Does any one know what an EK 1, EK 2b, or AK 8 is ?

Mike-

I'll look for an old catalog at work. The "EK" series was their Educational
Kits, possibly something like a digital electronics trainer. I would guess the
AK 8 was a power supply for use with the EKs.

I suggest you call Heath, which continued in the educational field after they
stopped producing kits.

73, Fred, K4DII