Test Equipment · Volume 6
Every Heathkit Instrument, Model by Model
This volume is the reference for the dive: a master table of every Heath test-equipment kit found in the catalogues and the collectors’ model matrix, from the O-1 of 1947 to the last kits of 1991, a table of the assembled-only instruments, the documents used with the data needed for the hosting decision, and the key sources. The history of each family is in the earlier volumes; the company’s own history is in the history dive.
6.1 How the tables were built
Model list. The starting point is the Nostalgic Kits Central model matrix, which lists more than 1,400 Heath model numbers (Nostalgic Kits Central). Every model the matrix files under test equipment, and every model with an instrument prefix, was taken; probes, accessories, calculators, weather and automotive instruments were left out, apart from the IO-20 ignition analyser, which the catalogues sold among the scopes.
Catalogue years. Each model number was then searched for in the text of 46 Heath catalogues and flyers from December 1949 to Winter 1991, read from the World Radio History scans; where a scan had no text layer, the instrument pages were read by optical character recognition. The years given are the first and last catalogues in which the model appears in an unbroken run. The catalogues are not evenly spaced (there are none in the set for 1953, 1957, 1960, 1964, 1973 or 1989, and only one or two for most other years), so a model can be a year older or younger than the table shows. Years marked * are from the Nostalgic Kits Central matrix alone, because the model was not found in the scans read.
Models before 1961. For the single-letter models and the other instruments of 1947–1960, the years and prices are taken from Bob Eckweiler’s advertisement-based tables where he gives them (Heathkit of the Month), from the 1954 and 1956 order blanks, and from the flyers tabulated in the history dive’s second volume. These prices are launch prices.
Prices after 1961. For later models the price is the kit price in the first catalogue in which a price could be read, with that catalogue’s year in brackets. It is a launch price only when the year matches the first catalogue year; for models introduced between catalogues it may be a year or two later. Heath’s prices rose through the 1970s, often by 10 to 20 per cent. Prices marked † are from the Nostalgic Kits Central matrix and were not found in the scans. A dash means no price was found.
Gaps. The first-seen dates for 1972–1975 are the least reliable, because the 1973 and 1974 main catalogues in the set have no usable text layer. Several late-1980s scans are optical-character readings of photographed pages and may miss a model. The O-series and V-series years follow Eckweiler, whose month-level dates are more precise than any catalogue count; the VTVM family is covered in full in the VTVM dive.
6.2 Master table of instrument kits
6.2.1 Oscilloscopes and scope accessories
Table 1 — Oscilloscopes and scope accessories
| Model | Type | Catalogue years | Kit price (catalogue year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | Oscilloscope | 1947 | $39.50 | First Heathkit; 5BP1 surplus CRT; no model number on panel |
| O-2 | Oscilloscope | 1948 | $39.50 | Half the weight of the O-1 |
| O-3 | Oscilloscope | 1948–1949 | $39.50 | Direct deflection-plate inputs |
| O-4 | Oscilloscope | 1949 | $39.50 | New components replace surplus oil capacitors |
| O-5 | Oscilloscope | 1949–1950 | $39.50 | Push-pull amplifiers; first step-by-step scope manual |
| S-1 | Electronic Switch | 1949–1950 | $34.50 | Electronic switch (dual trace) |
| O-6 | Oscilloscope | 1950–1951 | $39.50 | |
| S-2 | Electronic Switch | 1950–1955 | $23.50 | |
| O-7 | Oscilloscope | 1951–1952 | $43.50 | Ten tubes, cascade vertical amplifier |
| O-8 | Oscilloscope | 1952–1953 | $59.50 | 5CP1 post-deflection CRT |
| VC-1 | Oscilloscope Calibrator | 1952 | $9.50 | Scope voltage calibrator |
| O-9 | Oscilloscope | 1953–1954 | $59.50 | 5UP1 new CRT; OD3 regulator |
| VC-2 | Oscilloscope Calibrator | 1953–1956 | $11.50 | |
| O-10 | Oscilloscope | 1954–1956 | $69.50 | Etched circuit boards; “color TV” scope |
| OL-1 | Oscilloscope | 1954–1956 | $29.50 | First 3-inch Heathkit scope |
| OM-1 | Oscilloscope | 1955–1956 | $39.50 | Printed-circuit utility 5-inch; $49.50 by 1956 |
| O-11 | Oscilloscope | 1956–1958 | $69.50 | |
| S-3 | Electronic Switch | 1956–1962 | $21.95 | |
| VC-3 | Oscilloscope Calibrator | 1956–1962 | $12.50 | |
