>,
> tony sayer <to...@bancom.co.uk> wrote:
> > I never made a Heathkit but did over time get some Practical Wireless
> > designs to work and some in Wireless World but it seems these days the
> > overall the "Tech" has changed for a lot of applications.
>
> I've still got a Linsley Hood amp in use - built from the data given in
> Wireless World. Still sounds good.
>

So have I! :-)

--
Chris Green
·

[SteveW]

Don't forget the blu-tack!

SteveW

[John Rumm]

3 to 3.5 typically - with the line REN good for 4 supposedly.


--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/

[Harry Bloomfield]

After serious thinking Graham. wrote :

> I never built any Heathkit stuff, it was just too expensive.

Expensive yea, but they were the bees knees of their day.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

[tony sayer]

In article <535db7d...@davenoise.co.uk>, Dave Plowman (News)
<da...@davenoise.co.uk> scribeth thus

>In article <P5MgAYSI...@bancom.co.uk>,
> tony sayer <to...@bancom.co.uk> wrote:
>> I never made a Heathkit but did over time get some Practical Wireless
>> designs to work and some in Wireless World but it seems these days the
>> overall the "Tech" has changed for a lot of applications.
>
>I've still got a Linsley Hood amp in use - built from the data given in
>Wireless World. Still sounds good.
>

Made one too, but I don’t know what happened to it now, it was a long
while ago;!...
--
Tony Sayer

[tony sayer]

In article <b2b4g2...@mid.individual.net>, Geoff Pearson

<gspear...@hotmail.com> scribeth thus

What was the semi line up with that now, I presume Silicon at that time
BF180 or similar in the front end?..

Discrete IF and demod?.

Anyone got the circuit online anywhere at all?..

--
Tony Sayer

[polygonum]

On 18/06/2013 09:23, Tim Watts wrote:
> On Monday 17 June 2013 21:14 polygonum wrote in uk.d-i-y:
>
>> On 17/06/2013 21:03, Frank Erskine wrote:
>>> Likewise, apart from dial phones.
>>
>> You use a dial phone? A real one - not one of those dummy ones with
>> buttons?
>>
>> Couldn't stand one of them with our 11 digit numbers. Glad they were
>> never implemented on mobiles. :-)
>>
>
> They were OK when they were invented:
>
> http://www.aboutrobertsbridge.org.uk/Robertsbridge%20Memories.htm
>
> "S. Barden: High Class Meat Purveyor - Phone [Robertsbridge] 33"
>
> :)
>

One place I moved to, we had the only four-digit number in town! They
had only just run out of three-digits. Everyone there thought we did not
know our own number. And that was only in the 1990s.

--
Rod

[Davey]

Mine didn't need it, it was a different company's RAM pack, and it
gripped tightly. Removing it was the hard part.
--
Davey.

[The Other Mike]

On Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:27:16 +0100, John Rumm <see.my.s...@nowhere.null>
wrote:

>On 17/06/2013 22:14, The Other Mike wrote:
>
>> If you need a gadget then someone has already produced one and sells it
>> delivered to your door often for less than the cost of just the return bus fare
>> or car parking for a commuter into a major city.
>

>Same argument applies to making furniture and many DIY tasks... does not
>seem to stop us.

Except you can make something that fits the specification from SWMBO exactly
with something that is not available off the shelf.

If you want a bed the vast majority of the population buys them from IKEA. The
only reason they are self assembly is to reduce transport costs. Few get
pleasure from assembling them and assembly doesn't extend to welding or jointing
the frame, winding the springs adding padding and stitching the mattress. I
doubt you'd get even 0.001% of the population interested in making a bed frame
from scratch.

If Heathkit aim at their previous price point then I see the market for their
electronic kits in the order of maybe a few hundred worldwide, maybe even less.


--

[The Other Mike]

On Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:26 +0100, Tim Watts <tw+u...@dionic.net> wrote:

>You're all missing the point - these were kits for fun and education, with a
>final purpose. You're all saying the kit was just for the purpose of an end
>product, in which case you're right. But if you consider the kit was a neat
>little pile of bits and a nice case and you could have fun putting it
>together and then end up with a nice/useful product - then they were
>brilliant on the whole.

Yes, back then they were, but the world has moved on considerably in the past
three or more decades. We get fun in different ways. Sniffing flux fumes isn't
one of them.

