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Heathkit SB-102 Question

Raccoon

Raccoon

Well-Known Member
Oct 27, 2005
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I just bought a nice Heathkit SB-102 , and I can't wait to use it . But , at the moment it doesn't have a power supply with it , I do plan on finding the matching power supply/speaker for it . But in the mean time , is it possible to run this radio using a regular power supply ?

If so , exactly how do you do it ?

Thanks
 

I was afraid of that ... I mean , I was hoping it might be possible ... but I figured it probably needed to use that power supply . It's pretty obvious that I purchased an expensive paper weight/dust collector . That's all it's going to be for quite awhile . Because the only place I've found the power supply/speaker for that radio is on ebay , and they want just about as much for that , as the radio cost ... and I won't be doing that anytime soon .

So yeah , it's gonna sit for awhile .
 
Makes me wonder. How many of these are found in attics, basements and garages? The radio gets put aside since it looks like something of value. The power supply is just another mysterious lump with no apparent purpose or value.

It goes to the dump. The radio goes to Ebay.

A power supply is still just specs. This many Volts AC and Amps at either 12.6 or 6.3 Volts. A low B+ around 250 Volts, HV for the final at 600 to 800, if memory serves. And a bias voltage with negative polarity. Can't remember if the trimmer pot is in the radio or the power supply for that mode.

A lot of tube HF transceivers were sold in the late 50s and into the mid 1970s that all used similar power-supply voltages. And they all had a different multi-pin plug that connected to the transceiver.

Can't remember the last time I saw an auction of the power supply for a Heath, Drake or Swan but with no radio to go with it.

Designing and building your own can be done. Makes me wonder how long before some ambitious and talented soul comes up with a "universal" tube-transceiver power supply. Just use the correct adapter cable for your radio.

73
 
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For Sale: Heath HP-23 B power supply
This power supply accommodates the HW and SB series Heathkit transceivers and can be modified to run the Collins "S" Line equipment. Comes with its own top and bottom covers. $95 o.b.o.. Unit is fully operational, however, due to its age, it's being sold “as-is”, e.g., no warranties or guarantees expressed or implied. No Returns. Copy of manual comes with the sale. Prefer local pick up, but will ship at buyer's expense if necessary. The unit does fit into a USPS Priority box. I accept Paypal, Cashier's check, Postal Money Order and personal check.
Listing #1534062 - Submitted on 04/07/21 by Callsign W8QW -

QTH.COM Ham Radio Classified Ads: POWERSUP - Swap amateur radio HF VHF equipment buy sell trade on line

NOMAD is correct. I don't know how many of those types of rigs I run across when I went to auctions...NO power supply!!!!:mad:
The Heathkit HP series supplies are getting much more in demand than the transceiver decks, for that very reason.
I bought both an HW 101 and SB-102 decks in excellent condition, couple years ago at auction for $18.00 each, once I told all the "newbie" hams and CB'rs that attended looking to bid on them.
Nobody wanted them once they found out the issue with the power supply.
I see them at flea markets, antique stores quite a bit...NEVER with the supplies!
The RF desks alone are worth $25-$50 if the tubes are still installed, to bad !
Sorry
All the Best
Gary

PS: A nice condition HW/SB series transceiver with supply is worth at best $200.00 USD.
IF they can prove it powers up.
The typical issue with ANY equipment reaching 50+ years old is refurub cost most generally EXCEEDS what it's worth on the open market. Shame really.
 
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BJ radionut said:
For Sale: Heath HP-23 B power supply
This power supply accommodates the HW and SB series Heathkit transceivers and can be modified to run the Collins "S" Line equipment. Comes with its own top and bottom covers. $95 o.b.o.. Unit is fully operational, however, due to its age, it's being sold “as-is”, e.g., no warranties or guarantees expressed or implied. No Returns. Copy of manual comes with the sale. Prefer local pick up, but will ship at buyer's expense if necessary. The unit does fit into a USPS Priority box. I accept Paypal, Cashier's check, Postal Money Order and personal check.
Listing #1534062 - Submitted on 04/07/21 by Callsign W8QW -

QTH.COM Ham Radio Classified Ads: POWERSUP - Swap amateur radio HF VHF equipment buy sell trade on line

NOMAD is correct. I don't know how many of those types of rigs I run across when I went to auctions...NO power supply!!!!:mad:
The Heathkit HP series supplies are getting much more in demand than the transceiver decks, for that very reason.
I bought both an HW 101 and SB-102 decks in excellent condition, couple years ago at auction for $18.00 each, once I told all the "newbie" hams and CB'rs that attended looking to bid on them.
Nobody wanted them once they found out the issue with the power supply.
I see them at flea markets, antique stores quite a bit...NEVER with the supplies!
The RF desks alone are worth $25-$50 if the tubes are still installed, to bad !
Sorry
All the Best
Gary

PS: A nice condition HW/SB series transceiver with supply is worth at best $200.00 USD.
IF they can prove it powers up.
The typical issue with ANY equipment reaching 50+ years old is refurub cost most generally EXCEEDS what it's worth on the open market. Shame really.
Click to expand...


BJ radionut - Thanks for sharing that ad . I messaged W8QW about his power supply , and I haven't got a reply back from him yet . I also had another guy offer me a power supply and the speaker together . I replied to him yesterday , but I still haven't heard anything back from him yet either ... and trust me , I paid more than $200 for the SB-102 by itself . I did get to see it working nicely in a video . But unfortunately , I didn't realize until AFTER I bought it , that it didn't have the power supply with it . I am looking forward to eventually firing it up and making some contacts with it .
 
Bob K8GNZ made a beautifully designed restoration kit for those supplies. His patented circuit board eliminated all the clutter. I have a HP-23 that I planned to eventually upgrade to go with my HW-22 mono- bander, but I just checked his website and it appears to be down now. That site was up in 2020. At age 81, it’s possible he’s no longer selling them. Harback is still selling their kits for the Swans and Drakes, but I don’t know if anybody is handling or taking over the HP-23 upgrades at this time. Most likely I’ll just end up replacing the caps and dealing with the clutter.
 
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RADIOHF - Heathkit SB-101 / SB-102
I have 2 Heathkits that need restoring, but are complete. One is a SB-101 and the other is an SB-102. Both have their respective power supplies. I don't think I'll ever get around to restoring them, so testing the waters if there are any interested Heathkit fans out there looking for a project. These are in nice cosmetic contrition, pics on request.
Listing #1532056 - Submitted on 03/23/21 by Callsign W0AMX - IP: 131.93.13.133
QTH.COM Ham Radio Classified Ads: SEARCH RESULTS - Swap amateur radio HF VHF equipment buy sell trade on line
 

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