| OM-2 | Oscilloscope | 1957–1958 | $42.50 | |
| O-12 | Oscilloscope | 1958–1960 | $64.95 | Last O-series scope |
| OM-3 | Oscilloscope | 1958–1960 | $39.95 | |
| OP-1 | Oscilloscope | 1958–1962 | $179.95 | ”Professional” DC scope, triggered sweep, 5ADP2 CRT |
| IO-10 | Oscilloscope | 1960–1971 | $79.95 | 3-inch DC scope |
| IO-30 | Oscilloscope | 1960–1962 | $76.95 | Replaced the O-12 |
| IO-21 | Oscilloscope | 1961–1971 | $49.95 (1961) | 3-inch, 200 kHz |
| OR-1 | Oscilloscope | by 1961 | $119.95 | ”Research” scope; years not established |
| ID-22 | Electronic Switch | 1962–1971 | $23.95 (1962) | provides dual trace |
| IO-12 | Oscilloscope | 1962–1971 | $76.95 | 5-inch lab scope; the best-known Heath tube scope |
| IO-20 | Ignition Analyzer | 1962–1971 | $89.95 (1962) | |
| IO-14 | Oscilloscope | 1967–1971 | $299.00 (1967) | 5-inch, DC-8 MHz |
| IO-17 | Oscilloscope | 1968–1974 | $79.95 | |
| IO-18 | Oscilloscope | 1969–1971 | $92.50 (1971) | “Extra Duty” 5-inch |
| ID-101 | Electronic Switch | 1971–1976 | $44.95 (1976) | Provides dual trace |
| IO-102 | Oscilloscope | 1971–1975 | $119.95 (1972) | Solid-state 5 MHz |
| IO-103 | Oscilloscope | 1974 | — | 5-inch, 10 MHz triggered sweep |
| IO-104 | Oscilloscope | 1974 | — | 5-inch, 15 MHz rect screen |
| IO-105 | Oscilloscope | 1974 | — | 5-inch, DC-15 MHz dual trace |
| IO-1128 | Oscilloscope | 1974 | — | 3-inch, vector monitor |
| IO-4510 | Oscilloscope | 1974–1980 | $569.95 (1976) | Dual trace, 15 MHz |
| IG-4505 | Oscilloscope Calibrator | 1975–1987 | $44.95 (1975) | |
| IO-101 | Oscilloscope | 1975–1976 | — | Vector scope color bar/dot gen |
| IO-4530 | Oscilloscope | 1975–1976 | $299.95 (1975) | 5-inch, 10 MHz “TV Service” |
| IO-4540 | Oscilloscope | 1975–1976 | $179.95 (1975) | 5-inch, 5 MHz “hobby/service” |
| IO-4560 | Oscilloscope | 1975–1978 | $119.95 (1975) | 5-inch, DC to 5 MHz auto triggered sweep |
| IO-4550 | Oscilloscope | 1976–1984 | $379.95 (1976) | 5-inch, 10 MHz dual trace |
| ID-4101 | Electronic Switch | 1977–1981 | $42.95 (1977) | provides dual trace |
| IO-4101 | Oscilloscope | 1977–1980 | $149.95 (1977) | Vector scope same as IO-101 |
| IO-4541 | Oscilloscope | 1977–1978 | $179.95 (1977) | 5-inch, 5 MHz “special TV triggering” |
| IO-4555 | Oscilloscope | 1977–1980 | $299.95 (1977) | 5-inch, 10 MHz single trace |
| IO-4105 | Oscilloscope | 1979–1987 | $219.95 (1979) | 5-inch, DC-5 MHz “Hobby” |
| IO-4205 | Oscilloscope | 1979–1987 | $299.95 (1979) | 5-inch, 5 MHz dual trace |
| IO-4235 | Oscilloscope | 1979–1984 | $899.95 (1979) | 35 MHz delayed-sweep dual trace |
| IO-3220 | Oscilloscope | 1982–1984 | $699.95 (1983) | First portable Heathkit scope |
| IG-4244 | Oscilloscope Calibrator | 1983–1991 | $149.95 (1983) | Precision scope calibrator |
| IO-4360 | Oscilloscope | 1984–1985 | $999.95 (1985) | 60 MHz triple trace |
| IO-4210 | Oscilloscope | 1985–1987 | $449.95 (1985) | 5-inch, 10 MHz dual trace |
| IC-4802 | Scope | 1986–1988 | $575.00 (1986) | Digital Scope Box for use with a PC |
| ID-4850 | Digital Memory Oscilloscope | 1986–1990 | $499.95 (1986) | Digital memory box for scopes |
| IO-4225 | Oscilloscope | 1989–1990* | — | 5-inch, 25 MHz dual trace |
6.2.2 Vacuum-tube voltmeters
Table 2 — Vacuum-tube voltmeters
| Model | Type | Catalogue years | Kit price (catalogue year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V-1 | VTVM | 1947–1949 | $24.50 | Second Heathkit; see the VTVM dive |
| V-2 | VTVM | 1948–1949 | $24.50 | 200 µA meter |
| V-3 | VTVM | 1949 | $34.50 (announced) | Battery VTVM; few if any made |
| V-4 | VTVM | 1950 | $24.50 | Selenium rectifier |
| V-4A | VTVM | 1950–1951 | $23.50 | |
| AV-1 | VTVM | 1951–1952 | $29.50 | AC VTVM |
| V-5 | VTVM | 1951 | $24.50 | Formed aluminium cabinet |
| AV-2 | AC VTVM | 1952–1956 | $29.50 | AC VTVM |
| V-5A | VTVM | 1952 | $24.50 | |
| V-6 | VTVM | 1952–1954 | $24.50 | Seven ranges |
| V-7 | VTVM | 1954–1955 | $24.50 | First Heathkit printed circuit board |
| V-7A | VTVM | 1955–1961 | $24.50 | Thicker board; $25.95 by 1959 |
| AV-3 | VTVM | 1956–1961 | — | AC VTVM; became the IM-21 |
| IM-10 | VTVM | 1961 | $32.95 (1961) | |
| IM-11 | VTVM | 1961–1971 | $29.95 | $24.95 from 1962; see the VTVM dive |
| IM-21 | VTVM | 1961–1968 | $33.95 | AC VTVM |
| IM-32 | VTVM | 1962 | $39.95 (1962) | replaces IM-10 |
| IM-13 | VTVM | 1963–1969 | $39.95 (1963) | low/wide large meter |
| IM-18 | VTVM | 1970–1977 | $29.95 (1970) | replaces IM-11 |
| IM-38 | VTVM | 1970–1976 | $57.95 (1970) | AC - replaces IM-21 |
