[AMPS] Starter amp choices ?

[Bill Turner, W7TI]

On Fri, 31 Jul 1998 19:04:28 -0500, Michael Melland <badger@vbe.com>
wrote:

>
>Hello,  
>
>I am in the market for my first amp.  I have been thinking about the
>Heath SB-200, but alas..... most I've seen, including one a ham brought
>me to see today are in pretty sad shape (I knew right away when smoke
>started to waft out from the area of the filter caps that it wasn't the
>amp for me <grin>).  I'm sure that there may be one out there in "clean"
>condition..... but before I look any further, I thought I would ask for
>opinions on a good relatively "inexpensive" amp as an alternative.  I'm
>not looking to run lots of power....SB-200 class output would be just
>fine.  I will be using the Kenwood TS-830S for a transceiver.  Any
>opinions would be appreciated (or ifo on clean amps for sale <grin>). 
>
>Thanks,
>
>73 
_______________________________________________________________
The Heath SB-1000 would be a good choice too.  It's a clone of the
Ameritron AL-80 and is a solid, reliable amp.  It has a single 3-500Z
so you won't get the legal limit from it, but it will deliver 1 kw on
CW and SSB, and about 600 watts on RTTY (limited by the transformer
more than the tube).  The only change I made to mine was to add a
soft-start circuit to prevent the thump when first turned on.  I
eventually retired it in favor of an Alpha 91B, but it's still around
for emergencies.  Expect to pay about $600 for one in good shape.

73, Bill W7TI


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