Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Hunter Bandit 2000C

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 : Hunter Bandit 2000C
Reviews: 7MSRP: $349
Description:
80-10 HF amp using (2) 3-400Z tubes
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0074.7
W4WTS Rating: 2019-05-30
Nice old Amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I never heard of a Hunter 2000C Amplifier when my other amp developed problems, but it was available and at a great price.

Mine still has the 3-400z's in it, does over 1300 watts on 40 meters, and over a 1000 watts on 20 meters. The other bands are somewhere in between.

It tunes easily, and I get great signal reports. At 27 cents a watt how can a fellow go wrong?

Not a bad looking amp either. I've spent more money and gotten less.....if you like old amps you'll probably like the Hunter.
AD6TM Rating: 2011-08-19
update Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well, one of the original filter caps gave up the ghost (after only 40+ years), so my good friend and amp expert, Louie, WB0RMO, gave it a workover with new caps and a thorough checkup. He was able to verify the valves are Amperex 8163 graphites (original?) and that very little improvement was obtained by temporarily installing 3-500Z's. Am getting great reports as before and couldn't be happier with this gem.
K8WBL Rating: 2011-03-06
5 out of 5 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
UPDATE- 2011 - still own this amp after 15 or so years.. Ted Hunter (previously with Collins Radio in Iowa) designed this amp, there were 2 variations of the 2000C..first was the black cabinet with older Selenium rectifier..newer models were of Collins colors, creamy white cabinet and battleship gray front panel. Large Block diode design.. came stock with (2) Amperex 8163 tubes (3-400z) but most folks dropped in the 3-500z with no issues..other than the top shield has to be removed as the 3-500z is a bit taller. Nice built, heavy ceramic band switch, heavy tuning caps, covers 80-10 Meters .. no standby switch (added AmpKeyer) and runs forever. Same size as the Heathkit SB-220 - but better built..like the collins 30L1. No tuned input, so will work on the WARC bands or anywhere else...wish it had 160 meters..
KM2E Rating: 2008-09-22
Keeps on running Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I owned the Bandit for about 10 years now. Very consistant running amp. My first amp, so its taken alot of abuse over the years with mis tunings. Its tough to use after the family goes to bed, with the noise from the fan. Has helped me make some contacts which otherwise would be just a dream. Consistantly puts out 1200watts. Not sure when these amps were built, but I've had good luck with mine.
WA4JKW Rating: 2008-01-24
Built like a Henry... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is a great amp, heavily built like a Henry 2K-2 and puts out 1.1 KW average key down with the original Amperex 3-400z tubes in it. I'm babying them at 800 watts average key down output. No tuned input, soft key, or soft start but it is a really nice amp. I have an AmpKeyer from Heathshop that keys it with my Icom IC-756 Pro III. The Ampkeyer has a standby switch the helps a lot when you don't need the amp. This Hunter 2000C Puts out 1.375 PEP with both my Bird and Drake watt meters. I will modify it with a tuned input and soft start soon. Buy a Hunter amplifier and you will be happy with it.
K8DGL Rating: 2003-01-18
Work Horse Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My Bandit still has the origional 3-400 tubes in it. Outside of the fan bearings needing a drop of oil from time to time it has not failed to put out 1300 watts PEP easily. A little trickey tuning it because of the sharp dip when resonation the plate. The absence of a tuned input can be overcome with a small tuner between the rig and the amp. Heavy construction, low initial cost and quality components equal a nice amp that will compete with anything new today.
WB8OWX Rating: 2002-07-19
Nice old reliable tube amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Ive owned 2 of these over the years, was offered in the early 70's as a kit amplifier. Company located in Iowa. NIce looking amp, black metal case with gray front panel, matches nicely do the Drakes. Solid build amp, not built cheaply like the early Dentrons, uses (2) 3-400Z triodes. I have also interchanged 3-500Z with no problems noticed. No WARC bands and NO tuned input..so amp is somewhat dirty. Has built in watt meter for 200 and 2000 scales. Self contained desk top amp similar in design and size to the Heathkit SB-220, though it seems less problematic than the Heaths which seem to be designed to near maximum limits of there component values. This amp uses a "power diode" module and the usual bank of 8 electrolytic caps. Amp is quite basic, dont like the power on switch which dumps the filament and HV together upon turn on...this amp is a good target for mods. Ive had no problems with these amps ever, cooling could be improved to, similar to the Heath, small fan at rear sucking air out. These things take alot of abuse though.