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write your own review of the .
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N1KSN
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 3, 2004 06:14
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Outstanding!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've used the 5 watt version of this amp with my FT-817 for many months now, in CW, digital, and SSB modes, both in my home station and portable (with a 33 Ah AGM battery). I use the ALC and TX keying lines which connect to the ACC port of the FT-817.
The results have been great. My portable setup also uses the LDG Z-11 tuner, which can handle the 50 watts of power. I simply shut off the amp when tuning using the QRP FT-817 signal, and then turn the amp back on, perhaps tweeking the tuning a bit thereafter.
Since the amp will shut itself off if there is a problem (e.g., I forget to change the band on the amp to match the FT-817), it seems bulletproof.
With the sunspot cycle going down, this great amp has become a permanent part of my portable station.
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G7TOK
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 3, 2004 02:35
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Very Good
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have been using it in conjunction with my IC-703 for the rare occasion when little bit of 'smoke' is required.
Happily, it adds no discernable distortion or detecable products to the output.
It's also happy to let the 703 ATU tune through when bypassed.
Last contact on 10m into Trinidad/Tobago gave an excellent report, 5/2 on stock 10w with 50% compression on the audio, 5/9+ with the HL-50B, with no effect on the quality of the audio.
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KA4LKQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 2, 2004 21:57
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Add zip to 817
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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When QRP does not quite cut it and you need just a bit more power, the HL 50B is a great choice. Shipment from Japan is about 5 days and at $300 give or take on currency a real value. Use my 817 as a trailer rig and the HL 50B is a real plus.
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NR1SS
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 4, 2003 17:31
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Fine Art
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Another excellent piece of engineering from THP. Available in the 5W (perfect for FT-817) or 10W (good for the K2) input mode. Runs cool, built-in protection circuits, and ALC, does FM/SSB. Search the manual for the remote keying circuit and use it. It worked FB for me on SSB. I didn't try it on CW but, I expect it will speed up the break-in. THP has possibly the best "customer service" in the business. Highly recommended.
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KD7RQH
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 4, 2003 12:13
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Awesome Product!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Needed something to give my FT-817 a little extra boost when the noise was in and the HL-50B was just the ticket. You can't beat the price, $250.00 plus shipping to Washington state. Received it in about 4 days. Quality of construction is outstanding and includes all connectors needed to interface to your rig, with the exception of the accessory plug for your particular radio. Also included a patch cable and full manul plus schematic. It's rather hard to find an amplifier which will take 5 watts and turn it into 50, plus include the necessary filtering (unlike the "CB" style amps out there...) but this one is it. You won't go wrong with this company whatever you might buy, and these folks have an impressive line of equipment. Nobuki, JA1DJW, was quite helpful and answered all of my questions in short order. Will probably buy another amp from him again, should the need arise.
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4X1BD
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 29, 2003 06:19
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very satisfying
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have been using the HL-50B (10 watt input version) for over a month now with a K2 transceiver and a KLM-KT34A antenna. The amplifier is stable and works trouble free on both CW and SSB. The signal reports I receive are great.
The amplifier, with its informative manual and supplied accessories, arrived at my QTH quickly and well packaged.
As others have noted, Nobuki JA1DJW, is a gentleman and a pleasure to deal with.
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W2KRP
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 19, 2003 16:29
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Solid as a rock!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Currently using 6 meters only and getting about 65 watts out w/5 in. Amp has the 5w mod. Whether using with 13.8 volts at home or 12v gel cel portable, it works great!
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G4REK
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 12, 2002 06:35
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FIRST CLASS
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Time owned: months
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I`VE HAD THE 50B AMP I WEEK NOW, ITS PERFORMED GREAT GET 65 WATTS OUT FOR 5 WATTS IN WITH 817 RADIO AND ONLY PAID 200 POUNDS FOR IT FROM MARTIN LYNCH, A GOOD BUY..............JIM G4REK
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VE6SZR
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 6, 2002 00:30
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Quality construction for a fair price.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I agree with the previous comments. I was looking for a good (amplifier) companion for my FT-817. One of my favorite bands was 6 meters and I was shocked at the current prices for 6 meter amplifiers which accepted QRP input. By obtaining the Tokyo Hy-power HL-50B amp, I was able to have the best of both worlds, 6 meters AND HF amplification at a lower price!....Albeit, the power output is 50-60 watts, not 100watts.
Just as a comparison, a Mirage 6m only all mode amplifier (100W output) is approximately $389USD retail at the time of this writing. The Tokyo Hy-Power HL-50B has a retail of $249USD direct from the factory.
Construction quality of this amplifier is fantastic, this is NOT a repackaged bootleg CB amplifier. This item is built from the ground up to be an amateur radio amplifier; this means it has all of the additional items one would look for: i.e. proper band-pass filtering, remote keying and ALC operation via the appropriate sockets on the back of the unit, and SWR/short circut protection. Looking at the pictures of the unit from the inside (found on Tokyo Hy-power's web page), you will quickly see the quality materials used. I received my unit shipped from Tokyo in 72 hours!
Other bonuses include:
A good manual complete with schematic diagram, a bracket for mobile mounting, an RG-58 patch cord for connection to your rig, spare fuses, detachable power leads with appropriate length, and the required plugs to make your own "remote keying/ALC" cable. How often do you find the manufacturer including these small things in the box? My guess is...never. Tokyo Hy-Power gets a few extra points in my book for this added effort.
Current draw for the amplifier is 10A at full output. The suggestion is to use a fan over the heatsink for extended operation, however I haven't found mine to be very warm when using it.
Thus far, I am extremely pleased with my purchase of this amplifier, it allows me the ability to have my QRP fun when I'm on the go, with the option of running higher power when I need it, or when the unit is operated from home. I don't believe there is another comparable quality product which can compete with this Tokyo Hy-Power amp, that is in the same price range.
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LA8UU
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 23, 2002 02:21
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The perfect companion for the FT-817
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The FT-817 is a fantastic rig. It has a great receiver, and with 5 watts of power you can work the world. There are, however, situations when you could need some more power. When the 80m QRM builds up in the evening here in Europe 5 watts is easily drowned. That is where the HL-50B comes in.
The amp comes in two versions, one with 10w and another with 5w drive requirement. The latter fits the FT-817 like a glove. It boosts the signal to 50-60 watts output on all bands from 80 to 6 meters. 50 watts is just what you need under difficult conditions.
With the HL-50B, the FT-817 becomes a GREAT station, both in the shack and in the car. It is much more flexibile than a larger rig - you can take the FT-817 outdoors and have QRP fun and don't need to take the extra weight with you.
The craftsmanship and finish of the HL-50B is outstanding, and the manual is good. Basic hook-up is just DC and RF, and there is provision for connecting ALC and TX/RX switching.
You change bands with a knob on the front panel. I could have liked to see automatic band change with data from the FT-817, but that is not provided. Output filter switching is done via relays, so it should be relatively easy to design an interface for this purpose.
The FT-817/HL-50B combo has been promoted to the main operating position here in my shack. It is a great station at a bargain price.
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