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| Reviews Summary for Heathkit SB 230 |
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Reviews: 10
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Average rating: 4.7/5
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MSRP: $349.95
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Description: 600 Watt Amp with one 8873 Tube ( no Blower ! )
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Product is not in production.
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More info: http://
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VK4VDX
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 24, 2011 20:54
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Collectors piece!!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This amplifier has got my respect, after all this time, 30+ years and still the original 8873 tube. I did buy the Amplifier from a technician with new caps installed, over 3 years ago with 6 month warranty. This is a Collectors piece but more relayable than some of the newer Amplifiers out there, but remember "you have to use it before you lose it" and even if you just turn the power on.
If you have a SB-230 for sale I would be interested !!!!!
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ZS6DJD
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 3, 2011 09:49
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A real jewel
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Sadly it looks like I will be saying bye bye to an old friend. The best looking linear ever made. I rate this linear a 5 after three years with the SB 230 and many hours of fun woking thousands of stations and operating two special event stations I am thiking of retiring this jewel. The 8873 valve is no longer available. Any SB 230 with a mod in my opinion is not an SB 230. It was designed to work with out fan cooling and thats the way it should stay. I count it as an honor to have used the 230 zs6djd
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PA3GOS
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 4, 2008 15:41
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Super amp!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I own my SB-230 for over a year now. It came to me by plane in a suitcase which was in the baggage compartment. The tube was not removed.
I am extremely satisfied with it's performance. Did a few mods. Replaced the filter caps, some other ceramic caps, I also replaced the grid-bypass caps by high-voltage ceramic caps.
Doing this I removed the tube as well to clean the gridstrap, no problem at all after 30 years or more. Still the original tube too. A very important safety precaution is a glitch resistor to prevent the tube from damage (limiting current) if an internal arc might occur.
I also changed the ten meter tap on the coil one winding and a half (more induction) now I get close to 800 Watts PEP on all bands. This was measured with an Array Solutions Power Master.
I (unfortunately) don't own one myself but my own meter (also with homemade, not a kit, true PEP monitor) is calibrated with that Array Solutions Power Master too now.
In the future I will convert my SB-230 to a GI7B tube. Already have the parts at hand. I am a bit reluctant to do so because the present tube perfoms very well.
Overall a great looking amplifier performing as it should. It helps me getting good reports and keeps the time I need to bust a pile up short. Usually one call. And no, my antenna is just a tribander at 7 meters over ground. (Time for a tower and an Optibeam....)
If you can get one with a good tube or know how to convert: go for it if you don't need 1500 to 3500 Watts. I thank my good friend for bringing me this gift.
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K1DA
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Rating: 3/5
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Sep 14, 2007 07:50
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Good amp (thanks again EMAC for ending tube production)
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Ok you folks who still own them, two things you should know: 1. the grid connector ring tarnishes due to heat and the resulting bad connection causes VHF parasitics 2. A tube which has been installed for a while will TAKE THE CENTER OF THE SOCKET WITH IT when you try to pull it to clean the grid strap. Be very carful
of the fact that the socket is loosely riveted to a subframe in the PA compartment. It is not real fun to change a riveted socket. If you have trouple with power supply electrolytics it is often the first sign of the parasitic developing.
(the loose mounted socket is to insure the tube pulls into proper contact with the Be block and
heatsink) Otherwise I wish I had mine back...
quiet, low drive, and otherwise easy to work on. I ran a half speed muffin fan on the sink and it never got more than a little warm. Now I think DEOXIT on the grid ring and tube pins would probably solve both problems. Anyone want to sell one?
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WA2JJH
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 31, 2003 13:31
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Nice design
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Built mine frm a kit 20 years ago. I am so sorry I SOLD IT! Tune up a breeze. Wired for 110VAC
Solid 500W CW OUTPUT. Because of the berrylium oxide/aluminum heat sink design, only 30 seconds of keydown.
Berrylium oxide is an ultra toxic ceramic. Maybe the reason why I sold the amp was fear of the oxide block chipping.
In the manual, there is a whole disposal protocol in case the block chips!!!
However it was a solid performer. Using a whole stack of resistors to equal 50 ohms on the input was brilliant! No input matching coils and caps to deal with.
It looks nice too! EBAY price is about $300-400.
However every amp I bought on ebay arrived D.O.A!
HF amps do not ship well. Buying amps from a local ham is the way to go.
AGAIN SORRY I SOLD IT! It is so much better than a DENTRON GLA-1000.
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KC8HXO
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 17, 2003 21:06
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Great IF the tube lives!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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My experience with the SB-230 was all positive. Never gave a lick of problem, and ran about 600-700W key down! Neat Convection cooled design eliminated the fan altogether. ONLY reason it is a 4 , is the near impossibility of finding the 8873 tube, should it ever fail. I got scared, and sold mine... I bet it's still running!!!
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K6KSG
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 18, 2003 18:23
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Excellent Amp
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had the SB-230 for 30 years. It has worked without many problems. The 8.2V zener failed and was replaced. I still have the orginal tube (8873) in the amplifier and still puts out 600 watts. I use CW constantly and only run the amp around 500 watts when I use it.
In the early 70's, I built the whole line that matches the SB-230, everthing except the transceiver, and still use all the equipment in my station.
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DL7AOH
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 3, 2001 11:31
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Temperature display
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My SB 230 works flawlessly since 15 years! I inserted a digital LED thermometer behind the red cover - with red numbers it looks great! The sensor is fixed in a small hole in the backplane. If needed (SSTV!) a small and quiet PC fan gives some additional cooling from outside.
Take care when connecting the ALC and PTT to modern solid state rigs! It carries approx. 120 V.
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K1DC
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 27, 2000 15:29
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Small and quiet
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I paid $30 for this used amp that looks like new. Only problem was the 8873 was blown,likely caused by a parasitic that was about to blow the used one I paid $160 for on ebay. Was able to "tame" the devil with a parasitic supressor in the plate circuit. With a cool 500w out on all bands, no blower noise and simple to tune, I've been enjoying my new find for the past six months.
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KD2E
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 16, 2000 23:40
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Not a sound!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I guess you have to look at this amp for what it is. It is great in that is is completely silent, without a fan. It runs fairly cool, and gives good output. I have 3 of them, and one that I have converted to six meters. The problem of course, if you pop that tube you're outa luck!
It cost more than you will probably pay for the amp.
The red meter lens is like no other piece of ham gear you ever saw. Sure beats cloudy amber!
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