{"id":16720,"date":"2016-01-12T09:17:50","date_gmt":"2016-01-12T13:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=16720"},"modified":"2016-01-12T09:17:50","modified_gmt":"2016-01-12T13:17:50","slug":"james-reviews-the-heathkit-explorer-jr-gr-150-trf-am-radio-receiver-kit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/james-reviews-the-heathkit-explorer-jr-gr-150-trf-am-radio-receiver-kit\/","title":{"rendered":"James reviews the Heathkit Explorer Jr. GR-150 TRF AM radio receiver kit"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15089\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/HeathkitExplorerJr.png\" alt=\"HeathkitExplorerJr\" width=\"484\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/HeathkitExplorerJr.png 484w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/HeathkitExplorerJr-300x279.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 484px) 100vw, 484px\" \/>Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, James Surprenant (AB1DQ), who shares this review and photos of the new Heathkit Explorer Jr. TRF AM radio receiver kit:<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h1>\u00a0Heathkit Explorer Jr. Review<\/h1>\n<p>I received this Heathkit kit for Xmas from dear old Dad.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-16721\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Manual-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Heathkit Explorer Jr. Manual\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Manual-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Manual-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Manual-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Manual-500x282.jpg 500w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Manual.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Explorer Jr. manual is very nicely done, spiral-bound, and very reminiscent of the old Heathkit manuals in terms of lay-out and detail.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-16722\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Retro-envelope-packaging-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Heathkit Explorer Jr. Retro envelope packaging\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Retro-envelope-packaging-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Retro-envelope-packaging-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Retro-envelope-packaging-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Retro-envelope-packaging-500x282.jpg 500w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Retro-envelope-packaging.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The packaging of the parts is also reminiscent of the old Heathkits with parts grouped into envelopes by phase, ie. \u201cActive Components,\u201d \u201cPassive Components,\u201d \u201cSmall Parts,\u201d \u201cKnobs,\u201d etc.<\/p>\n<p>The first night,\u00a0I worked through completion of the circuit board attaching all electronic components and stopped at the step for winding the coil. I thought it would make sense to start fresh on that step since winding coils is generally a pain.<\/p>\n<p>Even on the first night, I had a few criticisms:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A couple of the envelopes were ripped open when I unpacked the kit. There were nuts, bolts, spacers and an Allen wrench loose in the outer box. That said, no parts were missing.<\/li>\n<li>I found two errors in the manual:\n<ol>\n<li>The color code for one of the resistors was incorrect in the manual. With my aging eyes, and the miniaturization of components today, I always use an ohm meter to test all resistors before attaching them to the PCB when I build a kit.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_16723\" style=\"width: 444px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16723\" class=\"size-full wp-image-16723\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Color-Code-Error.jpg\" alt=\"Incorrect color code in manual.\" width=\"434\" height=\"543\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Color-Code-Error.jpg 434w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Color-Code-Error-240x300.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 434px) 100vw, 434px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16723\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Incorrect color code in manual.<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li>The circuit contains 10 resistors and all 10 were included in the kit. But one was completely missing from the step-by-step instructions. After I finished attaching all active and passive components, I had one resistor left over and fortunately there was a matching empty space on the circuit board for the same value resistor. I double and triple checked the instruction manual and I can not find where it calls for this resistor to be attached.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>My biggest criticism so far is the fact that this kit is \u201csolder-less.\u201d All components are attached to the PCB with screws, lock washers and a nut. You insert the leads for each component through the over-size pass-through holes on the PCB, and bend the leads tight against the edge. Then you insert a screw in from the topside, place a lock washer on the bottom side and fasten with a bolt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_16724\" style=\"width: 594px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16724\" class=\"size-large wp-image-16724\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Bottom-of-board-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Bottom of the PCB board\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Bottom-of-board-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Bottom-of-board-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Bottom-of-board-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Bottom-of-board-500x282.jpg 500w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Bottom-of-board.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16724\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bottom of the PCB board<\/p><\/div>\n<p>On the upside, the fact I didn\u2019t need to work with a hot solder iron meant I felt comfortable building the kit at the kitchen table. (My XYL would not be pleased if she found burn marks on the table!) So I had a nicer environment to work in than the basement work bench.