I've owned and restored literally dozens of the
HW-100/101 and SB-100/101/102 rigs over the years.

To build on what AH6GI has correctly stated...

The HW-100/101 have a traditional VFO, while the
SB-100/101/102 have an LMO (linearized master
oscillator) which is much more stable. The '102
has a solid-state LMO, while its predecessors have
tube-type LMO's. The HW-100/101 VFO is tube-type.
As AH6GI stated, the SB-line rigs have a better
VFO frequency dial arrangement.

The HW-101 and SB-102 use the same SSB filter, and
it's very selective. Both can handle the optional
400 Hz CW filter, which is VERY selective.

As a side note, you can use the Heath filters in
a Kenwood TS-520/520S/520SE and vice-versa, since
both use a 3395 KHz i-f!

There are other minor circuit differences between
the Heath rigs, and some physical differences too.
The SB rigs have the VOX controls inside the rig,
up on top, accessible through the hinged lid, while
the HW-101 has them on the lower side of the cabinet,
harder to get to. The SB-102 has more metering
functions than the HW-101, although the meter itself
uses the same movement. The SB-102 has capability
to use an optional (somewhat scarce) remote VFO,
and the HW-101 does not have this capability.

The SB-102 is a better rig from a stability and
user-friendliness standpoint. Performance-wise,
they're a dead heat. The lion's share of the
circuitry is virtually identical.

If you have your choice for about the same cost,
buy the SB-102.

73,
Dean K5DH



In article 0QMXZWh9EdSr-pn2-Ir1HbPlU7zrN@localhost, says...

On Fri, 4 Mar 2005 15:59:56 UTC, "Steve" wrote:

Hi Gang,
This is probabaly a dumb question, but is the Heath HW-101
and SB-101 basically the same? The reason I'm asking is that
I already have a decent HW-101, and I was just offered an
SB-101 for a very reasonable price. If the SB-101 is a much
better rig, I may buy the SB and sell the HW.


Get the SB-101 unless you really love the HW-101.

The SB-101 has the tube version of the LMO, 1 kHz frequency
readout, compare to the, what, 5 kHz dial on the HW-101. The SB-101
is more stable too.

A little discussed feature. The HW-100 has a broad slope SSB
filter. I don't know if the HW-101 uses that or the 6 pole SB
filter. If it has the HW-100's filter, which I believe is a 4 pole,
then, for that reason alone, the SB-101 is a better choice.

Either way, though. Both are good radios and plenty good enough.

Why not get the SB-101, run your own comparison for 6 months or a
year, then keep one and sell the other.

de ah6gi/4