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Reviews For: Heathkit HA-14

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

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Review Summary For : Heathkit HA-14
Reviews: 12MSRP: 99.95 & Abt $60.00 P.S.
Description:
Heathkit HA-14 SSB Mobile Linear Amplifier
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.qsl.net/w6ovp/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00124.7
KG5FTK Rating: 2002-08-28
Love it. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This little amp is essentially a sb200 separated into 2 cabinets. The rf section is so small it matches the new xcvrs with its tiny size. The tubes are dirt cheap and it is a quiet amp...it has no fan. For ssb, no fan has never been a problem but for cw an external fan is a good idea. I can't see why someone couldn't manufacture one of these amps for a decent price today. In the 60's these amps cost $99. I wish I bought 10 of these then. Get one in good shape and it should last forever. It doesn't really use any parts you can't scrounge up if something dies. You can get just the rf deck for as little as $150, and use your own ps.
W6THW Rating: 2002-01-19
Great tube Mobile Amplifier Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Heathkit HA-14 SSB Linear Amplifier

The amplifier is 12-13/16" wide x 3-3/16" high x 10" deep.
Band Coverage is 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters.
Power input SSB: 1000 watts P.E.P.
Driving power up 100 watts for full output.
Output Impedance 50 ohms unbalanced, SWR not to exceed 2:1.
Input Impedance 52 ohms unbalanced; broad-band pretuned input (circuit requires no tuning)
Meter Functions Relative power and 1:1 to 3:1 SWR.
Front Panel Controls Tune: 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters.
Band 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters.
Relative Power Sensitivity control.
Meter switch: FWD And SWR.
Power switch: OFF, ON.
Tube Complement Two 572-B (or two T160-L) in parallel.
Power Requirements 2000 volts DC at 500 ma and -120 volts DC at 60 ma, an 12.6 Volts Dc at 4 amperes.
Net Weight 7 Lbs.

Now lets get to how well it operates, In the real world, it will run 500 watts output useing a Bird model 43 watt meter. I have only checked it on
80, 40, and 20 meters, but i am sure it will be a little less on 15, and 10 meters. There is no standby position so you can not use your exciter
barefoot unless you turn it off. Also i would use a small 12 volt muffin fan above the 572-b tubes to keep them cool. (There is no internal fan).
As you can see with no fan it is very quite. I am useing brand new Taylor matched 572-b tubes.
The original tubes Heathkit used in this model was Cetron 572-B/T160L.

To operate the HA-14 mobile amplifier you set the band switch to the disired band, do not turn it on. Load the exciter in a normal manner at the
desired frequency. The FWD and SWR functions of the Amplifier meter can be used in loading the exciter. Reduce the drive level of the exciter to a
minimum. Turn on the HA-14 Amplifier and apply a small amount of RF from the exciter. Peak the tune control for maximum REL PWR on the HA-14 Amplifier meter.

The reason i went through the tune up is to show that you only use two knobs, band switch and tune control. The matching AC supply is the HP-24
and the matching DC supply is the HP-14.

I have used it mobile and except for replaceing the tubes (30 years old original tubes) i have had no troubles with the HA-14 amplifier or the DC and AC power supplies. If you
can find one it is still one of the best tube amps for mobile going. I am also useing the HA-14 with my Ten Tec Corsair II at home. (not for sale)

Mike (W6THW)