S
Smarty
Guest
http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html
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Guest
I would not be optimistic right now.
Actualy some of those kits are things you could buy cheaper but people bought them for the experience/satisfaction of actually building something. It was a different America then sadly. People were really gung ho on techology because so many things were new.
One little niche market they could cover maybe would be custom USB devices. I had an idea for the service industry to store remote control pulse trains in the PC and build a little IR transciever to control these sets on the bench as you needed remoted for service menus and so forth. Of courrse then I found out that some smartphones can do this.
However that doesn't mean it's not a viable idea, but revealing it here obviously indicates that I do not intend to patent it. It's not worth it. Like anything else, in the beginning I envisioned all sorts of neat things, like techs being able to email the pulse trains to each other, or even a web based repository or P2P sharing.
Would have been nice but the fact is now the TV industry is reduced to bad electrolytics and a few powers supply repairs or 99 % of the time the unit is scrap.
However if they can write a little software that is cross platform and come up with a somewhat universal USB interface, there are possibilities. Peole could build some of their own home automation devices etc., and maybe build some things you just can't get from Bestbuy. Sorta like a laymen's Arduino.....
No matter what they come up with the market is extremely tough. People have no time for this stuff, they need to work two jobs to keep their house, stuff like that. Perhaps worldwide. Believe it or not - Russia. They've come a long way and actually are more than an emerging market.
ĐżŃĐ¸Đ˛ĐľŃ ?
Actualy some of those kits are things you could buy cheaper but people bought them for the experience/satisfaction of actually building something. It was a different America then sadly. People were really gung ho on techology because so many things were new.
One little niche market they could cover maybe would be custom USB devices. I had an idea for the service industry to store remote control pulse trains in the PC and build a little IR transciever to control these sets on the bench as you needed remoted for service menus and so forth. Of courrse then I found out that some smartphones can do this.
However that doesn't mean it's not a viable idea, but revealing it here obviously indicates that I do not intend to patent it. It's not worth it. Like anything else, in the beginning I envisioned all sorts of neat things, like techs being able to email the pulse trains to each other, or even a web based repository or P2P sharing.
Would have been nice but the fact is now the TV industry is reduced to bad electrolytics and a few powers supply repairs or 99 % of the time the unit is scrap.
However if they can write a little software that is cross platform and come up with a somewhat universal USB interface, there are possibilities. Peole could build some of their own home automation devices etc., and maybe build some things you just can't get from Bestbuy. Sorta like a laymen's Arduino.....
No matter what they come up with the market is extremely tough. People have no time for this stuff, they need to work two jobs to keep their house, stuff like that. Perhaps worldwide. Believe it or not - Russia. They've come a long way and actually are more than an emerging market.
ĐżŃĐ¸Đ˛ĐľŃ ?
W
William Sommerwerck
Guest
http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html
It's likely to be as successful as the attempt by former Polaroid employees to
revive Polaroid integral materials. Which is to say, not at all.
The whole point of electronic kits was to offer something you couldn't buy
assembled (such as robots), or test equipment, Amateur equipment, audio
amplifiers, etc, that cost a lot more assembled.
This is over. Cheap labor from the Orient, combined with the switch to SMDs,
have largely destroyed the possibility of kits being less-expensive than
assembled items, let alone offering something you can't get assembled.
Elecraft makes Amateur kits, but there's probably not a large-enough market
for Heath to enter. As for test equipment...
http://www.elecraft.com
It's likely to be as successful as the attempt by former Polaroid employees to
revive Polaroid integral materials. Which is to say, not at all.
The whole point of electronic kits was to offer something you couldn't buy
assembled (such as robots), or test equipment, Amateur equipment, audio
amplifiers, etc, that cost a lot more assembled.
This is over. Cheap labor from the Orient, combined with the switch to SMDs,
have largely destroyed the possibility of kits being less-expensive than
assembled items, let alone offering something you can't get assembled.
Elecraft makes Amateur kits, but there's probably not a large-enough market
for Heath to enter. As for test equipment...
http://www.elecraft.com
C
Cydrome Leader
Guest
Smarty <nobody@nobody.com> wrote:
> http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html
I'd say no. they're trying to ride off a long dead name, which is pointless.
