In a message dated 7/18/2007 9:45:47 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
PlanerGuy@aol.com writes:
Even an AL-82 will run quite a bit more from what I've seen.
. I had been thinking about an SB-200, but now I'm
given to understand that they have a fishy odor? I don't want THAT!
Kevin - KC8GIA
Kevin, If you would consider buying an Al-82, then I would go one step
further and get an Al-1500. They look exactly alike, but that is where the
similarity ends. An Al-82 will give you a maximum of 1500-1600 watts out with
the
normal 100 watts drive. The Al-1500 with the same 100 watts drive will give
you 2300 - 2500 watts output. That is nearly 1 KW more power from the same
size real estate. They are great amps, I have 5 of them.
As far as the Sb-200, well the story on them is simple. Let's get one thing
straight, THEY DON'T STINK, I have smelled worst at radio Hamfests on a hot
day (even on cold ones too). All kidding aside, they may not be the best
"choice" as everyone refers, but they DO work. They give you an honest
600-700
watts out and they are rather reliable. You can re tube them for less than a
$100.00. Used on SSB, the tubes will last quite a while. In other modes
you have to back them way off. There are tons and tons of them out there and
they are still working like they were new. For $300.00 they are hard to beat.
But for $2000.00 for a used AL-1500, that's a better choice.
When I was a young ham back in the late 60's, I was pumping gas for about
$1.50/hour so I wasn't making a lot of money. And when you are 16 or 17 and
making only a little money the price of an SB-200 looked Pretty good. I
bought one way back then and used it for quite a while and it served me well.
That was close to 40 years ago! I have bought close to 50 of them in the last
few years to covert to 6 meters. Every one of them still worked fine. The
worst case was needing some new tubes or grid resistors. Hey lets face it,
how
many other amps have a 40 year history with tons of them still in use and
available to buy at just about any Hamfest? Lou
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