HAM Question; Does this stuff have any value?

rudiewhitebwoy

rudiewhitebwoy

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When I bought my starter home back in 91, my next door neighbor had all these antenna's strung around his back yard and some weather stuff too. I asked him about it and he told me he was a HAM Radio guy and if I was interested he'd give me a crash course. Back then I left for work in the dark and came home way after dark. Well they moved away and he's long since passed. His daughter and my wife have kept in touch and she recently contacted her saying that her Mom thought I would be interested in the equipment. I have no idea of what I'm looking at. I would be interested in HAM but not at the moment. However, if this stuff is cheap or free I'd be willing to take it. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks


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The Barecat scanner brings back memories. I remember my mom and dad getting the crystals for it and it would be on in the kitchen all the time (had relatives in the local police and fire depts)
 
Night_solstice said:
The Barecat scanner brings back memories. I remember my mom and dad getting the crystals for it and it would be on in the kitchen all the time (had relatives in the local police and fire depts)
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Yes, that Bearcat scanner sure does bring back memories. I remember going to Lechmere Sales in Cambridge with my father and buying one. Took me about a month to fill all 8 channels with crystals. Great sounding audio out of it and it worked on AC or 12vdc. I still have it in my shack too.[smile]
 
rudiewhitebwoy said:
When I bought my starter home back in 91, my next door neighbor had all these antenna's strung around his back yard and some weather stuff too. I asked him about it and he told me he was a HAM Radio guy and if I was interested he'd give me a crash course. Back then I left for work in the dark and came home way after dark. Well they moved away and he's long since passed. His daughter and my wife have kept in touch and she recently contacted her saying that her Mom thought I would be interested in the equipment. I have no idea of what I'm looking at. I would be interested in HAM but not at the moment. However, if this stuff is cheap or free I'd be willing to take it. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks


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Nice collection of Heathkit stuff.

Yes is has some value, paricularly if they still work. As old as that stuff is, you might want to have someone look at the electrolytic capacitors in the power supplies of each piece (maybe even replace them) before powering the stuff up. They might be dried out.
They all look like good candidates for restoration.
 
Uzi2 said:
Yes, that Bearcat scanner sure does bring back memories. I remember going to Lechmere Sales in Cambridge with my father and buying one. Took me about a month to fill all 8 channels with crystals. Great sounding audio out of it and it worked on AC or 12vdc. I still have it in my shack too.[smile]
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pretty much all your electronics run on 12, 5, or 3 volts DC. Nothing is running 120v unless it has a motor or a heating element.
 
42! said:
pretty much all your electronics run on 12, 5, or 3 volts DC. Nothing is running 120v unless it has a motor or a heating element.
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Now it does, but it all didn't back in the 1960's. ;)

Your average commercial Motorola mobile radio back then had about 10 tubes in it with a 300-500 vdc plate voltage.
 
I had that exact Realistic DX150 shortwave reciever and matching speaker when I was 12. A birthday gift from my grandmother. Ran a 100 ft dipole antenna between a couple trees. I stayed up many nights listening to hams and sw broadcast from around the world. Lot of memories.
Years ago my mom threw it out when she converted my old room to a craft den. I still complain about that to her!
 
The Heathkit stuff is pretty cool. It would violate my No Boat Anchor policy, otherwise I'd probably have some in my collection.
 
Uzi2 said:
Now it does, but it all didn't back in the 1960's. ;)

Your average commercial Motorola mobile radio back then had about 10 tubes in it with a 300-500 vdc plate voltage.
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True, but I am a victim of my time and know not of these ancient things, from the time of Cthulhu.
 
Uzi2 said:
Nice collection of Heathkit stuff.

Yes is has some value, paricularly if they still work. As old as that stuff is, you might want to have someone look at the electrolytic capacitors in the power supplies of each piece (maybe even replace them) before powering the stuff up. They might be dried out.
They all look like good candidates for restoration.
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I want to get into HAM in the next few years when I semi-retire. I'm not looking to restore anything unless it's more reliable and valuable than the newer stuff which wouldn't surprise me one bit. I have no idea who I could bring it to for inspection and if I bought it, who would I bring it to for restoration. What would it be worth assuming it was still functional? $100.00, $1,000.00?
 
With going into the various hamster forums to see some recent pricing, those heathkits would probably in the range of $200-300 each. They have some charm to them the collectors love.
 
rudiewhitebwoy said:
But for someone who in the future wants to get into ham radio should I try to acquire this stuff or just go all new when the time comes?
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mmmm… they would be fun have, like taking a classic car out for a Sunday drive. I don’t know the exact specs on each, but a single new hf+6m entry level radio will likely beat them all in every category and offer more up to date stuff like digital modes.
 
rudiewhitebwoy said:
But for someone who in the future wants to get into ham radio should I try to acquire this stuff or just go all new when the time comes?
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Yes.

I wouldn't want to start out on it, but like the other guys are saying it'd be fun to fire up and play with from time to time. Especially if it has sentimental value to you.
 
ToddDubya said:
Yes.

I wouldn't want to start out on it, but like the other guys are saying it'd be fun to fire up and play with from time to time. Especially if it has sentimental value to you.
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The real problem with new hamsters tackling old equipment is more of a practical consideration. Most newbies are still struggling with understanding the rules and operational requirements. Most still do not understand how to repair electrical/electronic equipment. I will grant you that some new hamsters DO have the skills to repair such equipment, but that is not the majority.

Older equipment such as this would most likely require the owner to go through it carefully for the proverbial bad/failing capacitors and other issues.
 
First thing do not, I repete do not plug any of the HeathKit stuff in. The HesthKit radios are the only things that may have any value and really not that much at that. From what I see in the photos they seem to be in good condition physically although it seems there is some pealing of some paint. This HeathKit collection maybe $300.00 for the three with the power supply as long as you don't plug them in and have a smoke show. Only collectors would be interested and even collecting is cooling off. No one really wants to deal with old boat anchor radios any longer and older ham radio equipment is getting harder and harder to sell. They may not smoke up when plugged in, however it is really not worth taking the chance. You would be better off selling as not working or not tested working condition unknown. Sending them out for check and repair will cost much more than the radios would ever be worth. The caps in these old radios dry out and can burn up when power is applied. The Realistic receiver would maybe bring $100.00 once again do not plug it in. Once smoked it becomes doorstop statis.
As far as a new ham using this equipment most likely would not be a good idea. There is a much larger learning curve using this old stuff and unless you have someone to mentor you, these older radios would most likely discourage a new ham and would make for a negative amature radio experience.
Contact me for more information. If you are going to try and sell I may be helpful with this.
 
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