HOW I TUNE MY HEATHKIT SB200 AMPLIFIER

I will show you how I tune my Heathkit SB-200 Ham Radio Amplifier.
These are the basic steps I take for tuning it with the 'MAX output' tuning technique.
You will need: Rig + AMP + Watt-meter/Dummy Load
I am having the best results by making 2 or 3 rounds of tuning.
1- First I start with lowest exciter's power (5 watts in my case)
2- Then the next rounds of tuning, I perform them with a higher exciter's power. (30-50 watts)
If I am missing something you consider I should mention, please drop me a message below.
73's and good DX!

[@PopeyeKF4LBG]

Thank you! I completely comprehend your excellent tutorial! 73'

[@TubeRadiosRule]

Just finished repairing and upgrading an SB-200 I got on EBay years ago, with a new power supply board and e-caps plus a soft start and soft key from Harbach Electronics. Tuned up using the original instruction manual but this video made things much more clear!

[@vu3mes]

Just added a sb200 to my shack, your video was a great help 🎉.

[@gemclip2]

Very useful and easy-to-understand tutorial on tuning my SB-200. Thanks.

[@edwardsiclari9235]

Excellent video, easy to follow.

[@W1ZY]

YOu adjust the input power in several phases, while tuning for maximum output (REL Meter) with th TUNE and LOAD controls. Note tht after peaking output with the TUNE control, adjusting the LOAD reduces the output power, as seen in the video. However, after increasing the LOAD control a little bit, you need to readjust the TUNE control for maximum output. You play the two controls off one another for maximum output. Then, you increase the drive from the exciter and do it again. You keep doing this until you got full drive from the exciter, which can be determined by looking at the GRID current meter. When the GRID current reaches its maximum value, specified in the owner's manual, you do not drive the amplifier with any more input power. You just readjust the TUNE and LOAD controls one last time for maximum OUTPUT, and then turn the LOAD control a few degrees clockwise to drop the grid current down a little off its maximum rated value. Then you lower the exciter drive slighty to get better life of of the tubes.

[@WILLIAMPERRELLI]

Hi I hv 2060A. I use it to tune before using my sb1000 amp. I made a chart for three sections on each band. Using the chart as a starting point and then adjusting c1 and c2 for lowest swr’s. Here is where I am confused. In the manual, it states c1and c2 dials should be set to 100 to provide max capacitance. ??? Next is the sensitivity knob, how is that used? The manual is very brief on this. Thanku so much. Billy

[@Tsachyl]

When everything is fine that'll work. But You START! by looking at the grid & anode currents before anything else to verify that none is overshooting the specs. You never peak the grid current (unless you meant "look" at them but that's not enough). Also when going from one input level to the other you should re-tune all knobs. (small steps probably).

[@jomf8929]

A few mistakes here. You're correct to dip the plate with low power, and you want to go through 2 or 3 tune cycles steadily increasing output power of the exciter (increase input power to the amp) until you reach the amp's maximum output power. This usually takes 70-80 watts of exciter drive for this model / brand of amplifier to reach it's power out maximum. Now, once you've maximized output, you then re-check the grid current and you must INCREASE loading (turn the loading dial to the clockwise direction ) which in turn decreases the grid current as your final step in your procedure. This is done to reduce SSB splatter. Then if you want to run less than MAX power output from the amp, you can turn down the RF power output on the radio to 40 or 50 watts (again, do NOT re-touch or re-tune the amp tuning knobs).

[@HAMRADIOUSA]

roger to that! I will try that too :) Thanks for the heads up!

[@spikenickels606]

SO WHAT WOULD CAUSE YOUR GRID CURRENT TO PEG OUT

[@MoparMasters]

@@spikenickels606 oscillation comes to mind, which is a very bad thing.. When does it spike? When on, when keyed, when speaking?

[@spikenickels606]

@@MoparMasters keyed

[@spikenickels606]

While checking grid current

[@TheMrDrMs]

Thanks! I just got an SB-201 and this is helpful. What's the switch for on your 200? Looks to be a mod of sorts.

[@Thejohnnyoshow]

Nice chatting with you.

[@HAMRADIOUSA]

My pleasure John!

[@zlaxpoutina]

my SB-200 is hooked with kenwood TS-440S , it's not reading the HV on the meter scale, what should i do. Thank you

[@raysar6912]

Hello- What 's your output power on 10 meter band lets say at 60 watts input?

[@w1jim]

You never addressed the proper way to read the SWR. You need to set the meter to REL Power, adjust the REL PWR knob so that the meter is at the "set" and then read the SWR with the meter on SWR.

[@conradnerdahl127]

On my recently acquired SB-200; the Load adjustment is bottomed out at "1" on the knob - all the way left to achieve maximum possible output. Is this normal? The SWR on the 75M Dipole is near 1.1 to 1; GRID current is near bottom of range area; and, PLATE current is 200ma when P-OUT from Yaesu 2000D (In to Amp) is 25 watts and P-OUT from Amp is 300 using CW mode into dummy load or antenna when testing.

[@ralphmowery2898]

On 80 meters it is normal ,especially low in the band and/or with reduced power, for the load control to be all the way to the left , maximum capacitancy.

[@paudelei]

I have a SB200 and a Yaesu FT 707 with a little relay between. them. Where i must use a antena tuner,, between exjter aad amplifier or after the amplifier ? What is the better way to connect them ? TKS and 73

[@HAMRADIOUSA]

What’s the power rating of your antenna turner?

[@paudelei]

@@HAMRADIOUSA It's a FC 700 yaesu 15/150 W Thank you.

[@Ibelieve218]

I have the icom 729 and the sb-200 I have never used an amp I have the coax all setup and the power cord plugged in but not sure if I am missing anything.the radio does not have alc and there a alc Jack on back of the amp

[@jp.kg5zzb450]

You can use it without the ALC. Please double-check the voltage on the TX relay for the icom 729. The Sb200 uses around 120v and will damage your icom 729

[@Ibelieve218]

@@jp.kg5zzb450 ok I'll have to find out about the voltage on the relay I have the autotuner I forgot to mention that.the auto tuner is model at-160 ..

[@juancollazo2795]

Me parece pato está muy bueno el video

[@alanb6401]

I will never tune with below 30w, just because when you increase the power you will be way overloaded with real high grid. You will know when amp is overloaded as you run out of load adjustment

[@1000000volts]

Thanks , now I know not to buy one lol .