It would be an understatement to not acknowledge the troubling times we are all facing. UNCERTAINTY is a great word, and we can only hope to cope with all of the fall out. For many a solace is found in the world of diversion with the likes of homebrew ham radio.
This leads our path to what to build or in the case of today's topic what to modify. Many commercial radios of old were based on solid designs and at their conception used the then current technology. In 60 years, the technology, like in brain surgery, has shifted from the use of a rusty spoon to a futuristic gamma knife.
Now if we could meld the old solid designs with a selective use of today's cheap technology, for a very small investment, this could give us a very modern radio.
Heathkit HW-12
Back in the day, both Heathkit and Swan produced single band SSB rigs intended primarily for mobile operation. The Heathkit rigs I think could be had for about $100 as a kit and were "basic starter rigs". The Swan Radios were more costly, but I thought better radios.
As I was driving to the cemetery on Friday morning for my weekly flower placement, the stop and go freeway traffic gave me some time to think about a next project. So, what if we took one of these single band radios and gave it the "bargain basement makeover." The current crop of new and cheap technology devices solves two problems that both rigs have. The frequency stability sucked, and the dial readouts cover only a portion of the bands we have today.
The early Heathkit rigs did not have selectable SSB (think FT-8) which was cured in later "A" models of the Heathkit single band rigs. The monoband Swan rigs never did have sideband selection. The current technology could also afford selectable SSB to both rigs.
Enter the JF3HZB analog dial and imagine that on the Heathkit HW-12 and it would also give selectable SSB on the earlier models (as in the photo) and for the Swan radios.
Many moons ago I added an external digital VFO to a HW-22 using an Arduino and the AD9850. This Analog Devices unit preceded the Si5351 and was not capable of producing different multiple frequencies so that project had no USB/LSB BFO. For those with SPRAT on a Stick my effort was actually an article in SPRAT. Because it used the AD9850, I sort of lost interest in embedding the Uno (clunky) and the AD9850 inside the HW-22. Bottom line it fell off the radar.
My proposed endeavor has other considerations in terms of the topology. Heathkit championed the use of the 3395 kHz as a crystal filter frequency. The Monoband rigs used that frequency with a four-pole filter. The uptown tube rigs used that frequency but with a better filter. These better filters can be had cheaply like $15 and so as an added bonus the monoband rig project would have the better filter.
Think about it -- a radio with digital frequency generation, USB/LSB capable and an upgraded filter. If you are keeping track these upgrades (aside from the rig purchase) could be had for about $50.
Now for the gag level part -- these Heathkit monoband rigs with shipping sell for over $200 and for the most part by definition: real crap, usually rusty, modified and in general poor condition. I have purchased rigs like this but usually for a total of $50 not $200.
So, if you have a Heathkit monobander and want to free up some space in your garage contact me at my QRZ.com address. I will help you clean up your garage space. Swan monobanders are OK if not better.
Look hard and come up with a low-ball price for this OT. Free for the rig but shipping cost as a price is like the ne plus ultra.
Finally, that added tariffs costs for a new appliance box certainly makes this suggested project as very appealing.
Them that know can make things go.
73's
Pete N6QW