I don't know that you really need a SSB radio for CB emcomm.  I bought the Cobra 18WXST II just to have in case of an emergency.  It is a 40 channel radio with 10 weather channels.  It can scan all 40 channels which I thought was more important than having SSB and wondering what channels to monitor.  It can also monitor channel 9 & 19 simultaneously.  The speaker faces the front.  It's difficult to cover all the bases with a portable station.  Trying to monitor all AM and SSB CB channels would be very difficult.  I opted to be able to monitor the 40 AM channels via the scan mode.  Yes you could get a scanner and put all 120 CB channels in but than you would have to catch what channel the call was coming in on and get your CB on that channel while you are busy with other emergency duties.  If the scanner  picks up another call before you catch what channel the call was on you may loose the help call all together.  The last price I saw was about $65 from Amazon.com with free shipping.  

Al, n7ioh

I agree with WW3QB, get the AC-4R PC upgrade.  You can get it as a kit or assembled.  Without a properly operating power supply you are asking for BIG trouble.  It will also make trouble shooting very difficult.  The kit upgrades the capacitors and other components making for a better supply.  If your power supply is using the old two wire power cord you may want to upgrade it to the three wire grounded plug just for safety sake.
Al, n7ioh

Thanks guys for the input.  I had forgot the max recommended input for the AL-1500 is 100PEP.  That would equate to a max of 25 watts AM carrier.  As was mentioned that would most likely still put me over the 375 watts AM carrier limit and put the amp under some extra stress.  I checked on the blower that comes with the AL-1500 and it is an ebm-papst G2S085-AA19-15 and is rated as 26.5CFM.  The heavy duty drop in replacement is G2E085-AA05-21 and is rated as 55.9CFM.  Using the HD fan and selecting the right tap should give me plenty of cooling to run the amp in AM.  I don't normally get too long winded so I think I can get away with running the amp at 375 watts AM carrier output.  

While the AL-1500 manual does not give any information on using it on AM I did do some checking and came up with the following.  

The AL-1500 with one 3CX1500A7 tube.
1/2 hour continuous carrier = 1500 watts.
1/2 hour PEP two-tone test = 2500 watts plus.

AL-800H with two 3CX800A7 tubes.
1/2 hour continuous carrier RTTY = 1000 watts.
1/2 hour PEP two-tone test = 1500 watts.
Page 22 of the manual on AM operation states.
"The carrier power must be kept below 300 watts for clean and safe AM operation.  With 300 watts of carrier, the peak envelope power will reach 1200 watts with 100% symmetrical modulation.  The modulated AM power output should be limited to 1500 watts peak with non-symmetrical modulation that enhances the positive peaks."

Based on the AL-1500 higher ratings and that the AL-800H is rated nearly 300 watts of AM.  I would think the AL-1500 should be able to run the legal 375 watts of AM carrier.  

Again I am no expert so I would like to get some more input.  Am I still missing something here?  I understand the extra stress and heat I will be generating in AM mode.  If I do get the AL-1500 I WILL be replacing the blower with the HD blower.  

I did have a Johnson Viking Ranger II but sold it so now I am having to run what I got.  I am still keeping my eyes open for another Ranger II.  

Again thanks for the help and for giving me a better understanding of RF amplifiers.

Al, n7ioh

Pat, I was just thinking it was an oversight by Ameritron, knowing MFJ products as I do.  Maybe you know something constructive about the AL-1500 you would like to share with us?

Al, n7ioh

 I am looking at buying the AL-1500 amp where it will be used on AM and SSB and maybe some 10 meter FM.  I don't know much about amps but have been doing a lot of reading up on them.  My questions are aimed more at AM operation with this amp.  I have downloaded the manual and there is no information about using this amp on AM.  I will be running up to 40 watts of AM into the amp as this is the maximum recommended by the radio manufactures.  Do I tune the amp in CW mode and leave it in the CW mode or should I switch it into SSB mode?  I know I should reduce my drive after the amp is tuned to get the power out I want (375 watts max on AM).  I read Tom's W8JI "Loading_Amplifiers" article and I will have to check my radios (JRC JST-245 & Icom IC-718) for exciter transients and power over shoots.  If I tune the amp into a dummy load, what adjustments are needed when I switch over to the antennas?  Anything special I should watch for or be causes of?  I also read about a larger CFM fan that Ameritron recommends for this amp when it will be run hard.  It is made by the same company that makes the standard fan and is an exact replacement.  I have decided the extra cooling is worth the few dollars since we AMers can get long winded sometimes.  Your thoughts, input and help here will be greatly appreciated.