--

[Colin Stamp]

On 18/06/2013 11:28, Davey wrote:> On Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:29:25 +0100

> Peter Percival <peterxp...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Davey wrote:
>>> On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:21:06 +0100
>>> Peter Percival <peterxp...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> Nor I. I do have a 1970s dial 'phone available, in case of need,
>>> such as a power cut.
>>
>> Do such things communicate with modern exchanges?
>>
>
> It did a year or so ago, when I last checked. And the availability of
> such a device is often quoted as desirable in case of power failure,

You don't need a clockwork dial for that. Any line-powered phone will
work fine. Argos do loads. The cheapest is just over 4 quid.

> your DECT 'phone will be dead,

My first DECT phone had a plastic box in line with the power cable, with
10 AAs in it. Analogue cordless phones used to either have backup
batteries or a warning label saying they shouldn't be the only phone on
the line. All that seems to have been dropped now.

> and your mobile will be un-rechargeable.

I can't remember the last time we had a power cut which outlasted the
battery of a mobile phone - not even when I turn on the "mobile
hot-spot" app so the family can still get its internet fix whilst the
power is off...

Cheers,

Colin.

[Frank Erskine]

On Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:53:12 +0100, The Other Mike
<rootpa...@somewhereorother.com> wrote:


>If you want a bed the vast majority of the population buys them from IKEA.

?

I didn't. In fact I don't think IKEA existed when I bought my
Slumberland.

Aren't IKEA beds non-standard sizes so that, for example, fitted
sheets don't fit (unless you also buy them from said retailer)?

--
Frank Erskine

[Frank Erskine]

It may not be for you...

What ways give you fun? ;-)

--
Frank Erskine

[Davey]

On Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:57:44 +0100
Colin Stamp <dus...@stamp.plus.com> wrote:

> On 18/06/2013 11:28, Davey wrote:> On Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:29:25 +0100
> > Peter Percival <peterxp...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Davey wrote:
> >>> On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:21:06 +0100
> >>> Peter Percival <peterxp...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> >
> > It did a year or so ago, when I last checked. And the availability
> > of such a device is often quoted as desirable in case of power
> > failure,
>
> You don't need a clockwork dial for that. Any line-powered phone will
> work fine. Argos do loads. The cheapest is just over 4 quid.
>

But I already have this one, so it's free.

> > your DECT 'phone will be dead,
>
> My first DECT phone had a plastic box in line with the power cable,
> with 10 AAs in it. Analogue cordless phones used to either have backup
> batteries or a warning label saying they shouldn't be the only phone
> on the line. All that seems to have been dropped now.
>

Yup, my Panasonic DECT 'phone has no such power backup. No power, no
'phone.

> > and your mobile will be un-rechargeable.
>
> I can't remember the last time we had a power cut which outlasted the
> battery of a mobile phone - not even when I turn on the "mobile
> hot-spot" app so the family can still get its internet fix whilst the
> power is off...
>
> Cheers,
>
> Colin.

Never say 'never'.
--
Davey.

[Chris J Dixon]

Frank Erskine wrote:
>
>Aren't IKEA beds non-standard sizes so that, for example, fitted
>sheets don't fit (unless you also buy them from said retailer)?

This is true, but since my own height is non-standard (at the
95th percentile), the larger size is very welcome. I haven't
found it any problem to use IKEA bed linen.

Chris
--
Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK
ch...@cdixon.me.uk

Plant amazing Acers.

[Peter Percival]

Frank Erskine wrote:

> Aren't IKEA beds non-standard sizes so that, for example, fitted
> sheets don't fit (unless you also buy them from said retailer)?

Is that why they are non-standard, to force people to buy IKEA sheet?
Surely not :-).

[polygonum]

On 18/06/2013 23:57, Colin Stamp wrote:
> I can't remember the last time we had a power cut which outlasted the
> battery of a mobile phone - not even when I turn on the "mobile
> hot-spot" app so the family can still get its internet fix whilst the
> power is off...

Mobile phone, at the time an old Nokia with 7+ day battery life and
nearly fully charged, no connection. Local mobile base stations go off
when there is a widespread power outage.

Local Virgin cabinet goes off when there is widespread power outage.

= stuffed

--
Rod

[polygonum]

About time for a new bed? Or at least mattress. 70 years is a long life
for a bed. :-)

(OK - maybe 30-something in the UK.)

I think IKEA beds are now available in UK sizings - maybe some of them.
And IKEA/European sizings of bed linen are now available elsewhere.