> http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html
I'd say no. they're trying to ride off a long dead name, which is pointless.
C
Cydrome Leader
Guest
William Sommerwerck <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote:
Graymark still has an nice selection of real kits:
http://www.graymarkint.com/index_productdirectory.htm#komponent_kits
I love that they haven't wimped out and still have kits with 120V power cords and
those back of the stereo receptacles to run lights and stuff.
We had a real badass science teach in grade school that had us build these and do
other slightly weird things like "microchemistry" where all reactions were done
in capillary tubes which we had to work into test tubes with alcohol burners.
http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html
It's likely to be as successful as the attempt by former Polaroid employees to
revive Polaroid integral materials. Which is to say, not at all.
The whole point of electronic kits was to offer something you couldn't buy
assembled (such as robots), or test equipment, Amateur equipment, audio
amplifiers, etc, that cost a lot more assembled.
This is over. Cheap labor from the Orient, combined with the switch to SMDs,
have largely destroyed the possibility of kits being less-expensive than
assembled items, let alone offering something you can't get assembled.
Elecraft makes Amateur kits, but there's probably not a large-enough market
for Heath to enter. As for test equipment...
http://www.elecraft.com
Graymark still has an nice selection of real kits:
http://www.graymarkint.com/index_productdirectory.htm#komponent_kits
I love that they haven't wimped out and still have kits with 120V power cords and
those back of the stereo receptacles to run lights and stuff.
We had a real badass science teach in grade school that had us build these and do
other slightly weird things like "microchemistry" where all reactions were done
in capillary tubes which we had to work into test tubes with alcohol burners.
K
Ken Layton
Guest
On Friday, August 30, 2013 3:57:38 PM UTC-7, Cydrome Leader wrote:
Graymark, now that's a name I haven't heard in many years. Back in 1969 I was in the 9th grade and we each built a Graymark tube AM table radio kit for electronics class. It was fun.
William Sommerwerck <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote:
http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html
It's likely to be as successful as the attempt by former Polaroid employees to
revive Polaroid integral materials. Which is to say, not at all.
The whole point of electronic kits was to offer something you couldn't buy
assembled (such as robots), or test equipment, Amateur equipment, audio
amplifiers, etc, that cost a lot more assembled.
This is over. Cheap labor from the Orient, combined with the switch to SMDs,
have largely destroyed the possibility of kits being less-expensive than
assembled items, let alone offering something you can't get assembled.
Elecraft makes Amateur kits, but there's probably not a large-enough market
for Heath to enter. As for test equipment...
http://www.elecraft.com
Graymark still has an nice selection of real kits:
http://www.graymarkint.com/index_productdirectory.htm#komponent_kits
I love that they haven't wimped out and still have kits with 120V power cords and
those back of the stereo receptacles to run lights and stuff.
We had a real badass science teach in grade school that had us build these and do
other slightly weird things like "microchemistry" where all reactions were done
in capillary tubes which we had to work into test tubes with alcohol burners.
Graymark, now that's a name I haven't heard in many years. Back in 1969 I was in the 9th grade and we each built a Graymark tube AM table radio kit for electronics class. It was fun.
A
Arfa Daily
Guest
"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:kvqdn9$20t$1@dont-email.me...
Sorry, but I would have to disagree that the whole point was about stuff
that you couldn't buy. It was as much about the learning process involved,
and the undeniable satisfaction of being able to say "I made that" about
some item that you had cobbled together to serve some purpose that you
needed it for. I would have to say that this is (almost) as true now as it
was back in the kit heyday. If it were not, magazines such as Elektor, over
here and now available your side of the pond, and your Circuit Cellar, as
well as many ham radio magazines containing construction projects, would not
remain as popular and successful as they still are. For sure, the emphasis
has shifted more towards digital projects, but there are still many
practical construction projects that could be taken on by anyone with basic
electronic knowledge. Indeed, Elektor have always sold kits for their major
projects, and continue to do so to this day.
