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Sonar

Sr. Member
Apr 8, 2016
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I posted a picture of my phantom, 300a, and 350Z on a CB radio FB page, and asked members to show their amps.
Roughly 60 people replied with photos.
Thest two photos popped up today. They were posted by the same member.
FB_IMG_1581990051088.jpg
FB_IMG_1581990033584.jpg
 

I think that dude's got more amps than I have radios.
The shape of the amps is very impressive.
It's difficult to gauge who has what might be the best collection of CB radio craze era amps as who knows how many people who own such collections aren't involved in posting anywhere.
These are definitely the best looking amps (of this type) I've ever seen in a single place.
I complimented the poster/owner in a reply, and he said he had some more Phantoms in his garage. The amps don't look like they've been used in some time.
They totally look to be for show.
I think the collecting of cb radio gear is rare.
At least on this level. IMO all one needs is a single 100% working amp, and their good to go.
After all one could only use a single amp at one time.
IMO it's ashame that these amps are sitting unused. You'll notice that there isn't a single transciver in either of the photos.
It's probably a case of hoarding.
The Black Cat 2000 in the photo like the other amps looks to be in mint condition.
I don't know much about amplifiers but I think the BC 2000 is one of the few (CB amps) or the only (company built) amp that utalizes two 500z's. If my memory serves me right the BC 2000 had several issues that need to be addressed in order for them to work somewhat efficiently or even correctly.
It would be great to own such a collection, but I'd take a minty fully upgraded Heathkit SB220 over any of those CB radio amps any day of the week. I'd trade my Phantom, 350z, and 300a for a single mint condition SB220 (one problem. No 220 in the house.)
Theres so many amps that are better in design than any one of the amps pictured. And the SB220 is definitely one of them. It used to bother me when hams would say CB sweep tube amps are junk. But i've come to realize that those who said that weren't far off. Don't get me wrong CB amps do for us cber's what their supposed to and that's add wattage to our 4 watt output CB's, but do it poorly for the most part. 73
 
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But what is that ALL that eye candy really worth?
When you can buy an upgraded SB220 for around $700...I bought one for $500 last year...seen them at Hamfests sell for $400-500 working.
Drake L4B's (better amp any day over SB220) One on QTH for $650 right now!
I have 2/one purchased for $500 another $600...spent about $200 each in upgrades.
One has been working with the same tubes for like 10 years still running 1100+ watts PEP.
So what is the TRUE value of those sweep tube amps??? Very little IMHO.
All the Best
Gary

PS: I had a CHERRY Chrome case 300A for sale at Ohio Hamfest last year could not even get $200 for it...best offer I had was $75.00...
 
I posted a picture of my phantom, 300a, and 350Z on a CB radio FB page, and asked members to show their amps.
Roughly 60 people replied with photos.
Thest two photos popped up today. They were posted by the same member.
View attachment 34409
View attachment 34410

With the price of Sweep Tubes many of those are not worth much if they need re-tubing. It cost more than what they are worth.If they are not running a 3-400,3-500,or a ceramic tube they would just be shelf art for myself & many others.The days of Cheap Sweep Tubes has long come & gone.

SIX-SHOOTER
 
But what is that ALL that eye candy really worth?
When you can buy an upgraded SB220 for around $700...I bought one for $500 last year...seen them at Hamfests sell for $400-500 working.
Drake L4B's (better amp any day over SB220) One on QTH for $650 right now!
I have 2/one purchased for $500 another $600...spent about $200 each in upgrades.
One has been working with the same tubes for like 10 years still running 1100+ watts PEP.
So what is the TRUE value of those sweep tube amps??? Very little IMHO.
All the Best
Gary

PS: I had a CHERRY Chrome case 300A for sale at Ohio Hamfest last year could not even get $200 for it...best offer I had was $75.00...
I'll give you $200 for it. I like the 300 a. Want to sell it to me?
 
With the price of Sweep Tubes many of those are not worth much if they need re-tubing. It cost more than what they are worth.If they are not running a 3-400,3-500,or a ceramic tube they would just be shelf art for myself & many others.The days of Cheap Sweep Tubes has long come & gone.

