[HeathKit] SB-104: The sale and the specs

[WB2TBB]

Hey, It might be nice, and I know the SB104 is a handsome rig (I have 3
SB230's), but you are  comparing it to a Collins KWM380???
...COME-ON!!!... The SB104 is also known to have quite a lot of problems
with its' output transistors. Especially when trying to load in to other
than
perfect loads.
Just say its a nice rig and works fine, any thing else is just humerous.
...Dave
-----Original Message-----
From: J. Douglas Hensley <nfmk at JUNO.COM>
To: HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV <HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV>
Date: Wednesday, May 19, 1999 11:13 PM
Subject: [HeathKit] SB-104: The sale and the specs


>Thanks to everyone for their inquiries on the SB-104.  I'm quite
>amazed that there is so much diversity of opinion, some right,
>some meant well, and some with the curiosity I had when I was
>a novice myself.  This has given me a chance to reconsider what
>I think the value of this radio is and what a fair price should be as
>the seller.  It is available to anyone with a current FCC amateur
>license.
>
>For those interested in the transceiver, heres the scoop:
>
>>From Catalog #852, Heath Co., Benton Harbor, Michigan, original
>prices were:
>
>Kit SB-104A     Transceiver     $689.95
>
>Optional:
>Kit SBA-104-1   Noise Blanker   $ 29.95
>Kit SBA-104-3   400hz CW filter $ 49.95
>Kit PS-1144     Power Supply    $119.95
>
>Specifications:
>
>Power output    100w into 50 ohm load (highpower)j
>                1 watt (lowpower)  yes, true qrp !
>Carrier Suppression     - 50 db down from 100 watt
>        single tone output at 1000 hz.
>Sensitivity     0.5 uv for 10 db S + N/N for SSB
>Distortion:     -65 db min; -57 db with noise blanker
>Image rejection -60 db min
>Selectivity:
>        CW      Selectible 400 hz or 2.1 khz
>        SSB     2.1 khz min at -6 db
>                5 khz min at  -60 db (2:1 shape factor)
>Frequency Stability:    Less than 100 hz/30 minute after
>                30 minutes warm up;
>                        Less than 100 hz drift over a
>                primary line voltage swing of +/- 10 %
>
>Features:
>
>The transmitter circuitry lets you choose 100 watts out for "barefoot"
>operation or, with the touch of a button, choose one watt out to turn
>the 104 into a sophisticated QRP transceiver.  In this mode, a simple
>12volt gellcell will power the transceiver for hours.  The transmitter
>also features quad op-amp audio processing, filter sideband
>generation, crystal-controlled heterodyne oscillators for maximum
>frequency stability, and a unique ALC system to eliminate distortion
>producing over-drive.  It utilizes driver and PA transistors in a
>broadband, no-tune push pull configuration, diode biasing to prevent
>PA thermal runaway, and power regulating control circuitry to prevent
>damage under high SWR conditions (the better the SWR, the more output
>you have).   Excellent vox and break-in circuitry along with standard
>side-tone and RTTY operation.
>
>The receiver front-ends came from the factory preassembled and tested.
> This was true of all SB-104/A's.  Individual preselector filters were
>installed for each band.  That, along with balanced first and second
>mixers, gives you sensitivity of less than 0.5 uv.  Couple this with
>patented broadband receiver design and you have only the antenna and
>your clock to compete with.  Fast/slow AGC, preset USB, LSB, cw modes,
>15 mhz WWV, the perfect travel companion for class ham radio.
>
>Price - Value Comparison
>
>Compare this transceiver, as a Heath Collector, to the KWM-2 for the
>Collins collector.  You have no heat, no wearing components or
>deteriorating circuitry or tubes;  and performance falls clearly on
>the SB-104/A. The closest Collins transceiver to this would be the
>out-rageously expensive KWM-380.  While the KWM-2 owners are crying in
>their soup for performance, sit back and cruise the 80 through 10
>meter bands in style with the SB-104.  Add a modern DSP unit to the
>audio, pack a gellcell and charger, and bring a recoiling dipole and
>you have a station to take around the world.
>
>The Price:
>
>$350 plus shipping to licensed amateur only;
>$400 plus shipping with the CW filter and noise blanker;
>$500 plus shipping with the CW filter, noise blanker, and 20 amp
>original power supply;
>
>The hardware is in like new, showroom condition; clean/full operation
>on all bands; very little use.
>
>Accessories available after purchase:  SB-604, SB-614, SB-634,
>HD-1410.
>
>Manuals:
>
>Builder set: Construction & Operation:  $45 plus shipping
>        Like new construction $25 plus shipping
>
>
>73 to all,
>
>Doug
>
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