[Heathkit] Wrestling a DX 100B

[John King]

The last time I wrestled a 107 pound DX 100, I was 23 years old. I could hold my own with the Gray Monster. Today at 74 years I challenged a 107 pound DX 100 B today. I was not so successful except that I am somewhat smarter and craftier. The bout is to be continued tomorrow, that is, if I can get out of bed in the morning.

In the meantime I need some information. The old DX 100 had a Gray cabinet with aluminum and Gray front panel. This DX 100 B looks very good under the chassis. Looks as if whoever wired it knew how to solder. It has obviously been bathed in nicotine and tar nightly for fifty plus years. I think it will be a good one and will clean up and function well again. The tank circuit including the air Dux coil is like new and the fuses were not blown. From that, I surmise that it was not popping, cracking and smoking when it was taken out of service.

My first question is what color is the DX 100B cabinet supposed to be. I thought I remembered it being Blue/Green or just a nice shade of blue. This cabinet looks like something between brown and Hammarlund Gray. It is not scratched or dinged and the paint appears original but changed over the years. It does not appear to have been to have been treated and operated improperly. It is just VERY dirty from being stored. I have had it on one of my shelves for at least six years and no telling how long it had set up before I got it.

Information, suggestions and tips regarding the DX 100 B will be greatly appreciated. Email me directly if you would not like to clutter the email list. Thanks and 73, John, K5PGW