Heathkit

Heathkit, formally Heath Company, is an American brand that pioneered the do-it-yourself (DIY) electronic kit industry. Founded by Ed Heath in 1906, the company began as an aircraft manufacturer before transitioning to electronic kits after World War II. Heathkit became a cultural phenomenon in the mid-20th century, selling hundreds of thousands of kits for radios, televisions, computers, and test equipment that customers assembled themselves. The brand's slogan, "We invented DIY," reflects its foundational role in hobbyist electronics. After a period of decline and multiple ownership changes, Heathkit was revived in the 2010s and now operates primarily through its online store, shop.heathkit.com. The current product line includes solder kits such as the Explorer™ AM radio receiver, educational kits like the AMSAT CubeSatSim, the Most Reliable Clock™ GC-1006, weather station components, and amateur radio accessories. The company emphasizes hands-on learning and repairability, targeting hobbyists, educators, and makers. Heathkit maintains engineering and light manufacturing in California and warehousing, fulfillment, and business operations on the East Coast. The brand continues to design new hardware, software, and educational products, partnering with organizations like AMSAT to inspire the next generation of engineers and radio amateurs.

Heath Company was founded by Ed Heath in 1906 as an aircraft manufacturer. The company later transitioned to electronic kits after World War II, becoming a pioneer in the DIY electronics movement. Heathkit kits allowed hobbyists to build their own radios, televisions, computers, and test equipment, and the brand became a household name in the mid-20th century. The company's slogan, "We invented DIY," reflects its foundational role in hobbyist electronics. After a period of decline and multiple ownership changes, Heathkit was revived in the 2010s. The current iteration operates primarily through its online store, shop.heathkit.com, and continues to design and produce new hardware, software, and educational products. The company maintains engineering and light manufacturing in California and warehousing, fulfillment, and business operations on the East Coast. In 2025, Heathkit announced a partnership with AMSAT to produce a special Heathkit edition of the AMSAT CubeSatSim, marking its return to the amateur radio sector.

• 2025

  Heathkit announces partnership with AMSAT for a special Heathkit edition of the AMSAT CubeSatSim, marking its return to the amateur radio sector.

• 1906

  Ed Heath builds his first airplane and founds Heath Company.

DIY electronic kits and educational products for hobbyists, educators, and makers, emphasizing hands-on learning and repairability.

• Most Reliable Clock™ - GC-1006

  A clock kit priced at $229.95.

• Explorer™ AM: TRF AM radio receiver (solder kit) - GR-152-BK

  A solder kit for an AM radio receiver, priced at $249.95.

• AMSAT CubeSatSim Kit - Heathkit Edition Educator Pack

  A low-cost satellite emulator kit developed in partnership with AMSAT, priced at $995.00.

• Davis Wireless Vantage Pro2 Weather Station with Standard Radiation Shield and WeatherLink Console

  A weather station kit priced at $995.00.

1. 1Heathkit official website homepageshop.heathkit.com
2. 2About – Heathkitshop.heathkit.com
3. 3AMSAT CubeSatSim Kit - Heathkit Edition Educator Packshop.heathkit.com
4. 4Products – Heathkitshop.heathkit.com
5. 5Heath Company - Wikidatawikidata.org