At the same time, the Ham (amateur radio) department was updating the phenomenally successful SB-line of an HF SSB receiver, transmitter, and transceiver, and modernizing the popular $99 single-band SSB transceiver line (Fig. It had rave reviews, putting Heath in the top tier of the Audio/HiFi market. The audio department was about to introduce the AR-15 FM receiver/amplifier. The kit business was making great strides. This was a new group designing laboratory instruments supporting the Malmstadt/Enke, Electronics for Scientists program. For those of you who fondly remember Heathkit and miss its products, here’s a look back at this amazing company and the lessons it offers.Ĭhas, what was your affiliation with Heath?Ī recent physics graduate, I joined Heath in 1966 as an engineer in the Scientific Instruments department. Recently, I had a chance to talk with Chas Gilmore, who was a Heath executive. Over the years, Electronic Design has published many Heathkit-related articles and blogs. Its products, called Heathkits, were exceptionally popular and many are still in use today. Heath designed and put practically every type of electronic product into kit form. Topic: Looking Back at Electronic Historyįor those of you who do not know or remember, Heath Company was the largest kit company in the world.
