I built one of these from kit back in 1978. I had previously used the HW-7 with the direct conversion receiver, and boy what a difference the superhet HW-8 made. I eventually hooked mine up to a linear amplifier and an EF Johnson lowpass filter (cheap amplifier). Used the thing for years.
Can't really buy these on eBay anymore unless you want to pay 5 prices.
I worked 22 states my 1st night on my HW-8, & got many compliments on signal quality. I had many happy hours on it, but modified it heavily right away. I added a very sharp filter with a floor adj so QRM 200Hz away was no problem & there was no ringing, an SWR bridge, RIT, QSK, speaker, & a provision for external RX so I could TX & RX on separate freqs. I just need 2 more knobs so the new controls' knobs match the originals. Used transfer lettering for a pro look. Proved it could be a great unit
Fond memories. I got the kit for my 14th? birthday present and built it in a week, worked one test QSO with a friend -- and then for the first "real" QSO I worked New Zealand from Minneapolis. What a rush that was as a boy.
I wish there was still someone like heathkit out there that could sell radios in kit form at a reasonable price, I know we have elekraft but they are too expensive as nice as they are, I would definately build a modern day heath style kit if I could get one.
I built one when they first came out...at my cabin... worked Hawaii on a dipole at 1 watt. I did a careful job being a tech and it worked worse than a sloppy one I fixed - lead dress I assume hi hi Have to dig mine out for next straight key night. Thanks for the vid.
I agree with you sir. been a ham 30 years and have had a bunch of em. primitive all right but a cult classic , hi hi . I 'm going the FT-817 route or a ten tec.
I wish someone still made something comparable ..
TheDD563 3 weeks ago
I loved building mine in 1979 . In 1987 I built the much nicer hw 9 ..... I miss those days
TheDD563 3 weeks ago
I built one of these from kit back in 1978. I had previously used the HW-7 with the direct conversion receiver, and boy what a difference the superhet HW-8 made. I eventually hooked mine up to a linear amplifier and an EF Johnson lowpass filter (cheap amplifier). Used the thing for years.
Can't really buy these on eBay anymore unless you want to pay 5 prices.
mnpd007 7 months ago
years ago, i had a HW9 and QSOed with a guy in holland using a rockwell collins, wish i didnt sell it. nice video
eogg25 1 year ago
I worked 22 states my 1st night on my HW-8, & got many compliments on signal quality. I had many happy hours on it, but modified it heavily right away. I added a very sharp filter with a floor adj so QRM 200Hz away was no problem & there was no ringing, an SWR bridge, RIT, QSK, speaker, & a provision for external RX so I could TX & RX on separate freqs. I just need 2 more knobs so the new controls' knobs match the originals. Used transfer lettering for a pro look. Proved it could be a great unit
GarthW2 1 year ago
Fond memories. I got the kit for my 14th? birthday present and built it in a week, worked one test QSO with a friend -- and then for the first "real" QSO I worked New Zealand from Minneapolis. What a rush that was as a boy.
toddlewismitchell 1 year ago
Love those Hot Water 8's
KiloEcho5 2 years ago
I wish there was still someone like heathkit out there that could sell radios in kit form at a reasonable price, I know we have elekraft but they are too expensive as nice as they are, I would definately build a modern day heath style kit if I could get one.
miserableoldcunt 2 years ago
I built one when they first came out...at my cabin... worked Hawaii on a dipole at 1 watt. I did a careful job being a tech and it worked worse than a sloppy one I fixed - lead dress I assume hi hi Have to dig mine out for next straight key night. Thanks for the vid.
ve6kk 2 years ago
I agree with you sir. been a ham 30 years and have had a bunch of em. primitive all right but a cult classic , hi hi . I 'm going the FT-817 route or a ten tec.
best 73's
P.S.Great Vid,tnx.
sparky42 2 years ago