![Heathkit IM-17 Multimeter - RF Cafe](images4/heathkit-im-17-multimeter_small.jpg)
Heathkit IM-17 Multimeter
![Heathkit -3100B Design Experimenter - RF Cafe](images4/heathkit-et-3100b-design-experimenter_small.jpg)
Heathkit ET-3100B Design Experimenter
Heathkit's claim to fame was that it was able to offer user-assembled kits of
high quality electronic products at a price lower than what equivalent factory assembled
equivalents would cost. While that is probably generally the case, it is difficult
to gauge what the relative quality really is. Some of the kits were easy to assemble
for even people with little experience, but a good portion of them required familiarity
with soldering and how electronics were put together. The instructions provided
were very thorough, complete with photos and drawings of how each step should look.
In fact, according to a 1972 installment of Mac's Service Shop entitled
"Philosophy
of a Kit Manufacturer," every Heathkit kit instruction booklet goes through
a rigorous cycle of writing, testing, and rewriting before being released for production.
Something like a simple passive multimeter was pretty much foolproof, but change
that to a vacuum tube voltmeter (VTVM) with high voltages and circuits with gain
and filter stages and the likelihood of success is reduced. The oscilloscopes in
this advertisement could be a great challenge to the uninitiated.
I once built a dual-channel, 10 MHz oscilloscope from a kit and amazingly
enough, it worked! DC calibration instructions for builders without certified signal
sources included adjusting a potentiometer while attaching the o-scope lead to a
9 V transistor battery and making the display match a multimeter reading. AC
calibration was accomplished by connecting through a capacitor to a wall outlet
and adjusting for 60 Hz (seriously). Of course more accurate calibration could
be accomplished with better reference sources. I don't remember which o-scope model
I had, but the multimeter was an IM-17. I also had the ET-3100B Design Experimenter
as part of a home instruction course.
Heathkit is now working
to make a comeback into the kit realm with new designs.
Heath Company Advertisement
Heathkit Printed Circuit 5" Color
TV Oscilloscope Kit
Model 0-10
$69.50
Shpg. Wt. 27 lbs.
The technical specifications for this fine instrument speak for themselves. Vertical
channel sensitivity is 0.025 volts RMS/inch at 1 Kc. Vertical frequency response
is essentially flat to 5 Mc, and down only 1.5 db at 3.58 Mc. Ideal for Color TV
work!
Extended sweep generator range is from 20 cps to 500 Kc in five steps, far beyond
the range normally encountered at this price level.
Other features are: plastic-molded capacitors for coupling and by-pass - preformed
and cabled wiring harness - Z axis input for intensity modulation - peak-to-peak
voltage calibrating source built-in - retrace blanking amplifier - regulated power
supply - high insulation printed circuit boards - step attenuated and frequency
compensated vertical input circuit - push-pull horizontal and vertical amplifiers
- excellent sync. characteristics - sharp, hairline focusing - uses 5UP1 CRT - extremely
attractive physical appearance.
An essential instrument for professional Laboratory, or for servicing monochrome
or color TV.
Heathkit Printed Circuit 3" Oscilloscope Kit
This light, Portable 3" oscilloscope is just the ticket for the ham, for service
calls, or as an "extra" scope in the shop, or lab. Measures only 9 1/2" H
x 6 1/2" W x 11 3/4 D, and weighs only 11 lbs.
Employs printed circuit board for improved circuit performance. Vertical
amplifiers flat within +3' db from 2 cps to 200 Kc. Vertical sensitivity 0.25
volts/RMS/inch peak-to-peak, and sweep generator operates from 20 cps to 100,000
cps. R.F. connection to deflection plates.
*****
Heathkit Printed Circuit 5" Oscilloscope Kit
This full-size 5" Oscilloscope incorporates many outstanding features.
Vertical channel flat within +3 db. 2 cps to 200 Kc, with 0.09 volts RMS/in peak-to-peak
sensitivity at 1 Kc. Sweep operation from 10 cps to 100 000 cps. Built-in peak-to-peak
voltage calibration - 3 step frequency compensated input attenuator - phasing control
- push-pull deflection amplifiers. Printed circuits for reliable performance and
reduced construction time.
Model OM-1
$49.50
Shpg. Wt.
26 lbs.
*****
Heathkit Printed Circuit Vacuum Tube Voltmeter Kit
Model V-7
$24.50
Shpg. Wt. 7 lbs.
This VTVM has set a new standard for accuracy and reliability in kit-form electronic
instruments. Features modern, time-saving printed circuits, and functional arrangement
of controls and scales. Includes new peak-to-peak scale for FM and TV work.
Measures AC (RMS) and DC voltage at 0-1.5, 5, 15, 50, 150, 500, and 1500; peak-to-peak
AC voltage at 0-4, 14, 40, 140, 400, 1400, and 4000; center-scale resistance readings
of 10, 100, 1000, 10,000, 100 K, 1 meg., and 10 meg. DB scale provided also. Zero-center
operation within range of front panel controls Polarity reversal switch-200 μa
4 1/2 meter-transformer power supply - 11 megohm input impedance - 1 % precision
resistors - high quality components used throughout.
*****
Heathkit Voltage Calibrator Kit
Once calibrated, this instrument provides a known peak-to-peak voltage standard
for comparison with unknown voltage values on an oscilloscope. Panel calibrated
directly - no involved calculations required. Operates within a voltage range of
0.01 to 100 volts peak-to-peak.
Model VC-2
$11.50
Shpg. Wt. 4 lbs
*****
Heathkit 20,000 ohms/volt Multimeter Kit
Model MM-1
$29.50
Shpg. Wt.
6lbs.
Features comprehensive range coverage. 20,000 Ω/V D.C. and 5000 Ω/V
A.C. Ranges: 0-1.5, 5, 50, 150, 500, 1500, and 5000 V. direct current from 0 to
150 μa., 15 a. in 5 steps. Center-scale resistance of 15, 1500 and 150,000 ohms,
and db from -10 to +65.
Uses 1% precision resistors - 50 μa. meter - molded bakelite case.
*****
Heathkit Direct-Reading Capacity Meter Kit
Extremely valuable where speed and convenience are essential. Quality control
work, production line checking, etc. Reads capacity directly on meter scale, from
0-100 mmfd, 1000 mmfd, 0.01 mfd, and 0.1 mfd. Residual capacity less than 1 mm-fd.
Not susceptible to hand capacity.
Model CM-1
Shpg. Wt. 7 Ibs.
*****
Heathkit A. C. Vacuum Tube Voltmeter Kit
Measures AC voltage only, from 10 cps to 50 Kc. Covers the range from 1 millivolt
to 300 volts in 10 steps at high impedance input. Incorporates full 10 ranges of
db scale from -52 db to +52 db. Essential in the audio laboratory or for audio enthusiasts
and experimenters. Provides sensitivity essential for low level audio measurements.
Model AV-2
$29.50
Shpg. Wt. 5 lbs.
*****
Heathkit Electronic Switch Kit
This device will electronically switch between 2 input signals to produce both
signals alternately at the output. Used in conjunction with an oscilloscope, it
will permit the observation of 2 signals simultaneously. Provides switching rates
from 10 cps to 200 cps.
Model S-2
$23.50
Shpg. Wt. 11 lbs.
*****
Heath Company
A Subsidiary of Daystrom Inc.
Benton Harbor 15, Michigan
Posted August 13, 2020
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