[Heathkit] DX-100 or Apache?

[L L bahr]

I built both new as a kid and have a couple now.  Both the DX-100 and the TX-1 have their pluses and minuses.  The TX-1 VFO is nicer on the Apache and 160 meters is nicer on the DX-100.  I think the factory mod for the DX-100 to make it as in a DX-100B loading capacitor is a near must.  Otherwise, both are great transmitters.  If I had neither and wanted one, I'd buy either.  I think the opportunity to buy one would be my basis on which one to buy.  These things weigh a lot (100 pounds) so finding one is going to be a local experience unless you don't mind spending a lot of money on shipping.  Shipping could be dangerous unless packed very well.  You also need to consider your restoration skills and how much time, money and effort you want to put into the project.  It is a rare event to find one ready to "play".  Most found today are in really rough shape electrically as well as cosmetically. Just be prepared to put in as much as 50 to 100 hours restoring one. Parts could easily cost $100 to $150 or more if you want the transmitter to be put back in top notch shape and appearance.  Things needed usually mean replacement tubes, new electrolytics, some new resistors, probably rebuilt speech amplifier. Most likely all the switches will be needing cleaning as well as the pots. Shafts need to be lubricated.  Sometimes rotary switch shafts have frozen up and will need to be freed up or replaced. In many cases you need replacement knobs, switches, repainted cabinet, new front panel, replacement dial and maybe a dial marker lens.  Possibly even a rare drive potentiometer.  Hopefully the transformers are good.  On a TX-1 it is not uncommon to need a replacement dial scale drum.  (The DX-100 had a copper plated chassis which in many cases is in really bad shape.  The DX-100B and the Apache TX-1 had a cadmium plated chassis and most of these are usually in better shape then most copper plated chassis.)   

All I am saying here is buy what comes your way locally as shipping is too expensive for most of us.  In most cases, unless you are really lucky, be prepared to do a lot of restoration if you want to have a very nice original looking transmitter which has been restored properly electronically. Being a good technician really helps, but with a lot of guidance from those on this list and articles listed on the internet, anyone can restore one of these great transmitters.  Just understand, you will most likely add a sizable amount of time and money getting one restored properly before use.  (As a fanatic, you might even strip one down, replate the chassis and then use new caps and resistors to rebuild the transmitter as in a new kit with newly silk screened front panel and repainted cabinet as in new).  These 50 year old rigs are for the most part not "plug and play"{.

The DX-100 and TX-1 Apache transmitters are among my favorite Boat Anchor rigs. Restoring one is a very rewarding and pleasurable experience.

Lee, w0vt




    

----- Original Message -----
I also have both of these xmtrs and prefer the DX-100, why you say, Try to 
buy a pair of 6CA7's, verses the 1625's. 1625's are much less. With a few 
modes to the DX-100, including the addition of a variable cap to take the 
place of the coarse tune, I have a good running DX-100 that sounds good.
Regards,
Gary...WZ1M