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You can
write your own review of the Alpha 374A.
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KK7P
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 24, 2009 12:09
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Quiet and Effective
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I purchased a used Alpha 374A several months ago from the eHam classifieds for use with my K3. The bandpass (no tune) operation was a major attraction. I have had no problems with the Alpha. It easily provides a kilowatt of output with some headroom. I was concerned that the fan noise might be loud, but I find it is a sort of "whhhoossshh" rather than a whine, and is quieter than I expected. Being an SSB operator, I don't find the T/R relay noise too distracting. I wouldn't want to use this with QSK without changing the T/R system, though.
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ZL4IV
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 27, 2009 02:39
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A Gem
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have many high power amps but this medium power amp from the past is far ahead of it's time. Just like out of the box with a new set of tubes. The low power drive mod done it is a real gem. I thought about adding a third tube but who would notice the signal difference? They are worth the high price for what they deliver and the build quality. If you find one buy it. There is plenty of info around if you have to do any work on it. No tune switching works in quick band changes very well.
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N9IND
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Rating: 5/5
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May 18, 2009 03:55
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I love Alpha and my 374a
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had Dentron,Drake and H/K 220 and when i purchased my Alpha 374a from a friend in San Diego,Ca i did not know it had pass band tuning until i opened the box. Man what a Amp.!!! I read the manual and did not realize that anything like this was built in the U.S. of America? This Amp. is built to run with mil. spec Rockwell Collins radios yes better than Collins Amps. I recently sent it to Alhpa in Co. The people at Alpha Radio Products are wonderful people Glenn went thru this amp with a fine tooth comb! When i received it back with the mods. that Glenn had done such as the so-239 conversion on the exciter plug and muffin fan and new tubes and a numerous other things low drive mod. Glenn told me this 374a is one of the better ones he has seen for a while it really is a smooth Amp. and i do not want to leave Molly out she is a real Sweetheart of a person and the other people that i had consulted with was able to help me tremendously on questions i asked. Will i buy another alpha YOU DAMN RIGHT!!! As soon as i save for the 9500 P.S. if you can find a used alpha buy it then You will have THE BEST in my opinion. 73 and God Bless Claude Retired U.S.Army 43 Yrs.
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W3RXO
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 14, 2008 19:30
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WOW!!! Another great Alpha.
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I "fell" into the deal of the century, on a 374A, from a friend, who just wanted to get rid of it. It was too big, too heavy, and all those other complaints, that some fellows have, as they get older. I'll likely have similar complaints, one day. BUT NOT NOW. I got this from my friend for a song (nearly literally), and promptly went to the Alpha website, and bought the replacement faceplate. WOW! Night and day difference, from the original. Performance-wise, it does everything I want it to do. On 80, 40, 20 and 15, I get 1200+ output, on the original tubes, running it on a 117VAC line, and driving it with 40-45 watts from my Drake, when using the "Passband" tuning. I have tuned it up on 17 and 10, but have never done so on any band with passband. And it still does 1200+ output, on passband or tuned. All things considered, I'll be happy to hold on to this one for a LONG, LONG time, at least until I can afford a 9500, or a Prometheus.
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NE2I
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 18, 2005 04:51
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super amp for cheap price
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Barring the sticky paint problem,
The 374a is a solid performer
Alpha now supports these
older amplifiers. They sell new front panels
and switches for most of their legacy amps.
Their support is great
My alpha is getting vacuum relays and a new front panel. I bought the relays from MAX Gain. There
are many web sites that outline the installation.
I moved up from a Dentron. What a upgrade!
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NL7W
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Rating: 4/5
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Apr 16, 2005 14:09
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Great Older Amp!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I am impressed with Alpha amps... why would anyone buy another brand?
Other than my recently purchased 374A needed a new front panel, the amp probably works as good as a factory fresh unit. My early serial number unit doesn't have the low drive modification, yet the two 8874's deliver 750 watts output with 100 watts drive (1 KW input - low HV tap - 120 Vac operation). Input VSWR on all bands remains 1.1 to 1.2:1. No-tune output hovers around 600 to 650 watts, depending on the band with the same operating conditions noted above.