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16725\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-sheered-off-resistor-leads.jpg\" alt=\"Heathkit Explorer Jr. sheered off resistor leads\" width=\"915\" height=\"515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-sheered-off-resistor-leads.jpg 915w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-sheered-off-resistor-leads-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-sheered-off-resistor-leads-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-sheered-off-resistor-leads-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 915px) 100vw, 915px\" \/>On the downside, I managed to sheer off the leads on TWO resistors when tightening the screws. Fortunately I was able to replace the busted resistors from my on-hand stock.<\/p>\n<p>The other odd thing about this method of attaching components is that Heathkit included a nifty screwdriver in the kit, but leaves it up to the kit builder to provide a small socket wrench or pliers to hold the nut in place while tightening the screw.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, the instructions call for the kit builder to \u2018bend the excess leads back and forth\u2019 until they snap off, rather than instructing the kit builder to snip off the excess leads with nippers. That seemed really strange to me.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16726\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-coil.jpg\" alt=\"Heathkit Explorer Jr. Completed coil\" width=\"915\" height=\"515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-coil.jpg 915w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-coil-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-coil-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-coil-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 915px) 100vw, 915px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I completed my build of the GR-150 Explorer TRF radio this past weekend. I had no difficulty winding the coil, which involved 56 turns of magnet wire around a ferite core and securing it with transparent tape.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16727\" style=\"width: 594px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16727\" class=\"size-large wp-image-16727\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Zip-Tie-Black-came-in-kit-I-had-to-supply-white-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Heathkit provided the black ties, which were too large.\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Zip-Tie-Black-came-in-kit-I-had-to-supply-white-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Zip-Tie-Black-came-in-kit-I-had-to-supply-white-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Zip-Tie-Black-came-in-kit-I-had-to-supply-white-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Zip-Tie-Black-came-in-kit-I-had-to-supply-white-500x282.jpg 500w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Zip-Tie-Black-came-in-kit-I-had-to-supply-white.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16727\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Heathkit provided the black ties, which were too large.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The next problem I encountered was attaching the wound coil to the PCB. The kit came with two zip cords to use as fasteners, but the zip cords were much much too large to fit through the holes drilled in the PCB. So this required a trip to the hardware store.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_16728\" style=\"width: 594px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16728\" class=\"size-large wp-image-16728\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Oversize-zip-tie-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"You can clearly see that the holes are too small for the black cable ties.\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Oversize-zip-tie-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Oversize-zip-tie-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Oversize-zip-tie-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Oversize-zip-tie-500x282.jpg 500w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Oversize-zip-tie.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-16728\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">You can clearly see that the holes are too small for the black cable ties.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Once I had the coil mounted, I encountered the problem again with the bolts and nuts shearing off the leads \u2013 this time, it took me about 4 tries to attach the thin fragile coil wires to the PCB. It\u2019s a very fragile process that again had me wishing this was a solder kit.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-16729\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Top-of-PCB-front-1024x637.jpg\" alt=\"Heathkit Explorer Jr. Top of PCB front\" width=\"584\" height=\"363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Top-of-PCB-front-1024x637.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Top-of-PCB-front-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Top-of-PCB-front-768x478.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Top-of-PCB-front-482x300.jpg 482w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Top-of-PCB-front.jpg 1128w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The rest of the assembly went well. The only other glitch I encountered was in assembling the cabinet, the kit came with six locking star washers for the cabinet, in fact the parts list indicates that six should have been included in the kit. But then the actual assembly called for 10 star washers.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-16730\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Top-of-PCB-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Heathkit Explorer Jr. Top of PCB\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Top-of-PCB-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Top-of-PCB-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Top-of-PCB-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Top-of-PCB-500x282.jpg 500w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Top-of-PCB.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-16731\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Nearly-finished-front-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Heathkit Explorer Jr. Nearly finished front\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Nearly-finished-front-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Nearly-finished-front-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Nearly-finished-front-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Nearly-finished-front-500x282.jpg 500w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Nearly-finished-front.