| IM-28 | VTVM | 1971–1976 | $39.95 (1971) | replaces IM-13 |
| IM-5218 | VTVM | 1977–1983 | $39.95 (1977) | same as IM-18 but new look |
| IM-5228 | VTVM | 1977–1987 | $49.95 (1977) | same as IM-38 but new look |
| IM-5238 | VTVM | 1977–1981 | $89.95 (1977) | AC new look |
6.2.3 Analog meters (VOM, FET and probe meters)
Table 3 — Analog meters (VOM, FET and probe meters)
| Model | Type | Catalogue years | Kit price (catalogue year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M-1 | VOM | 1949–1962 | $13.50 | ”Handitester” pocket VOM; $14.50 by 1954 |
| MM-1 | VOM | 1953–1971 | $26.50 | 20,000 Ω/V multimeter; $29.95 by 1962 |
| EK-1 | VOM | 1962–1976 | $19.95 (1962) | educational model |
| IM-17 | VOM | 1967–1977 | $19.95 (1968) | First solid-state Heath voltmeter; Eckweiler gives $25.95 at launch |
| IM-16 | VOM | 1968–1974 | $44.95 (1968) | analog - new look |
| IM-25 | VOM | 1968–1974 | $80.00 (1968) | analog - new look |
| IM-104 | VOM | 1974–1976 | $94.95 (1975) | FET portable |
| IM-105 | VOM | 1975–1981 | $64.95 (1975) | portable |
| IM-5225 | Multimeter | 1977–1982 | $119.95 (1977) | FET analog |
| IM-5284 | VOM | 1977–1983 | $39.95 (1978) | 5280 starter series |
| IM-1104 | VOM | 1979–1981 | $109.95 (1979) | 10 meg input portable |
| IM-5210 | Probe Meter | 1979–1984 | — | 40 kV high voltage |
| IM-5217 | VOM | 1979–1987 | $47.95 (1979) | portable |
| IM-5215 | Probe Meter | 1985–1991 | $29.95 (1985) | 40 kV high voltage |
6.2.4 Digital multimeters and voltmeters
Table 4 — Digital multimeters and voltmeters
| Model | Type | Catalogue years | Kit price (catalogue year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM-2230 | Digital Multimeter | — | — | |
| IM-102 | DVM | 1971–1978 | $249.95 (1975) | 3½-digit Nixie DVM |
| IM-1202 | DMM | 1974 | $89.95† | 2 1/2 digit Nixie |
| IM-1212 | DMM | 1975–1976 | $79.95 (1975) | 2 1/2 digit Nixie |
| IM-2202 | DMM | 1975–1981 | $179.95 (1975) | 3 1/2 digit LED |
| IM-1210 | DMM | 1977–1982 | $67.95 (1977) | 2 1/2 digit LED |
| IM-2212 | DMM | 1979–1982 | $299.95 (1979) | 3 1/2 digit LED auto-ranging |
| IM-2215 | DMM | 1979–1986 | $99.95 (1979) | handheld LCD |
| IM-2260 | DMM | 1982–1991 | $124.95 (1982) | portable LCD |
| IM-2262 | DMM | 1982–1983 | $189.95 (1982) | portable LCD |
| IM-2264 | DMM | 1982–1987 | $239.95 (1982) | portable LCD |
| IM-2320 | DMM | 1987 | $69.95 (1987) | handheld LCD |
6.2.5 Frequency counters and related
Table 5 — Frequency counters and related
| Model | Type | Catalogue years | Kit price (catalogue year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IB-101 | Frequency Counter | 1970–1972 | $199.95 | First Heathkit frequency counter (15 MHz, Nixie) |
| IB-102 | Frequency Scaler | 1971–1975 | $99.95 | 175 MHz prescaler |
| IB-1103 | Frequency Counter | 1973–1977 | $349.95 (1975) | 180 MHz, phase-locked multiplier |
| IB-1100 | Counter | 1974 | $184.95† | 30 MHz Nixie |
| IB-1101 | Frequency Counter | 1974 | $295.00† | 100 MHz Nixie |
| IB-1102 | Frequency Counter | 1974–1976 | $279.95 (1975) | 120 MHz Nixie |
| IM-4100 | Frequency Counter | 1975–1980 | $129.95 (1976) | 30 MHz counter |
| IM-4110 | Frequency Counter | 1977–1980 | $189.95 (1977) | 110 MHz LED |
| IM-4120 | Frequency Counter | 1977–1980 | $329.95 (1977) | 250 MHz LED |
| IM-4130 | Frequency Counter | 1977–1978 | $529.95 (1977) | 1 GHz LED |
| IM-4190 | Bi-Directional Wattmeter | 1978–1981 | $114.95 (1978) | |
| IM-4180 | FM Deviation Meter | 1979–1987 | $169.95 (1979) | |
| IM-2400 | Frequency Counter | 1981–1991 | $139.95 (1981) | 512 MHz handheld LED |
| IM-2410 | Frequency Counter | 1981–1990 | $139.95 (1987) | 225 MHz counter |
| IM-2420 | Frequency Counter | 1981–1990 | $269.95 (1983) | 512 MHz counter |
6.2.6 RF, sweep and TV generators
Table 6 — RF, sweep and TV generators
| Model | Type | Catalogue years | Kit price (catalogue year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G-1 | Signal Generator | 1948–1949 | $19.50 | RF generator; one trimmer calibrates five bands |
| G-3 | Sweep Signal Generator | 1948 | $24.50 | TV/FM sweep generator |
| G-4 | HF-AM Signal Generator | 1949 | $19.50 | 32–110 Mc generator; one flyer only |
| G-5 | Signal Generator | 1949–1950 | $19.50 | |
| TS-1 | TV Alignment Generator | 1950* | — | |
| TS-2 | TV Alignment Generator | 1950–1953 | — | TV alignment generator |
| BG-1 | Bar Generator | 1953–1956 | $14.50 | Bar generator |
| LG-1 | Signal Generator | 1953–1962 | $39.50 | Laboratory generator; design by Carl Helber |
