Black Cat JB-2000 linear amplifier

The infamous Wawasee Black Cat JB-2000 linear amplifier on the bench. This is the model 10 (10 meters). It has a 6ca7 driving (2) 3-500z's. The driver is shot (as most are) so here it is on the bench with the driver bypassed and input tuning Pi circuit is added. With the driver working, these used 4 watts drive and where the cats meow for CB radio. Takes about 150 watts drive without the driver. Blackcat made different models that I know of. The first used about 14 sweep tubes, the 2000-6 for 6 meter (easily converted to 10/11meter and the 10-80 10 through 80 meter, no driver and no tuned input. Hams generally badmouth these, but they are pretty much a Heathkit SB-220 without the tuned input and are easily modifiable for someone with tube rf knowledge.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Black
• Cat
• Blackcat
• JB-2000
• Linear
• amplifier
• cb
• radio
• modulator
• wawasee
• tube
• 3-500z

[donnyp1966]

Those things were monsters back in the day.

[tramdr]

@donnyp1966 Yep, 2kw peak out back in the day would be Super Bowl or Channel Master power. Here in Detroit, you need it to just chat on the main 2 channels. BTW, as of right now, I actually run QRP (Barefoot) and I get no LUV errr respect from my fellow CBer's. Still perfecting my Broadcast station with asymmetrical mod

[moviking]

Now that would wake up my MK 3 , what do these go for ?

And thanks again for these vids, keep them coming. Don

[tramdr]

@moviking They go for about $500 average on Fleabay when someone can sneak em thru.

[lardass789]

I've had one of these sitting unused in my basement for the last 20 years.

[tramdr]

@lardass789 unused as in new? You could get a lot of dough for it then. Peace.

[TheZeke1974]

@tramdr Ignore the idiots...

[LunchboxMobile]

Good 'ol amp. Seems a little low on voltage, but hey that thing will last forever at 2KV...

[zLOSTNOMOREz]

Better check your meter.There no way the peak and average should be that close!

[tramdr]

@camflex66 Thanks, I think you are right. I think I remember reading that too, about 35 years ago when I was really into this stuff. Peace.

[jbevins77]

3-500z amps are not garbage. Do your homework before you run your mouth