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Reviews For: Heathkit SB 614 monitor scope

Category: Tools & Test Equipment for the amateur radio work bench

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Review Summary For : Heathkit SB 614 monitor scope
Reviews: 3MSRP:
Description:
Heathkit monitor scope circa 1974
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0034.7
WB5AGF Rating: 2015-11-10
the solid state replacment for the HO-10 & SB-610 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The Heathkit SB-614 Monitor Scope is the solid-state replacement for the earlier SB-610, and before that the HO-10, Monitor Scopes.

The HO-10 and SB-610 (newer cabinet but essentially the same circuitry as the HO-10) are tube based equipment whereas the SB-614 goes all solid-state except for the CRT.

I recently (Nov 2015) purchased an SB-614 off ebay and have gone through it once, cleaning out dust & dirt plus looking for deteriorating parts.

The only item requiring a 'fix' was the foam-type CRT cushions (they fit around the inner perimeter of the CRT bezel); they had proven not chemically stable and were turning into 'goo' ... so I replaced them.

From a functionality standpoint, comparing the SB-614 to its predecessors (the HO-10 and SB-610), the Heathkit designers left out the two-tone audio test generator. How big a deal that is I don't know as I don't believe that most hams will be needing that capability unless they are running amplifier intermod tests.

The SB-614 is in a 'standard' cabinet that was part of the SB-104 (HF transceiver) product line and as a result there is a lot of unused space. It makes working on the SB-614 very easy as there is plenty of room and everything is easily accessible (the HO-10 can be kind of cramped to work in).

(I'm trying to think of what might be convenient to stick into all that available space in the SB-614's cabinet; so far the most useful sounding addition would be to figure a way to mount a decent sized speaker in the SB-614's case and come up with a way to allow the sound to come out the front of the case.)

- Paul, WB5AGF (10 Nov 2015)
K3ROJ Rating: 2007-10-13
Excellent Monitor Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Recently found a nice inexpensive SB-614. Hooked it up to my transceiver just to check it out and made a discovery that it also shows when PSK31 is being over driven ( IMD ). I now have good reports from anyone I talk to on PSK31.
KC9GUZ Rating: 2007-10-07
Great! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought a '614 scope a few months ago to monitor my amplifier output to keep an eye on overmodulation. The '614 works great for its age. All solid state with the CRT being the only tube. Vintage gear like this scope can be had for very little money if you know were to look. Considering the cost of a Kenwood SM 220 nowdays the '614 is a bargain! Long live the older Heatkit gear!!!!!!!