| TS-3 | Sweep Generator | 1953–1955 | $44.50 | |
| LP-1 | Linearity Pattern Generator | 1955–1956 | $22.50 | Linearity pattern generator |
| TS-4 | TV Alignment Generator | 1956 | $49.50 | |
| CD-1 | Color Bar/Dot Generator | 1957–1962 | $59.95 | Colour bar and dot generator |
| LP-2 | Linearity Pattern Generator | 1957 | — | |
| TS-4A | TV Alignment Generator | 1957–1962 | $49.50 | |
| FMO-1 | FM Sweep Alignment Generator | 1960–1970 | $34.95 | FM alignment generator |
| RF-1 | RF Signal Generator | 1960–1962 | $27.95 | |
| IG-42 | RF Signal Generator | 1962–1978 | $56.95 (1962) | replaces LG-1 |
| IG-52 | TV Alignment Generator | 1962–1971 | $54.95 (1962) | |
| IG-62 | Bar/Dot Generator | 1962–1969 | $64.95 (1965) | |
| IG-102 | RF Signal Generator | 1962–1977 | $27.95 (1962) | replaces RF-1 |
| IG-112 | FM Stereo Generator | 1965–1967 | $99.00 (1965) | |
| IG-14 | Marker Generator | 1968–1969 | $99.95 (1968) | |
| IG-37 | FM-Stereo Generator | 1968–1976 | $79.95 (1968) | For RF IF and FM Stereo Alignment - “new look” |
| IG-57 | Post Marker/Sweep Generator | 1969 | $135.00 (1969) | |
| IG-57A | Post Mark/Sweep Generator | 1970–1976 | $135.00 (1971) | |
| IG-28 | Color Generator | 1971–1976 | $79.95 (1971) | |
| IG-5228 | Bar/Dot Generator | 1977–1983 | $89.95 (1977) | replaces IG-28 |
| IG-5237 | FM Stereo Generator | 1977–1979 | $99.95 (1977) | |
| IG-5240 | Color Generator | 1977–1984 | $64.95 (1977) | color hand held |
| IG-5257 | Post Marker/Sweep Generator | 1977–1984 | $169.95 (1977) | same as IG-57A |
| IG-5280 | RF Oscillator | 1977–1990 | $37.95 (1977) | 5280 starter series |
| IG-5242 | RF Generator | 1978–1980 | $119.95 (1978) | same as IG-42 but new look |
| IG-5260 | TV Alignment Generator | 1991 | $69.95 (1991) |
6.2.7 Audio generators and analyzers
Table 7 — Audio generators and analyzers
| Model | Type | Catalogue years | Kit price (catalogue year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G-2 | Sine/Square Wave Audio Generator | 1948–1951 | $34.50 | Sine/square audio generator |
| AF-1 | Audio Frequency Meter | 1951–1959 | $34.50 | Audio frequency meter |
| AG-7 | Audio Generator | 1951–1952 | $34.50 | |
| IM-1 | Intermodulation Analyzer | 1951–1954 | $39.50 | Intermodulation analyzer |
| SQ-1 | Audio Generator | 1951–1957 | $29.50 | Square-wave generator |
| AG-8 | Audio Generator | 1952–1957 | $29.50 | |
| AO-1 | Audio Generator | 1952–1959 | $24.50 | |
| AW-1 | Audio Wattmeter | 1952–1960 | $29.50 | Audio wattmeter |
| AA-1 | Audio Analyzer | 1956–1962 | $59.50 | Audio analyzer |
| AG-9 | Audio Generator | 1956 | $34.50 | |
| HD-1 | Harmonic Distortion Meter | 1956–1962 | $49.50 | Harmonic distortion meter |
| AG-9A | Audio Generator | 1957–1962 | $34.50 | |
| AG-10 | Sine-Square Generator | 1958–1962 | $49.50 | Sine/square |
| IG-72 | AF Signal Generator | 1962–1976 | $41.95 (1962) | replaces AG-9A |
| IG-82 | Audio Generator | 1962–1969 | $51.95 (1962) | sine/square |
| IM-12 | Harmonic Distortion Meter | 1962–1969 | $54.95 (1962) | |
| IM-22 | Audio Intermodulation Analyzer | 1962–1969 | $56.95 (1962) | replaces AA-1 |
| IG-18 | Sine/Square Generator | 1971–1976 | $67.50 (1971) | sine/square |
| IM-48 | Audio Intermodulation Analyzer | 1971–1976 | $69.00 (1971) | replaces IM-22 |
| IM-58 | Harmonic Distortion Meter | 1971–1976 | $65.00 (1971) | |
| IG-18A | Audio Generator | 1975–1977* | — | sine/square |
| IG-1271 | Function Generator | 1975–1986 | $109.95 (1975) | |
| ID-5252 | Audio Load | 1977–1979 | $44.95 (1977) | |
| IG-1272 | Audio Generator | 1977–1982 | $129.95 (1977) | |
| IG-1273 | Function Generator | 1977–1979 | $229.95 (1977) | linear/log |
| IG-1275 | Log/Lin Generator | 1977–1983 | $319.95 (1977) | |
| IG-5218 | Audio Generator | 1977–1988 | $84.95 (1977) | sine/square - replaces IG-72 |
| IG-5282 | Audio Generator | 1977–1990 | $37.95 (1977) | 5280 starter series |
| IM-5248 | Intermodulation Distortion Analyzer | 1977–1981 | $169.95 (1977) | |
| IM-5258 | THD Analyzer | 1977–1983 | $219.95 (1977) | |
| IG-1277 | Pulse Generator | 1985–1987 | $179.95 (1985) |
6.2.8 Tube testers
Table 8 — Tube testers
| Model | Type | Catalogue years | Kit price (catalogue year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TC-1 | Tube Tester | 1949–1953 | $29.50 | Emission tube checker |
| TC-2 | Tube Checker | 1953–1959 | $29.50 | Illuminated roll chart; TC-2P portable $34.50 |
| CC-1 | Tube Tester - CRT | 1956–1960 | $22.50 | Cathode-ray tube checker |
