[Amps] Amplifier$ [TSPA]

[John T. M. Lyles]

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