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| Reviews Summary for Commander HF-2500 |
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write your own review of the Commander HF-2500.
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W5UDX
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 14, 2008 08:45
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New owner is top notch
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I am the first one to experience Command Technologies new owner, actually I had ordered the amp from Pat Stein, but got to meet Dan Simmonds in the process and let me tell you, he is AWESOME to deal with. I know how hams think when companies change hands but my experience was nothing but the best from both Dan and Pat. Every question asked was answered right away with Dan. Quality is a big issue with Dan and so is his attention to customer service; those two things are what makes a company almost rare today. Dan has a great tower company; AN Wireless and I know he will make Command Technologies, one of the best amplifier companies around. As far as the amp goes, it's top notch, works perfectly in every way, built like a tank. It does 1500 watts with low drive and its very clean, the main reason I went with the more expensive 3cpx800 vs. the 4cx800 witch I found out that supply is drying up. This amplifier is one of those things you buy for life. I have several friends that have had the commander for 10+ years and they are still running them today on a daily basis and still love them. If you are looking for a legal limit + amp with the quality and customer service you would expect from a great company and owner, Command is the right choice.
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K2MK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 14, 2008 14:08
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Excellent craftsmanship with power to spare
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The Command Technologies “Commander HF-2500” is a fine amplifier. But there are many high quality full legal limit amps available and making a purchase decision is not easy. The things that influenced me were:
“Had to be a tube amp and preferably ceramic tubes”
The eHam reviews for the solid-state Quadra, PW-1, and THPs are impressive but they are still sprinkled with the occasional comment of blown finals. I think tubes are more forgiving.
“Had to be made in the USA”
I wanted to be able to ship it back to the manufacturer at a reasonable cost if a failure occurred.
“QSK was not a prime consideration”
There is no available QSK option for this amp. I felt that I could live without it. You might feel differently.
“A built in antenna tuner and autotune capabilities were not requirements”
Both of my antennas are better than 2:1 SWR so a tuner was not required. And when I make a band change I don’t have to be transmitting milliseconds later. I don’t mind taking 5 to 10 seconds to change the amplifier settings for a new band.
“Had to be in a manageable weight range for this old timer”
The shipping weight is about 75 lbs total (in two boxes). And either the amplifier or the transformer on its own is easily lifted by one person. Once unpacked I would estimate the chassis at about 25-30 lbs and the transformer at about 35-40 lbs.
“Price had to be competitive”
The price was very competitive and Pat uses Eimac tubes instead of the Svetlana tubes used in the competition’s amplifiers. I felt I was getting better quality for less money.
“Lastly, it had to be new”
I have no luck with used equipment. I wanted a virgin amplifier that I could screw-up on my own and that would be protected with a full manufacturer’s warranty.
Contacting Pat Stein and ordering is a breeze. I called quite often and he always answered on the first or second ring. Sometimes he was in the car and had to call back which he did. The delivery schedule, however, is a moving target. These amplifiers are built to order, they are not sitting on a shelf. So be prepared to be patient or plan on ordering your amplifier elsewhere.
Shipment was perfect. Pat used DHL and the two boxes were extremely well packed and protected. Installation of the transformer and tubes is straight forward although you will need to slide the amplifier towards the end of your work bench or desk so that you can fit nuts and washers for the transformer on the underside of the chassis. Also you must remove both the top and bottom chassis covers for transformer installation. So you will need to flip the unit around both before and after the transformer is installed. Pat uses stainless steel socket head machine screws to hold the cabinet together. He sends along a small 5/64” allen wrench but it is much easier if you have a T-handle allen wrench. A 5/64” T-handle hex key is under a dollar from McMaster Carr. A small awl is useful to help line up the occasional stubborn hole.
Tune up is a breeze, however, I prefer to use the technique suggested by KK5DR. Pat’s technique described in the manual requires a bit more dexterity than I possess. KK5DR suggests dipping plate current with the tune control and peaking RF output with the load control. Then back off counterclockwise a bit on the load control (over-coupling). With the HF-2500 that yields a full 1500 watts output with a grid current of only 30 to 40 ma. I made an Excel chart with the tune and load settings and exciter output for each band (Pat provides filled-in and blank charts). Now when I change bands I just preset the tune and load controls (calibrated from 5 to 95 with 95 hash marks) and adjust my transceiver output power using my external power meter with the amp in standby. That takes about 2 seconds of a 20 to 40 watt carrier either to your antenna or to your dummy load. Then flip from standby to operate and go. There’s no need for any high power transmission until you’re ready to key the rig. No QRM. The process takes less than 10 seconds.
The amp is very clean. The insides are pristine. The outside is very clean, not flashy, just purely functional. There is a flip-down bail if you want to tip up the front panel. The band switch is labeled 160 through 10 with no indication for the WARC bands. Use the 15 meter position for 17 meters and the 10 meter position for 12 meters. The amplifier does not operate on 30 meters. Also, you will need an external wattmeter. The amplifier does not have its own power meter.
I e-mailed Pat for help with the ALC adjustment. Even at the minimum ALC setting it was limiting my FT-1000D to only 40 watts output. Pat had me add a parallel resistance between the center conductor and shield of the ALC cable which solved the problem. I think I ended up with a 10K resistor. But Pat will be the first to tell you that the high speed protective circuitry in the amplifier will protect your investment even if you don’t use ALC feedback. I e-mailed another time about a minor issue and received a quick phone call from Pat with a resolution.
