Thanks for passing this along, Howard.

I wonder what it would take to get them gback into the ham radio end of 
things?

Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Howard, W A 9 Y B W" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2011 12:18 AM
Subject: HeathKit Returns!!!


> Hi, this is Howard T. W A 9 Y B W.
>
> I am the new kid on the block, the one who used to work at Heath Company =
> in St. Joseph, Michigan in the late 70's.
>
> I just came across this notice on the ARRL home page of their website.
> Message follows:
>
> "08/17/2011=20
>
>
> A notice on the Heathkit website announces that the venerable kit =
> manufacturer, well-known to all Amateur Radio operators of a certain =
> age, will be reentering the kit business in late August. The notice =
> states, in part: "Heathkit will debut their new line of Do-it-Yourself =
> kits for common around-the-house items. The first kit will be a Garage =
> Parking Assistant (GPA). The Garage Parking Assistant kit lets you build =
> your own system that uses ultrasonic sound waves to locate your car as =
> it enters the garage. The system signals to the driver using LED lights =
> mounted on the wall when the car is detected and in the perfect spot for =
> parking.
>
> "The GPA-100 kit consists of two primary assemblies -- the LED Display =
> in kit form and the pre-assembled ultrasonic range module. The kit will =
> include everything you need to complete the project except a soldering =
> iron and hand tools.
>
> "Next on the market will be a Wireless Swimming Pool Monitor kit =
> followed by many more. Heathkit wants to continue to bring to its =
> customers interesting, unique Heathkit products. Heathkit is interested =
> in learning what types of products kit builders would like to build. Kit =
> builders can submit their suggestions through this website using the =
> Contact Us email."
>
> Although there's no indication that Heathkit Educational Systems is =
> planning to reenter the Amateur Radio market, the St Joseph, =
> Michigan-based company is actively looking for kit suggestions.
>
> After several decades of successful kit manufacturing, Heathkit left the =
> kit business in 1992. Heath sold Amateur Radio equipment, at first only =
> kits and later its own line of non-kit products, from 1954 to 1992. The =
> company has been sold a number of times since its founding back in 1912 =
> as an aircraft company."
>
>
>
> I think this is exciting, however, it will probably never grow to the =
> extent the company was in the 60's and 70's.  You have to start =
> somewhere.  Lets help them become successful again in the kit building =
> business!!
>
>
>
> Howard T.
>