Name: Heathkit HW-101
Brand: Heathkit

80m – 15m

Bands

100 W

Output

1970

Introduced

Frequency	TX/RX: 80–10 m (amateur)
Bands	80m, 40m, 20m, 15m, 10m (full coverage without extra crystals)
TX power	100 W (180W PEP input SSB, 170W input CW. ~100W output (80W on 10m). Pair of 6146 tube finals (Class AB1).)
Modes	USB, LSB, CW
Weight	10 kg (22 lb) - ~10 kg estimated (transceiver only, external PSU separate). Dimensions: 163×380×335 mm.
Connector	SO-239
Year	1970

Connectors

antenna	SO-239
mic	high impedance microphone
key	key jack (grid-block keying)
psu	external power supply connector
ext spkr	external speaker
acc	accessory connectors
power req	External PSU: HP-23 (AC) or HP-13 (mobile). High-voltage supply for tube finals.

the 'Hot Water 101', Heathkit's most successful product, over 30,000 sold, THE ham radio kit KIT-BUILT: primarily sold as a kit (the pride of building your own transceiver!) nickname: 'Hot Water 101' (HW-101) SSB and CW ONLY (no AM, no FM) double-conversion superheterodyne receiver pair of 6146 tube finals in Class AB1 eight 500 kHz segments across five amateur bands (80/40/20/15/10m, all of 10m without extra crystals!) receiver sensitivity: <0.3 µV for 10 dB S+N/N (very good for the era!) SSB selectivity: 2.1 kHz at -6 dB / 7 kHz at -60 dB (3.395 MHz filter) optional SBA-301-2 CW filter: 400 Hz at -6 dB / 2 kHz at -60 dB PTT + VOX for SSB, grid-block keying for CW receiver RF preamplifier 2W audio output external high-voltage power supply required: HP-23 (AC) or HP-13 (mobile) comprehensive Heathkit construction manual, learning experience as well as radio extensive S-Line-compatible accessory ecosystem: SB-200 linear, SB-600 speaker, SB-610 scope, SB-620 panadapter, SB-630 console, SB-640 remote VFO, SB-650 digital readout over 30,000 units sold, one of the most successful Heathkit products ever TX and RX circuits track together easy to calibrate and read dial VINTAGE. DISCONTINUED (Heathkit closed amateur radio line) 180W PEP input / ~100W output (80W on 10m) 2.1 kHz SSB filter; optional 400 Hz CW filter PTT/VOX, grid-block CW; external HP-23/HP-13 PSU

Strengths

Heathkit's most successful product, the 'Hot Water 101.' An SSB/CW transceiver with a pair of 6146 finals, a double-conversion receiver, good sensitivity (<0.3 uV), and 100W output (80W on 10m). Over 30,000 were sold as kits, with an extensive S-line-compatible accessory ecosystem and a comprehensive build manual.

Weaknesses

SSB/CW only (no AM/FM). Kit-built, so quality depends entirely on the original builder. Requires an external power supply (HP-23/HP-13). Tubes need maintenance. No general coverage or WARC bands.

Verdict

The kit that built ham radio. The HW-101 'Hot Water 101' is the most successful Heathkit product, putting over 30,000 operators on the air with the satisfaction of having built their own station. A well-built one is a pleasure to operate; a poorly built one is a restoration project. $150-400 used.

The Heathkit HW-101 (affectionately nicknamed the 'Hot Water 101') is the most popular amateur transceiver Heathkit ever made, and one of the most-built ham radios in history. A kit-assembled SSB and CW transceiver, it covers the 80 through 10 meter amateur bands using a pair of 6146 tubes in the final amplifier, with about 180 watts PEP input on sideband for roughly 100 watts of output (80 watts on 10 meters).

Essentially a cost-reduced version of the SB-101/102, the HW-101 delivered excellent performance and the same satisfying build experience at a lower price, which is why so many were sold and assembled. For an entire generation, building a 'Hot Water 101' was how you learned electronics and got on HF, and many of those radios are still on the air decades later. Abundant, well documented, and supported by an enthusiastic community, it remains the quintessential vintage Heathkit station.

It is a discontinued classic. See the upmarket SB-102 and the solid-state SB-104.