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You can
write your own review of the Ameritron AL-1200.
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WX3B
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 11, 2012 10:13
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A+ - solid performance, great service
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Just a quick follow-up to a prior review. I use AL-1200's at my multi-operator contest station and have yet to have a critical failure of this amplifier. The performance is excellent and 90 watts drive will generate a clean, reliable 1.5kw output. I find Mike (Ameritron) extremely helpful in diagnosing the little things that can occur and his track record is almost 100% doing this remotely (i.e. rarely have to send a unit in).
The 3cx1200a7 tube is expensive, however it is almost indestructible.
This was my first amplifier in 1998, and it continues to be a great performer.
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AD1E
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 9, 2012 18:41
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Big Difference!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Two years ago I replaced my trusty SB-220 with a used AL-1200 and wow what a difference. I know it shouldn't make that much difference (1000W CW out compared to 1500W CW out) but it seems to. Actually, the AL-1200 reminds me of my old SB-220 in that it is instantly ready for work (no warm up time needed), takes my errors and inadvertent abuse in stride (very forgiving), and needs to have the open frame relay cleaned every so often! So now I have owned what I feel is the best bargain in a 1000 w out amp (SB-220) and the AL-1200, which I feel is the best bargain in a full legal out amplifier.
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W7RUE
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 19, 2011 11:12
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Excellent Amp
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have owned this AL-1200 for a couple of months now and it has thus far, given me excellent service. I am the third owner. It is a 2001 model and it is replacing an AL-811 which I sold to a new General-class friend of mine.
I got this AL-1200 from another ham friend who had it laying around in his shack collecting dust. He doesn't have a 240v service and he didn't think that he would ever get around to having it installed so it was a 'win-win' for both of us.
I drive it with a Yaesu FT-1000MP which only puts out 100 watts so it will never overdrive the amp. I don't need or have the ALC hooked up and I use an ARB-704 buffer between the amp and the transciever. I am quite satisfied with its performance. It puts out the full 1500 watts of clean RF with less than 100 watts of drive. It is easy to tune and very forgiving whenever I have a 'senior moment'.
I now have no problem with reaching those hard-to-contact stations when I am running or relaying for club and traffic nets; especially during poor atmospheric conditions!
So far I give it top marks!
W7Rue
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K9XOK
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Rating: 5/5
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May 28, 2011 15:27
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A fine Amp
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Here it breaks the pile ups and keeps the shack warm too. The tube is expensive to replace but if you do, replace it with a P3cx1500A7(8877) then you will have a AL-1500 but the supplied 3cx1200 is a very rugged tube.If I where to build this amp I would have put that very nice very heavy transformer on the floor with the rest of the power supply.The 8877 conversion is not a direct sub. Requires socket chimney and fil transformer changes. I run one daily on 7.153. With the 3cx1200a7 it loafs along at 800watts rms
When you test drive one it should do 1500 watts with 100 watts of drive.I like the amp, and if you can find one grab the used one for a lot less
money than the much smaller new amps.
Have fun Lifes too short for QRP :-)
73
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W4USA
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 4, 2010 18:45
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GREAT
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have several amps, My AL-1200 is by-far the #1.
It has a 30 second start time and gives full power. Not ever a problem. Works full duty. A little sensitive on 12 meters. I have operated mine for over 5 years now and would buy it again.
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KG8DP
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 18, 2010 15:30
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WHAT A TANK!!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I am experienced with legal limit amps. Commander, Alpha and others. All I can say is WOW. I bought this TANK used only 20 minutes on the tube. the amp was purchased originally from a ham that is a silent key. His brother got it. No use. The boys were only mid 40's and i turn 46 this year. Paid 1900.00 for it went to outside of Detroit and paid for it brought it home. Shazam!!! A-4s, A-3WS, HF-2, and others they all love it. EASY TO TUNE FORGIVING. Find one. Buy it. I have heard they sell medical pulls in NE Ohio 3CX1200A7. If any body has a line on this, e-mail me. kg8dp@yahoo.com
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KD8BZY
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 29, 2009 00:56
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I love this amp
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Have had my AL-1200 for only four days. It is serial no. 0277 and I bought it from a eham classified from a fine Ham in TN. It came unmodified and I inspected all workmanship before installing XFMR and tube/chimney. I was positively impressed by the workmanship involved. The power output is there plus, even for such an older unit (all original so far as I was told and can see). It is easy to tune and forgiving of operator headspace (if anyone can blow out a tube I can). This is my first full legal limit amp and I expect it to be mine for life. The blower, as described by many, is noticable - yes it is. I chase DX and usually the hot DX are pretty light. My ears are 57 years old now but I find it not an additional problem copying the light signals with this amp setting beside my rig, right there with me. Tuning is dependably repeatable. I paid a certain fair price for this amp just a few days ago and would NOT take an additional $500 profit for it. This is my keeper and I am so very happy to be able to have her. I love this amp.
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W7MY
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 7, 2009 10:51
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Perfect 1.5 KW amp!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My AL-1200 is going on 10 years of near flawless performance.
My only failure was the surge suppressor relay in the HV primary circuit. Within a week I had a new relay and replacement resistor (design change) that went in easily.
If I had to purchase an amp today, I would not hesitate buying an AL-1200.
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KI0Z
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 28, 2008 20:35
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Beyond Excellent
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I wanted you to know the AL-1200-XQ is working flawlessly and the new 2.5KW Pin Diode QSK-5 PC internal PC is AWESOME ! It is seamless and silent, you can not detect any attenuation on or off and it is as smooth as if you were using the K C keyer, Perfect With the Icom. The new QSK-5 switch is far better than the old pin-5 switch as far as attenuation,swr change,loading and logic. the 12v jack on the back now has a lable called Handshake used for yaesu and Ten Tec.so I'm very happy with it.Love the instant on of the 3CX1200A7 truly a tuff tube,mine is 20 years old and puts out +900 watts with 30 watts in,and goes way beyond our needs. Need Help?? talk to MIKE ENNIS @Ameritron he is great to work with....!
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K0KS
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Rating: 4/5
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Jun 6, 2008 10:45
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Good Value for High-Power
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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My AL-1200 was rescued from CB service and is about 5 yrs old. It proabably wasn't used for ragchews or contesting. The HV cap and diode boards are shared with 2 other full-power amps and the caps are pushed beyond the max rating. Two of my 'lytics vented violently leaving a mess to clean up and $120 for new ones. When installing the xfmr and tube, do inspect and tighten everything because MFJ is notorious for bad solder and loose screws. The AL-1200 is NOT an Alpha but I didn't pay for one either. It's a good value for the bucks.
73 de Ken, K0KS
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