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write your own review of the Ameritron AL-82.
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W8YG
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Rating: 0/5
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Jun 21, 2009 19:43
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Top dog yeah right!!
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Time owned: months
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Un repairable that what you are,un repairable and
Its undenialable you unrelaible 82. Back from ameritron and you still wont run. Whats a ham operator to do.
Back in the Box you go onto the UPS truck you roll, back down to Amertitron and I hope that you will come back redone so that I can use you.
I am so glad that my Sb221 is working or I would have to wait for you.
This amp has spent more time at UPS and Ameritron than in my shack.
There is a solution. All they have to do is give me another RF deck and be done with it. But nooo that would be to easy. Thats not the American way. Its better to just jerk your customers around.
Well ham radio is different isnt it? 2 grand is peanuts right?
My apologies to Nat King Cole
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K5ML
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 4, 2009 16:19
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Most Watts per Dollar
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased a 10 year-old AL-82 in May, 2008. After using it for 3 days, it stopped working. A call to Rob at Ameritron identified the likely problem as an open bleeder resistor in the power supply. Sure enough it was a bad bleeder resistor that was replaced and the linear worked fine. To insure longevity, I ordered a new filter cap board with new bleeders from Ameritron and installed it. I also put in a new pair of RF Parts 3-500ZG's. The old finals worked fine and I kept them for backup. I use the amp almost every day and it's been a very reliable performer. Changing the blower setting to the next to lowest level makes it quieter.
I've read the horror stories about bad solder joints in Ameritron amplifiers. All I can say is that there are none in my AL-82 and I checked it thoroughly. The power transformer was missing two bolts that hold it to the chassis. However, I am the third owner, so I can't fault Ameritron for that. A quick trip to the local hardware store solved that problem. Perhaps one way to get a good Ameritron amp is to buy one used and check it out beforehand.
The AL-82 not a fancy amplifier. It's a workhorse, not a show horse. It is very well designed and well built. It runs legal limit with a 100 w. transceiver, the tubes are relatively cheap and it's easy to work on if something goes wrong. I plan on keeping it for a very long time.
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SV8ING
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 4, 2009 00:15
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Very good amp
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I own this amp for about 3 months.I am impressed with its construction quality,as I compare it with the Ranger 811,I own.It has lower noise than the Ranger although it is has twice as much power.
It is better aligned considering the SWR between the amp and the radio.
I drive it with my Orion II and I can have 1KW on air with just 65W in.
I am very pleased and I recomend it.
If I was looking for another amp to buy, the AL-82 would be my choice again
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K9NZ
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Rating: 5/5
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May 26, 2009 16:46
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Top Dog !
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned a good many amps and by far have had less trouble with the Ameritrons than any others. if you have had 2 relys go out you better start looking around the setup something is not right. And my 82 is 15 years old, Sept of '94.
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K1FPV
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Rating: 5/5
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May 26, 2009 16:08
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One Rock Solid Amplifier!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had 3 Ameritron amplifiers. An AL-811, AL-80B and an AL-82. In all 3 amplifiers, the only problems I've encountered are tubes going soft due to heavy use.
My AL-82 has been a rock! It provides a nice low SWR to my transceivers and easily produces 1500 watts with 100 watts of drive or less. Having an adjustable fan speed is a nice feature too. One good thing is that 3-500Z's are inexpensive compared to some of the ceramic tubes.
All in all, the AL-82 gives you the biggest bang for your bucks!
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WG7X
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 30, 2009 22:07
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Solid Amp
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I've had my AL-82 almost exactly six months now.
It seems to be a solid performer, and the only problem I've had was that the solder melted out of the filament pin on one of the tubes.
That was a calculated risk for me, because I've had problems with the Chinese tubes before. Ameritron replaced the tube quickly and so far, so good.
I can't report the big power gains that some of the fellows have. I usually see the rated 1.5 KW out on my external meter, while the built-in meter reports more. I really can't rely on the built-in meter for that, and my external meter has been checked against other "gold standard" meters, and found to read the same.
All-in-all a good amp.
73 Gary
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K5BJM
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 2, 2008 17:14
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Great Amp
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The best Amp and most user freindly unit I have ever used! I get 2100 Watts with 110 Watts in. Runs full gallon with 75 watts in no problem.I set my fan to med low and still keep plenty kool tubes. I will be looking for another one of these amps in the near future. I highly recomend this amp!
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WV4I
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 27, 2008 07:19
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$$$s per watt
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Got just in time for CQWW SSB 2008, and put it right to work, mostly on 75/40m. Great $$$/watt value compared to price of new AL-1200/1500/800H, even used ones. And, tubes are a fraction of cost, etc. Easily runs legal limit 80-15m with 100w or less input. Did not put on 160 or 10m.
Interior inspection passed, installed tubes, chimneys, xfmr, and was on the air after 3-4 hours of initial tube stir.
Tuned input adjustments need cover off to access, a minor inconvenience. The Ameritron cover screws have not changed and can be easily stripped if not careful.
Adjustment on all bands straightforward, numbers as predicted.
Fan set at medium by factory, a tad noisy, could even be annoying without headphones to some, not me. Just feeling the heat off the tubes, I'd say medium fan is easily adequate for contest SSB, probably even contest CW.
This amp is the big brother of the AL-80B, the latter which runs a single 3-500, easily puts out 800w CW, 1kw SSB. Double the AL-80B's numbers, including weight/size/cost, and you have the AL-82. The AL-82 is of course 240vac only, while the AL-80B can be run on 120vac at 20A service, but struggles.
Overall, this is a very simple, forgiving, amp to own/operate.
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KW4CQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 29, 2007 18:39
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A real work horse
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Hard to beat for the resonable price tag. It provides the most watts per $$$ of any amp on the market I believe. The tubes will deliver 2200 watts key down into a dummy load thanks to the husky Peter Dahl tape wound power transformer and the Taylor 3-500ZG tubes. I run the tubes at less than legal limit on the air of course and I believe the tubes will last for many many years. I found the blower, which comes factory set at medium speed, to be quite a bit quieter than the one in the QRO and Commander ceramic tube amplifiers I previously owned. Not having to wait up to 3 minutes for the amp to warm up now is a treat. I would like to have seen Ameritron use a calibrated vernier dial on the PLATE tune capacitor like the one they used for the LOAD capacitor. As it is however pre-setting the Plate and Load caps when changing bands makes tuning the amp a real breeze. That's about it!
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HB9TMW
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 18, 2007 09:43
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Best 3-500Z amp I've seen
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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After owing this piece of gear for 3 years+, the only thing I can say is: WOW!
This amp is definitely built to last, and works like a breeze. In HB9 land the legal limit is 1kW so I always operate it with driving power in the 50-55 watt range. The amp runs very cool even during CW contest runs at 1kW out.
Another point which is important to me is the cooling system. Ameritron has followed the recommendations of the tube manufacturers when designing the amp, namely:
- Air flow comes from under the tube
- Forced air cooling with chimneys
- Heat dissipater for the anode of the tube
These are important points as they ensure maximum tube life, which can last longer than the operator's life...
And yes, in comparison with an ACOM 2000A the fan is noisy, but my computer also and I always operate using headphones, so that's not an issue for me.
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