| TC-3 | Tube Tester | 1959–1962 | — | |
| TT-1 | Tube Tester | 1960–1962 | $134.95 | Mutual-conductance tester (Weston 981 lineage); see the TT-1 dive |
| IT-21 | Tube Tester | 1962–1967 | $44.95 (1962) | replaces TC-3 |
| TT-1A | Tube Tester | 1962–1974 | $149.95 | TT-1 plus Compactron/Nuvistor socket adapter |
| IT-17 | Tube Tester | 1968–1971 | $49.95 (1968) | new look version |
| IT-5230 | Tube Tester | 1976–1988 | $89.95 (1976) | CRT tester/rejuvenator |
| IT-3117 | Tube Tester | 1977–1982 | $99.95 (1977) | same as IT-17 |
6.2.9 Component, transistor and circuit testers
Table 9 — Component, transistor and circuit testers
| Model | Type | Catalogue years | Kit price (catalogue year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-1 | Condenser Checker | 1948–1950 | $19.50 | Condenser checker |
| T-1 | Signal Tracer | 1948–1950 | $19.50 | Signal tracer |
| IB-1 | Impedance Bridge | 1949–1950 | $69.50 | Impedance bridge; General Radio dial |
| C-2 | Condenser Checker | 1950–1952 | $19.50 | |
| T-2 | Signal Tracer | 1950–1952 | — | |
| IB-1B | Impedance Bridge | 1951–1952 | $69.50 | |
| BT-1 | Battery Tester | 1952–1960 | $8.50 | Battery tester |
| C-3 | Condenser Checker | 1952–1961 | $19.50 | |
| IB-2 | Impedance Bridge | 1952–1956 | $59.50 | |
| QM-1 | Q Meter | 1952–1961 | $39.50 | Q meter by Carl Helber; $44.50 by 1954 |
| T-3 | Signal Tracer | 1952–1957 | $23.50 | Visual-aural signal tracer |
| VT-1 | Vibrator Tester | 1953–1959 | $14.50 | Vibrator tester |
| CM-1 | Condenser Meter | 1955–1960 | $29.50 | Direct-reading capacity meter |
| CT-1 | In-Circuit CapChecker | 1957–1961 | $7.95 | In-circuit “Capaci-Tester” |
| IB-2A | Impedance Bridge | 1957–1967 | $69.95 | |
| T-4 | Signal Tracer | 1958–1962 | — | |
| IM-20 | Battery Tester | 1961–1962 | $14.95 (1962) | replaces BT-1 |
| IM-30 | Transistor Tester | 1961–1967 | $54.88 (1961) | |
| IT-10 | Transistor Checker | 1961–1967 | $6.95 (1962) | little cube shaped unit |
| IT-11 | Capacitor Checker | 1961–1968 | $29.95 | Capacitor checker; Eckweiler gives production to 1988 |
| IT-12 | Signal Tracer | 1962–1977 | $19.95 (1962) | |
| IT-22 | Capacitor Checker | 1962–1967 | $10.95 (1962) | |
| IM-36 | Transistor Tester | 1968–1974 | $60.00 (1968) | analog - new look |
| IT-27 | Transistor Checker | 1968–1977 | $6.95 (1968) | new look version |
| IB-28 | Impedance Bridge | 1969–1976 | $89.00 (1971) | |
| IT-18 | Transistor Tester | 1969–1977 | $24.95 (1969) | portable in-circuit |
| IT-28 | Capacitor Checker | 1969–1977 | $31.95 (1969) | updated IT-11 |
| IM-103 | Line Volt Monitor | 1971–1976 | $15.95 (1971) | |
| IT-121 | Transistor/FET Tester | 1974–1976 | $62.95 (1975) | |
| IT-1121 | Curve Tracer | 1974–1977 | $94.95 (1975) | Curve tracer; electrically the IT-3121 |
| IT-7400 | Digital IC Tester | 1976–1981 | $74.95 (1976) | |
| IB-3128 | Impedance Bridge | 1977–1980 | $124.95 (1977) | same as IB-28 but new paint |
| IB-5281 | RLC Bridge | 1977–1988 | $39.95 (1978) | 5280 starter series |
| IT-3120 | FET/Transistor Tester | 1977–1988 | $54.95 (1977) | |
| IT-3121 | Curve Tracer | 1977–1983 | $99.95 (1977) | Curve tracer; see the IT-3121 dive |
| IT-5283 | Signal Tracer | 1977–1988 | $37.95 (1977) | 5280 starter series |
| IT-3118 | Transistor Tester | 1978 | $37.95 (1978) | same as IT-18 |
| IT-3127 | Transistor /Diode checker | 1978–1981 | $13.95 (1978) | |
| IT-5235 | Yoke/Flyback Tester | 1980–1983 | $89.95 (1980) | |
| IT-2250 | Capacitance Meter | 1981–1987 | $157.95 (1981) | digital handheld 0 pf to199.9 mF |
| IT-2232 | Component Tracer | 1984–1987 | $249.95 (1985) | Component tracer with 3-inch CRT |
| IT-2240 | Impedance Bridge | 1986–1990 | $269.95 (1986) | digital benchtop |
6.2.10 Power supplies and isolation transformers
Table 10 — Power supplies and isolation transformers
| Model | Type | Catalogue years | Kit price (catalogue year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS-1 | Power Supply | 1950–1952 | — | Power supply |
| PS-2 | Regulated Supply | 1952–1954 | $33.50 | Regulated supply |
| IT-1 | Isolation Transformer | 1953–1960 | $16.50 | Variable isolation transformer |
| PS-3 | Regulated Supply | 1955–1961 | $35.50 | |
| PS-4 | Power Supply | 1959–1962 | $54.95 | Electrically the IP-32 |
| IP-10 | Isolation Transformer | 1961 | $54.95 (1961) | |
| IP-12 | Power Supply | 1962–1975 | $47.50 (1962) | Battery Eliminator |
| IP-20 | Power Supply | 1962–1968 | $72.95 (1962) | 0-50 VDC 1.5a regulated |
| IP-22 | Isolation Transformer | 1962 | $54.95 (1962) | |
