Note
The 2-meter HW-30 was the longest selling version of all the Lunch Box radios, with a frequency coverage of from 143 to 149 MHz. The transmitter uses FT-241 or FT-243 crystals between 8.0 and 8.22 MHz. Units modified for HC-6 crystals are common.
A modification kit, released in 1963, and sold by Lawrence Engineering Company, turned the HW-30's receiver into a superhetrodyne type. See the announcement in CQ magazine, July 1963, page 84.
See HW-19 for additional discussion.
CRYSTAL FREQUENCY CALCULATION
Frequency = crystal frequency x 18.
References:
Review. CQ. Mar 1961, p. 52.
Review. 73 Amateur Radio. Apr 1961, p. 34.
Adding an S meter. 73 Amateur Radio. Jul 1961, p. 28.
Hum fix. CQ. Aug 1961, p. 99.
AC/DC supply, new oscillator for a VFO. 73 Amateur Radio. May 1962, P. 16.
Motor tuning to “scan” the band. QST. Apr 1963, p. 48.
Superheterodyne upgrade (commercial kit). CQ, Jul 1963, p. 84.
Modification. CQ. Oct 1963, p. 34.
A linear amplifier for. 73 Amateur Radio. Sep 1964, p. 6.
improvements. 73 Amateur Radio. Dec 1964, p. 28.
Improvements. CQ. Mar 1965, p. 35.
Easier final tuning. QST. Aug 1965, p. 71.
Improvements. 73 Amateur Radio. Oct 1965, p. 111.
Add six meters. 73 Amateur Radio. Jan 1966, p. 46.
Use on 220 MHz. 73 Amateur Radio. Aug 1966, p. 34.
Add a final tuning control. QST. Jan 1967, p. 50.
Some useful modifications. QST. May 1968, p. 28.
More changes. QST. Feb 1969, p. 41.
Spotting switch. Ham Radio. Dec 1969, p. 84.
Improved fusing. 73 Amateur Radio. Jan 71, p. 45
Adding a VFO. 73 Amateur Radio. Aug 1972, 89.
Review. Electric Radio. Mar 2007.
Frequency range: 143 to 149 MHz
Crystal frequency range: 8000 to 8220 kHz
RF input power: Approximately 5 watts
RF output power: 3.5 to 5 watts
Crystal type: FT-241 or FT-243
Modulation: AM plate modulation, limited to less than 100%
Output impedance: 50 to 72Ω
Receiver type: superregenerative detector preceded by RF amp
Sensitivity: Usable with signals as low as 1.0 µV
Selectivity: not specified
Audio output power: 1 watt
Power requirements: 120 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 45 watts; or external power supply like the VP-1-6 or VP-1-12; or a modern power inverter
Size: 8 high x 9.75 wide x 6 deep (including knobs and handle); Weight: 6.5 lbs
Tubes: (2) 6BA8, (1) 6BS8, (1) 12AX7, (1) 6AQ5
Photos, general information and specifications from "Heathkit: A Guide to the Amateur Radio Products," by Chuck Penson, WA7ZZE. Used with permission.
