It was akin to the Heathkit Lunchboxes, that were oh so common and did
their bit to populate six and two metres, but weren't very good for much
beyond local work, so they saw their share of mods too to get around the
basic limitations of the design. The fact that they were cheap, and I
seem to recall the HW-7 was relatively cheap too (certainly compared to
a transceiver with a superhet receiver), likely added to the mods,
because you wouldn't lose that much if you messed it up.


As one who built a HW-7 in 1975 (they were $69.95), I worked the world
on 20 and 15 with a 14AVQ. It is what it is. When they work well, they
work well. I have over 300 QSOs - many DX - using a HW-7 (sold it
a long time ago). It in no way equates to a 'modern rig' in any sense. But
as I said - I worked a ton of DX with it back in the late 70's and early
80's.

The one I just got is more than just a little modified - it's almost not
recognizable inside. I'm leaning more to calling it a nice cabinet into
which
to build a decent QRP transmitter with a VFO, and use my TS-440 to
receive. (or 'unbuild it and rebuild it - still haven't made up my mind).

The 'modifier' of this HW-7 may never have got these mods to work at
all! All I know is it is stone dead (with voltages all over the board, so I
know power isn't the issue).

Dave WB7AWK