Heathkit IB-1100 Frequency Counter: History, Restoration, Demonstration, Theory

In this video, I describe Heathkit's first "low end" or "entry level" frequency counter, their model IB-1100. This turns out to have nearly the same circuit as the more professional IB-1101 frequency counter from the same time period, with just a few places where corners were cut to keep the price lower. In reality, this is a perfectly nice little counter, with very good performance, and easy operator interface, and a nice clear display.
Once I get around to completing the CAD work, my newly CAD drawn IB-1100 schematic, calibration, etc; document will be available for download here: www.serpentwebsite.com/fileshare.htm
Timeline Table of Contents:
00:00 History
03:02 Introduction
06:33 Restoration
13:42 Internal tour
20:14 Demonstration
28:07 Beauty shot
24:40 Heathkit manual
43:49 Schematic diagram/circuit theory

[@johnrc5847]

My first frequency counter was an IB-1100. The February 1978 issue of Ham Radio Magazine had a few articles which guided me through modifying the input. I eventually built an 11C90 divide by 10 circuit boxed into an aluminum Mini Box which is still somewhere in my "shop". A few years ago I modified one of my frequency counters to be driven from a GPS receiver. Thanks for the 50 year step back in time.

[@sdrc92126]

$219.99 in 1970 is the same as $1,827.83 in 2024 / CPI Inflation Calculator

[@youtuuba]

"Inflation Calculators" are notoriously inaccurate for many kinds of things. Inflation does not affect all aspects of an economy equally, and there are big differences between inflation affecting income and inflation affecting the cost of food, vehicles, homes, rent, etc. There are also significant regional changes.
Consider if this Heathkit product really cost the equivalent of $1800 in today's money. Nobody would have bought them.