Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Heathkit SB 230

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

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Heathkit SB 230
Reviews: 16MSRP: 349.95
Description:
600 Watt Amp with one 8873 Tube ( no Blower ! )
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00164.8
K1DA Rating: 2007-09-14
Good amp (thanks again EMAC for ending tube production) Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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?
WA2JJH Rating: 2003-08-31
Nice design Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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.
K6KSG Rating: 2003-02-18
Excellent Amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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.
DL7AOH Rating: 2001-10-03
Temperature display Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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.
K1DC Rating: 2000-12-27
Small and quiet Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
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.
KD2E Rating: 2000-12-16
Not a sound!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
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!