Heathkit SB-220 Linear Amplifier clean and working, I need to stay away from swaps.

I still haven't completely unpacked from Dayton, but I went to a local swap here in Monroe, Mi. There I found a clean Heathkit SB-220 that was 'working' that I had to pull the trigger on. It already has been gone thru, recapped, and is also slightly modded. Can you look at the face and see the mod? At first, I missed it. The rocker switch on the left is not factory, but it looks original. The seller had installed an auto keying circuit in it, like a CB amp has. Hence, you can turn that switch on and it will key when it senses RF coming in. Turn that switch off and you will need a foot switch to key it. It aso has an additional non factory small transformer to run the auto key circuit and the tube bias. This amp with the added bias circuit runs very well on AM. Runs cool and does 1500 peak 1000 average. I like this one, but again don't love it. Heathkit's are not the best made amps.

[@keithweiss7899]

Back in the 70’s a friend known as “Blues” used to build these to sell to the channel 6 guys. But they kept them keyed down for extended time and kept burning up the transformer. So he put two in them. No more problems. Then he built some with 3 tubes and two transformers. Then 4 tubes and 3 transformers. His last creation had 6 tubes with 4 transformers. I often wonder where those things ended up.

[@tramdr]

We had a lot of 500z builds like that back then. Called them Crab boxes same reason they called the hard wired D20I a Rat's Nest.

[@Mauldropper508.]

Clicked edit for typos won’t let me 🤔
Added above 4.8-5.2v of bias good to go

[@user-ex3mf6lb3j]

Great workmanship

[@tramdr]

Thanks

[@iggystim]

Excellent

[@tramdr]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@rocklickranch2804]

I finally found a minty L4B but I’d like to have a Henry for a backup, or maybe use the Drake for a backup. Lol

[@tramdr]

I got a thing for both the Drake L4B and Henry boxes. They are very well built. Not that Heathkits are bad, but they are not tanks. I like Tanks.

[@djlunchmeat7710]

A Tate moment!!! hihi 033 ride gone!

[@tramdr]

Yes Sir.

[@spaceflight1019]

If you want to upgrade the power transformer Peter Dahl has a replacement.

[@tramdr]

They not cheap though.

[@spaceflight1019]

@@tramdr True, but I never have heard anyone gripe about the price of a Peter Dahl transformer.

[@darrelldundee7198]

@@spaceflight1019 takes a while to build and mailed to you fed-ex

[@michealbell5042]

I have a sb 200 pack it up for ten years. Just pulled it out the other day and realised I have no out put . It will switch on ok, I cleaned the relay on put used 40 watts and got nothing out , keeping in mind I used this amp before without a problem 🤔 Do you have any suggestions.

[@tramdr]

It has a multimeter which if used right would tell you a lot. If the HV good? 2nd when you key it with no drive, does the amp meter move up some? Whats the input SWR with the amp keyed and on? Does the amp meter and grid meter read up when its keyed and driven?

[@michealbell5042]

@@tramdr Thank you for replying I will double check on the weekend. But from memory the HV was 2400. I been a big fan and enjoy watching your channel on a weekly basis.

[@Fj-fe6co]

For sale? No tubes.

[@tramdr]

750 plus the ride, firm, with no tubes. 1000 firm with tubes.

[@wayneholland1832]

Greetings, I'd like to know if you have a modulator for sell?

[@tramdr]

I have a few small ones.

[@wayneholland1832]

@@tramdr I would like a Maco 75 or a JB12 that works .

[@wayneholland1832]

let me know how much.

[@wayneholland1832]

I would like a Maco 75 when you have one to sell, I won't waste your time and will pay promptly.

[@tramdr]

400 for this one: th-cam.com/video/VSGa9yzIR6w/w-d-xo.html

[@kevinstevenson5591]

How much will amplify without the tubes.w8dmx

[@kevinstevenson5591]

I'll look at how much you want for amplifier with out tubes

[@tramdr]

600

[@kevinstevenson5591]

@@tramdr I'll get right back with you what state you are you

[@tramdr]

I'm in Michigan

[@Joe-KN4IFI]

😯😮🤓

[@tramdr]

Smile

[@thesquirrelchroniclesakare7808]

So how much for it with no tubes ?

[@tramdr]

600

[@thesquirrelchroniclesakare7808]

​@@tramdr ok

[@rocklickranch2804]

@@tramdrPlus the ride.

[@nordland2235]

110 or 220 ?

[@tramdr]

These can go either way with moving a couple connections on the terminal block. However, it's on 110 right now and in the vid, but it is a direct 110 line. Plugging this into a normal house 110 line would be pushing the limits of the line. I might could get a little more if I put it on my 220 line but it came on 110 so I just left it.

[@macsierra7777]

😮

[@tramdr]

Is that a sad sign?

[@FireballLive1]

I need this ill trade you my phantom 500

[@tramdr]

Naw, actually I would trade you 2 Phantom 500's for one of these.

[@FireballLive1]

@@tramdr darn I just got the one. I haven't put the hv capps in yet but I have them

[@jasonhurdle2000]

❤

[@tramdr]

Thanks.