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| Reviews Summary for Heathkit SB-200 |
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Reviews: 64
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Average rating: 4.9/5
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MSRP: $Original Price $400
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Description: HF Amp using two 572B's, 80 - 10 meters
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Product is not in production.
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More info: http://
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write your own review of the Heathkit SB-200.
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VA3OL
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 11, 2011 10:54
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great bargain
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I bought an SB-200 about 5 months ago and I provide one warning to new comers to Ham Radio and a solid endorsement for an updated SB-200. This amp is easy to tune up and will give near full output with 50 watts input and is still happy with 100 watts input with slightly higher output. I run it with 50 watts in and about 500 watts out.
The warning is: make sure it has the Harbach mod's. Modern rigs will not be happy keying it in stock form. My unit came with all of the Harbach mods so I did pay more then I see them going for on Ebay. But I have an updated unit and the price was still half the cost of a new 600 watt amplifier. I see many people have added a standby switch to the front panel. I am not sure why they would do that since it is 'instant' on and ready to go without listening to the fan when it is not on line.
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W4WEA
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 20, 2011 07:28
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Rugged amp
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The SB-200 ... the amp I cut my teeth on learning on what NOT to do with an amp. Took that abuse and still going strong. Around 600W out with one original and one RF parts tube. If this is the range your looking for, and its in good shape you just about can not go wrong with this amp.
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KC9MEU
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 8, 2011 04:16
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OUTSTANDING!!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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When it comes to the "New" vs. "Old" with much of the Ham equipment this Amp holds it's own. I obtained one before I even had my license and didn't really know that much about them. I held on to it for several years until I got my ticket and then read up on them. After replacing the caps and putting in the soft start kit and replacing the green front plate with the black faced one and painting the body black also, I now have a beautiful workhorse Amp that easily puts out 600 watts. Heathkit along with the other manufacturers of the 60's made equipment that I doubt will ever be surpassed even as technology advances.
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WW8X
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Rating: 5/5
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May 15, 2011 14:39
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Great Classic Amplifier
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I love my SB-200. I bought it used at a hamfest and it came with a new Harbach Power Supply upgrade kit ready to be installed. It still has the original 572B finals and puts out 650 watts of RF with about 80 Watts drive. If you're looking to increase your output signal without spending a fortune...get an SB-200 if you're lucky to find one in nice condition. I get 15 to 20+ db signal reports all the time and constantly told what a great sounding signal I have. Parts and modifications are available from Harbach if needed, which is a plus if some problem ever does arise.
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LA2RRA
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 11, 2011 21:19
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Realy impress me
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Had this nice pa for 3 weeks nw and it works very well.
Tuning warc bans also with help from my int.tuner in my K3.(50w input apx 400w output)
Also 300w with 40w input on 5mhz band but have not tested with qso here...may not be good for output tank??
Pushing max 600w with hard drive 60w..i stay on 50w drive 500 out and sb-200 likes thath :-)
I realy look for one more.Pls tell me if you will sell me .
73 de Lars M LA2RRA
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KE7SZC
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 9, 2011 19:55
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simplicity at it's finest!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This amplifier is simple in design, easily repaired, parts are not hard to find (thus far), I have the Harbach soft-key in mine, it's the only mod to date, I will consider the soft-start in time.
I have enjoyed this amplifier, and plan on having it for years to come, it's built to last, and very easy and intuitive to operate...
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K6LO
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 19, 2010 12:21
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It's Green. It's Reliable.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I received my SB-200 some 12 years ago as a "thank you" hand me down from the original builder. He ran it mobile in his various motor homes since the mid 60's. Same tubes. Same paper caps. In the last dozen years I have used it on 80 and 40 CW with my FT-102. Used a few times weekly. Five hundred out. Same tubes. Same paper caps. It's green. It's reliable. Somehow without all the whoop-dee-doo of step start, parasitic mystery oil, and any of "must do or she'll blow" circuit mods now scattering the internet, Heath managed to make a nice little value amp that is still running fine 40 plus years later on the original parts. If you find a nice one, buy it, treat it nice, and just leave the damned thing alone.