I really don't feel that is the point. As to whether Heathkit can
re-establish itself in the field is, I feel, largely down to their
marketing, and the market sector they decide to target. If they get this
right, and they can produce kits and paperwork to the same high standards
that they enjoyed 40 years ago, whilst managing to keep the prices
sensible - not necessarily 'cheap' - then I think that could be very
successful in this enterprise. They seem to be getting a good response to
their on-line questionnaire, and the questions that it asks are relevant and
intelligent, so if they pay attention, and can fulfill the other
requirements that I feel that they need to, then I see no reason why they
shouldn't once again establish themselves as leaders in the field.
The ham radio market is potentially huge, and I would have thought a good
place for them to enter. And what say you about test equipment ? There is
still a market for things like ESR meter kits, and bench power supplies,
audio signal generators, simple RF generators and so on.
Arfa
news:kvqdn9$20t$1@dont-email.me...
http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html
It's likely to be as successful as the attempt by former Polaroid
employees to revive Polaroid integral materials. Which is to say, not at
all.
The whole point of electronic kits was to offer something you couldn't buy
assembled (such as robots), or test equipment, Amateur equipment, audio
amplifiers, etc, that cost a lot more assembled.
Sorry, but I would have to disagree that the whole point was about stuff
that you couldn't buy. It was as much about the learning process involved,
and the undeniable satisfaction of being able to say "I made that" about
some item that you had cobbled together to serve some purpose that you
needed it for. I would have to say that this is (almost) as true now as it
was back in the kit heyday. If it were not, magazines such as Elektor, over
here and now available your side of the pond, and your Circuit Cellar, as
well as many ham radio magazines containing construction projects, would not
remain as popular and successful as they still are. For sure, the emphasis
has shifted more towards digital projects, but there are still many
practical construction projects that could be taken on by anyone with basic
electronic knowledge. Indeed, Elektor have always sold kits for their major
projects, and continue to do so to this day.
This is over. Cheap labor from the Orient, combined with the switch to
SMDs, have largely destroyed the possibility of kits being less-expensive
than assembled items, let alone offering something you can't get
assembled.
I really don't feel that is the point. As to whether Heathkit can
re-establish itself in the field is, I feel, largely down to their
marketing, and the market sector they decide to target. If they get this
right, and they can produce kits and paperwork to the same high standards
that they enjoyed 40 years ago, whilst managing to keep the prices
sensible - not necessarily 'cheap' - then I think that could be very
successful in this enterprise. They seem to be getting a good response to
their on-line questionnaire, and the questions that it asks are relevant and
intelligent, so if they pay attention, and can fulfill the other
requirements that I feel that they need to, then I see no reason why they
shouldn't once again establish themselves as leaders in the field.
Elecraft makes Amateur kits, but there's probably not a large-enough
market for Heath to enter. As for test equipment...
The ham radio market is potentially huge, and I would have thought a good
place for them to enter. And what say you about test equipment ? There is
still a market for things like ESR meter kits, and bench power supplies,
audio signal generators, simple RF generators and so on.
Arfa
M
Michael Black
Guest
On Fri, 30 Aug 2013, William Sommerwerck wrote:
time someone posted about "Heathkit is coming back", they had the organ
kit, the boonie bike kit, the marine electronic kits, and so on. The kits
were made to be built by anyone, carefully follow the instructions and you
will succeed. Indeed, those who tried to leap ahead might get into
trouble.
The kits were viable when they were tube based, so either someone
assembled it at the factory (I just saw an old magazine with a photo of
the Hallicrafter's assembly line, students in sweaters soldering the parts
together) or you did it at home. Once circuit boards came along (and
especially as automation took over) that cost faded, it ending up being
more expensive to put out kits than to assemble at the factory.
And when there was a money saving, then someone with no interest in
electronics would build that color tv set or whatever, they were told they
could if they followed the instructions, and they got the set for less
than buying assembled.
