Saturday Score!

quarkx · March 14, 2010, 05:41 PM

ok, here is one for you guys. Saturday Score!
too make a long story -short, because I due have a tendency to ramble.Saturdays some of the AMICUE guys meet for coffee. Today, one of them gave me a big box of knowledge!
I had show the NCS 2065T kit and he was cleaning out his storage area,and knew I was getting into Electronics so , in the box was the following:
HeathKit ET3100 Electronic Design Experimenter
HeathKit ET3200 Digital Design Experimenter
And about 6 related HeathKit courses centred around those 2 kits
The nice thing is that all these kits Look about 98% complete, and even have the part bins labelled for each Course. As you know the worst thing about getting "hand me down" kits like this, is all the parts were usually lost years ago.
Not only are all the courses in almost mint shape, the even come with the original records (yes, I said records) for the audio lectures.These records were those old thin floppy mylar sheets (i have to find aturn table and convert them to MP3's).
These courses of course will have to wait.
He did not buy the ET3400 which of course was the computer trainer unfortunately.
The trainers are a bit dusty and have BNC connectors that are not shown on the original photos below, but everything else is in excellent condition.

airship · March 15, 2010, 01:47 AM

WOW! These old Heathkit trainers are classics. Not only is everything Heathkit offered built like a tank, their training courses were the best in the business. This is a great find.

And I even think they're actually worth some eBay ca$h if and when you tire of them.

quarkx · March 15, 2010, 02:06 AM

Really? Wow,
I just figured the courses like "AC Electronics" and "DC Electronics" should be relatively the same today, as back then.
The "Mathematics for Science and Technology" Course may be a bit dated as they use the "old Math", but all the concepts should be sound. As I am not a big math guy, I figured I would just kind of skip that course.

quarkx · March 16, 2010, 03:37 AM

Not really worth that much(around $50 USD- just for a lone trainer), since the "NEW" Heathkit offers the same Kits (just in a white and looks like smaller cases, with an add-on board). I can't see the "NEW" courses being all that much different though, I guess I will have to talk to them about about sending in the tests and getting Credited etc, but because I didn't buy it from "Them", it probably won't amount to much, just my further knowledge.
The "NEW" Heathkit

airship · March 16, 2010, 01:45 PM

I had no idea that Heathkit was back. They're even making a new HERO robot! That's cool. But, yeah, it seems to have reduced the value of the old kits. Still, their main value is in what they teach. That's priceless.

quarkx · March 16, 2010, 04:44 PM

I did e-mail them about Certification and what not with these old courses. So far nothing back.
I am not holding my breath, but I heard a rumour that part of the deal when these guys bought Heathkit, is the had to Honor all the old stuff, and offer Certification on the old stuff. Who knows, but I ain't holding my breath.

quarkx · March 17, 2010, 01:49 AM

here is a picture of the "New" trainers (basic with no "Add-on Boards") looks like they swap the breadboard to save a bit of cash.

quarkx · March 25, 2010, 09:13 AM

For those that are interested,I did find out that the "OLD" Heathkit courses are still valid and will be honoured and credited by Heathkit.From the FAQ's On the website:
"Q1 - I still have a Heathkit course and final exam that I purchased X years ago. Will Heathkit still accept the exam for grading and credit?

Yes,Heathkit ILPs do not expire. We will grade your test and if you achieve a passing score, we will issue a certificate with the number of CEUs assigned to the course. You must use the answer sheet and exam from the original exam pack. We will not accept a photocopy of the answer sheet.

Q2 - Is the electronics course that I purchased X years ago still applicable?

The Fundamental Electronics series, as the names implies, is fundamental in nature. The fundamentals do not change. Therefore these courses are still applicable."

I also called them this morning. I want to order the Solder course (about $30). They are sending me a catalogue in snail mail. The hope to have a proper "online" store soon, but who knows how long that will take. The electronic courses are about $130 USD each. The trainer is $3500 I think he said. I will post proper prices once I get them.