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Reviews For: Heathkit HL-2200

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

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Review Summary For : Heathkit HL-2200
Reviews: 13MSRP: 850
Description:
The Heathkit Model HL-2200 Linear Amplifier is a completly self-contained, table top, grounded grid, linear amplifier. It is designed to operate at the maximum amateur power limit on SSB, CW and RTTY.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00134.7
N4ZAW Rating: 2022-07-01
Relaible. It's like the SB220, but a step or two backward. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I picked one of these up as a project from someone who placed it halfway into a complete rebuild. It wasn't quite 'whole', as one of the side plates was missing, lots of missing hardware, and it had no tubes. The HL2200 is basically the same as the SB221, but without any access to the input tune tuning coils without disabling the amp. This is because the switches are mounted to the front panel.... A stupid move from the designers IMHO. Also, the non-lit meters are hard to see in low light, or reflection/glare too. Why didn't Heathkit stick with the SB220/221's decent meters? It runs great now, but 15M input SWR is still a bit too high for my liking, and I'm not tearing it all apart a third time, just to try to dial that in any better. I love my reliable SB220 --- I'm selling this HL2200 to get the funds for another SB220. The amp is like new and makes awesome power, but I just don't see it as an improvement over the SB220 at all.
UPDATE: 6/30/22
The underrated power switch (15A/220VAC) is proving to be an issue! It has both stuck-off and stuck-on several times. So I switched it out with the MODE switch --- which failed after three on/off cycles also! I successfully rebuilt them, but don't expect the power switch to hold up to 30A service for very long. I plan to find an A/C contactor that will fit under the chassis to place in-line, taking to the load off the tender, obsolete power switch.
Still, a great amplifier, but they should've left the good ol' SB220 alone IMHO.
K7BJS Rating: 2017-03-23
HL-2200 Upgrade Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I got this unit as part of a station buy. It did have some work done on it around 2005. Some tuning and a Peter Dahl Filament Transformer installed.
I pulled it apart, fixed some really bad wiring, then installed:
> Harbach: Soft-Start Module; TX/RX Relay; Soft Key keying interface; 120VDC full wave rectifier kit for the T/T relay; Filter Capacitor kit; Rectifier metering board; replaced the 22uf electrolytic Cap and installed New Bumper Feet
> SB220 Tank Circuit to get 80-10M
> 6:1 gear reduction for the Variable Capacitors.
> Drilled oil holes for and refirbed the cooling fan motor.
> New Parasitic assemblies for the Anodes.
> Grounded the grids.
When I started, this thing did about 900 watts, on the older 3-500Z's. I do not intend to replace them, as they do not seem to be abused.
I did not have to do this work, the unit seemed to operate fine. It has been a fun project for me.
This Amp is very forgiving, and a GREAT addition to the shack.
K4KBW Rating: 2012-10-27
A Power House ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just picked this amp up at Nearfest, This thing is really fantastic , very forgiving , very easy to tune/load , runs very cool , I love the new color and style they ended up going with.
This amp will look great in any shack and perform very well. I would highly recomend it, if you can find one . It seems that there are not very many of them out there. To bad Heathkit is gone !
AK6ZZ Rating: 2012-03-27
Real converted beauty on 6m Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently purchased a 6m converted HL 2200 from a ham in Ohio and it is awesome. Initial tests show that it puts out over 1300 watts with 100 W of input on 220 VAC. It is extremely solid runs extremely cool and seems as if it could put out more if only my K3 had higher output power. It is a beautiful piece of workmamship from a bygone era. Modified beautifully for 6m. I can't wait to use it when the 6m season opens in. May.
N5VU Rating: 2008-12-26
Solid! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I'm an ampaholic. I like to buy, restore and use the older generation of QRO amplifiers. I've had a few amps and this one is a solid performer. Truly Heathkit quality. In essence, it's a SB-221 in a different package. Even with old tubes I'm able to get 1300 watts output. Mine has the 10 meter mod and will easily make 1KW on 10 meters.
The soft points of the HL-2200 is the rocker type switches. Mine also has the relay mod for the primary power in order to "save" the life of the rocker switch.
Point 2: It has a "Stand-by" switch. Wonderful!
Point 3: I drilled a hole in the bearing housing on the fan in order to oil the motor.
Point 3: I replaces the filter capacitor eq resistors from 30K to 100K.
At 2600 VDC under load, 800 ma Ip @ =/- 65% eff., it does 1.352 KW.
If you can find one, expect to pay between $650 and $800 in todays market if it is good shape.
73 and Happy Amping! MArcel N5VU
WD8CJN Rating: 2007-05-22
The HL-2200 is a Brown Beast Time Owned: N.A.
Purchased from an older ham (like myself) that only liked to build Heath gear. The HL-2200 is a wolf in brown sheep skin. There is no 10 or 160 meters so if you like to run heavy on 10 you will need to look for a SB-220 tank circuit swap out. The band switch has an extra position that is tagged out as I recall. Since it is the last amp produced by Heath it has the upgraded filament transformer that does not require a step-start circuit ($20) to protect the 3-500's however the on/off switch should be replaced as they had a very high failure rate when turned on and there is a service bulletin out on that rocker. You cant get the original style so replacing all three is best if you want it to look clean. RTO Electronics has the rockers and other service parts.