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N7SGM
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 5, 2010 13:03
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Great 1st AMP
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This is my very 1st HF AMP. I bought it from a gentleman who sold it for a club he was in. I had it shipped to me across the country with the tubes packaged separately. No issues from shipping.
I installed the Harbach Soft-Key and Soft-Start mods. These are two great mods and the service Jeff provides at Harbach is second to none! I still to need to replace the power supply card/components that Jeff offers.
I also researched many of the SB-200 mods online. From this research I performed the mods suggested by Robert Norgards, KL7FM and The Mule's SB-200 mods. I also replaced many of the resistors and capacitors due to their age.
This amp simply works great. I would not hesitate to buy another one. I also like the fact that it works on 80, 40, 20, 15,and 10 meters. In fact it will also work on 17 and 12 meters as well.
I use the amp with a Kenwood TS-450SAT with no more than 50-70 watts of drive. The antenna is a ground mounted Hustler 6-BTV with 20 radials, which when properly tuned, does not require the use of my onboard tuner.
The amp's output is about 400-650 watts depending on the band I am using.
I believe this amp deserves a solid 5/5 rating.
73
Bob
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KC0SDV
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 22, 2010 08:17
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Great amp....works like new after not being used for 15+ years
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Got the SB 200 from the son of an SK in an estate sale. He was the original owner and his son said he remembers his dad spending hours in the shack building it and using it for a few years before becoming ill. The amp sat unused for at least 15 years.
I asked 2 Elmers to look over it....they found nothing wrong with it and both were very impressed with how clean it is and the quality of the work. Even though the original tubes seemed OK we replaced the 572B tubes with new ones and it now puts out about 600 watts on 40 meters and about 500 on 10 meters. Have not used it on 20 meters as I don't have a tuner that will handle the power and the 5BTV antenna needs tuning on the 20 meter section.
I consider myself lucky to have found this great old piece of equipment still in excellent shape.
Future mods include the Harbach kits, as I am currently using a homemade switch to key the relay before transmitting.
73
Cliff
kc0sdv
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N1MIW
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 29, 2010 19:08
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A great amplifier to own!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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If you're looking for your first amp, the Heathkit SB-200 would be a fine choice. It's easy to work on if needed since it was a kit design, it won't take up much desktop space, and operating it is pretty straight-forward. Expect around 600 watts output with 70 watts input when using the newer Chinese/Taylor tubes, but if you can find a set of NOS Cetron 572B/T160L's (what the amp was designed to use), you could squeeze another 100 watts out with the same 70 watt drive. I tried the Cetron's with the full 100 watts from my FT-847 and saw 875 watts! 100 watts drive is not recommended for the amp for fear of burning something up in the input circuit, but proves to me that the quality of the Cetrons are FAR superior to "modern" tubes. I will actually drive my amp with about 50 watts - and make the contact.
If you're looking to buy, don't forget to ask about what the meter reads when the multi-function switch is set to HV - it should be around 2400 Volts (yes, this amp will kill!). If it reads low, the caps in the PS will need to be upgraded and/or some metering resistors are out of tolerance and need to go. But at least you know the main power transformer is functioning. Upgrade kits can be found on the web which would be recommended due to most components being 30+ years old now. Anyone can upgrade this amp due to its simplicity - just use common sense around the HV.
Would I buy another? YOU BET! In fact, I did - it was a hacked CB conversion I got for cheap. I plan on putting it on 6 meters. As far as price goes, if it's been completely rebuilt with a new PS and protection circuits installed, today's market is about $400 - $450. If it's completely original, I wouldn't pay more than $325. Upgrades could cost over $100, and for another ~$200 more you can get the SB-220 which can give you close to legal limit!
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