Note
The famous “Lunch Box” series of transceivers were so called because in size and shape they bore a striking resemblance—right down to the handle—to the metal boxes full of sandwiches and coffee carried to work by millions.
The series includes the HW-19, 6-meter HW-29(A), and 2-meter HW-30, but began in 1959 with the CB-1 CB radio. The CB-1 was based on a construction article appearing in the March 1959 issue of Radio and TV News magazine, and was, in fact, almost an exact copy of the unit featured in the article. Just three months after the story appeared in the magazine Heath was advertising the CB-1.
Based on the success of the CB-1, Heath’s marketing people concluded that 10-meter and six-meter versions would be equally popular. They were not entirely correct. The popularity of the CB-1 was based on the popularity of the citizens’ band itself—not the Lunch Box concept. As interest in CBs grew, Heath responded with a wide variety of CB products, but the 10-meter Lunch Box languished and was pulled from production in 1962.
The six-meter Lunch Box, however, did much better. So much better, in fact, that Heath decided to launch a two-meter version. Hams viewed these little gems as simple low-cost ways to explore VHF—which in those days was the final frontier. By the late 1960s, six- and especially two-meters were defining a clear technologic direction for themselves and the Lunch Boxes became increasingly anachronistic. Both the six-meter and two-meter versions were discontinued in 1971, by which time tens of thousands of each had been sold.
While the Lunch Boxes are outwardly identical, significant electronic differences exist on the insides. What follows is a general discussion of the entire Lunch Box series. The simplicity of these radios is reflected in their specifications. All versions in the series use either four or five tubes, a super-regenerative receiver “preceded by an RF amplifier stage” and a five-watt input, plate modulated AM transmitter “automatically limited to less than 100 percent.” The units also feature electronic T/R switching. It should be noted that the Lunch Boxes are not true transceivers.
The receiver is tunable while the transmitter is crystal controlled on a single frequency. Receiver sensitivity is “usable with signals as low as 1.0 µV at the antenna terminals.” Boasting of the receiver’s superb sensitivity, the receiver circuit description section in the manual notes that “3.0 µV will produce near full quieting.” The specifications make no mention at all of selectivity.
The Lunch Boxes feature a built-in solid state power supply, 3.5-inch speaker, an amplifier metering jack, and a “press-to-talk” lever switch on the front panel. This switch also has a transmit “hold” position. Other front panel controls include on/off/volume and receiver tuning. Also on the front panel are a mic connector and two neon lamps—a power-on lamp (clear) and a transmit lamp (red). There is also a white and gold plastic Heathkit emblem on the front panel. Missing from these little rigs is any kind of squelch control—you have to listen to them roar between transmissions.
On the rear apron is a regeneration control, an RCA jack for a 50-75Ω antenna, a fuse holder, a ground post, a quarter-inch jack for RF amp metering, and an octal plug for power input.
The crystal socket is located inside the cabinet, and all versions (except the original HW-29) use crystals in the 8000 to 9000 kHz range. The HW-19 covers from 28 to 29.7 MHz. See specifications below for HW-29(A) and HW-30 for their specific frequency coverage and crystal ranges. Also see entries for those units for additional discussion. The HW-19 uses HC-6/U type crystals, while the HW-29(A) and HW-30 use either FT-241 or FT-243 crystals.
Some units have a holder on the right side of the cabinet. This holder has a plastic faceplate behind which one could slip the station license. A common modification was to fit the rigs with an SO-239 connector to replace the RCA antenna jack. Another mod to watch out for is a change in the microphone connector that would permit true PTT operation.
The physical design of the units is unique to the Lunch Box series. The paint style is a wrinkle finish brown cabinet and smooth finish light brown (advertised as “mocha”) front panel. The knobs are unique as well. They are the same brown color as the cabinet and have gold colored, inset faces. All versions came with a Tuner 907 ceramic microphone, and should not be considered complete without it. Note: While the Turner 907 is outwardly identical to the model 908, the 908 has a crystal element.
Two power cables were originally supplied—one for 120 VAC operation and one for use with a 6- or 12-VDC optional external vibrator power supply, like the VP-1-6 or VP-1-12. Note that the units cannot be directly powered from 6 or 12 VDC. While you could figure out a way to supply the B+ and filament voltages individually, clearly today the easiest way to run these from batteries would be with a 120-volt sine wave power inverter.
Among Lunch Boxes, 6-meter (HW-29A) and 2-meter (HW-30) units are seen most often. However, because of their short life span, 6-meter (HW-29), 10-meter (HW-19), and CB (CB-1) units are less frequently. The HW-29 is probably the rarest.
The Lunch Boxes have the dubious distinction of being perhaps the most modified of any of Heath’s products—to the extent that it seems a little unusual to find one in unmodified condition. Moreover, many of the modifications seen are so stunningly incompetent they look like they might have been done with a pry bar and hacksaw.
CRYSTAL FREQUENCY CALCULATION
HW-19: crystal frequency x 3 = operating frequency
HW-29: crystal frequency x 5 = operating frequency
HW-29A: crystal frequency x 6 = operating frequency
HW-30: crystal frequency x 18 = operating frequency
References:
Review. CQ. Nov 1960, p. 153.
Review. Electric Radio. Mar-07
Modifications. Popular Electronics, Nov 1960, p. 86.
Adding an S meter. 73 Amateur Radio. Jul 1961, p. 28.
AC/DC supply, a new oscillator for a VFO. 73 Amateur Radio. May 1962, P. 16.
Easier final tuning. QST. Aug 1965, p. 71.
Improved fusing. 73 Amateur Radio. Jan 71, p. 45
Receiver type: super-regenerative detector proceeded by an RF stage
Tuning range:
HW-19: 28.0 to 29.7 MHz (9333 to 9900 kHz crystals)
HW-29: 50 to 54 MHz (10000 to 10800 kHz crystals)
HW-29A: 50 to 54 MHz (8333 to 9000 kHz crystals)
HW-30: 143 to 149 MHz (8.0 to 8.22 MHz crystals)
Sensitivity: usable with signals as low as 1.0 µV
Selectivity: not specified
Modulation: AM plate modulation, limited to less than 100%
Audio output power: about 1 watt
RF input power: approximately 5 watts
RF output power: 3.5 to 5 watts
Output impedance: 50 to 72Ω
Receiver type: super-regenerative detector preceded by RF amp
Crystal socket type:
HW-19: HC-6/U
HW-29: HC-6/U
HW-29A: FT-241 or FT-243
HW-30: FT-241 or FT-243
Power requirements: 120 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 35 watts; or external power supply like the VP-1-6 or VP-1-12, two required for HW-30; or a modern power inverter
Size: 8 high x 9.75 wide x 6 deep (including knobs and handle); Weight: 6.5 lbs
Tubes:
HW-19: (1) 6AU8A, (1) 6AN8, (1) 6AQ5, (1) 12AX7
HW-29:
HW-29A: (1) 12AX7, (1) 6AQ5, (1) 6CL6, (1) 6AN8, (1) 6BA8A
HW-30: (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.
