The Heatkit AF-1 Analog Frequency Meter, Part 6b - Testing the power supply.
After rebuilding the power supply, it's time to test it before moving on. Check out the results on my project page.
The Shriners (Columbus) Hamfest is August 2nd 2025
https://aladdinshrine.org/hamfest/
This is a small show, about an hour or two of browsing everything twice - but it's always been decent. It's well worth the trip if you're in the Columbus, Ohio area. I'll have pictures from the show when it's over - stay tuned!
Rebuilding the power supply on the Heathkit AF-1
The first thing to do with any rebuild is check the power supply. On the Heathkit unit, the supply is most certainly bad.
This post sees us rebuilding that section of the device so we can do some basic checks on the rest of the unit. Check it out on my project page.
The Heatkit AF-1 Analog Frequency Meter, Part 5 - A different approach.
Instead of just going in and rebuilding the entire Heathkit AF-1, I'm going to do some testing along the way.
First up is the power supply. I know what's wrong with that, so it's an easy fix...
Check it out on my project page.
The Heatkit AF-1 Analog Frequency Meter, Intermission.
One of the things I’ve been considering with the Heathkit AF-1 I have on the bench right now is the potentiometers. The originals were 200Ω wirewound rheostats, but the original owner of the device replaced some with 5kΩ carbons.
I've identified some new potentiometers for this unit, and I'm going to have to stay with what the original builder used. Check it out on my project page.
Stuff I brought home from hamfests
One last hamfest post before summer.
I brought home a couple of interesting things this year, a few of which may be the subject of their own posts later on. Check out my pictures on my project page.
The Heatkit AF-1 Analog Frequency Meter, Part 4 - Parts.
Now that the shows are over for a few months, it's time to get back to the bench.
The Heathkit AF-1 is waiting for parts, and it's time to identify them. I've come up with a list of things that this unit will need - which is basically everything!
Check out the list on my project page.
Photos from the 2025 Breezeshooters Hamfest.
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/06/08/photos-from-the-2025-breezeshooters-hamfest/
The Breezeshooters hamfest date promised rain - and it delivered. We got about an hour wandering around the show ground. There were substantially less vendors outside, probably because of that same threat of rain. Regardless, there was still some good stuff to see and we hightailed it out just as it started to pour.
Check out my photos of the event on my project page.
Saturday’s photos from the 2025 Dayton Hamvention.
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/05/19/saturdays-photos-from-the-2025-dayton-hamvention/
Saturday turned out to be a sunny, cool, and quite breezy day at the show. It looked like a few vendors left, and a few new ones showed up with stuff being unpacked throughout the day.
We took a second tour of the flea market and looked inside one of the exhibit halls - things were just too packed in there to worry about.
Check out Saturday's Hamvention pictures at the link.
Friday’s photos from the 2025 Dayton Hamvention.
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/05/19/fridays-photos-from-the-2025-dayton-hamvention/
Friday started out to be a nice day, quickly turned angry looking, and remained there for the rest of the day. It was threatening rain, but that all went to the south of the show during the day, and we had a relatively cool, slightly breezy afternoon for browsing the aisles.
This year was more of a “ham radio” year than previous. Yes, this is a radio show, but a lot more rigs and things seemed to show up. One of the vendors stated “Yes, that’s because everyone is dying,” and the older crowd we observed (myself included) seemed to indicate that more of the same would be happening. That’s probably where my stuff will end up in 30 years…
There was still a lot of good stuff to see, although I didn’t find what I was looking for. I did manage to drag a few things home, and overall had a good time.
Photo(s) from the 2025 SVARC Hamfest
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/05/24/photos-from-the-2025-svarc-hamfest/
The SVARC hamfest in Piketon was small, as expected. This year was more radio gear and a lot of flea market junk. Other than some parts, I didn't bring anything home with me and didn't see much that I thought needed a photo.
You can check out what I did find (not much!) on my project page.