| IP-32 | Power Supply | 1962–1967 | $56.95 | Tube-regulated HV supply; see the IP-32 dive |
| IP-17 | Power Supply | 1968–1976 | $59.95 (1968) | 0-400 VDC/125mA, 0-100/1mA, 6.3VAC & 12.6VAC |
| IP-27 | Regulated Supply | 1968–1974 | $76.95 (1968) | 0.5-50 VDC 50 150 and 500 ma. |
| IP-18 | Power Supply | 1969–1976 | $19.95 (1969) | 1-15 VDC |
| IP-28 | Power Supply | 1970–1975 | $47.50 (1971) | 1-30 VDC |
| IP-2670 | Power Supply | 1975* | — | |
| IP-2700 | Power Supply | 1975 | $169.95 (1975) | 60 VDC 1.5 A analog metering |
| IP-2701 | Power Supply | 1975–1976 | $219.95 (1975) | 60 VDC 1.5 A digital metering |
| IP-2710 | Power Supply | 1975–1981 | $169.95 (1975) | 30 VDC 3 A analog metering |
| IP-2711 | Power Supply | 1975–1981 | $219.95 (1975) | 30 VDC 3 A digital metering |
| IP-2720 | Power Supply | 1975–1976 | $169.95 (1975) | 15 VDC 5 A analog metering |
| IP-2721 | Power Supply | 1975–1976 | $219.95 (1975) | 15 VDC 5 A digital metering |
| IP-2730 | Power Supply | 1975–1977 | $169.95 (1975) | 7.5 VDC 10 A analog metering |
| IP-2731 | Power Supply | 1975–1976 | $219.95 (1975) | 7.5 VDC 10 A digital metering |
| IP-5220 | Isolated AC Supply | 1975–1983 | $109.95 (1975) | 0-150 VAC analog metering, 0-3 amps |
| IP-2715 | Power Supply | 1976–1983 | $134.95 (1976) | battery eliminator, 9-15vdc 20a, replaces IP-12 |
| IP-2718 | Power Supply | 1976–1991 | $79.95 (1976) | one 5vdc 1.5a and two 0-20vdc .5a outputs |
| IP-2717 | Power Supply | 1977–1982 | $99.95 (1977) | HV supply |
| IP-2728 | Power Supply | 1977–1990 | $24.95 (1977) | 1-15 VDC @ .5a replaces IP-28 |
| IP-2717A | Power Supply | 1982–1991 | $189.95 (1987) | HV supply; assembled SP-2717A; see the SP-2717A dive |
| IP-2760 | Power Supply | 1984–1987 | $169.95 (1984) | battery eliminator - restyled IP-2715 |
6.2.11 Substitution boxes
Table 11 — Substitution boxes
| Model | Type | Catalogue years | Kit price (catalogue year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RD-1 | Resistor Substitution Box | 1949–1951 | — | Resistance decade |
| DR-1 | Decade Resistor Box | 1951–1961 | $19.50 | Decade resistance |
| DC-1 | Decade Capacitor Box | 1952–1961 | $16.50 | Decade condenser |
| RS-1 | Resistor Substitution Box | 1952–1962 | $5.50 | Resistance substitution box |
| CS-1 | Condenser Substitution Box | 1954–1962 | $5.50 | Condenser substitution box |
| IN-11 | Resistor Substitution Box | 1962–1967 | $24.95 (1962) | decade type |
| IN-12 | Resistor Substitution Box | 1962–1967 | $5.95 (1962) | |
| IN-21 | Capacitor Substitution Box | 1962–1967 | $17.95 (1963) | decade type |
| IN-22 | Capacitor Substitution Box | 1962–1967 | $5.50 (1962) | |
| IN-17 | Resistor Substitution Box | 1968–1976 | $26.95 (1968) | decade type new look |
| IN-27 | Capacitor Substitution Box | 1968–1976 | $17.95 (1968) | 3 knobs |
| IN-37 | Resistor Substitution Box | 1968–1976 | $6.95 (1968) | decade type - new look |
| IN-47 | Capacitor Substitution Box | 1968–1976 | $6.50 (1968) | new look |
| IN-3117 | Resistor Substitution Box | 1977–1991 | $39.95 (1977) | same as IN-17 |
| IN-3137 | Resistor Substitution Box | 1977–1981 | $11.95 (1977) | same as IN-37 |
| IN-3147 | Capacitor Substitution Box | 1977–1982 | $11.95 (1977) | same as IN-47 |
| IN-3127 | Capacitor Substitution Box | 1979–1981 | $29.95 (1979) | same as IN-27 |
6.2.12 Computer-age and logic instruments
Table 12 — Computer-age and logic instruments
| Model | Type | Catalogue years | Kit price (catalogue year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IR-18 | Chart Recorder | 1971–1979* | — | 10in 12 speed |
| IT-7410 | Logic Probe | 1978–1988 | $39.95 (1986) | |
| IR-5207 | Plotter X-Y | 1979–1983 | $499.95 (1979) | |
| IR-5208 | Digital XY Plotter | 1985–1986 | $349.95 (1986) | |
| ID-4804 | Byte Probe | 1986–1988 | $69.95 (1986) | circuit troubleshooter |
| IC-1001 | Logic Analyzer | 1987–1991 | $269.00 (1987) | connects to a PC |
6.3 Assembled-only instruments
Heath sold factory-wired versions of many kits, usually with a W in the model number (IMW-11, IOW-18) and at roughly one and a half to two times the kit price. The table below lists instead the S-prefix instruments of the Heath/Schlumberger and Heath/Zenith lines, which were sold only assembled or were the assembled twins of kits. The Malmstadt-Enke EU and EUW laboratory instruments of 1963–1974 are not listed; they belong with the scientific and educational line (history dive, volume 4). Years marked * are from the Nostalgic Kits Central matrix only.
