|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
|
You can
write your own review of the Ameritron AL-1500.
|
WV4X
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 11, 2009 12:55
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great amp, great service .
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
|
Mine is late production and with the blower on the low setting keeps the tube cool and the shack quiet, fan mounting changed with the late models makes big difference. Factory service a real 10 of 10, save a few thousand dollars for legal limit + this is the real deal.
|
|
KE5SMH
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 17, 2009 09:27
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
One heck of a value!
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
The AL-1500 is not the most refined of the legal limit amplifiers, but it is perhaps the best value.
If you are looking for an amplifier that will put out the legal limit, tune easily, and not break the bank, I would defiantly recommend the AL-1500.
When it comes to bang for your buck this amplifier is hard to beat. I got my used and it is a few years old, but well taken care of. It was shipped to me and arrived in one piece.
The assembly was very easy. I was up and running in no time after installing 240v service for the amp.
This amp has helped me to bag numerous low band DX contacts and participate better in domestic nets. I have even had a pileup or two!
The 8877 is a wonderful tube with great IMD characteristics that will last for years as long as you watch the grid current. One thing that must be considered when looking at an amp is tube replacement expense. My amp has the Eimac 3CX1500A7/8877 tube, which can be purchased for around $1100, but there is now a foreign made 8877 that can be purchased for around $550. This is great news for 8877 users.
If the amp has a downside, it is that it is a little noisy, but not too bad for what it is accomplishing.
Overall I feel the Ameritron AL-1500 is perhaps the best watt for your buck legal limit amplifier available today.
Andy
K5PO
|
|
JUNKMAN
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 26, 2009 12:29
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Just Plain Works
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
|
You can spend alot more money on other brands of amps that claim to offer better this and better that but I've never had any problems with any of the Ameritron amps that I have owned. They just plain work and that's what I buy an amp for. This is my third AL-1500 and this one I bought brand new. This one does not have the Peter Dahl transformer but rather a larger one that is not branded but I was told was made by Magcap for Ameritron but I dont know for sure. I know it does make more plate voltage than all the other 1500's that I owned before. Also I have noticed that the fan in this one is much quiter probably because they are now mounting them on a plate of rubber. Also they are using an all new relay in the new ones. I ordered this one with the QSK board factory installed and it has worked flawless. No relay noise at all. I also ordered and installed myself the EBS-1 bias board and it too works great in combo with the QSK board. Very simple hookup. This will probably be the last HF amp that I will need and unless something major happens to it I'll be running it from now on. I cannot see any real reason to need anything more than the AL-1500.
|
|
W3FW
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 13, 2009 18:18
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Best amp on the market
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
All of the wonderful reviews have already been stated about this beautiful amplifier. Why spend more? This amp does it all in a high quality style of it`s own. It will do 2500 watts into a dummy load and tunes up with absolute ease. By the numbers it is almost as fast as a no tune amp. I have owned this amp also in the past and it has always been flawless. The Eimac 8877 tube will last forever if you behave yourself. 1500 watts is plenty of power and it doesn`t even break a sweat. You can key down at 1500 watts all day and it still stays cool. The fan is also pleasantly quiet. I see no reason to spend so much more for a high priced unit. It will always hold it`s value. Spend the difference on a good antenna. Ameitron`s customer service is the best I have seen in the intire industry.
|
|
K0CWO
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 29, 2009 12:58
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Powerhouse!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I've owned this amp for over a year now. I use it on the lower bands just about every night. Initially I was concerned about buying an amplifier with an expensive tube like the 8877. I can highly recommend this amp to anyone. It is easy to tune, puts out legal limit without breaking a sweat, and when you goof, over-current shut off takes care of your mistake. I really like the AL-82 as well, and it may be an amplifier "best buy". The low drive requirement of the AL-1500 makes it the amplifier for me however! The grid current hardly moves at legal limit when driven with 65 watts and heavy loading. A great amplifier and the 8877 when driven within spec may outlast me!
|
|
K9IUQ
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 22, 2008 04:30
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Big AL, A good Friend
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
This amp is a brute. Easy to tune. Slightly noisy. Heats Shack in winter. Known as "Big AL" in my shack. I use mainly on RTTY and CW. It is a powerhouse on RTTY. This amp has changed my operating style. Easily does 1500 Watts with only 60 wts in. Big Al has made this operator VERY happy in the DX pileups... Reasonably priced.
|
|
RUSS324
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 3, 2008 14:54
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Wow!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I just recieved my new Al-1500 amp 5 days ago. Un packing and assembly was very easy. Running a new dedicated 240 Volt line to the shack was the only real work. After following the tune up instructions in the manual it was tested and on the air in no time. Seems a little easier to use and tune than my AL 811H. O. K. for 3 grand It just might seem to be easier. Made several contacts today and the amp works great. Russ K8QF
|
|
KA1CDE
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 1, 2008 16:12
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Best Amp for the Money
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
I bought this amp used, it was 11 years old, the Eimac had been recently replaced. The amp delivers 1500 watts easily. I have tuned it into a dummy load up to 2500 watts carrier. Less than 100 watts drive for that output.
The blower does have some noise, but the speed can be lowered to make it quieter,(just move a tap) the factory says this is fine for normal SSB mode.
Any questions have been expertly answered by Ameritron, by they service manager "Mike", he was very curtious and knew the amp inside and out, I would recommend doing business with Ameritron just because of the service I have received from them.
For about $3000 new, 2500 watts out put, low drive for full out put, excellent customer service, what else do you want ?
If you want to spend more money you certainly can, but if you want a work horse, fair price, service second to none, then I recommend a AL 1500 . Very pleased.
|
|
KB4YHO
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 22, 2008 11:06
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Bulldozer
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I've owned a Commander 2500 and couple of Henry's as well as L4B, SB220, Amp Supply. None could do what this amp does.
Blower tapped for low speed and it makes slightly more noise than my AL-80B. It also doesn't get as warm as my AL-80B. Cool and quiet just like if should be.
The best part is the power. This thing will make the difference in all but the most extreme instances. I thought the construction and fit and finish were respectable. It was easy to fine tune the input coils for the proper match. I have a flat input VSWR on all bands. Very easy to tune up and the T/R relay is alot less noisey than my AL-80B. I know of 4 hams that run these amps and they have never had a minutes trouble. Don't over look this great amp. For the money and performance you cannot beat the AL-1500.
|
|
AB4VV
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 19, 2007 15:43
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Amp
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
Just received my new AL-1500 and I am very happy with the way Ameritron has addressed some issues with this amp. I had to special order this amp due to Ameritron not making many at this time. The NEW AL-1500 is NOT noisy at all. This is due to the new way they installed the blower with rubber under it. No metal to metal contact. I also had Ameritron to factory install the EBS and it works just like the AL-80B. Very cool running and quiet. This is a monster amp that is now almost transparent while in operation.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