I love it, and can't hardly wait for operating it on a proper 240 Vac circuit. I suspect the the amp will faithfully supply 1200 watts on the "high" HV tap and a 240 Vac circuit. If you can find a good one, snatch it up! They're solid as a rock. 73.
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WB6Q
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 10, 2004 13:06
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Wonderful Amplifier
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The 374A is a great older amp with automatic band switching with no tuneing or manual tuning (your choice) on 80,40,20, and 15 meters. On 160 and 10 meters you just peak the load. Mine does have the 10 meter mod done as well. On 17 meters it loads in the 15 meter manual bandswitch position. However if you try to run it with more than 200 watts on 12 meters you will fry the 160 meter band switch.
There are a lot of misunderstandings about the paint. The face of plate of many early serial amps are and remain today perfect, mine is the dark gray crinkle type. Many mid serial numbered amps were painted with a defective 3m paint that was sticky. Many hams did not return the amp face plates in exchange for the light grey, and so there are amps still around today with sticky paint.
I added a third 3cx400a7 which makes my amp perform more like an Alpha 78 than an Alpha 374A. Even the two tube 374A puts out close to the legal limit if it is an older serial number or has had the low drive 100 watt PEP mod completed. Older serial numbers required 200 watts PEP drive. My three tube Alpha has had the low drive mod installed and puts out the following into a dummy load with a Bird meter with a 5 Kw slug. 160 meters 2.1 Kw out, 80 meters 2.1 Kw out,40 meters 1.85 Kw out, 20 meters 1.85 Kw out, 17 meters 1.55 Kw out, 21 meters 1.55 Kw out, 10 meters 1.55 kw out.
I also installed a plate current doubler circuit so plate current does not read off scale. Not bad for an amp that has been in service since 1982. the 3cx400a7's are expensive for new ones but I was able to purchase 4 full output pulls as back up's on e-bay.
So I fail to understand how anyone could give this amp a 3 rating. Where will your amp be in 22 years? Still putting out the legal limit?
For more info on these wonderful old Alpha amps, look on the Alpha Power website below the used amps for sale under "legacy amplifiers". Another great source is Dick Byrd who still does mods and repair work on these amps, web site service@n4uq.com My amp should be still running in another 22 years but I don't know if I will!
Dick WB6Q
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NJ0G
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Rating: 3/5
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Sep 22, 2004 13:42
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Correction to my previous post!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The hard-shell paint on the front panel of the PA-374A was light charcoal gray, not dark (almost black) as the PA-76A / PA / and /CA.
There were a few samples of an anodized-type panel (chemically "stained" light grey) that may have been sold as "clearance" items around 1990. This was not a production-released panel; the stain wasn't as durable as the hard-shell paint, altho' it was much better than the fuzzy stuff...
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NJ0G
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Rating: 3/5
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Sep 22, 2004 13:33
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Front panel deterioration
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Two panel finishes were used during my 20+ years with Alpha...the fuzzy, and a hard-surface dark charcoal paint with a slight "spackled" texture.
If you're looking into a used '374A ask the owner to describe the panel. There were no problems with the hard-surface paint...
The fuzzy, suede-finish paint could become gummy. There may be still be a source for panel refinishing (I regret I forgot the names of two previous shops). A commercial sheet metal supplier could strip and repaint the panel; stripping is the issue. Repainting can be cheap-o (can of Krylon) or top-notch (powder coat) to match your preference. Decals for the control and switch legends can be made with a printer.
73, Ray NJ0G -- Colorado Springs
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WV4R
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Rating: 2/5
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May 11, 2004 12:54
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Good Amp... BAD Paint!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This unit was purchased NEW many years ago. This may be just a bit Harsh but the unit Does desperately need help in the front panel paint department... after many years use with original factory tubes at full power in a No-Smoking environment, the front panel started becoming "GUMMY" of all things! There was nothing to do but to replace the front panel at the exhorbitant price... However... Alpha stopped stocking the panel and then went bankrupt!
So... it was sold with a Discount for bad paint deterioration to a ham who managed to find a panel and restore it to it's former glory... due to gummy/sticky bad paint the unit has to fall into the "Needs Help" category and it earns the wv4r TWO-Star rating. 73 es God bless, murf/wv4r.
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