And one fo the factors I wonder about is how much that "nobody" kit
building helped the bottom line. Was the amateur radio equipment and test
equipment self-sustainiing, or did it need more popular kits sold to the
masses? They had soe very interesting kits that were really aimed at that
larger mass. And if the company relied on that larger population for
sales, that's mostly disappeared now. The ones who want the kits are the
hobbyists, since they can't get the kits cheaper than the finished
products.
There's a fixation on the name. There are kits still being made, but
somehow they don't count since they aren't Heathkit. On the other hand,
those other kits often aren't aimed at the total beginner, who blindly
follows the instructions. The people wanting kits want the building
experience, without having to collect the parts (or figure out suitable
replacements). ANd that's a pretty small segment of the population.
Bringing back Heathkit won't do a thing, just like bringing back Popular
Electronics won't do a thing. It's the content that matters, and either it
will fly by itself, or no amount of old branding will help.
will have to be unique, either sonething nice and cheap, or something
other's aren't selling.
Remember, last year (or I guess the year before) they made a big splash
"Heathkit is back in the kit business" and everyone saw the name and
rejoiced. ANd they offered a kit or two, none of which had any appeal to
the hobbyist, and apparently not to the public. They set up lures, "we'll
have more kits soon, even amateur radio equipment", but they failed before
that happened. Until something changes, this won't work either.
Or maybe they will sell the name, like all those Philco all in one stereos
advertised late at night on tv.
Michael
The thing about Heathkit was it sold to everyone. LIke I said the last"Arfa Daily" wrote in message news:z4bUt.36606$kM7.3454@fx28.am4...
"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:kvqdn9$20t$1@dont-email.me...
http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html
The whole point of electronic kits was to offer something you couldn't
buy assembled (such as robots), or test equipment, Amateur equipment,
audio amplifiers, etc, that cost a lot more assembled.
Sorry, but I would have to disagree that the whole point was about stuff
that you couldn't buy.
Please re-read what I said. (See above.)
time someone posted about "Heathkit is coming back", they had the organ
kit, the boonie bike kit, the marine electronic kits, and so on. The kits
were made to be built by anyone, carefully follow the instructions and you
will succeed. Indeed, those who tried to leap ahead might get into
trouble.
The kits were viable when they were tube based, so either someone
assembled it at the factory (I just saw an old magazine with a photo of
the Hallicrafter's assembly line, students in sweaters soldering the parts
together) or you did it at home. Once circuit boards came along (and
especially as automation took over) that cost faded, it ending up being
more expensive to put out kits than to assemble at the factory.
And when there was a money saving, then someone with no interest in
electronics would build that color tv set or whatever, they were told they
could if they followed the instructions, and they got the set for less
than buying assembled.
And one fo the factors I wonder about is how much that "nobody" kit
building helped the bottom line. Was the amateur radio equipment and test
equipment self-sustainiing, or did it need more popular kits sold to the
masses? They had soe very interesting kits that were really aimed at that
larger mass. And if the company relied on that larger population for
sales, that's mostly disappeared now. The ones who want the kits are the
hobbyists, since they can't get the kits cheaper than the finished
products.
There's a fixation on the name. There are kits still being made, but
somehow they don't count since they aren't Heathkit. On the other hand,
those other kits often aren't aimed at the total beginner, who blindly
follows the instructions. The people wanting kits want the building
experience, without having to collect the parts (or figure out suitable
replacements). ANd that's a pretty small segment of the population.
Bringing back Heathkit won't do a thing, just like bringing back Popular
Electronics won't do a thing. It's the content that matters, and either it
will fly by itself, or no amount of old branding will help.
Yes, there's already ESR meter kits. And this new iteration of HeathkitThe ham radio market is potentially huge, and I would have thought a good
place for them to enter. And what say you about test equipment? There is
still a market for things like ESR meter kits, and bench power supplies,
audio signal generators, simple RF generators and so on.
To paraphrase Lois Lane... How huge is it?
Heath is going to have to come up with some come pretty Amateur and test
products to compete with existing kit manufacturers.
will have to be unique, either sonething nice and cheap, or something
other's aren't selling.