I find that running it on a dedicated 110v line is no problem and it will run just fine with minor voltage sag but 220v should cause the snot to run out of your dummy load. As far as output, it will make the legal limit. My Icom 746PRO will only output 85-90 watts so no ALC is needed as I cant over drive the amp. With the rf gain set at about 60% it will output 650 watts on my peek reading meter, for what it is worth. If you have an MFJ tuner,load it with as much capacitance as possible or it will arc over in the tuner. That should tell you something about it's capability or that of the tuner. I did install a solid state relay to key the amp and changed out the filter bank as a matter of age to avoid problems. Harbach provided the quality parts. Another item of maintenance is to drill a small pilot hole in the fan bearing to get some oil directly in there with a syringe. The fan will fail if not oiled in a year.

It certainly is not for the weak at heart or those who like to save money using RG-58 coax but it is what many other manufactures use as a standard when building todays amps at 4 times the price.

If it is to be shipped the hv transformer must be removed as the mounting plate is too thin to withstand shipping and will tear loose. Other than that, I am a very happy camper.

NJ3A Rating: 2007-02-20
OHHH the GLOW Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is my first real HF amp since my 11 meter days of the 70s... This amp is a dream, smooth tuning, readily available parts and tons of output. With 2x 3-500z Eimacs this amp easily puts out 1KW+. Mine did not have the Heathkit manual available, so I bought the Complete one from Vintage Manuals (www.w7fg.com), including all schematics and drawings. Well worth the few bucks.

The first thing I did when I got this amp was to clean it...inside and out. A little Windex and paper towels does a great job. Clean the 3-500z tubes of all the past smokers residue..it helps with cooling and just looks better. You'll know if it was with a smoker if your paper towel looks brown when your done... It's amazing how dirty a piece of equipment can get from a smoker...enough said.

My amp has had a number of the Harbach mods done to bring it up to snuff. It already had the Heathkit power switch mod, so I added the Soft Start, Soft Key and Rectifier and Metering mod. All easy to do if you take your time. Harbach has been out of CAPs (they just came in) so that will probably be the final mod for this amp...and I expect it will bring it up to new specs. The HV drops during TX and I assume the old caps are why. After the SMOKE test (there was none) I put this amp to work with my IC-756 Pro II, Palstar AT4K Tuner (for wires) and M2 KT36XA Tribander (<1.5:1 SWR on 10-15-20 meter bands). Exceptional signal reports from all stations. The antenna does great on it's own(check my review), but with this amp it is truely outstanding. Clean audio and spectacular performance.

Visually, this amp does not have the hospital green Heathkit face and it goes great with all late model equipment. It's not light by any means and will cost more to have it shipped as you'll have to remove the tubes. I got mine local so the transformer stayed in. For longer shipping I would recommend removing the transformer.

If you want a high power amp, readily available parts and lots of capability...this amp will do it. It's not the newest high tech nano kid on the block...but it might just turn out to be the bully on the block.

YA GOTTA LUV THE GLOW!!!
KE4AWM Rating: 2005-02-08
IF YOU CAN FINE ONE , BETTER BUY IT,I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE TWO Time Owned: more than 12 months.
THIS IS THE BEST LOOKING AND THE BEST OPERATING AMP MADE AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.IT IS TOTALLY BULLET PROOF AND ALMOST INDESTRUCTABLE.TO BAD OTHER MANUFACTURES WON'T OR FEEL THEY CAN'T MAKE ENOUGHT MONEY CONSTRUCTING A LOW COST AMP AS THE SB 220 OR HL 2200.THESE AMPS WORK AS WELL AS OR IF NOT BETTER THEM ALL THOSE FANCY $1200 PLUS UNITS.O WELL WELCOME TO THE FUTURE.
TONY V
W3WQ Rating: 2004-12-28
Excellent AMP! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought this Amp off of Ebay about 6 months ago. I sent it directly to RTO (Heath Repairs and parts) in Benton Harbor, MI for a general check-up and to install a couple of mods. I've been using it for 5 months and it works flawlessly with 1200 watts out in RTTY. Not having 10 meters doesn't bother me a bit, when 10 meters is in you don't need an Amp anyway...
KF0XV Rating: 2004-12-04
Great Amp Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought mine in Feb. of this year for about 700 dollars. Only thing to go bad was the rocker switch for the power on/off but this does not affect the performance. I run mine on 110vac and get 700 to 800 watts on 80-10 but I only run 500 watts on any band. I don't know when or who built it but he/she did a very nice job. I give it a 5 because thats how it has worked for me so far. If you get one don't forget the manual, its about 45 bux. I know...