Table 13 — Assembled-only instruments
| Model | Type | Catalogue years | Price (catalogue) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SM-105 | Frequency Counter | 1971* | — | 80 MHz LED |
| SM-105A | Frequency Counter | 1971–1974 | $295.00 (1974) | 10 Hz–80 MHz |
| SO-29 | Oscilloscope | 1972* | — | High-gain DC scope for biology |
| SM-600 | Digital VTVM | 1974 | $120.00 (1974) | |
| SM-20A | VTVM | 1974–1976 | $70.00 (1976) | Assembled IM-18 |
| SM-21A | VTVM | 1974–1976 | $90.00 (1976) | Assembled IM-28 |
| SM-22A | AC VTVM | 1974–1976 | — | Assembled IM-38 |
| SG-1271 | Function Generator | 1974–1987 | $140.00 (1974) | makes square, sawtooth, and sine waves |
| SM-4100 | Frequency Counter | 1976–1980 | $190.00 (1976) | |
| SO-4550 | Oscilloscope | 1976–1982 | $525.00 (1977) | |
| SP-2718 | Triple power supply | 1976–1991 | $140.00 (1976) | Assembled IP-2718 |
| SG-1272 | Audio Generator | 1977–1981 | $190.00 (1977) | |
| SM-1210 | DVM | 1977–1981 | $90.00 (1977) | |
| SP-2717 | Power Supply | 1977–1982 | $210.00 (1978) | Assembled IP-2717 |
| SG-5218 | Audio Generator | 1977–1983 | $150.00 (1977) | |
| SM-4190 | Frequency Counter | 1978–1981 | $195.00 (1978) | see IM-4190 |
| SM-4180 | Frequency Deviation Meter | 1979–1980 | $260.00 (1979) | Factory assembled version of the IM-4180 |
| SO-4105 | Oscilloscope | 1979–1981 | $395.00 (1979) | |
| SM-2410 | Frequency Counter | 1981–1984 | $159.95 (1981) | see IM-2410 |
| SM-2420 | Frequency Counter | 1981–1990 | $299.95 (1981) | 512 MHz; see IM-2420 |
| SP-2717A | Power Supply | 1982–1984 | $239.95 (1982) | Assembled IP-2717A; see the SP-2717A dive |
| SM-2206 | DMM | 1983–1986 | $49.95 (1983) | clamp-on multimeter |
| SO-4221 | Oscilloscope | 1986 | $500.00 (1986) | 5-inch, 20 MHz dual trace |
| SM-2320 | DMM | 1986–1987 | $79.95 (1986) | heavy duty portable |
| SM-2300 | DMM | 1986–1991 | $24.95 (1986) | shirt pocket size assembled |
| SO-4226 | Oscilloscope | 1987 | $549.95 (1987) | 5-inch, 25 MHz dual trace |
| SO-4521 | Oscilloscope | 1987–1989* | — | 5-inch, 50 MHz dual trace |
| SM-2208 | DMM | 1987–1990 | $69.95 (1987) | clamp-on ammeter; 300 amps |
| SM-2255 | DMM | 1988–1990 | $159.95 (1988) | 3 1/2 digit handheld |
| SG-1274 | Function/Pulse Generator | 1988–1991 | $199.95 (1988) | 2 MHz swept |
| SM-2310A | DMM | 1989* | — | pocket size |
| SM-2440 | Frequency Counter | 1989–1990* | — | 1.3 GHz |
| SM-2300A | DMM | 1989–1991* | — | shirt pocket size assembled |
| SM-2360 | DMM | 1990 | $269.95 (1990) | bench/portable |
| SM-2311 | DMM | 1990–1991 | $59.95 (1990) | Assembled IM-2311 |
| SM-2372 | DMM/Frequency Meter | 1990–1991 | $89.95 (1990) | 20 MHz |
| SM-2374 | DMM | 1990–1991 | $79.95 (1990) | clamp-on; 1000 amps; AC/DC volts |
| SM-2376 | Insulation Tester | 1990–1991 | $49.95 (1990) | clamp-on |
| SM-2380 | DMM | 1990–1991 | $89.95 (1990) | autoranging; ruggedized |
| SO-4552 | Oscilloscope | 1990–1991 | $399.95 (1990) | 5-inch, 25 MHz deluxe |
| SO-4554 | Oscilloscope | 1990–1991 | $599.95 (1990) | 5-inch, 40 MHz deluxe |
| SP-2762 | Power Supply | 1990–1991 | $169.95 (1990) | 0–30 V, 3 A |
| SM-128A, SM-128B | Autoranging 110 MHz counters | 1974 | $325.00, $395.00 (1974) | Heath/Schlumberger |
| SM-77 | DMM “from FLUKE” | 1985–1987 | $119.95 (1985) | Sold as “Heath DMM from FLUKE” |
6.4 Documents used, and the hosting data
The catalogues and flyers below are the documents this dive was built from. Under the manuals decision in the project brief, catalogues count as advertising and may be hosted only when they are likely to be in the public domain: published before 1964 with no renewal found, or published without a copyright notice before 1 March 1989. No renewal search in the Catalog of Copyright Entries was done for any of them, so none is yet cleared for hosting; the “notice seen” column records only what was found in the scan’s text or on the pages examined, and a blank result is not proof that no notice was printed.