Remember, last year (or I guess the year before) they made a big splash
"Heathkit is back in the kit business" and everyone saw the name and
rejoiced. ANd they offered a kit or two, none of which had any appeal to
the hobbyist, and apparently not to the public. They set up lures, "we'll
have more kits soon, even amateur radio equipment", but they failed before
that happened. Until something changes, this won't work either.
Or maybe they will sell the name, like all those Philco all in one stereos
advertised late at night on tv.
Michael
M
Michael Black
Guest
On Fri, 30 Aug 2013, Smarty wrote:
All they have is the Heathkit name. That means nothing. No products, no
business, no realistic understanding of the situation.
Michael
http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html
Why do people keep passing this on, and to a repair newsgroup to boot?
All they have is the Heathkit name. That means nothing. No products, no
business, no realistic understanding of the situation.
Michael
W
William Sommerwerck
Guest
"Arfa Daily" wrote in message news:z4bUt.36606$kM7.3454@fx28.am4...
"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:kvqdn9$20t$1@dont-email.me...
Please re-read what I said. (See above.)
To paraphrase Lois Lane... How huge is it?
Heath is going to have to come up with some come pretty Amateur and test
products to compete with existing kit manufacturers.
"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:kvqdn9$20t$1@dont-email.me...
http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html
The whole point of electronic kits was to offer something you couldn't
buy assembled (such as robots), or test equipment, Amateur equipment,
audio amplifiers, etc, that cost a lot more assembled.
Sorry, but I would have to disagree that the whole point was about stuff
that you couldn't buy.
Please re-read what I said. (See above.)
The ham radio market is potentially huge, and I would have thought a good
place for them to enter. And what say you about test equipment? There is
still a market for things like ESR meter kits, and bench power supplies,
audio signal generators, simple RF generators and so on.
To paraphrase Lois Lane... How huge is it?
Heath is going to have to come up with some come pretty Amateur and test
products to compete with existing kit manufacturers.
A
Arfa Daily
Guest
"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:kvri1p$2qr$1@dont-email.me...
I did, and the intention of what I was saying was quite clear, if not
completely understood by you ?? If you must, add in the whole of your
initial paragraph ...
.... couldn't buy { assembled (such as robots), or test equipment, Amateur
equipment, audio
> amplifiers, etc, that cost a lot more assembled. }
Arfa
news:kvri1p$2qr$1@dont-email.me...
"Arfa Daily" wrote in message news:z4bUt.36606$kM7.3454@fx28.am4...
"William Sommerwerck" <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:kvqdn9$20t$1@dont-email.me...
http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html
The whole point of electronic kits was to offer something you couldn't
buy assembled (such as robots), or test equipment, Amateur equipment,
audio amplifiers, etc, that cost a lot more assembled.
Sorry, but I would have to disagree that the whole point was about stuff
that you couldn't buy.
Please re-read what I said. (See above.)
I did, and the intention of what I was saying was quite clear, if not
completely understood by you ?? If you must, add in the whole of your
initial paragraph ...
.... couldn't buy { assembled (such as robots), or test equipment, Amateur
equipment, audio
> amplifiers, etc, that cost a lot more assembled. }
Arfa
A
Adrian C
Guest
On 30/08/2013 16:01, Smarty wrote:
> http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html
There's similar bones lying about for the UK Tandy Chain.
http://www.tandyonline.co.uk/
Yes, they've got a store of bits, but not exactly enthralling
presentation...
Doomed.
--
Adrian C
> http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html
There's similar bones lying about for the UK Tandy Chain.
http://www.tandyonline.co.uk/
Yes, they've got a store of bits, but not exactly enthralling
presentation...
Doomed.
--
Adrian C
W
Wild_Bill
Guest
I agree.. not only has the interest in electronics changed, but the
components have too. Most of the thru-hole components could be soldered with
a cheap soldering iron with a large tip.
Having an understanding of electronics used to mean that one could
potentially repair (or build) many types of equipment.. not so much anymore.
Super-cheap assemblies from China are cheaper and more compact than a few of
the componnets can be purchased for.. I got some voltage regulator boards
recently, each about the size of a matchbook, about $8 for 5 of 'em. That's
not possible or practical for a hobbiest to build.
