The Heathkit SB-310 Shortwave Receiver

In this video I describe the Heathkit SB-310, an International Broadcast Band, better known as shortwave, radio receiver. I cover the history of the radio, it's features and key design aspects, and go over the front and rear panel controls and connectors. We'll also take a look inside. I'll talk about the restoration of this particular unit, and then give an on-air demonstration of the radio in use.

[@abdaigle]

My Dad passed way and I pulled out his old SB-310 radio not really knowing what it was. I remember listening with him as a child. It's in perfect condition and very cool looking. Thanks for the fascinating information!

[@watershed44]

I truly miss Heathkit !

[@stannixon8647]

I bought and assembled an SB-310 1968. It cost $258.20. Assembly was easy, and the radio is still in pristine condition. Jeff Tranter's presentation is very good. It is unfortunate that he had to modify the power plug and power switch. I was fortunate to have kept everything together, including the original manual and sales receipt. it is still an excellent SW receiver.

[@Homer19521]

So often the OEM's ignored the 160M band back then. Never understood that in a receiver but could see this in a transmitter (maybe). Classic Tranter vid. 👍

[@scottpastor1]

Outstanding video, and a great old rig. Thank you very much.

[@TerryMcKean]

I never had one of the SB-310 rx's... thanks for sharing, Jeff. I did used to have an SB-301, though.. That thing was amazing in it's ability to handle very strong SSB signals and with zero distortion. I would QSO on 40 meters with a buddy who lived just a couple blocks away from my QTH on SSB and his Icom-powered 100 watt signal was naturally mega-strong and very amazingly clear through my 301 rx

[@Pwaak]

Great Video! Thank You!

[@ItsRonsway]

I watched on my PC and no problem I think I'll have to update my laptop. I enjoy all of your videos thank you. Ron

[@ys1rs]

As usual another great well explained review video! You covered all aspects. Your voice and pleasant way to explain keeps our attention and makes the session interesting. I am building a couple of tube radio CW transmitters that will be ready soon and need a suitable tube receiver. One like this, but with the required filters, will be great but no one wants to send such a heavy item down here to YS land. Thanks for the video. Rob YS1RS

[@onthebench3606]

good video thank you 👍

[@fwijnja]

love it.......

[@jeffgarrett4533]

Great Video OM I like this rig very much I use mine with a SB-401 73 KE4EZ

[@eogg25]

I live about 80 miles from were Heathkit was, been there several times, built one radio kit but it was always fun walking thrue the place. to bad there wasn't enough response to their kits. when the Asian market opened up here and started dumping, it got so you could by a radio equipment cheaper than you could build one.

[@jeffgarrett4533]

Great Video thanks OM 73 KE4EZ

[@Rooster_Radio]

I would like to purchase one of these to pair with my 620

[@TheHajac]

this is my Heathkit heathkit sb 102 pe1jxi hamradio sb102

[@patrickwall8517]

It's a nice radio and still works well. It would've been nice if the person that restored it had painted the cabinet the correct green color instead of grey but that's a minor detail.

[@tonymiller7339]

I just picked this receiver up assembled and I may have to make the same modification to the power supply. I think the review was excellent and informative. I look forward to fixing it up and retrofitting it with a really good antenna, anybody like to recommend any particular one?

[@bstube6535]

Hello Jeff. I use one of these for swl and as a receiver for my 40m cw operations. I recently noticed that when I plug my swl antenna into the rca jack there is a very small static spark. (The antenna is a long wire with 9:1 balun and two external copper ground rods.) To isolate the antenna as a problem, I touched a wire to the rca jack that was tied directly to earth ground and the same thing occurred. I could not meaure any appeciable ac or dc voltage between the outside of the jack and ground. The spark occurs when the unit is plugged in but the radio is off or on. The outlet is properly wired. (The spark does not occur when I touch other parts of the chassis, but I thought the outside if the rca jacks were common to chassis.) I am using the original two wire cord. I am curious if the power transformer could be "leaking?" I am not using the rig until I figure this out but thought I would ask. I suppose the problem is not unique to this heathkit but tube gear in general. Any comments would be appreciated.

[@bstube6535]

correction. the spark does occur when the chassis is touched. So time to break out the schematic.

[@jefftranter]

A possible culprit would be capacitors C229 and C230. These are .005 uF 1400V caps connected from the AC line connections to the chassis. It either of these is leaking, you'd see some voltage on the chassis. You could try temporarily disconnecting them and see if the problem goes away. They should be replaced with modern class Y safety capacitors that are designed to be connected between the line and ground. If it is not the caps, then it could be the transformer that is leaking to ground. That would be harder to fix.

[@bstube6535]

Thanks Jeff. I unsoldered the line caps and the sparking issue (small as is was) appears to have gone away. As an aside, I don't see the entire reply you posted above. I will order some Y2's and replace and will install a 3 wire cord for added safety. I also plan to replace the rectifier diodes with IN004s and possibly the electrolytics, though I have no filter noise or hash. I love this rig, but it has its issues. I have yet to check alignment but the dial is pretty accurate. The cyrstal for the 3.5MC band is incorrect, and gives coverage from 4.6 to 5.1MC. The s-meter pegs full scale when the unit is in standby mode; I unhooked it for the time being to avoid burning it out until I can fix. I think one of the upper bands (17MC) crystals is dead. Thanks again for the support.

[@ItsRonsway]

I've watched several of your videos but this one I get no audio. Did you do something different on this one? Ron

[@jefftranter]

ItsRonsway No, nothing different as far as I remember (it was recorded almost two years ago).

[@georgekrug2071]

Where can I buy tunes?

[@CJ-py7ch]

I found a heathkit unassembled EK-1, and was wondering how much it is worth. Any clue?

[@jefftranter]

EK-1 was both a course and a multimeter. I assume this is the meter. It is not worth a lot assembled, but unassembled Heathkits will sometimes go for a lot on eBay - it is hard to predict. Search the completed eBay listings for Heathkit EK-1 unsassembled and you find a couple that sold in the past.

[@CJ-py7ch]

Will do, thanks for the reply