[Amps] More information for "What NOT to buy"..

[Gudguyham at aol.com]

In a message dated 10/24/2006 8:32:37 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
rstealey at hotmail.com writes:

Just ask  Lou, W1QJ, how many bad bandswitches 
he has seen from  SB-22os.



My experience is 7 out of 10 SB-220's have at least one burnt  contact.  The 
amps still may work because the contacts are redundant, but  the slightest 
problem will make an arc.  I should compile a photo shoot of  all the bad ones I 
have kicking around.  Of course when I buy an Sb-220,  the band switch is not 
my concern so no sweat.  I have had several Drake  L4B amps and never did I 
see a bad band switch on one of them.  Even the  Dentron and Amp Supply amps 
have better band switches.  As to why they burn  up?  well that discussion could 
land you in jail :-)   The 2  Sb-220 amps that I actually ever used on the air 
I bought as kits and built  myself so I knew the condition of the band 
switch.  I used an Sb-220 for  many years and got good service form it.  Careful 
tuning kept it in good  condition.  Later on when I decided to go to the next 
level of Amplifier I  bought an Ameritron Al-1500 and i am totally pleased with 
it.  I am  basically a Dxer, but it seems that the contesters prefer the 
Al-1200, which I  do agree has a near indestructible tube.  73 Lou