 Al, n7ioh

I bought some aluminum tubing about a month ago from Industrial Metal Supply Company in Phoenix, Arizona.  They have several locations in California and Arizona.
https://www.industrialmetalsupply.com/location/index.htm
When I was there they had a sign up that the cost of aluminum was going up ether 25% or 50% (don't remember) in a few weeks because of fuel costs.  We have a metals salvage yard in Phoenix and I was surprised to see new aluminum tubing there.  If you have any metal salvage yards or such there you might try them.  I believe here they sell by the weight.  You might not be able to get everything you want from a salvage yard but you might be able to save a little.  Also the Ace Hardware stores here along with Home Depot sell aluminum tubing but I've noticed it is not in the wall thickness I was needing to telescope sections.  Depending on what you need to do you might be able to adapt your plans to use what is available at these places.  The other options based on aluminum prices going up it buy a used antenna rather than build one, it may be cheaper.

Al, n7ioh

Well if he is in the US and is operating illegal or breaking FCC rules you could contact the FCC.  If he is breaking local or state laws contact local law enforcement.
Al, n7ioh

I seem to remember reading that a bad memory battery was causing problems with a display.  I think it was on a Kenwood.  If you haven't replaced your memory battery you might just give it a try and see what happens.  Also look to see if your battery leaked.

Al, n7ioh

I have American Family Ins here in Arizona.  The policy is a replacement cost policy but I didn't read the fine print and my agent did not inform me as to how THEY work it.  I had two almost new AGM deep cycle batteries stolen from my shed.  I little over $300 new for the two batteries.  The way it worked was they gave me 1/2 of the replacement cost of the two batteries.  When I replaced them they will give me the other 1/2.  If you had a big loss of say in Tom's case $50,000 they would give you only $25,000 until you showed them receipts proving you had actually replaced all the equipment.  If you decide not to replace some of the equipment you would only get 1/2 of it's replacement value.  If you had a big loss it might be tuff to come up with the other 1/2 of the money to replace your gear.  If you are like me it's tuff enough to come up with the money the first time let alone having to come up with 1/2 the money again to get my gear replaced.  Just a warning to ALL, find out how your insurance company handles replacement cost insurance losses.  

Al, n7ioh

Hi Norberto, the LSB and USB are suppose to light up on the display.  I would suggest contacting Universal Radio.  They are the US dealer and repair center for JRC radios.  They have been very helpful when I had a question or needed parts.  
Website,  http://www.universal-radio.com/
Email address,  dx@universal-radio.com
Their phone number is, 614-866-4267

I hope this helps.
Al, n7ioh

With the price of gas around $3.50 a gallon and your time going to get the coax it is now better to just order it.  If you order it from out of state you save sales tax too.  The best place I have found to get Belden 9913F7 it The Antenna Farm.  They will also install the PL-259 ends for $10 each if you want.
http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1752
The Belden 9913F7 is excellent coax and as stated earlier if you can get approval to install the antenna outside it would be much better.  A very good antenna for the price and does not look too bad is the Hustler 4BTV or 5BTV.  

Al, n7ioh

Poo, that link doesn't seem to work ether.  Just go to Yahoo groups and do a search for Hamvention.

Al. n7ioh

I tried that link and it did not work but did find it doing a search in Yahoo groups.  The link I found is,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hamvention/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1

Al, n7ioh

If you don't know scopes or are not sure what you want or need, contact "The Scope Man", Bob Garcia.  Bob has a very good reputation in the oscilloscope business and repairs and sells used scopes.  If you buy from him it will be working right and will have been calibrated.  Buying something you know nothing about on your own is not a good idea.  You can get ripped off big time and end up putting good money into the scope to get it working right and calibrated.  You will also want to make sure you get the right probes, accessories, and the right manual to go with the scope.  You can contact Bob at,  esaronel@bellsouth.net
Bob will be happy to answer all your questions and set you up with what you want.  You can also call Bob just ask him for his number when you email him.  

Al, n7ioh

I have two questions.  What is the difference in dB's if one station is using a vertical antenna and the other station is using a horizontal antenna in the VHF and UHF range VS if both were vertical or horizontal?  As I understand it radio and TV stations transmit using vertical polarized antennas.  Why is it then that we install our TV antennas horizontally?  

Thanks, Al, n7ioh