This is the best tutorial video on You-Tube for simply tuning up the Heathkit SB-220 amplifier. We don't see the driver (his transceiver) but he describes the amount of drive wattage he is supplying to the amplifier. If you own or are buying an SB-220, it is best to keep the right side meter knob in the "GRID" position. 250 m.a. is the limit, but whenever possible, tune the amp so the Grid Current is at or below 200 m.a. This will protect your tubes while still giving you great output. The SB-220 is a great amplifier. Simple yet powerful and very reliable. You can learn to tune it quickly in only a short time. With 100 watts drive power and a tuned antenna, it is possible to get 1,400 watts output, but I wouldn't advise it in order to protect the tubes. At 1,200 watts output, the receiving station won't be able to tell any difference. In fact, unless band conditions are horrifically noisy, the receiving station won't be able to tell the difference between 1,000 watts output or 1,400 watts output. You have to nearly double your output in order to achieve a single higher "S" unit on the receiving station's meter. The more effective approach is to run the SB-220 at about 1,000 watts output in SSB mode, using about 80 watts of drive power, WHILE turning on your transceiver's "Audio Processor" or using Audio EQ for a narrow, piercing voice quality. Audio makes up more than half of your signal's readability. A station using good punchy, narrow piercing audio, where the operator speaks up in a loud clear voice, running only 100 watts, is a far more powerful and receivable than a station running 1,000 watts output with no audio compression, E.Q. or Audio Processing...especially if that operator speaks in a soft voice. Audio compression, or Audio Processing from your transceiver, along with you speaking up in a clear and loud voice will nearly always make contacts. 'Best way to double or triple your signal is to use good audio and speak up loud in a clear voice. 'Seems obvious, yet its amazing how many operators don't follow this simple obvious approach.
Would you consider doing the whole thing again, but focusing on the SB-220, as you adjust each one of the controls as the effect is shown on the PLATE METER and the PLATE VOLTAGE -KV or lower the camera image a little bit. Otherwise, your presentation is appreciated. Thank you!
500mil plate current...180mil grid current..45w exiter...800watts out...on my sb-220...don't let your grid current ever go over 200mil on cw/tune or 250mil on ssb. Always keep your grid current down...Most videos I watch, they don't even show grid current they are just worried about how much power they can get out. I guess they have plenty of money for more 3-500z tubes.
@@maxg70 greetings...with 100 watts you probably will be way over the 180mil grid current. Just use enough drive to keep it below 200mil Ig. Hope that helps
@@maxg70 greetings...with 100 watts you probably will be way over the 180mil grid current. Just use enough drive to keep it below 200mil Ig. Hope that helps
Very rugged & dependable tube amplifier.Abused by so many a CBers.Maybe the best Dual 3-500 amplifier ever built but the Ameritron AL-82 is a very dependable amplifier as well in this class but they cost far more even on the used market.The Kenwood TL-922 is another great choice for a dual 3-500 amplifier.
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This is the best tutorial video on You-Tube for simply tuning up the Heathkit SB-220 amplifier. We don't see the driver (his transceiver) but he describes the amount of drive wattage he is supplying to the amplifier. If you own or are buying an SB-220, it is best to keep the right side meter knob in the "GRID" position. 250 m.a. is the limit, but whenever possible, tune the amp
so the Grid Current is at or below 200 m.a. This will protect your tubes while still giving you great output. The SB-220 is a great amplifier. Simple yet powerful and very reliable. You can learn to tune it quickly in only a short time. With 100 watts drive power and a tuned antenna, it is possible to get 1,400 watts output, but I wouldn't advise it in order to protect the tubes.
At 1,200 watts output, the receiving station won't be able to tell any difference. In fact, unless band conditions are horrifically noisy, the receiving station won't be able to tell the difference between 1,000 watts output or 1,400 watts output. You have to nearly double your output in order to achieve a single higher "S" unit on the receiving station's meter.
The more effective approach is to run the SB-220 at about 1,000 watts output in SSB mode, using about 80 watts of drive power, WHILE turning on your transceiver's "Audio Processor" or using Audio EQ for a narrow, piercing voice quality. Audio makes up more than half of your signal's readability. A station using good punchy, narrow piercing audio, where the operator speaks up in a loud clear voice, running only 100 watts, is a far more powerful and receivable than a station running 1,000 watts output with no audio compression, E.Q. or Audio Processing...especially if that operator speaks in a soft voice. Audio compression, or Audio Processing from your transceiver, along with you speaking up in a clear and loud voice will nearly always make contacts. 'Best way to double or triple your signal is to use good audio and speak up loud in a clear voice. 'Seems obvious, yet its amazing how many operators don't follow this simple obvious approach.
looking good robert
Would you consider doing the whole thing again, but focusing on the SB-220, as you adjust each one of the controls as the effect is shown on the PLATE METER and the PLATE VOLTAGE -KV or lower the camera image a little bit. Otherwise, your presentation is appreciated. Thank you!
500mil plate current...180mil grid current..45w exiter...800watts out...on my sb-220...don't let your grid current ever go over 200mil on cw/tune or 250mil on ssb. Always keep your grid current down...Most videos I watch, they don't even show grid current they are just worried about how much power they can get out. I guess they have plenty of money for more 3-500z tubes.
with 100w exiter do i need to keep same values for grid and current?
@@maxg70 greetings...with 100 watts you probably will be way over the 180mil grid current. Just use enough drive to keep it below 200mil Ig. Hope that helps
@@maxg70 greetings...with 100 watts you probably will be way over the 180mil grid current. Just use enough drive to keep it below 200mil Ig. Hope that helps
SB-220 좋아합니다 잘사용하고있읍니다
i have 2 of them. Great linears, but i did ground grids and use European tubes QB3,5-750 as Amerikan tubes are crazy priced..
Very rugged & dependable tube amplifier.Abused by so many a CBers.Maybe the best Dual 3-500 amplifier ever built but the Ameritron AL-82 is a very dependable amplifier as well in this class but they cost far more even on the used market.The Kenwood TL-922 is another great choice for a dual 3-500 amplifier.
Mini does 1300 watts CW with 100 watts drive on 20 and 40m band.
nice job. thanks
What kind of radio are you using to drive this amp?
❤
Mine gives with 50watt = 900watt. If i cranc to 100watt then it peaks ssb to 1800-1900watts.. I think your tubes are ... about 50%
I want one lol
GOOD