[Amps] SB-200 DATA

[Gudguyham at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/18/2007 9:45:47 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
PlanerGuy at 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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