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Reviews For: Heathkit SB-220/SB-221

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

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Review Summary For : Heathkit SB-220/SB-221
Reviews: 76MSRP: 350.00 - 550.00
Description:
a 2kw pep input amp uses 2 3-500Zs
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.vcnet.com/measures/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15765
N7EKX Rating: 2005-01-22
Solid Workhorse Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased my SB-221 seven years ago from an Electric Radio ad, and couldn't be happier. Please note that Heath strongly recommends that the main power transformer be removed from the chassis, before long-distance shipment (presumably to avoid mangling the chassis). I was happy the ex-owner did this for me, and it was easy to put back in. During heavy usage (2-3 hours a day) throughout the recent sunspot peak, the amp never failed to put out 1 kw, whenever I needed it. I was the "first USA" for about 25 Japanese hams, who never could have heard my barefoot SB-104A signal. The amp was used on 40, 20 and 15 meters, and although it rarely did "spit" on 40 meters, this never caused me any problems. The original Eimac 3-500Z's are still in the unit, and seems that they will last longer than I will. If you have a chance to get one of these (or an HL-2200, which is the same thing in a brown cabinet) for about $500, stop what you are doing and grab your checkbook!
AD4C2004 Rating: 2004-11-30
The best affordable amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had this amp for just 4 days now,I got it in a nice trade in a hamfest,I have heard many times in the past of how good this was but now is when I realized how good they are,wired for 220VAC with the 100W out of my MK5 Field on 40M I can have 1400W key down with the plate voltage switch in SSB and 1000W on CW position,one excelent thing is that the input tuned circuit makes the radio to "see" less than 1.3 in all bands giving the maximun power output plus safety,this particular SB-220 that I do have now was profesionally painted in black by a guy who made it look done by the Heath company because the front panel still have all the white labels,you can see it at my web site at www.qsl.net/ad4c.I think that for less than 600 bucks you can find these amps all over and they work quite and have almost legal power for a price anyone can afford.
LU5DDX Rating: 2004-06-22
exelent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
un muy recomendable lineal realmente aprobechan al 100 x 100 las dos 3/500 que tiene
lo unico malo no alc y el comando tr del relay hay que usarlo con otro relay en cascada .
saludos desde bs. as. jorge
WB8RKQ Rating: 2004-05-23
best value amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
the 220/221 is about the best amp for the money out there it will put out close to 1400 watts with 130 input it just works and works and works and w8cq has a online store. http://www.harbachelectronics.com/ you can buy parts for your 220 amp there at a great prise why pay 3500 bucks for a 2 kw amp wene you can get a sb-220 for around 450 bucks that puts out 1350 watts there isnt any differens between what your runniing say 1300 or 2000 no one would see the difference you have to double your power to get 1 s unit so if your running 1300 watts you would have to incress your power to 2600 watts to come up 1 s unit thats the way it is. they say the first 500 watts is the most importent from 500 you have to go to 1000 to see any differens then from 1000 you have to go to 2000 to see any difference on your s meter see what i mean thats the way it works so the 220 is the best deal out there they are build very good and last forever 73
K1OU Rating: 2004-05-09
Good, cheap contest amp! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have two of them. Actually, one is an SB220 and the other is an SB221. Anyway, I have the Harbach retrofits in both, and during November SS the last two years, I have gunned these amps hard, and I can put my hand on the case and it is barely lukewarm. If you find one of these amps, be sure to put in the new caps from Harbach and new parasitic suppressors, and you will have an amp that will probably outlast you. This is a great amp if you are looking to contest on a budget. With good tubes and 100 watts of drive, you will see 1200-1400 watts on all bands except ten, where you can expect 900 watts. I would pay $450 for one of these without the retrofits, and up to $650 for one with the retrofits. Not an Alpha obviously, and no 160, but if you are an average ham like myself, this should be considered if you want to break the pileup without breaking the bank.
W5DXE Rating: 2004-03-25
Built Like a Tank Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This has to be the most reliable and popular amp of all time. Even though they have been out of production for 30 yrs thousands of them are still busting pile ups left and rightall over hte world. Even though I owned an Alpha 99 the SB220 never has given me a bit of trouble. The Alpha on the other hand had been back to Colorado a couple of times. This and with a price 4 time what I paid for the SB220.
W2KP Rating: 2004-02-04
A classic amp Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Purchased on 9/1/03. Mint condition but low voltage readings. Nevertheless it worked just fine. Installed all Harbach mods except inrush current. Check this site to see why it's not needed. http://www.somis.org/sb220ci.html
Low voltage readings due to carbon composition resistors in metering ckt having changed value. After the mods, everything still works great and meter readings are normal even when running the amp on 115 VAC.
By the way, it also works on the WARC bands but you need to tune it very carefully beginning with low drive levels.
It's a great amp and coveted by us older guys.
Paid $500 and another $150 for the mods. After market front panels are available.
As someone else said on this site "It'll probably outlast me". If you find one in good shape, GRAB IT!
W5LSD Rating: 2004-01-16
a workhorse Time Owned: more than 12 months.
$400 dollars at a hamfest and about 200
worth of Harbach mods and this amp stands right
up to new ones costing 2500 or more.
I put in the parasitic suppressors, inrush current
limiting, new TR relay, new rectifier board,
new electrolytics, and the "soft keying" mod.
I've used it heavily for over a year and it has
never groaned at all. It loafs an easy 600w
output on the low plate voltage setting
(CW/tune....B+ at 2400vdc). That's an Ip of 500ma
and Ig of 200ma .... loafing.
Easy to work on and a joy to use.
Mine will probably outlast me !
KC8HXO Rating: 2003-07-17
All agreed here, I guess! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The most popular 2KW amplifier ever, and WELL DESERVED! Just like an old Timex ..... takes a licking, and keeps on ticking!
WB7QXU Rating: 2003-07-10
Diehard Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is truely a work horse. I love mine, except it is touchy for tuning. but puts full out. I have had several 3-500zg dual tube amps. and this one is a great one. I have a older swan MKII I like better, but it has been fully restored like new. This SB220 puts out same power, 60w in full 1200w out on 20m. nice and quite the fan. This is a great amp for price range, no need to spend more, and all spare parts are available from several sources to make it like new. strongly recommend this amp. it is a keeper