[Elecraft] my story for Solid Copy

[Kevin Rock]

I think Heathkits' greatest contribution to amateur electronics builders  
were their fine manuals.  I built my first Heathkit at age 9 and made it  
through OK.  However, they should have added a first aid section in the  
back of the manual for those of us just getting started with hot soldering  
irons :)  But I eventually learned how not to burn myself.  Their manuals  
influenced the way I viewed kit building and step by step procedures from  
then on.  When I started reading the manual for my K2 I realized I had run  
into another Heathkit builder just by following the procedures.
    Thanks Heathkit for all the fine gear and for the memories,
       Kevin.  KD5ONS



On Fri, 09 Sep 2011 07:58:18 -0700, Ron D'Eau Claire <ron at cobi.biz> wrote:

> Fred, while I would never suggest to a Collins fan that anyone matched
> Collins' designs, E.F. Johnson sure produced some nice Ham band  
> transmitters
> in both kit or factory-built form. I built and ran a Viking Ranger for
> years. Unlike Heathkit, Johnson used new-manufacture parts - they even
> manufactured many key components themselves.
>
> Interestingly, they never sold a Ham band receiver, although they  
> certainly
> sold a lot of transceivers in the commercial/military markets and are  
> still
> doing so today.
>
> Heath's main contribution to my hobby was their great line of test  
> equipment
> kits.
>
> Ron AC7AC