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| Reviews Summary for Heathkit SB-200 |
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Reviews: 49
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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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More info: http://
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WB4TJH
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 23, 2009 19:40
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Great as it always was
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just picked up a mint SB201 from the estate of a silent key, and after a thorough check out, I am happy to say it's working like a champ. I had one of these amps (SB200) about 30 or more years ago, and I always kicked myself for letting it go years ago. I have had several other amps over the years, but this is the first HF amp I have had in the past 10 years. My SB201 is a solid 9 on a scale of 1-10, both cosmetically and electrically, and loafs along at 500 watts output. I just don't think that for a basic 600 watt HF amplifier, it can't be beat. I'm also a fan of the Amertron 811A amps, and that or the SB200 series is a good investment. That first 500 to 600 watts out makes a HUGE difference on the receive end. It gets your signal over the noise levels, and with the bands in such poor shape these days, you need all the help you can get. I am now able to chat with my friends thru the S9+ QRN on 75 and 40 meters. I still love my QRP CW, but for general, any time of day ragchewing, let's face it: sometimes you need a little power.
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K4TB
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Rating: 5/5
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May 2, 2009 19:23
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Running good as Ever
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I built my SB-200 in 1974 and it is still working great. I have replaced finals, fan motors, and the power supply capacitors over the years, and a bandswitch which I fried by accident. I was pleased to learn a few years back that it can also load up on 17M and 12M, using 20M & 15M bandswitch settings. Using a log periodic for 20-10M and dipoles on 40 & 80 I don't need a tuner. The SB-200 has certainly been the best value for a piece of ham equipment that I've ever had.
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KJ4CNN
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 17, 2009 16:35
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Great first amp
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After one year in the hobby, I bought this great amp from my elmer. What a great piece of equipment! Although I don't know any other amps to compare this unit to, I am very pleased with it nevertheless. It took me out of barefoot transmitting to having a punch in my transmissions.
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EC1KR
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 16, 2008 01:53
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my first amp
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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He all, was my first hf amp, I have fantastic words to this amp. I make many dxcc and contacts with him, use 2 nices tubes very easy to work in all radio shops, I belive that is fantastic to start in radio, my amp was given 500/800w out put depending the band. I recomend put a relay modification you can buy in http://www.harbachelectronics.com/main/page_products_sb200__sb201.html
Se you on the air, now i use a kenwood tl922, Jesus EC1KR
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W2NSF
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 10, 2008 04:23
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Great value, performance.
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I picked up my SB200 off eBay for a very reasonable price, considering it already had new caps, inrush protection, and low voltage keying. I added a new fan and now it's almost like new. Other than one problem (10m doesn't work - probably the band switch), this amp is the QRO answer for me - solid power, easy to tune, rugged, and, of course, those great sig reports. This amp's history speaks for itself. Now I'm considering finding another to mod for 6m. Another benefit of owning one of these vintage amps is the wide range of support available. Just Google SB-200 and you'll see. Gives me confidence these "sugar babies" will be out there for a long time to come. Highly recommended.
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G4DJC
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 10, 2008 03:27
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very robust reliable amp
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought a s/h SB200 in the 70's & in 3 yrs of daily operating found I only had to replace the 572B's once. The only mod I did was to replace the RF input connector from a phono to the more standard SO259.I found it to be a robust, quiet, reliable amp, delivering the UK legal limit of 400Watts effortlessly, I wish I was still able to have one. Dick. g4djc.
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WB5AGF
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Rating: 5/5
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May 31, 2008 16:37
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Classic Tube HF Amp
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The SB-200 is the 'Model T' and the 'DC3' of Amateur HF power amps.
The SB-200 is from a different era than today's microprocessor controlled/protected amplifiers. It is a high Voltage power supply (that can kill the unwary) and power RF matching network wrapped around a couple of power triodes that were designed at a time when 'space charge' and 'outgassing' were subjects that the average ham had reasonable knowledge of.
When treated with respect, and adjusted by someone know knows what they are doing, the SB-200 will do an excellent job of bringing a 100 Watt output HF ham rig of any vintage up to a respectable 500 or 600 Watt level.
When you're running an SB-200 it gives a sense of satisfaction similar to driving an old car that has been kept in good condition; it's an honest piece of gear that can still do the job.
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W8ZNX
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Rating: 5/5
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May 31, 2008 12:09
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solid good old amp
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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if you know what you are doing
a used SB-200 is the best bang for your buck
easy to fix / work on
no trick circuits, first rate parts
its not a big legal limit amp
but it will give you the leg up you need
over the last 30 years ive owned more than
one SB-200 and they never let me down
yours truly
Mac
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W4WSW
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Rating: 5/5
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May 29, 2008 07:19
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Is a Iron Horse
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I got this baby in a trade for my old but in excellent condition SB-301 receiver, it was in very but very bad shape, despaite of that I tell the guy let's do it, (the trade) Once I got it I began to take a part everything and replace old bad parts and the cleaning as well, I painted & up-grade the power supply my self, you know what..? this girl gave me almost 700W with the original tubes, I love it, I have an 811-H as well and I don't us it, it gave me more troubles than this 44 years old rig, Outstanding...
You can see it in my page in YouTube, search my call & you will see....
73's de Luis
W4WSW
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VE3PTC
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 9, 2008 18:25
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great 1st amp
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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found this gem on a local swap, and the price was right. one faulty tube,and a toasted choke were the only problems, and with that all squared up, this old girl is working very well and efficiently. i installed the harbach soft start, and soft relay keying. the tubes are not new, but still provide over 500w pep on 10m-outstanding ! man sized components inside, so its a pleasure to work on. still plenty going about, grab one if its comes up.
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