[Heathkit] Play Solomon...kinda

[Glen Zook]

Keep the SB-301 and dispose of the SB-303.

The SB-303 was Heath's first attempt at a real solid-state receiver for the amateur bands.  Unfortunately, the receiver overloads very easily (the "attenuator" is nothing more than a 50-ohm potentiometer across the antenna), they tend to have a fairly high "noise floor", they are difficult to "work on", especially if you don't have the extender cards, etc.

Over the years, I have had two SB-301 and one SB-303 receivers, all paired with SB-401 transmitters, still have one pair consisting of SB-301 and SB-401.  The weaknesses of the SB-303 were apparent from "day one"!  I had the SB-301 / SB-401 combination from late 1967 until mid 1972 when I acquired a Collins 75S-3A, 75S-3, and 32S-3.  Disposed of the SB-301 and SB-401.  Got another SB-401 a couple of decades later and the SB-303.  Just as soon as I could find another SB-301, I got rid of the SB-303.  Have not regretted that one bit!  
 
Glen, K9STH


Website:  http://k9sth.com


________________________________
 From: Chris Kepus <ckepus at comcast.net>
To: heathkit at mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 2:18 AM
Subject: [Heathkit] Play Solomon...kinda
 
Happy New Year to you all.
Now, down to business.
You have two receivers.  They are both working to specifications.  One is a
SB-301, the other a SB-303.
One *has* to go.  Which do you keep and why?
You will have to guess as to why I ask.  ;-)
Looking forward to your observations and comments.