Fw: Re: Fw: Re: [Heathkit] Heath audio, rough around the edges.

[windy10605 at juno.com]

The Heath SB-1400 Transceiver (not a kit) was made by Yaesu and patterned
after the FT-747GX according to Chuck Penson's book. the HW-5400 --was--
made by Heathkit, but due to the complexity it's a really difficult task
for most amateurs and because it was a kit, you don't know if it --ever--
"worked right". Correct on the CPU .....hard to find, except in another
unit. That's why I'm always looking for a parts unit for mine. This unit
was only made for a year. At least the 104s had 4 years under their belt
and were much more easily assembled, improved and repaired.

Bob, NQ3N indicates he was one of the guys who did extensive rework, the
rig just begs for the next steps and is a great test platform for
improvements like that. It has developed a bad sensitivity reputation due
to a FET frontend which is difficult to align but that design was
improved
greatly later. This works to your advantage (and that most 104s at
swapmeets don't work) to lower the price. Another thing to remember if
you are replacing the diode mixers in the RECEIVE section is to use
matched signal diodes or a SBL mixer ....do not use common silicon 1N914s
! .....you will automatically reduce sensitivity with the 1N914s. If you
have tinkered with your's, great ! .....if you have not, you will.   

I received my "Education 104" by buying one off a reflector .....only to
find that NOTHING worked and upon careful examination most cards had a
small "bad audio", "80m bad", "no output", "distorted output", etc. note
written on them with pencil. You have the idea, it was a cover set filled
with "bench dogs" (or whatever you call them) from some repair
shop/facility. Took a while, that's why I put that SB-104A section on my
web site.

73 Kees K5BCQ
 
--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: kd4e <kd4e at verizon.net>
To: Heathkit at mailman.qth.net
Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2006 23:31:23 +0800
Subject: Re: Fw: Re: [Heathkit] Heath audio, rough around the edges.
Message-ID: <4496C34B.7080902 at verizon.net>
References: <20060619.222031.412.0.windy10605 at juno.com>

> The HW-5400 is better but the level if integration and overall room
> leaves you wishing you could work on it ....nature of hams, I guess.
> There were many more 104s made than 5400s and the 104s are still green
> like Heathkits should be ....or grey.
> 73 Kees K5BCQ

OK re. the SB-104A.  May have to watch for an affordable
one that is essentially intact but perhaps in need of work
from which I may learn more!

Please permit me to have yet another rumor dispelled.

Is the HW-5400 the rig that is essentially the
same as a Yaesu rig of the same vintage?

Does it use a CPU that is now unobtanium?

Or am I thinking of the wrong Heath rig?

Thanks! & 73, doc kd4e
_______________________________________________
List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF        
** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **         
$$ See the vintage area on the HCI web site - http://www.w9wze.org $$ 
Heathkit mailing list
Heathkit at mailman.qth.net
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/heathkit