Heathkit HD-1234

Object/Artifact

-

Radio Alpha

Name/Title

Heathkit HD-1234

Description

Antenna Switch

Category

Antenna Switch

Made/Created

Manufacturer

Heath Company

Date made

1973 - 1991

Dimensions

Diameter

4 in

Weight

1 lb

Dimension Notes

Diameter includes connectors. 5 inches including mounting tabs.

Valuations

Value

$11.95

Date

May 13, 2023

General Notes

Note

This simple four position antenna switch was introduced in 1973 and continued to sell well right to the end, even though the price had risen from $11.95 in 1973 to nearly $30 in 1991. The unit selects between four SO-239 connectors and grounds the unselected inputs. A fifth position grounds all inputs. A pair of these switches can be connected together to permit any of four radios to be connected to any of four antennas or a dummy load. A grounding terminal post is provided. As a point of interest, the black plastic knob is the same one Heath used on the CR-1 crystal radio in the early 60s. The switch was originally supplied with a number of small round stickers that could be affixed to indicate what each position was connected to. Will handle 2kw PEP and presents a maximum SWR of 1.1:1 to 250 MHz. Plain aluminum metal with mounting tabs. Note: Isolation above about 140 MHz is poor. Photos, general information and specifications from "Heathkit: A Guide to the Amateur Radio Products," by Chuck Penson, WA7ZZE. Used with permission.