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Reviews For: Heathkit SB-200

Category: Amplifiers: RF Power - HF & HF+6M

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Review Summary For : Heathkit SB-200
Reviews: 83MSRP: Original Price $400
Description:
HF Amp using two 572B's, 80 - 10 meters
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
14834.9
K4TB Rating: 2009-05-02
Running good as Ever Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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.
KJ4CNN Rating: 2009-02-17
Great first amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
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.
EC1KR Rating: 2008-12-16
my first amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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
W2NSF Rating: 2008-08-10
Great value, performance. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
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.
G4DJC Rating: 2008-08-10
very robust reliable amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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.
WB5AGF Rating: 2008-05-31
Classic Tube HF Amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.

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.
W8ZNX Rating: 2008-05-31
solid good old amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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
W4WSW Rating: 2008-05-29
Is a Iron Horse Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
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
VE3PTC Rating: 2008-04-09
great 1st amp Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
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.
KB3NGA Rating: 2008-02-08
BUILT LIKE A TANK!!!!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
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