[Amps] The SB220 Mystique

[Gary Smith]

My .02; I believe it is the mystique of " I did it myself" that keeps buyers wanting Heath gear, SB-220's in particular.  That and the idea of "radios that glow in the dark" adds to the panache.  For a while (recently) I too had the desire to revive a SB-220. But now that I have been reminded of the down side (TVI,etc,) not to mention the spiraling cost of replacement parts, I'll stick with my AL-800H with its two metal/ceramic tubes. Although they are pricey (if I were to mistreat them) EVERY part inside of that back/grey box is a E-Z phone call away.
I'm done.
73,
Gary...wa6fgi


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Lee Buller 
  To: amps at contesting.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 8:19 AM
  Subject: [Amps] The SB220 Mystique



  A question for the "experts" on this list....

  Why do people like the SB220 so much? What is it that makes this amp so "popular" because it has never been "popular" with me.

  Yes, I have owned one SB220 and had it for 5 or 6 years...and then I've operated several others. I always thought they were TVI Generators. Using a Kenwood 820 or 830 or and 850 to drive it...the SB220 seemed to make TVI a standard ouput. I tried everything to make sure it was shielded right, grounded correctly, driven properly, Filters, etc...but alas and alack...I could never get it NOT to generate TVI.

  Now, I understand the engineering that went into this amp. It is a classic, but for me when I got rid of it I rejoiced. I've operated an Alpha 76PA and 91B - Amertron AL80A and AL82 and never had a TVI problem.

  The SB220 is going for way to high of price on Ebay. I am just wondering what all the "experts" say about this amp. I will not own one again, but I am curious as to the opinions.

  Lee Buller
  K0WA


  In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply.  If you don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it.  If you can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense.  Is Common Sense divine?
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