[Heathkit] performance of sb-301

[Eddy Swynar]

On 2013-02-18, at 10:01 AM, yash at aol.com wrote:

>                         Just finished going thru the 301, all the usual stuff, replacing caps, out of tolerance resisters and doing a complete test equipment alignment,all came out just fine ,as per the manual. Have worked on a lot of boat anchors over the years  and run a Drake 4 line ,all the time. I was very disappointed with the 301,comparing it to the drake, several swans and a ken wood ts-599. Keeping in mind that these rigs are what they are, the Heath 301 doesn't even come close, to the performance of all the others. Iam I overlooking something with the 301? Gone back and read the old reviews and writ ups in QST and the other out of print mags, all gave the 301 decent marks. I find few if any mod's for the 301 shown anywhere,please let me know of a source, about the rig. I guess I expected more from the old rig. Iam seriously wonder if its worth the trouble to go ahead and rework the 401 transmitter and put them on the air as a working set of Heath twins. 
>                  I would sure like to hear from others concerning their results with the 300/301 receiver and as using as a twin setup.
> thanks



Hi Dale,

I have an SB-301 here---my "keeper" of two '301's, both of which replaced an SB-300---and I like it just fine...

It's extremely sensitive and stable, and I love the 1-KHz dial read-out. It's light, good-looking, and readily serviceable if need be. I've "hot rodded" mine here with the addition of a Heath 6-meter converter, a HB 160-meter converter, a HB extra-wide AM IF filter ("a la SB-310"), & an ultra-sharp "Fox-Tango" 250-Hz CW filter...

The downsides...? That major weak link in the design, i.e. the dial: if it works, GREAT. You don't have an issue---but if doesn't (or it cracks, or the pincher-rollers wear), look out. And then there's that hair-line cursor adjustor. Mine de-railed again, & I don't even bother anymore trying to fix it anymore. Finally, mine requires "tweaking" of its coils about every 6 months, or so (probably because it's in a basement environment).

Anyway, I still consider the '301 to be one of THE best bargains going in tube-style receivers. Admittedly, since acquiring an original Drake R-4 here, I must admit that the audio sounds somehow "nicer" out of the Drake---& the extra features / adjustments in the IF are neat---but for honest-to-goodness basic "stuff" at rock-bottom prices, the SB301 is hard to beat...

~73~ de Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