Note
QST, Dec 1962, p. 121.
QST, Mar 1963, p. 135. (some additional info)
QST, Apr 1963, p. 140. (some details)
QST, May 1964, p. 125. (upgraded in 1964 to include 15 meters.)
Sideband Engineers, Inc. was started by Faust Gonsett, W6VR, after he left the company bearing his own name. SBE's first product was a compact sideband-only transceiver covering the phone portions of 80, 40, 20, and 15 meters. It used a Collins 2.1 kHz mechanical filter. The transceiver occupied less than one-half cubic foot and weighed 15 pounds. It had a self-contained 117 VAC power supply. Output power was 70 watts on the lower three bands and 50 watts on 15 meters. Low-level stages were solid-state, and only the driver and final amplifier used tubes.
Exceptionally small—less than one-half cubic foot including built-in AC supply and weighing only 15 pounds. 135 watts PEP input. Four-bands, 80-40-20-15 meters. Upper or lower sideband selectable by panel switch and without carrier or dial shift. Collins mechanical filter.
Several options were separately available including VOX and calibrator unit with provisions for mounting on rear of transceiver. Internal power supply provides operating power. Rear connections are brought out for linear amplifier.
The SB-33 was the first commercially successful, mostly solid state HF transceiver on the market.
Specifications
– Frequency Range:
80 m: 3.8–4.0 MHz.
40 m: 7.15–7.35 MHz.
20 m: 14.2–14.4 MHz.
15 m: 21.25–21.45 MHz.
– Power Input: 135 watts PEP. max.
– Distortion Products: Down at least 25 db.
– Carrier Suppression: -50 db.
– Sideband Selection: Upper or lower sideband selectable by panel switch.
– Unwanted Sideband: -40 db.
– Output Impedance: 40–100 ohms unbalanced.
– Sensitivity: Better than 1 uV for 10 db signal/noise ratio.
– Selectivity: 2.1 kHz @ 6 db. 5.3 kHz @ 60 db.
– Spurious Response: Images and I-F response down at least 40 db.
– Stability: Less than 100 Hz drift in any 30 minute period in any normal ambient temp. condition.
– Audio Output: 2.0 watts @ 10% distortion.
– Tuning Rate: 30 kHz per revolution.
Tube and Semi-conductor Complement
(2) PL-500 / 27GB5 Final amplifiers.
12DQ7 Driver.
– 19 transistors, 13 diodes, 1 zener diode.
Power Consumption: AC operation. Receive: 35 watts. Transmit: 165 watts (single tone). DC operation through vibrator or transistorized inverter.
References
Putting on AM. 73, Feb 1965, p. 90.
Adding CW. 73, Fev 1966, p. 78.
Modification. 73, Nov 1969, p. 90.
