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| Reviews Summary for Heathkit SB-200 |
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Reviews: 53
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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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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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KB3NGA
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 8, 2008 20:05
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BUILT LIKE A TANK!!!!!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I picked up my sb-200 from a local ham and I was amazed how clean the amp was for being 30+ years old. I just ordered the harbach power mod and relay mod just for the added protection. It doesnt need it but what the hell. i get 650 out on anyband all day long with a 100 in and by the way i got my sb-200 for 250.00 from the original builder/owner. He built the damn thing played with it fort 2 weeks and got bored withit
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N8EB
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 7, 2007 02:52
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Best bang 4 the buck!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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A little over 3 years ago I was at a local swap and was looking for an amp. I saw a table that had this SB-200, but I had to make sure there wasn't any better deals on another table. There wasn't, but by the time I got back to the SB-200 it was gone. Afterwards a bunch of us went to have some coffee and I told my story of missing out on the Heathkit, and a guy said that he had picked it up. He didn't need it - he already had an amp - it just looked like it was in good shape.
Since neither of us knew it's history, he let me take it to our local Heathkit guru to be checked out before paying a penny for it. It was in great shape inside and out, and the build quality was rated as fantastic.
After a little more than 3 years of heavy use, an average of 4 hours a day 5-7 days a week, I finally had a problem - output dropped to about 300-325 watts.
One tube was weak - almost dead - and one of the "big blues" - power cap - was bad. I bought a Harbach power module upgrade that replaces all the caps as well as the soft start mod.
I also went to RF Parts and ordered 2 Taylor 572B tubes. Here is a funny thing... When we opened it up, the amp still had the original T-160L tubes in it!!! 40 or so years with the type of use I give it is pretty good on a set of old tubes!
I routinely get 650+ watts out on 40-80 meters and about 600 on all other bands. With the amp on, if I can hear 'em, I can work 'em!
There are amps available that put out more power, that are solid state, have more bells and whistles, but for the money you can't beat a Heathkit SB-200! I have seen them for about $300 "stock" on eBay, and upwards of $400 in great shape with Harbach mods.
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KI4RIG
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 5, 2007 18:27
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great amplifier
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I give it a five. it is a real work horse 100w in 900w out on 20 meter and on 10 meter I get 500w out so I think this is a real good amp and you get your moneys worth when you buy this amp
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N7BFK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 20, 2007 01:29
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Going strong
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought my SB-200 from a local OM and was planning on using as a 6M conversion. It sat on my shelf for almost 2 years with out being converted or even tested. I broke down and decided to try it out and see what it does. I hooked up my AmpKeyer and TS-2000 to it and WOW. After tuning it up on 20M I took a look at my Bird meter and it is pushing 800+W. I then tried the rest of the bands and the same thing. Currently its running on 115v and the Cetron 572B that came with it. I guess the OM was being truthful when he said the amp was used very little. That was the best $150.00 spent in my shack. 73, Thomas N7BFK
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N0TQQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 12, 2007 20:19
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Very well Engineered
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased my SB 200 on ebay in 2005. After I straightened up some repairs "some hack" performed I was ready to load it up. I could only get 300 watts output no matter how I tuned it, and there was no grid meter reading. I decided to try a couple new Chinese tubes to replace the old taylors. Not only did I get the full 600 watts output with the new 572 tubes, my grid meter reading was restored! I run this amp almost every day and have had no problems since the retube. A good one is worth about $300-$350. With tuned input for 10-80 meters, and with filteration second to none, this excellently engineered amplifier is your best bang for the buck 600 watts out there!
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K7UA
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 5, 2007 13:39
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Fine old amp
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I built a SB200 in about 1970 on my kitchen table. It was a great amp. Solid, no problems. I used it heavily for a couple of years. At that time I came up with enough money to upgrade to a SB220. This amp can be a great value if it was built by someone who did a good job. K7UA
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