I’ve had no problems with TVI. Just a little audio pick up on my wife’s computer speakers in the next room. Easily solved with a split ferrite bead on the speaker line.
I’m very happy with my purchase and would highly recommend the Commander HF-2500 to anybody looking for a tube type full legal limit amp. And of course you get 1500 watts out for only 30 to 40 watts in. And that includes RTTY.
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W8SPM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 19, 2008 18:22
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Great
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Ordered my HF-2500 in January and got it a few days ago ! Very easy to tune and runs very quiet!
Pat Stein answered all my questions and spent a good bit of time with me on the phone during the process!
I feel like Commander Amps are the premier products on the market using Eimac tubes ! If you in the market for either a VHF-HF Amplifier Check these out and read the reviews on e-ham about the Commander Products and your decision will be very easy!
W8SPM-Sam Maze in WV
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N1FLH
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Rating: 5/5
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May 3, 2008 05:13
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great amp!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I love the Amp but I just started having an issue with the warm up period. works fine on all bands but 80 mtrs. sometimes it takes twice as long for the green light to come on and other times I have to switch the band switch to 40 and the light will come on. has anyone have an idea what could be wrong? Iv already cleaned the band scitch.
Thanks
Marty
N1FLH
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NJ1X
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 22, 2008 07:52
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12 + years and going great
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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After researching all the amplifiers on the market, I decided that the HF-2500 was my best choice. It is easy to operate and when there's a DX pileup in there, I don't have to "wait in line" for the DX station to come back to me.
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WS8RM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 24, 2008 06:58
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10+ years and still ticking
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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One of the few things that I've bought and really have not had to think much about - in terms of problems.
10+ years and still ticking with the same tubes.
I almost run "QRP" = 22 watts into the amp, every night on 75m, getting abt 1000+ out and not a problem.
I had to replace the solid state switch and bulbs, (Pat gave me both at no charge) but that was it. Not bad for 10 years of service.
Wayne
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W2EH
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 7, 2007 08:51
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9 GOOD YEARS OF SERVICE
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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After nine years of constant use the only part I needed to replace was one of the solid state switches on the primary and the voltage divider resistors in the metering circuit. After a spectacular billow of smoke from the chassis, a little cleaning, a $35 part was all it needed. The carbon resistors in the metering circuit drift over years and were replaced with film resistors. The Eimac 3cx800a7's have not been abused and still deliver the legal limit on any band. I can't complain, great design by Pat Stein, superior components throughout.
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NJ3A
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 2, 2007 12:52
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Awesome Amp 10-160
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This is the second amplifier I've purchased this year. The first being an excellent Heathkit HL-2200 that uses 2x 3-500Z tubes. This amp on the other hand used 2x 3CX800A7s (sorry no glow here)..only raw power when and where you need it. Using the original manual and tuning settings I got with this amp proved to be the easiest way to go. Even though my amp is soon to have it's 10th birthday...it still performs as new according to the power output on my Palstar AT4K Tuner and manual settings found in the original owners manual tune up sheet. It's got a great fan, runs cool and is not a amp for the weak of muscle...it's heavy due to it's hypersil transformer.
Audio reports are excellent. I'm only driving this amp with at most 55W out of my Icom 756 ProII and it routinely loafs along at around 1500 booming watts with about 35W drive as tuned by the numbers in the manual. Grid current is the key to longevity with these 3CX800A7s and as long as you follow the guidlines in the manual...they'll last as long as you will...and then some. Sure they're expensive to replace...but if you don't abuse them, they'll be around for a long long time. The use of a high power tuner like the Palstar AT4K or AT5K is clearly a need with this amp if you're using wires on the lower bands. My KT36XA exhibits excellent SWR (<1.5:1) on 10-15-20 meters, so I didn't really need it, however...I do on occasion (daily)...tune and use 40-80-160 meters...all with the HF-2500. My G5RV wire antenna is only 4-5' off the ground, mainly used for local NVIS contacts, but I've got the DX contacts to show you what can be done with a excellent amp and tuner combo.
Overall...my HL-2200 is sitting on the side watching all the action that this Commander HF-2500 is getting involved in...
If you can find one...get it...
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KC4CP
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 24, 2007 18:14
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GREAT!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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In my opinion, the HF-2500 is not the best looking amp ever made ... but when it comes to performance, it is unsurpassed. This thing is rock solid! Easily does legal limit ++. It is much quieter than my AL-1500. And I literally can't hear the relay! No more "clunk" when the relay kicks in.
NO, it is not cheap ... but it is well worth the money. As others have said, it should last a life time.
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KF8RX
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 10, 2007 12:47
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Best Bang for the Buck!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Pat Stein is the Man!
If you buy any other amp you are spending too much or getting too little.
I've had mine for over two years. Being the inquisitive type, I called Pat with a few questions. He makes me feel that "appliance operators" are as welcome as the experts. He never rushed me off the phone even though he's quite busy.
This is my fourth and last amp. I should have bought this one first! I could have saved mucho dinero.
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