Heathkits were interesting, many of the kits were test equipment and usinng
test equipment generally led to a greater understanding of electronics. Test
equipment has little use for most of the gear that folks commonly own today.
TV/video gear test equipment, automotive or appliance repairs are mostly
history, since most equipment can't be repaired DIY.
If anything is more complex than voltage or resistance readings on cars
today, a code reader is needed, and even those are crazy cheap sourced from
China.
The USB devices have been a running joke for a friend and myself for quite a
while.. one of the craziest items I saw recently was USB powered heater
slippers.
Heath was doing well for years, maybe best during the Zenith educational
packages years (computer and robotic courses), but as a new kit supplier
business, they'd likely have to source unassembled devices from China and
market the box of machine-populated sub-assemblies as kits, so the buyer
would end up doing the final assembly of connecting a few cables and
screwing the case together.
Mass mailings of catalogs are essentially over.. things have really changed
a lot.
As far as the practicallity of kits, well.. they said the Mars rover was
built with off-the-shelf sub-assemblies.
--
Cheers,
WB
..............
<jurb6006@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:e7d52d71-7491-401a-9384-467f5720216b@googlegroups.com...
I would not be optimistic right now.
Actualy some of those kits are things you could buy cheaper but people
bought them for the experience/satisfaction of actually building something.
It was a different America then sadly. People were really gung ho on
techology because so many things were new.
One little niche market they could cover maybe would be custom USB devices.
I had an idea for the service industry to store remote control pulse trains
in the PC and build a little IR transciever to control these sets on the
bench as you needed remoted for service menus and so forth. Of courrse then
I found out that some smartphones can do this.
However that doesn't mean it's not a viable idea, but revealing it here
obviously indicates that I do not intend to patent it. It's not worth it.
Like anything else, in the beginning I envisioned all sorts of neat things,
like techs being able to email the pulse trains to each other, or even a web
based repository or P2P sharing.
Would have been nice but the fact is now the TV industry is reduced to bad
electrolytics and a few powers supply repairs or 99 % of the time the unit
is scrap.
However if they can write a little software that is cross platform and come
up with a somewhat universal USB interface, there are possibilities. Peole
could build some of their own home automation devices etc., and maybe build
some things you just can't get from Bestbuy. Sorta like a laymen's
Arduino.....
No matter what they come up with the market is extremely tough. People have
no time for this stuff, they need to work two jobs to keep their house,
stuff like that. Perhaps worldwide. Believe it or not - Russia. They've come
a long way and actually are more than an emerging market.
ĐżŃĐ¸Đ˛ĐľŃ ?
components have too. Most of the thru-hole components could be soldered with
a cheap soldering iron with a large tip.
Having an understanding of electronics used to mean that one could
potentially repair (or build) many types of equipment.. not so much anymore.
Super-cheap assemblies from China are cheaper and more compact than a few of
the componnets can be purchased for.. I got some voltage regulator boards
recently, each about the size of a matchbook, about $8 for 5 of 'em. That's
not possible or practical for a hobbiest to build.
Heathkits were interesting, many of the kits were test equipment and usinng
test equipment generally led to a greater understanding of electronics. Test
equipment has little use for most of the gear that folks commonly own today.
TV/video gear test equipment, automotive or appliance repairs are mostly
history, since most equipment can't be repaired DIY.
If anything is more complex than voltage or resistance readings on cars
today, a code reader is needed, and even those are crazy cheap sourced from
China.
The USB devices have been a running joke for a friend and myself for quite a
while.. one of the craziest items I saw recently was USB powered heater
slippers.
Heath was doing well for years, maybe best during the Zenith educational
packages years (computer and robotic courses), but as a new kit supplier
business, they'd likely have to source unassembled devices from China and
market the box of machine-populated sub-assemblies as kits, so the buyer
would end up doing the final assembly of connecting a few cables and
screwing the case together.
Mass mailings of catalogs are essentially over.. things have really changed
a lot.