SIX-SHOOTER
A lot of people are substituting those 6lq6's for the $9 6km6. Give it a little time. As soon as the people who sell those tubes realize what they're being used for they'll up the price to $30. That's exactly what happened to sweep tubes. Especially the popular ones. I'm not a hundred percent sure but I think that people buying 6lq6, 6lf6, and the like sweep tubes drove the price up from what used to be $6 or cheaper tubes to their current crazy price of $60-$80 per tube!
 
CB'ers buy those everyday. I see them for sale frequently on local BST groups. They aren't exactly selling for peanuts, either. Lots of newer impressionable ops are buying them from seasoned ops, knowing full well the money pit reputation, but they don't mention THAT.
 
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A lot of people are substituting those 6lq6's for the $9 6km6. Give it a little time. As soon as the people who sell those tubes realize what they're being used for they'll up the price to $30. That's exactly what happened to sweep tubes. Especially the popular ones. I'm not a hundred percent sure but I think that people buying 6lq6, 6lf6, and the like sweep tubes drove the price up from what used to be $6 or cheaper tubes to their current crazy price of $60-$80 per tube!

I remember buying brand new 6LQ6,6JR6 & 6BQ6 tubes for $8 a piece & we bought them by the pack of 10.8950's were $10 each.Those were the good old days & we complained then that we were being ripped off for them. LOL If we had only knew then what we know now we would all be Rich I guess.I know many people have converted 6LQ6 amplifiers to a KT88 Tube from what I hear & I guess they work but I have never tried one myself.Maybe somebody here has & they can chime in & tell all of us how well or poorly they work.

SIX-SHOOTER
 
I remember buying brand new 6LQ6,6JR6 & 6BQ6 tubes for $8 a piece & we bought them by the pack of 10.8950's were $10 each.Those were the good old days & we complained then that we were being ripped off for them. LOL If we had only knew then what we know now we would all be Rich I guess.I know many people have converted 6LQ6 amplifiers to a KT88 Tube from what I hear & I guess they work but I have never tried one myself.Maybe somebody here has & they can chime in & tell all of us how well or poorly they work.

SIX-SHOOTER
Especially for those of us that don't do their own work because of lack of knowledge it takes to do, the 6KM6 is a great choice for replacing the 6LQ6's in any 6LQ6 driven amplifier.
Shadytreemechanic is one person verified to have swapped out the 6LQ6's for the 6KM6's.
He did the direct swap replacnrepl in his four tube Context amp.
He reported excellent results from the swap.
Shapytree paid $9 ea for his 6KM6's and was happy enough with the tubes that he purchased a case of 9 6KM6's.
Their rated less in power but not enough to make a difference on the other end. and considering the huge casum in price it's (IMO) a no brainier swap out. $9 for the 6KM6 or $50-70 for used (crapshoot) 6LQ6"s. The choice will be an easy one for me when the time comes.
 
Has anyone ever swapped out their sweep tubes for a ceramic type. The owner of this Maverick did so and it looks like he obtained some very good results. If a Maverick and it's transformers can operate a single 150b ceramic type, can a phantoms sweep tubes be exchanged for a 250b ceramic type? I'm assuming capacitors, relays, and a bunch of other stuff will need an upgraded. If you have swapped out sweep tubes in your CB amplifier for a ceramic type please share your experience
 
I have never understood why the 4CX250 Ceramic tube was not used in more amplifiers for both CB & Amateur Radio? I recently saw a New Amateur Amplifier with One or Two of them in it but I can't remember which company it is that is building them? They are CHEAP & are very low drive required so they are a WIN WIN choice.They will die quickly if they are over driven but if driven at the proper drive they will last a very long time.

SIX-SHOOTER
 
I remember buying brand new 6LQ6,6JR6 & 6BQ6 tubes for $8 a piece & we bought them by the pack of 10.8950's were $10 each.Those were the good old days & we complained then that we were being ripped off for them. LOL If we had only knew then what we know now we would all be Rich I guess.I know many people have converted 6LQ6 amplifiers to a KT88 Tube from what I hear & I guess they work but I have never tried one myself.Maybe somebody here has & they can chime in & tell all of us how well or poorly they work.

SIX-SHOOTER
Kt88 for a 6lq6 replacement, I will have to check that out. Thanks.
 
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