Mohawk 10 vs Heathkit SB-200 dual 572B linear amplifier showdown walkthru side by side

Описание: Had quite a few who said they liked my previous side by side comparison. Since these 2 were the last that I have gone thru and weren't put away in the dungeon yet, I decided to put them up on the bench and do a walkthru with my thoughts about the amps.
Both the Heathkit SB-200 and the Mohawk 10 were desirable 600 watt amps back in the 70's. The SB was first made in 1964 and the Mohawk in 1971. I knew that Mohawk's were made in Michigan, and when trying to find more info on them, about the only other thing I found was that they were made in Madison Heights, Mi which is a fairly close suburb to me here in Detroit, Mi. Heathkit history says the SB-200 was the most popular amplifier Heathkit made. I always thought that that title belonged to the SB-200, but I guess I was wrong. My theory is that since Heathkit was turning out the popular SB-200 starting in 1963, and with the start of the CB boom in the early 70's, George Smith started 'Mohawk Electronics in 1970. He also made a 2 tube sweep tube amplifier, the Mohawk 60 and the Mohawk 10. Since both these amps were 1-5 watt drive, 26-30mhz and had an auto keying circuit, it's an easy bet that they were designed strictly for the booming CB market.
Now looking at the Mohawk 10 and the SB-200 side by side, its another easy bet that the Mohawk 10 was closely copied from the SB-200. Similar colors, similar features, similar layout, similar performance. The only major differences is that the SB is designed for Ham 10-80 meters with Ham features like foot switch, grid current, and the Ham bands, while the Mohawk 10 has been CB'ertized. It has the built in driver and takes 4 watt drive, automatic keying circuit, and is made for 26-30 mhz only. Except for the CB vs Ham parts, the electronics and parts are also very similar. They run the same type of voltage doubler, transformers are close, tube layout close, HV out close, power ratings close. Heathkit had a good thing so why not copy or clone it? Heck, IMHO, Blackcat did the exact same thing with the JB-2000. It is nothing more than a copy of the Heathkit SB-220 but the JB has been CB'ertized. Anyway, that's another story, more to come. Long live Heathkit.