The Elecraft K-3 is an example of what kits have become.
Ten Tec also has a selection of less complicated ones.
Down East Microwave has some rather elaborate ones for the VHF and up bands.
Then there are the usual rinky dink QRP offerings.
I could see a market for a 3000W+ ATU from one of the established outfits,
with and without the sheetmetal. But dont expect a big savings as assembly
labor is cheap in Ole Miss.
Carl
KM1H
----- Original Message -----
From: "Glen Zook" <gzook@yahoo.com>
To: <amps@contesting.com>; "Charles Harpole" <k4vud@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 11:58 PM
Subject: Re: [Amps] I dont accept answers to why did Heath die?
There are some kits available, usually fairly simple, but there are a couple
complex ones out there.
But, Heath's "bread and butter" was NOT amateur radio although, for decades,
amateur radio equipment was very profitable. Heath sold many thousands of
test equipment, "hi-fi" equipment, and so forth.
Like it or not, amateur radio operators are a VERY small market when
compared to consumer items. Then "figure in" the actual number of operators
who really would build kits if they were available. Frankly, the economics
are just not there! The companies who are manufacturing kits today are
generally doing so as a "side line" and are not showing a large profit.
Next, we live in a society today that is very prone to "suing" someone if
things don't go right or if they are injured in any way. Frankly, someone
today building an amplifier kit with lethal voltages present is an open
invitation to a very large lawsuit. If liability insurance is available,
the cost of such insurance is going to increase the cost of the kit
substantially. Back when Heath was in its "hey day" if someone got shocked
they figured out why and tried not to get shocked again. Today, if someone
gets shocked, or worse, then the lawsuits start. It seems if the lawsuits
include the manufacturer of the device, the electric company that provides
the electricity, the manufacturer of the wire that conducted the
electricity, the mine owner who owned the mine from which the copper that
was used in the wire came from, and anyone else who is remotely a party.
I definitely would like to see a "new" Heathkit type of company. But,
realistically, it just isn't going to happen. At least on a scale that is
even a fraction of what Heath produced.
Glen, K9STH
Website: http://k9sth.com
--- On Sun, 1/31/10, Charles Harpole <k4vud@hotmail.com> wrote:
Sorry, but I do not accept the answers to why there are no more ham
Heathkits, at least today.
Today, hams are hungry for a safe and sure building projects which 1.
includes all all all the parts, 2. has good instructions in English, and 3
results in something one would want. Elecraft may be partial proof of the
consumer kit choices.
Power supplies and RF amplifiers could be the items a person would want and
would be willing to build. Maybe add SWR meters, Keyers, advanced speaker
enclosures, remote touch pad for several rigs (K3 etc), and remote antenna
switches?
I get a laugh at the building projects in QST over the last few years....
Who in the world actually builds these things? It looks to me like ARRL
wants to continue the idea, now a myth, that hams are overall very
technically adept and cutting edge regardless of if the articles are
actually built by anybody.
To me, ham radio as a hobby today is much like the old car guys... Model T,
etc. Add old airplanes, or add your favorite. These are old technology
played with for fun and celebrated for what it is... a beautiful and
wonderful part of history. CW is the same thing, the practice of an elegant
old communications method. No one puts down a guy with a beautifully
restored Model T Ford, and hams should NOT stand being put down just because
our technology does not nearly equal what the military has, for example.
We should accept and celebrate the kind of radio hams do. The return of
point-to-point wiring! Hurray! Bring back kits!
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