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-16732\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-PCB-mounted-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Heathkit Explorer Jr. Completed PCB mounted\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-PCB-mounted-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-PCB-mounted-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-PCB-mounted-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-PCB-mounted-500x282.jpg 500w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-PCB-mounted.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>So, how did the radio perform? About as expected. It is a single stage TRF receiver without a proper audio amplifier. The instructions say you should use earbuds to listen to the radio, but I found that my standard stereo earbuds to be off too low an impedance for while the radio worked, all stations heard were very faint \u2013 about as strong as you\u2019d hear from a typical crystal radio kit.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16733\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-1st-run-sticker.jpg\" alt=\"Heathkit Explorer Jr. 1st run sticker\" width=\"915\" height=\"515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-1st-run-sticker.jpg 915w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-1st-run-sticker-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-1st-run-sticker-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-1st-run-sticker-500x281.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 915px) 100vw, 915px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I hooked the radio up to a set of PC speakers which helped \u2013 a lot. Once I could hear the audio output, I was very pleased with the radio\u2019s performance. The tuning cap is geared and it takes a good five turns of the tuning knob to cover the entire broadcast band. The radio was fairly sensitive and not too selective \u2013 again, as you\u2019d expect.<\/p>\n<p>So, was it worth it? For me, <em>sure<\/em>\u2026 but it depends on what you are looking for.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a bit pricey for what you get, but if you want to support Heathkit as it attempts to rise from the ashes, and if you have the $$$ to \u2018donate\u2019 towards the cause, it may be worth it.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16734\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-w.-screwdriver.jpg\" alt=\"Heathkit Explorer Jr. Completed w. screwdriver\" width=\"434\" height=\"543\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-w.-screwdriver.jpg 434w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-w.-screwdriver-240x300.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 434px) 100vw, 434px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Here is my take:<\/p>\n<h2>The good<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Very<\/em> nice quality materials\u2026.the PCB, tuning cap, and cabinet were of a quality you don\u2019t often see in kits.<\/li>\n<li>Nostalgia factor&#8211;from the packing to the manuals, the kit really does capture some of the Heath nostalgia.<\/li>\n<li>Level of detail in the step-by-step instructions.<\/li>\n<li>Documentation. The manual ends with a very nice feature on radio theory and theory of the different stages of the TRF and how to read a schematic. It\u2019s clearly written for a youngster as it\u2019s complete with drawings of smiley-faced electrons moving through the components and circuits.<\/li>\n<li>The radio does work and is a joy to tune across the dial.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>The bad<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Quality control is lacking. It\u2019s hard to imagine a kit ever leaving Benton Harbor back in the day with such glaring errors in the manual (wrong color code, missing steps), or with the wrong size zip ties, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Price. Even though the materials are high-end, the retail price seems a bit high.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>The ugly<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>I really wish Heathkit had included either a built in audio amp circuit (there is plenty of room in the cabinet to add a simple IC-based amp), or would have marketed a separate audio amp kit. Having an amplified speaker would add <em>a lot<\/em>\u00a0in terms of pleasure from the completed kit. Another kit vendor, Peebles Originals, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.peeblesoriginals.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">peeblesoriginals.com<\/a>, sells a nice little audio amplifier kit for use with their regen radio kits. I\u2019ve built it, and it\u2019s a simple straight forward kit. Heathkit could have done this and it would have made a big difference. (I think I\u2019ll try my Peebles amp with the Explorer!)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Overall, I really enjoyed the build and I like the radio. I\u2019m looking forward to see what the \u2018new\u201d Heathkit does next.<\/p>\n<p>I applaud Heathkit for making a go at a come-back and will continue to support their efforts by buying and building their pricey stuff \u2013 yeah, <em>I\u2019m that guy<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>73 de AB1DQ<br \/>\nJames<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>James, thank you for not only sharing your experience&#8211;along with errors and omissions&#8211;but providing excellent, detailed photos. I can&#8217;t tell you how many times I&#8217;ve been confused by kit instructions and turned to Google to help me find photos and notes from other builders. Your details will help others attempting to build the Heathkit GR-150.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"comment-content\"><em>I hope you enjoy your new Heathkit! You&#8217;ll have to let us know how that Peebles powered speaker works with the G-150!