Restoring a Heathkit DX-60 Transmitter

There have been numerous articles in CQ and QST magazines recently on restoring tube-type receivers and transmitters from the 1950s and ’60s. In this article, we will present the restoration of a Heathkit DX-60 transmitter as a how-to article. I have restored around 20 tube-type amateur radio transmitters and receivers, and this article will only cover the very basics of restoring vintage gear. I am mainly a high-speed CW contester, VHF contester, CW ragchewer, microwave wannabe, and dabbler in local ham radio politics, and am not an “expert.”

In this day of the COVID-19 virus, hamfests are few and far between, so eBay, classifieds, and eham. net classifieds are the current main source of gear, as well as local amateurs, some of whom would drop used gear off unprotected from the weather at our clubhouse (Susquehanna Valley ARC). The clubhouse has since been reclaimed by the county airport, after demanding removal of our three towers and a Hustler 5BTV vertical.