--
Rod

[tony sayer]

In article <b2d1je...@mid.individual.net>, polygonum
<rmoud...@vrod.co.uk> scribeth thus

Well we've been on Virgin, 'nee Comcast, since 1996 and in that time Two
outages of around an hour when Padrig was a bit careless with his
JCB;!...

--
Tony Sayer

[polygonum]

To be fair, we have not had many. And it is quite possible that our
position at the end of a long branch makes loss of power somewhere more
likely than average. (We appear to be around twenty miles away when
sites try to identify out location.) Also, the mobile phone loss might
well vary by company. At least two have equipment installed in a
location which appears to have some generation capability - but Orange
used to die.

--
Rod

[John Rumm]

On 18/06/2013 15:24, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
> In article <b2b4g2...@mid.individual.net>,
> Geoff Pearson <gspear...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> "Dave Plowman (News)" <da...@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:535db7d...@davenoise.co.uk...
>>> In article <P5MgAYSI...@bancom.co.uk>,
>>> tony sayer <to...@bancom.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> I never made a Heathkit but did over time get some Practical Wireless
>>>> designs to work and some in Wireless World but it seems these days the
>>>> overall the "Tech" has changed for a lot of applications.
>>>
>>> I've still got a Linsley Hood amp in use - built from the data given in
>>> Wireless World. Still sounds good.
>
>
>> and I built the WW FM tuner of 1978 - still in use. I etched the
>> printed circuit myself.
>
> Same here - drawing on the copper board free hand. So much easier using a
> computer to do the artwork. ;-)

I did that to make a multi rom cartridge for my VIC-20... stuck images
of 8 ROM cartridge games into a 27c512, and wired it up with a dip
switch in the upper three address lines. I seem to recall the etching
was a tad over done, and I had to hard wire some of the thinner tracks
that got a little too thin!

[Jaffna Dog]

On Tuesday, 18 June 2013 07:18:00 UTC+1, Road_Hog wrote:
> "S Viemeister" <firs...@lastname.oc.ku> wrote in message
>
> news:b28cti...@mid.individual.net...
>
> > <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>
>
>
>
> Doomed from the start. It will be heavily over priced. Gone are the days of
>
> the '70s where you could save a feq quid by putting a kit together yourself.
>
>
>
> I've recently got back into electronics and I'm shocked by some of the
>
> prices companies are trying to charge for kits. I've been looking around at
>
> SW radio kits and they're basically taking the piss.
>
>
>
> This one for example, best part of a hundred quid for a basic regen radio.
>
> The case probably costs a pound or two from China, resistors cost a penny
>
> when bought in bulk, capacitors a few pennies and transistors under a pound.
>
> A fair price would be £30.
>
>
>
> http://www.radioworld.co.uk/catalog/mfj-8100k_world_band_swl_receiver_kit-p-4710.html
>
>
>
>
>
> Needless to say that the same radio costs less than £60 (even when you've
>
> added 20% VAT on) in the States.

It's the exchange rate, prices of a lot of imported gear have gone up since the 'credit crunch' in 2008 made the pound about US$1.50, when it had been more like US$2 before. MFJ's products do seem to cost a lot more than the sum of their parts, probably due to the overheads of small-scale production.

Heathkit might be on to something if they stick to ham radio gear, their old products are well regarded, there was a piece in 'Practical Wireless' recently about them, many hams are in the 'grandad' demographic, having been in employment all their life since the "never had it so good" era, unlike the less fortunate later generations, and are willing and able to pay high prices for their equipment.

[alan]

On 17/06/2013 20:29, meow...@care2.com wrote:
> On Monday, June 17, 2013 1:14:41 PM UTC+1, S Viemeister wrote:
>> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>
>
> I use (check all that apply):
> Check any that apply
>
> * iPad
> * iPhone
> * Android phone
> * Android tablet
> * Kindle
> * Windows phone
> * Windows tablet
> * Blackberry phone
> * Blackberry Playbook tablet

> * Other: 1940s dial phone
>
>

> NT
>


I like the way they assume that every radio ham also participates in fox
hunting.

It looks like they are going to produce a morse code generator kit at
around $1000 or a battery/resistor/LED kit for $100.