<\/em><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, James Surprenant (AB1DQ), who shares this review and photos of the new Heathkit Explorer Jr. TRF AM radio receiver kit: \u00a0Heathkit Explorer Jr. Review I received this Heathkit kit for Xmas from dear old Dad. The Explorer Jr. manual is very nicely done, spiral-bound, and very reminiscent of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[373,8,3194,545,627,344,433,836,3,26,129],"tags":[4097,4294,586,4296,4293,4295,4645,4647,4646,4644,4095,4209,4099],"class_list":["post-16720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-am","category-articles","category-guest-posts","category-ham-radio","category-how-to","category-kits","category-mediumwave","category-new-products","category-news","category-radios","category-reviews","tag-am","tag-explorer-jr-trf-am-radio-receiver-kit","tag-heathkit","tag-heathkit-am-radio-kit","tag-heathkit-explorer-jr","tag-heathkit-explorer-jr-trf-am-radio-receiver-kit","tag-heathkit-explorer-jr-gr-150-trf-am-radio-receiver-review","tag-heathkit-explorer-jr-review","tag-heathkit-review","tag-james-surprenant-ab1dq","tag-kits","tag-make","tag-mediumwave"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-4lG","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":17463,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/james-adds-an-lm386-amplifier-kit-to-his-heathkit-gr-150\/","url_meta":{"origin":16720,"position":0},"title":"James adds an LM386 amplifier kit to his Heathkit GR-150","author":"Thomas","date":"March 9, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, James Surprenant (AB1DQ), who shares this update to his review of\u00a0the\u00a0Heathkit Explorer Jr. TRF AM radio receiver kit: With regard\u00a0to the Heathkit TRF AM receiver kit,\u00a0I did indeed build my LM386 amplifier. I was planning on home-brewing it from scratch as the chip is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Accessories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Heathkit Explorer Jr. Completed w. screwdriver","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Heathkit-Explorer-Jr.-Completed-w.-screwdriver.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15088,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/10\/new-from-heathkit-the-explorer-jr-trf-am-radio-receiver-kit\/","url_meta":{"origin":16720,"position":1},"title":"New from Heathkit: the Explorer Jr TRF AM radio receiver kit","author":"Thomas","date":"October 8, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Yes, the legendary\u00a0Heathkit company is back\u00a0and their first kit is a simple\u00a0Tuned Radio Frequency (TRF) AM\/mediumwave analog receiver: the Explorer Jr. I knew\u00a0Heathkit was back in business and under new management, but hadn't heard any updates as of late. Their president, Andy, just sent a message to the \"Heathkit Insiders\"\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AM&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"HeathkitExplorerJr","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/HeathkitExplorerJr.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1802,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2011\/09\/heathkit-is-back-in-business\/","url_meta":{"origin":16720,"position":2},"title":"Heathkit is back in business","author":"Thomas","date":"September 9, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Great news for kit builders! Legendary company Heathkit has started manufacturing kits again. Though their first line-up of products do not include radios, they are planning to cater to the amateur radio community as soon as next year. I would like to believe that the popularity of the Maker community\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Ham Radio&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/heathkit-logo-300x63.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17552,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/the-heathkit-gr-78-eds-basket-case-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":16720,"position":3},"title":"The Heathkit GR-78: Ed&#8217;s &#8220;basket case&#8221; radio","author":"Thomas","date":"March 1, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Edward\u00a0Ganshirt, who writes: I picked up this Heathkit GR-78 at a estate\/moving sale. It was in a pile of \"e-waste\" (you know, old vcr's broken TVs, remote controllers, dead cell phones, etc.). I found a container and sorted through the stuff to retrieve all\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Articles&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Basketcase","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Basketcase-1024x681.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Basketcase-1024x681.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Basketcase-1024x681.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26879,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/a-new-heathkit-precision-rf-meter-hm-1002\/","url_meta":{"origin":16720,"position":4},"title":"A new Heathkit: The Precision RF Meter &#8211; HM-1002","author":"Thomas","date":"July 3, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Heathkit recently sent the following link to their \"Insiders\" email list: Dear Heathkit Insider We have opened advance orders for our newest product, the HM-1002 Heathkit\u00ae Precision RF Meter\u2122, for our most loyal customers and fans. This is the first amateur radio accessory and the first test equipment kit Heathkit\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Accessories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Heathkit-Precision-Meter-1024x768.jpeg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Heathkit-Precision-Meter-1024x768.jpeg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Heathkit-Precision-Meter-1024x768.jpeg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17771,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/03\/stuart-sizer-heathkit-designer-dad-and-bon-vivant\/","url_meta":{"origin":16720,"position":5},"title":"Stuart Sizer: Heathkit designer, dad, and &#8220;bon vivant&#8221;","author":"Thomas","date":"March 13, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Two weeks ago,\u00a0through a radio preservation group,\u00a0I met the son of Heathkit product designer of the 1950s-70s, Stu Sizer\u2013\u2013\"stylist, artist, maker of models, bon vivant.\"\u00a0His son\u00a0described the\u00a0discovery of\u00a0a few vintage Heathkit brochures, photos, and illustrations his father kept in his family's basement shop, many of which had been scanned at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AM&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Heathkit-Drawings-2","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Heathkit-Drawings-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Heathkit-Drawings-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Heathkit-Drawings-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16720","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16720"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16720\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}