Note
73, Nov 1966, p. 36. ($995)
73, Apr 1967
73, Aug 1967, p. 47 ($1195)
73, Sep 1967, p. 55. ("available Dec 1967")
73, Oct 1967, p. 25 ("available Dec 1967")
73, Apr 1971, p. 33.
The Babcock B-500-SSB is described in the April 1967 issue of 73 Magazine as a highly advanced, self-contained HF transceiver manufactured by L. E. Babcock and Company of Maynard, Massachusetts. It was the flagship of an extensive line of products launched in 1966.
The B-500-SSB is described as using solid-state modular construction with 13 integrated circuits alongside silicon transistors and diodes. Tubes are used only in the driver (12BY7A) and the final amplifier stage (4CX250B).
The L.E. Babcock Company had ambitious plans to develop and sell a large and expensive collection of amateur radio equipment. See the attached ad from the November 1966 issue 73 magazine.
None of these products were every actually sold, due in part to the price tag. The B-500-SSB, which was initially listed at $995, but rose to $1195 by August 1967. That's more than $10,000 adjusted for inflation. The company is said to have folded late in 1967.
Curiously, another ad for the B-500 appeared in the April 1971 issue of 73 magazine. It had higher power input ratings, used a different final (RCA 8122), and featured optional slow scan TV as well as 6 and 2 meter FM modules. No price was listed.
Features
– All solid-state, except driver & final amplifier.
– Frequency Coverage & VFOs: It covers all amateur bands from 80 through 10 meters across eight 500 kHz segments. It features two built-in precision VFOs (calibrated to 100 Hz points), allowing an independent receive VFO to work split-frequency DX.
– Power & Modes:
SSB: 600 W PEP input (running Class AB).
CW: 250 W input (running Class C).
AM: 500 W input (running Class C) when using the optional internal B-500-AM plate modulator plug-in unit.
– Receiver Front End: Uses two field-effect transistors (FETs) in cascode and an FET first mixer. This design achieves a 4 dB noise figure, a sensitivity of at least 0.5 µV across all bands, and crosstalk rejection around 96 dB.
– Internal power supplies for both 115 VAC and 12.6 VDC operation.
– Front-end noise blanker featuring a dedicated broadband IF amplifier and noise gate.
– Notch filter with variable notch tuning and depth controls.
– Built-in SWR meter.
– Level control for linear amplifier drive adjustment (eliminating external attenuators) and front-panel ALC selection.
– Collins mechanical filter.
– Q-multiplier tuning & notch depth controls included.
– Noise blanker for SSB-AM-CW.
– Built-in speaker.
– 100 kHz crystal calibrator.
– Built-in VSWR meter.