As far as the practicallity of kits, well.. they said the Mars rover was
built with off-the-shelf sub-assemblies.
--
Cheers,
WB
..............
<jurb6006@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:e7d52d71-7491-401a-9384-467f5720216b@googlegroups.com...
I would not be optimistic right now.
Actualy some of those kits are things you could buy cheaper but people
bought them for the experience/satisfaction of actually building something.
It was a different America then sadly. People were really gung ho on
techology because so many things were new.
One little niche market they could cover maybe would be custom USB devices.
I had an idea for the service industry to store remote control pulse trains
in the PC and build a little IR transciever to control these sets on the
bench as you needed remoted for service menus and so forth. Of courrse then
I found out that some smartphones can do this.
However that doesn't mean it's not a viable idea, but revealing it here
obviously indicates that I do not intend to patent it. It's not worth it.
Like anything else, in the beginning I envisioned all sorts of neat things,
like techs being able to email the pulse trains to each other, or even a web
based repository or P2P sharing.
Would have been nice but the fact is now the TV industry is reduced to bad
electrolytics and a few powers supply repairs or 99 % of the time the unit
is scrap.
However if they can write a little software that is cross platform and come
up with a somewhat universal USB interface, there are possibilities. Peole
could build some of their own home automation devices etc., and maybe build
some things you just can't get from Bestbuy. Sorta like a laymen's
Arduino.....
No matter what they come up with the market is extremely tough. People have
no time for this stuff, they need to work two jobs to keep their house,
stuff like that. Perhaps worldwide. Believe it or not - Russia. They've come
a long way and actually are more than an emerging market.
ĐżŃĐ¸Đ˛ĐľŃ ?
W
William Sommerwerck
Guest
There's little doubt that the ability to build your own projects created an
interest in electronics.
interest in electronics.
C
Cydrome Leader
Guest
Ken Layton <KLayton888@aol.com> wrote:
I though they were out of business for years as they had no website, and
they don't mail me catalogs. They always included the PCB artwork so you
could etch your own board, or lay it out with that etch resist tape, which
is what their artwork is photocopied from anyways.
They may have dropped tube kits, but everything else is untouched by time.
I recall this kit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX9LcxSEhcU
The silkscreen has changed, and the old ones included grease for the
gears, but the damn thing looks the same.
On Friday, August 30, 2013 3:57:38 PM UTC-7, Cydrome Leader wrote:
William Sommerwerck <grizzledgeezer@comcast.net> wrote:
http://www.heathkit.com/heathkit-faq.html
It's likely to be as successful as the attempt by former Polaroid employees to
revive Polaroid integral materials. Which is to say, not at all.
The whole point of electronic kits was to offer something you couldn't buy
assembled (such as robots), or test equipment, Amateur equipment, audio
amplifiers, etc, that cost a lot more assembled.
This is over. Cheap labor from the Orient, combined with the switch to SMDs,
have largely destroyed the possibility of kits being less-expensive than
assembled items, let alone offering something you can't get assembled.
Elecraft makes Amateur kits, but there's probably not a large-enough market
for Heath to enter. As for test equipment...
http://www.elecraft.com
Graymark still has an nice selection of real kits:
http://www.graymarkint.com/index_productdirectory.htm#komponent_kits
I love that they haven't wimped out and still have kits with 120V power cords and
those back of the stereo receptacles to run lights and stuff.
We had a real badass science teach in grade school that had us build these and do
other slightly weird things like "microchemistry" where all reactions were done
in capillary tubes which we had to work into test tubes with alcohol burners.
Graymark, now that's a name I haven't heard in many years. Back in 1969 I was in the 9th grade and we each built a Graymark tube AM table radio kit for electronics class. It was fun.
I though they were out of business for years as they had no website, and
they don't mail me catalogs. They always included the PCB artwork so you
could etch your own board, or lay it out with that etch resist tape, which
is what their artwork is photocopied from anyways.
They may have dropped tube kits, but everything else is untouched by time.
I recall this kit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX9LcxSEhcU
The silkscreen has changed, and the old ones included grease for the
gears, but the damn thing looks the same.