--
mailto:news{at}admac(dot}myzen{dot}co{dot}uk

[The Natural Philosopher]

On 24/06/13 19:28, alan wrote:
> On 17/06/2013 20:29, meow...@care2.com wrote:
>> On Monday, June 17, 2013 1:14:41 PM UTC+1, S Viemeister wrote:
>>> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>
>>
>> I use (check all that apply):
>> Check any that apply
>>
>> * iPad
>> * iPhone
>> * Android phone
>> * Android tablet
>> * Kindle
>> * Windows phone
>> * Windows tablet
>> * Blackberry phone
>> * Blackberry Playbook tablet
>> * Other: 1940s dial phone
>>
>>
>> NT
>>
>
>
> I like the way they assume that every radio ham also participates in
> fox hunting.
>

Exactly WHAT on EARTH are you talking about?

> It looks like they are going to produce a morse code generator kit at
> around $1000 or a battery/resistor/LED kit for $100.
>



--

[polygonum]

On 24/06/2013 19:32, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 24/06/13 19:28, alan wrote:
<>
>>
>>
>> I like the way they assume that every radio ham also participates in
>> fox hunting.
>>
> Exactly WHAT on EARTH are you talking about?
>

Heathkit, it's me, Cathy come home?

(Sorry - but it makes as much sense to me.)

--
Rod

[tony sayer]

In article <kqa3cn$pog$1...@news.albasani.net>, The Natural Philosopher
<t...@invalid.invalid> scribeth thus

>On 24/06/13 19:28, alan wrote:
>> On 17/06/2013 20:29, meow...@care2.com wrote:
>>> On Monday, June 17, 2013 1:14:41 PM UTC+1, S Viemeister wrote:
>>>> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>
>>>
>>> I use (check all that apply):
>>> Check any that apply
>>>
>>> * iPad
>>> * iPhone
>>> * Android phone
>>> * Android tablet
>>> * Kindle
>>> * Windows phone
>>> * Windows tablet
>>> * Blackberry phone
>>> * Blackberry Playbook tablet
>>> * Other: 1940s dial phone
>>>
>>>
>>> NT
>>>
>>
>>
>> I like the way they assume that every radio ham also participates in
>> fox hunting.
>>
>Exactly WHAT on EARTH are you talking about?

A Fox hunt is a direction finding exercise as if the hunted was a Fox..

Well .. sort of...

>
>> It looks like they are going to produce a morse code generator kit at
>> around $1000 or a battery/resistor/LED kit for $100.
>>
>
>
>

--

Tony Sayer

[Grimly Curmudgeon]

On Mon, 17 Jun 2013 08:14:41 -0400, S Viemeister
<firs...@lastname.oc.ku> wrote:

><http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>

They always were grossly over-priced this side of the pond. Whether
there were too many middlemen or just greedy retailers, I don't know.

[Tim Watts]

On Monday 17 June 2013 13:14 S Viemeister wrote in uk.d-i-y:

> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>

For the nostalgia:

http://www.heathkit.org.uk/index.html

There's a 1976 catalogue there.

Alarm clock (earlier than the one I made) £45 in 8% VAT - that's about £274
according to the BoE inflation calculator. Blimey...

But I am a little suspcious of that as according to the same, £100 in 2003
is £133 in 2012. But I'm damn sure food and fuel have inflated more than
that in the last few years alone.


--
Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://squiddy.blog.dionic.net/

http://www.sensorly.com/ Crowd mapping of 2G/3G/4G mobile signal coverage

Reading this on the web? See:
http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Usenet

[The Other Mike]

On Tue, 25 Jun 2013 18:49:38 +0100, Tim Watts <tw+u...@dionic.net> wrote:

>On Monday 17 June 2013 13:14 S Viemeister wrote in uk.d-i-y:
>
>> <http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html>
>
>For the nostalgia:
>
>http://www.heathkit.org.uk/index.html
>
>There's a 1976 catalogue there.
>
>Alarm clock (earlier than the one I made) �45 in 8% VAT - that's about �274
>according to the BoE inflation calculator. Blimey...
>
>But I am a little suspcious of that as according to the same, �100 in 2003
>is �133 in 2012. But I'm damn sure food and fuel have inflated more than
>that in the last few years alone.

Never built a Heathkit kit, but I think the RS LED clock modue was somewhere
around 20 quid. By the time it was in a vero two tone grey case with a
transformer, switches and speaker (for the buzzer) I reckon I'd 'spent' close to
45 quid - no dodgy fake teak on mine though :)

Could have been a couple of years later than '76 though.


--