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| Reviews Summary for Ameritron AL-1500 |
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write your own review of the Ameritron AL-1500.
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K9IUQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 22, 2008 04:30
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Big AL, A good Friend
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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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.
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RUSS324
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 3, 2008 14:54
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Wow!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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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
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KA1CDE
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 1, 2008 16:12
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Best Amp for the Money
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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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.
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KB4YHO
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 22, 2008 11:06
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Bulldozer
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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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.
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AB4VV
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 19, 2007 15:43
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Great Amp
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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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.
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W6RS
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 19, 2007 09:40
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A Robust Amp.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Bought used on Ebay, but in superlative condition. Have been using it for a couple of weeks and it seems very happy at 1500 watts out without breaking a sweat. I have to agree with another reviewer that, if there is any downside, is that it is a NOISY beast.
Other than that, an outstanding value.
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KD8EXD
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 16, 2007 11:15
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Excellent Amplifier!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently purchased an Ameritron AL 1500 amp a really like it. It tunes easily and with 20 watts xciter drive I get 1000 watts out on AL 1500. It will do 2000 watts ut easily too, if that is what you really need. Easy to do the 10 meter mod, just a matter of cutting a green wire. Have had an Alpha 76A amp too, but lightening toasted that one. Cooling fan is a little louder than the Alph 76a amp, ut with headphone/mic on, I don't hear it at all. I get sensational reports from other hams on the receiving end. They say it is like talking to me sitting right beside in the same room. Hard to purchase one right now. Seems Ameritron only manufactures them in lots, and only every few months do they become available to dealers and thus hams.
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N7TM
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 22, 2007 21:53
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Has worked for 12 years
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had my AL-1500 for over 12 years. It has worked perfectly the whole time and I haven't had a single problem. My only complaint is the three minute warm up time required by the 8877. When chasing DX, those three minutes seem like thirty.
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N2EIK
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 18, 2007 15:24
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wow!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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WOW! What more can I say! This amp cranks! 50 watts input and it loafs along at full legal limit. I can easily tune (into a dummy load) 2500 + watts. I think I would cut off my right arm before parting with this amp!
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K4GVT
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 11, 2007 19:17
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Potentially lethal
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Despite the fact the amplifier works well and that I have no complaints only praise regarding its performance, I have to share my experience and safety concerns with you.
I purchased this amplifier used. After receiving the amplifier with the 3CX1500, transformer, and the main unit separately and well packaged. I began assembly with a short inspection, after which I installed the tube, transformer.
While hot testing, I noticed severe arching coming from the HV power supply area. Loose screws were the root cause of the arching. I found that during shipping the screws on the bottom side of the unit that secure the standoffs for the capacitor filter board had become loose. Tightening the screws resolved the arching issue. However, this is an indication of a very serious even potentially lethal problem.
Consider this, the return path from the filter board uses the standoffs to complete the electrical connection to ground. Consequently, if the screws on the bottom side loosen, the high voltage, that’s 3plus KV can exist on the loosened screw heads at the bottom outside of the cabinet. These can be easily touched from the left side bottom of the amplifier. Additionally the return path, as it exists, has several mechanical connections it counts on for electrical connectivity, this adds series resistance to the supply return line.
The remedy for this is to add independent ground return lines from the filter board to the chassis ground and securing the new lines with screws and star washers independent of any other assemblies.
73,
George, K4GVT
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