Heathkit Pipetenna

heathkit-pipetennaThe resurrected Heathkit company has launched a dual band antenna.  As much as I want them to succeed is this the best they can do?

They absolutely have to produce decent kits at decent prices or they will not survive. Their offerings so far do not exactly set the world alight. No, the offerings so far have not excited me. Years ago I started out with a Heathkit  Electronics Workshop. Years later I had an HW8 which gave me loads of contacts with small wire antennas.

Please, think of your potential customer base, think about prices, and look at your competitors. I have no doubt a few loyal USA customers will support you, but far far more is needed in the competitive world of the 21st century.

Roger Lapthorn, G3XBM, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Cambridge, England.

7 Responses to “Heathkit Pipetenna”

  • Bill Taylor KC5DPJ:

    I agree. I priced it and if memory serves it was around 150 bucks and not dual band. I have a Diamond 2 meter antenna up now and after I make a couple of minor repairs I’ll probably put my homebrew Catsus J-pole dual band up.

  • jack va3jfw:

    what a rip off…who in there right mind would pay that much? i use a number of j-poles that WILL out perform that piece of junk…..just my opinion……

  • Robert VA3AOD:

    Roger,

    I agree completely. My J-Pole without a pole cost me just under $42 Canadian with the tax and shipping. It is made by a small company owned by an electrical engineer. It hits all the local repeaters.

    The Heathkit marketing plan makes no sense.

  • Frank ON6UU:

    My J-pole costs 10Euro. It covers 2mtr and 70cm. It is in a plastic tube. It’s at my qth for more then 15years now.

    Not only loyal US customers want to support Roger 🙂 If Heathkit brings on good kits for a fair price, they will sell, if they are smart they find a good distribution point in Europe too.

    I’m waiting 😀

    cuall, 73

  • Lynn WB7ptr:

    Heathkit without KITS. You have got to be kidding???

    I’ll start doing business when they start rolling out decent low cost kits. I’m a homebrewer and have been for a long time.

    KITS, Heathkit …

  • David WB4ONA:

    And don’t forget, they’ve supposedly got a PATENT pending on this piece of work. Sheeeesh…

  • Fred K3MFP:

    do you make anything else.

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