The 2025 Breezeshooters Hamfest - June 8th 2025
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/05/21/the-2025-breezeshooters-hamfest-june-8th-2025/
This is a decent size local show that happens in Butler, PA at the Butler Farm Show event ground. I can usually spend 2-3 hours here, as they have several outdoor and indoor market spaces set up. It’s worth the trip if you’re in the surrounding area.
This is usually one of the first “Dayton Items without the Dayton Prices” shows that I’ll attend. See you there!
Breezeshooters Hamfest
Butler, PA
Butler Farm Show (Kind of a fairgrounds thing)
625 Evans City Rd
Butler, PA 16001
June 8
8A - 2PM
The 2025 Scioto Valley Amateur Radio Club Hamfest - May 24th 2025
There's a hamfest happening in Piketon, OH at the Pike County Fairgrounds - in case you didn't get enough junk at Dayton. I've been to this show a few times, it usually has something to offer. If you're in the area, check it out.
Scioto Valley Amateur Radio Club Hamfest
Saturday May 24th
Pike County Fairgrounds
311 Mill Street
Piketon, OH 45661
8A - Noonish
https://www.arrl.org/hamfests/scioto-valley-amateur-radio-club-hamfest-3
The Heatkit AF-1 Analog Frequency Meter, Part 3 - Schematic Corrections.
During my rebuild of the Heathkit AF-1, I noticed that the schematic you find online and the unit itself differ. Part 3 is me spending some time correcting the schematic - the first of a couple revisions. Check out what differed on my project page.
The Heatkit AF-1 Analog Frequency Meter, Part 2 - Testing.
The first step in any rework is to look it over and see what does and does not work. While the Heathkit AF-1 I have on the bench is (sort of kind of) operational, it's going to need some new filters before it even gets to the diagnoses stage. Check it out on my project page.
The Dayton Hamvention is happening in a week.
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/05/09/the-dayton-hamvention-is-happening-in-a-week/
Break open mister piggy because it’s almost time for the Dayton Hamvention. You still have time to get tickets at a discount rate, but they’re being held will-call at the ticket booth on site.
Times are:
Friday, May 16th - 9A to 5P <--- Probably the best day to go.
Saturday, May 17th - 9A to 5P
Sunday, May 18th - 9A to 1P <--- Vendors leave, but some have free stuff!
I'll have pictures posted as soon as I can get them processed - probably the following week.
Tickets can be purchased online at: https://hamvention.org/purchase-tickets/
See you there!
Photos from the ACARA Hamfest in Athens, Ohio
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/04/28/photos-from-the-2025-acara-hamfest/
The second show was the ACARA Hamfest in Athens, OH. Somewhat larger that the previous show, this one was a nice sized local and had more of what I wanted to see. Check out my photos of this event on my project page.
Dayton is in two weeks, and I'll have photos from all three days. See you there!
Photos from the 2025 TUSCO Hamfest
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/04/28/photos-from-the-2025-tusco-hamfest/
There were two shows from this past weekend, the first of which was the small TUSCO hamfest in Dover, OH. Even though this was small, I still managed to find a few goodies. Check out my photos of the event on my project page.
The Heatkit AF-1 Analog Frequency Meter, Part 1.
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/01/02/the-heatkit-af-1-analog-frequency-meter-part-1/
Next up is this somewhat unique frequency meter (not counter!) from Heathkit. Kind of a stopgap measure between no device and digital devices, this (and it's HP big brother) lasted a few years before vanishing. They're somewhat rare, as they were pretty much put out with yesterday's newspaper when digital devices appeared on the market.
This one is in good physical condition, but needs a full electrical rework. Check out part one on my project page.
Photos from the 69th annual CFARC Hamfest
https://wereboar.com/projects/index.php/2025/04/09/photos-from-the-69th-annual-cfarc-hamfest/
The 69th Annual CFARC #Hamfest happened on Saturday, April 5th. This has been a well-attended event for as long as I've been going, and this year was no different. The venue had opened up a little more space and added some seating for tired feet, and there was plenty to see.
Prices seem to be creeping up a little, and people weren't as willing to deal. Regardless, there was plenty I wanted to take home (but had to leave there!)