Testing an SB-200 help

[MHOXIE]

Thanks in advance for any help!
I received a Heath HB-200 linear amplifier. How is it possible to power this up and test without connecting a transmitter or antenna.
I have a dual metered Variac for slow power up. Can I power up the amp short term without harm?

[MHOXIE]

Sorry, that should read SB-200

[KA9CCH]

Try this site for info on checking out a SB-200

http://www.k0gkd.com/sb200.htm

73
Levert

[W9GB]

You should have a 50 ohm dummy load (old Heath Cantenna, MFJ products, etc.) rated to handle this power.  Never tune up or test amplfiers into an "active antenna" system - normally does not provide a standard 50 ohm load across all bands - and creates QRM on the bands.

Before you "bring it up" you should read Bob Norgard's SB-200 Rebuild Notes (with photos)
http://home.gci.net/~rnorgard/ampnotes.html

Since these amplifiers are at least 20 years old, some component replacements are "automatics" for trouble free operation.
Bob covers most of these, but changing the HV electrolytics, meter protection and the soft-key mod are the minimum "refresh" for my work.  Tube filament voltage is an issue with soem amplifiers.

572-B tube replacement will vary greatly depending upon the condition of the tubes within the SB-200.

w9gb

[W9GB]

For the Heathkit SB-200, I recommend the following web sites:

Harbach Electronics
Jeff Weinberg, W8CQ
[SK-201 soft-key module for SB-200; CDE capacitors, power module, meter protection, etc.]
Jeff has recovered his business from the disasterous winter floods - and will be at Dayton 2005 Hamvention
http://www.harbachelectronics.com/

Bob Norgard, KL7FM
SB200 Rebuild Notes (photos)
Bob did have a kit of parts at one time
http://home.gci.net/~rnorgard/ampnotes.html

Richard L. Measures, AG6K
SB200 schematic - JPG
http://www.somis.org/sb-200wd.jpg

Tom Boza, NE7X
Tuned Input Circuit Modification (note equipment required to perform these steps)
http://www.ne7x.com/sb200/heathkit-sb200.htm

Arthur Driggers, N4JK
SB200 restoration in 2002
http://members.cox.net/n4jk/sb200.htm

Tom Sowden, K0GKD
SB-200 Modifications and updates
http://www.k0gkd.com/sb200.htm

Richard L. Measures, AG6K
MOF resistors, QSK relays, Low VHF-Q/Low VHF-Rp Parasitic Suppressor Retrofit-Kits
http://www.somis.org/

The Heathkit Shop
Mike Bryce, WB8VGE
The AmpKeyer
http://www.theheathkitshop.com/ampkeyer.html

Good luck with it!
73 de greg, w9gb

[MHOXIE]

Appreciate the help. Basic power up test completed.
I was able to power up to 50% power on a metered variac.
With this basic test I verified that at least the transformer is good and the tubes light up.
That was all I was really trying to accomplish.