|
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-1200.
|
N4JA
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 31, 2006 07:55
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great amp
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I am one of the hams that has 2 linears. For the other summary, read my review of the Ameritron AL-82. In this review I will be comparing the AL-1200 to the AL-82.
With 100 watts drive, the AL-82 will put out 200 watts more output than the AL-1200, but you can drive the AL-1200 with 200 watts and get considerably more power out. However you can get more than 1500 watts out with 100 watts drive on either amp. I am not suggesting you run more than 1500 watts out, but I am giving you this information as a comparison for you to consider when you choose an amplifier. As of this writing the tube for the AL-1200 costs $729.00 and a pair of tubes for the AL-82 costs $300.00 from RF Parts.
|
|
K9KJM
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 18, 2006 21:48
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Buy!
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I agree with the other positive remarks about the Ameritron AL-1200 amplifier.
I bought mine used, With a few minor problems. Sent it in to Ameritron and they brought it up to new specs for a VERY reasonable cost!
As mentioned by others, The cooling fan does make some noise, But I have my amp built into a console, That helps to quiet it down a little bit, AND I look at an RF amplifier like using NOS in a drag race car. Just turn it on when really needed!
A minor complaint is the plate tuning knob. I replaced mine with a vernier type tuning dial so I can return to previous settings every time.
(I log settings on a sheet and can return to a setting for a particular antenna with NO on air tune up at all! (The amp is very forgiving of a minor VSWR mismatch)
All in all a GREAT value!
|
|
WD6DBM
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 4, 2005 21:34
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Bury me with it
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I bought my AL-1200 about 16 years ago, so it's an oldie. I've been active and inactive on ham radio over the years, and bought and sold a lot of equipment. I had two SB-220s before this amp, and have used a number of amps in contests at different stations, including an Alpha 87a. I love this amp. With my TS-690 it puts out a high of 1800 watts on 40m, and a low of 1300 W on 10 meter. It operates slightly out of tune without a complaint--the huge grid dissipation has saved my cookies a lot of times. It is rugged and built well. I won't say it's better than an Alpha, but it's half the price! It loafs along w/SSB. I've never had a problem with it.
Why am I writing this review after so long? Folks, last night I busted through a pileup on 20 meters with it to work a south pacific station. Only I had left the antenna switch on my 40/80 vertical, and it was probably runnning into a 4:1 SWR, at 1500w. I love this amp.
|
|
AD3G
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 20, 2005 22:06
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Good value
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
Good amp for the money...Stiff power supply,good construction,only weakness is component quality...cabinet is kind of flimsy,doorknob caps could be a little bigger,but for the money (1300-1700 used)it's tough to beat. Will do legal limit all day long. Fan is a little noisy,only because of the volume of air it moves,but you get used to it.Dollar for dollar,probably best value legal limit amp going,because they're not pricey used. Also easy to work on if needed,unlike some other amps out there with logic IC's and and other proprietary components used in their design,so when they break it's off to the manufacturer for repair,unless you have a benchful of test equipment and a fair amount of repair savvy.
|
|
W9PMZ
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 3, 2005 12:23
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Very Good Value
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
Very nice and economical amplifier.
Manual very informative. Follow the instructions and tuning is a breeze.
Did have the fuse blow once, but I was trying to tune the amplifier on 40M with a 80M signal.
Reasonably quiet.
Would purchase this amplifier again.
If any room for improvement, the metal cover could be a little thicker.
|
|
W2DAP
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 7, 2005 09:59
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great value
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
This is a lot of amplifier for a relatively low price based on the current marketplace. I am particularly impressed with the full-wave rectifier circuit which is very stiff. Key down voltage drop is less than advertised. I use mine exclusively on AM at 300 watts carrier. To achieve this output, the 3CX1200 requires about 12 watts drive. PEP is about 1200 watts and well within the dissipation rating of that big final by Eimac. The power supply is rugged and even after a long period of operating, the area around the Peter Dahl xfmr is still cool. I like the resettability of the tank, it is by the numbers. I wired my blower for max speed and while noise is about 70 db, I find it acceptable, as moving a lot of air is a very good idea with these operating parameters and that unit will do it. I am very pleased with the blower, it is an extremely well-balanced ball bearing unit which, when power is removed takes almost half a minute to completely stop. This is a good component. The build quality of the amp is excellent with clean solder joints, a well thought out layout to begin with and easy access to most service areas should this be required.
|
|
N3MX
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jan 18, 2005 10:14
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
I am happy with performance
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
Good solid amplifier which works as advertised. I have now owned this amp for one year and have used it in serveral contests and have many hours on it. I will say, that to get a full 1500 watts output you definitly need to be putting a full 100 watts or slightly more input to the amp. Both my Icom 756 PRO 2 & 3 do not quite drive it to a full 1500 watts on all bands. The manual states you need about 90 watts to get full output and I am finding it needs a full 100 watts on my amp. That being said, I do get 1250 watts to 1500 watts depending on the band I am working. I have measured the output of the 756 PRO's and they are putting out between 85 & 95 watts to an external meter. So my assessment is that the AL-1200 is working as advertised by Ameritron. The AL-1200 is a very sturdy reliable amp. It is used by many contesters and DX'ers with a solid reputation and is in my opinion a excellent value for a legal limit amplifier.
|
|
W7AV
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Oct 24, 2004 20:18
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Performs Well
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I have had the AL-1200 for 3 weeks now and it performs very well. The fan is loud but I make contacts, thats what counts. Workmanship is good, appears to meet specs as advertised. Very easy to tune. What else can I say--so far it's worth the money and I saved at least 1200.00 to 1500.00 over the QRO and Alpha. Time will be the ultimate judge. So far very pleased.
|
|
K0XD
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 9, 2004 00:58
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
8 YRS AND COUNTING
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
8 YEARS OF USE AND COUNTING. STILL GOING STRONG. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
|
|
W3WW
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 17, 2004 17:31
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
IMPRESSIVE AMPLIFIER
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
After owning several Alpha and other assorted Amplifiers, including a New 99, 89 and a few 76s, I was amazed at my new AL-1200. No problems out of the box. Went together well, was packed fairly nicely. The main unit could have been better supported, but it was not damaged. All 36 screws were accounted for. After assembly and a quick review of the manual, we were ready to put the amplifier through the paces.
This amplifier will pump 1500 Watts (a lot more, if you care) into anything attached to the "RF OUT" connector. Talk about forgiving, this amplifier is as stable as they come, no matter what the loading circumstances. I do not use a tuner...so my SWRs are a bit high on the Band edges. No problem here, 2.5:1 and the AL-1200 tunes the same as 1:1, perfect. Easy and very effortless tuning. No snaps, arcs or instability at all. The Load and Plate tuning are as smooth as I have ever used. Instant on with 1500 watts out in seconds. Granted, most of the above is due to the 3CX1200A7 tube, but everything seems to work well together. The grid and plate currents are as specified in the manual. The voltage is 3700 on idle and only drops to 3600 under full load.
Now the downside. Really not much, but just my observations. The components are a bit light weight as compared to the Alpha. (you get what you pay for). As reported by others, the fan is Louder that one would like, the 36 or so screws are a pain but you got to have something to complain about. I still have the fan on medium speed, thus the noise.
Looks wise, I certainly like the appearance of this AL-1200. I'll post another review after a few months of use.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
