Fofio!: 2015

Some of you might remember me talking about the return of Heathkit.

There has been a lot of mystery surrounding the status of Heathkit, as they popped up a couple of years ago and announced that they were returning. There was a survey posted online for a long time asking people what they wanted to see from a new Heathkit. The new Heathkit management hosted a Q and A session on Reddit speaking more about their plans to return. Then, nothing. No announcements, no news. There was brief mention in December when the folks at Adafruit (a company that supports the MAKER community) were briefly in touch with the new Heathkit, and were told that things are still progressing, and there will be no information on what the products will be until they are ready. All through this, I have been skeptical, as many people would be, since we have heard this story before.

Now, there are changes over at Heathkit.com. They are clearly gearing up for products, and support. They have even started an eBay store where they are selling parts, and some classic equipment.

Cross your fingers.

--Neil W2NDG

Here are the links from the handout:

NEW LINKS AT THE BOTTOM!!

PBox kits: http://tinyurl.com/pboxhistory

Heathkit FAQ

http://tinyurl.com/heathfaq

Quicksilver (soldering iron, tools)

http://www.qsradio.com/

The Ham QRP DIY Kit Shack

http://tinyurl.com/aliexham

Bitx kits from India

http://www.amateurradiokits.in/

4SQRP

http://www.4sqrp.com/kitIndex.php

Clifford Wareham

http://tinyurl.com/cwhamebay

Sotabeams

http://www.sotabeams.co.uk/

SkyPi

http://www.radwav.com/

Peaberry SDR

http://ae9rb.com/

Mikes Electronic Parts (AM chips and Fahnestock clips

http://tinyurl.com/mikesparts

Evil Mad Scientist

http://www.evilmadscientist.com/

Great list of remaining surplus suppliers

http://tinyurl.com/surpluselectronics

Magazines

http://tinyurl.com/oldmagarchive

Peebles Originals (Crystal and Regen kits)

http://www.peeblesoriginals.com

Here are a few more useful links:

I was talking about the 3-lead AM radio chips, and also a source for Fahnestock clips and other AM radio parts. It turns out that it's the same guy:

Mikes Electronic Parts

http://www.angelfire.com/electronic2/index1/index.html

This is the site that has the giant 555 IC timer kit that we saw at the meeting:

http://www.evilmadscientist.com/

One man's obsession with crystal radios. Worth a look!

http://makearadio.com/crystal/index.php

Great list of remaining surplus suppliers:

http://www.contrapositivediary.com/?p=2726

Just found this site which has archives of Elementary Electronics, Popular Electronics, Radio Electronics, etc etc. Great resource!

http://www.americanradiohistory.com/index.htm#Technical

Here's another interesting kit source I forgot about that I need to add. Peebles Originals. They make a nice line of Crystal and Transistor radio kits:
http://www.peeblesoriginals.com/catalog/45.php

Unfortunately I was not able to find the generic p-boxes, but you can still build the designs on a regular perf board.

Be sure to send anything new you find that is not on the website to me.