Table 14 — Documents used, and the hosting data
| Document | Date | Copyright notice seen | Renewal search | Free copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heath flyers, 1947–1951 | 1947–1951 | none seen | not done | World Radio History |
| The New 1952 Heathkit Catalog | 1952 | none seen in text layer | not done | |
| Heathkit Test Equipment, the new 1954 Heathkit catalog | 1954 | none seen in text layer | not done | |
| Flyer filed as Fall 1955 (probably autumn 1954) | 1954–55 | none seen in text layer | not done | |
| Heathkits for 1956 | 1956 | none seen in text layer | not done | |
| Heathkit 1958 (Allied-distributed scan) | 1958 | none seen in text layer | not done | |
| Heathkits for 1959 | 1958–59 | ”Copyright 1958, Heath Company” | not done | |
| Heathkit Fall–Winter 1961 | 1961 | not checked (image-only scan) | not done | |
| Heath/Schlumberger Electronic Instruments, 811/13 | June 1974 | ”© 1974 by Heath Company” | not needed (notice, after 1964) | |
| Heath/Schlumberger Instruments, 811-26 | 1978 | ”© 1978 Heath Company” | not needed (notice, after 1964) |
The later general catalogues used (1962–63 to Winter 1991) are listed under Sources; they were not examined for notices, and their dates put them outside the pre-1964 rule. Manuals for the individual instruments are listed, with their part numbers and hosting data, in the kit dives; none were downloaded for this dive.
6.5 Key sources
Catalogues and flyers (World Radio History, index): flyers of December 1949, September 1950 and September 1951; catalogues of 1952, 1954 (test equipment), the flyer filed as Fall 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, Fall–Winter 1961, 1962–63 (81-30), 1963 (80-34), March 1965 (800-53), 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, Winter 1970, 1971, 810/72, March 1974, Christmas 1975, Spring 1976, Fall 1977, Christmas 1977, Winter 1978, Spring 1978, Fall 1978, Fall 1979, 848 (1980), Winter 1981, Christmas 1981, Winter 1981–82, Christmas 1982, Winter 1983, Fall 1983, Spring 1984, Fall 1985, Fall 1986, Fall 1987, Spring 1988 (211), Summer 1990 (221-412) and Winter 1991 (223); Heath/Schlumberger instrument catalogues 811/13 (1974) and 811-26 (1978).
Company reports: Schlumberger Limited, Annual Reports 1962–1979 (1978 missing). Internet Archive.
Articles and books:
- Eckweiler, Bob (AF6C). “Heathkit of the Month,” RF, Orange County Amateur Radio Club, 2008–2026, especially #2, #9, #18, #19, #32, #35, #38, #41, #44, #47, #51, #59, #61, #67, #75, #78, #85, #87, #89, #96, #110 and #130, and article A03. https://www.w6ze.org/Heathkit/Heathkit_Index.html
- Penson, Chuck (WA7ZZE). Heathkit Test Equipment Products. 2014. ISBN 978-0-615-99133-7.
- Brueschke, Erich E., and Michael Mack. “The History of the Heath Companies and Heathkits: 1909 to 2019.” The AWA Review 32 (2019). https://archive.org/details/thehistoryoftheheathcompanies
- Gilmore, Charles. “Heathkit: An Employee’s Look Back.” Electronic Design, 30 November 2020. https://www.electronicdesign.com/blogs/contributed-blogs/archive/communiqu/article/21148923/electronic-design-heathkit-an-employees-look-back
- Leibson, Steven, with Chas Gilmore. “The Rise and Fall of Heathkit,” parts 2 and 4, and “H is for Heathkits and Hams,” part 1. EEJournal. https://www.eejournal.com/article/the-rise-and-fall-of-heathkit-part-2-the-1960s-through-the-mid-1970s/
- Heyning, Bjorn, ed. Heath Stories (1986–1990). https://www.heco.wxwilki.com/wwheco2/index.html
- Post, Rich. Supplementary pictures for “The EICO Story.” https://people.ohio.edu/postr/bapix/ARF/EICOhist.htm
- Nostalgic Kits Central, Heathkit model matrix. https://www.nostalgickitscentral.com/heath/products/alphabetical.html
Related dives on this site and the Test Equipment site: VTVM; TT-1 tube tester; IP-32 high-voltage supply; IT-3121 curve tracer; SP-2717A high-voltage supply; the nine-volume history dive.
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