There are times like these when I wish I could turn back the clock and buy a
NIB SB-220 kit from the Heathkit store.
Few things in life really stand the test of time, the SB-220 is one of them.
Two squatty Eimac jugs generating rf into the antenna, warming the green
cabinet (and the shack,) a smile on the operator's face as he thinks about his
"built by himself" accomplishment.
73,
Gary
WA6FGI
----- Original Message -----
From: John T. M. Lyles
To: amps@contesting.com
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2005 3:37 PM
Subject: [Amps] Amplifier$ [TSPA]
I was reading the postings about $3600 for an amplifier, and i
thought of the same thing, what about the venerable SB220s of which
there are many many specimens out there, some of which could use a
little TLC and elbow grease and maybe a few mods to bring them up to
current design standards? I think i invested about $200 for mine 10
years ago, and put another $50 in parts and some weekends of labor
in, and it stands up against units costing 10X what i paid. OK so it
might be a dB less on the S meter at the far end than an 8877 or
4CX1600.
On a similar note, i picked up a fairly nice specimen of a DX100
(1957 classic Heapkit AM rig, 160-10, VFO'd) last weekend for
nothing, and after some cleaning and recapping. I love this hobby
sometimes.
73
John
K5PRO
>Amen, Bob, and the laugher is that the hoity-toity critics of the
>SB-220 are pretty clueless about its design advantages. Anybody who is
>getting along in years should consider purchasing a double-wide coffin
>so that there's plenty of room for the cherished SB-220 and a case of
>Jack Daniels Black Label.
>
>cheerz
Richard L. Measures, AG6K, 805.386.3734. www.somis.org
>Expanding on W9GE's list, here's what I've come up with over the
>years as to why I might want a newer amp:
>
> 1. I want to run the amplifier on 160.
> 2. I want to run an amplifier on the WARC bands (that allow it)
>with reasonable tank circuit efficiency.
> 3. I want the built-in QSK of some of the newer amps.
> 4. I want to automate the band-switching of the amplifier (for
>instance, to make sure it's always on the same band as myr
>transceiver or exciter when I hit the key or the PTT switch).
> 5. I am bothered by the fact that older amplifiers in the USA
>were designed against an FCC 1KW CW INPUT limit (versus today's
>1.5KW OUTPUT limit).
>
> If none of the above are of concern, a Heath SB-220 is excellent
>value, in the US$500 - 700 range the last time I looked. I'm sure
>there are many other brands and models, too -- I just happen to be
>real familiar with the SB-220, since I still use one.
>
> Bud, W2RU
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