[Elecraft] Heathkit Returns!

[k6rb at baymoon.com]

In the 1950s, the Heathkit AT-1 and AR-3 were pure junk. Yes, the prices
were low, but the design quality was awful. The DX-20, DX-35 and DX-40
were just okay but the VF-1 was trash. The DX-100 and DX-100B were okay if
you were "rock bound," but if you used the VFO - it was a VF-1 - and it
was terrible on CW and drifty on AM.

By the 1960s, Heathkit had decided to be the poor man's alternative to
Collins KWM-2. And, to their credit, the SB- and HW- series transceivers
were a good value for the money.

But, once the Japanese came in with FT-101B and TS-520, Heathkit's
response was inferior and could not compete on price. That was the
beginning of the end of its ham-radio kit line.

In terms of design quality and value, Elecraft blows Heathkit, Collins,
and Drake away and is certainly giving Yaesu and ICOM a run for their
money.

So, who cares if Heathkit may make ham-radio kits, again? They've lost
several decades of experience which they'll never regain.

Rob K6RB




> Elecraft List,
>
> FYI:
>
> http://www.eetimes.com/discussion/break-points/4219631/Heathkit-returns-?cid=NL_Embedded&Ecosystem=embedded
>
> 73's,
> John C. Westmoreland, P.E.
> AJ6BC
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