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write your own review of the Alpha 86.
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N7QT
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 31, 2012 00:20
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Great Amp
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Bought this amp from it's previous owner 15 years ago and its still running like a champ. The original tubes are still in great shape with less than 40W drive for full output on all bands. I tune up by the numbers, then dial it in for lowest grid current & max power out. I've had 2 pin diode failures shortly after buying the amp, but the failures were due to my trying to transmit 1.5KW without the antenna switched in. Not being mechanically inclined, I found it pretty simple to replace them myself. Overall it's a solid amplifier with continous tune across the HF frequencies. Recently I turned down the opportunity to trade this amp for the 87A because the 86 is a keeper. Bought the 87A for the auto tune features, and will use the 86 at my other qth.
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K2DC
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 17, 2012 03:03
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Love It
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had my 86 for about 4 1/2 years now. I already had a 78, but couldn't resist the price on this one and I'm glad I bought it. Mine is the "commercial" model with continuous coverage from 1.8-30 MHz, and had also been converted from PIN diodes to vacuum relay switching. Very solid performer, tunes by the numbers and legal limit at about 50W input. Only two things I'd have differently if I could:
- The VSWR fault is a little touchy, and will pop just above 1.7:1
- Fault trips don't just go to standby, they go to "start over" and you have to wait out the 3 minute timer.
Minor inconviniences, but not enough to drop from a 5 rating to a 4.
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N9LB
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 29, 2011 08:53
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Simplicity in the Sweet Spot of Amplifier Evolution
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The big question is: what level of technology are you comfortable with?
The Alpha 86 has the newer and better LED bargraphs and hypersil transformer, but does NOT have a micro-processor control, nor does it have a computer connection. Some would consider the ruggedness and proven RF & Power Supply - but with NO micro-processor inside - to be a big benefit. There is not much to go wrong in this amplifier, therefore it should be relatively easy and inexpensive to repair if anything ever goes go bad.
3CX800A7 replacement tubes ( if ever needed ) are available from at least three manufacturers ( Eimac, Svetlana, Taylor )
I have had no issues with the PIN Diode T/R switching, but if you are worried about it, or if you actually have a problem with the PIN Diodes, Alpha has a updated replacement board available that uses high speed vacuum relays. That update takes care of about the only issue anyone has ever reported with this amplifier.
Of course, full factory service is available directly from Alpha if you don't want to work on it yourself.
If you are lucky enough to find one of these for sale in good condition, don't hesitate to buy it because it will sell very quickly, and it will last you a lifetime.
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N5AX
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 24, 2011 15:06
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Purchased in 1988
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought my Alpha 86 (S/N 001) for $2995.00)
in 1988.
While it took me a one year wait to get the "Printed" Instruction manual, it still is in daily use!
Solid. Full legal limit PO to this very day.
Outstanding Quality.
This Amplifier replace my first one.
A Hallicrafters HLX-1.
What a up grade!
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K9KEN
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 22, 2007 15:42
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THE BEST AMP
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Just bought one of these 6 MONTHS AGO on ebay for $2,600.00! What an amp! New tubes new blower motor and checked with ALPHA and verifyed the ownership before I bought it with all the updates ! WHAT A TANK, BUT THE BEST YOU CAN BUY !45 WATTS 1500 OUT loafing!!!!!!!!!!! TRY 95 watts 2300 OUT ! WOW GREAT STUFF ! HIGHLY RECOMENDED !
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W9AC
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Rating: 5/5
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May 5, 2007 13:49
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Excellent Product
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The 86 is the predecessor to Alpha's 89 manually-tuned amp. Clean Lexan panel layout, excellent metering, outstanding reliability and loafs at the legal limit. A solid 5.
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AB3CX
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 28, 2006 22:07
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WOW
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased one of the commercial, continuous coverage Alpha 86 amps from Natan, W6XR about 3 days ago. It is serial number 6-88380059. If you work MARS, you would like this amp. My first amp was a Ten Tec Centurion, which I like, but this amp I love. The metering is great, and I find the simultaneous reflected and forward power very useful. Very easy to tune. It is no noisier than the Ten Tec and has a two speed switchable fan. I run it on the low speed; nothing gets very warm. There is an ALC adjust on the rear. QSK with my Yaesu 1000 Mk V is flawless using only the TX-GND to Relay In. The way I would describe the feel of the 86 is like what you get from a piece of MacIntosh stereo gear. It's really well designed and built. Putting it through the paces in the CQ WWDX this weekend, it is quietly doing a super job with no groans at age 20. Newer power transformers do not seem to match up to the horse in this amp. It's a "Bad Boy" amp and will exceed legal limit. This amp was well maintained by the previous owners, and it performs like I imagine a new one would. The protect circuits prevent expensive mistakes. At about 2400 dollars on the used market, it's half the price of a new manual tune Alpha and with care should continue to deliver for a long time.
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K8AC
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 7, 2005 09:04
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A good buy used!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently acquired a nice 86 and will limit my comments to considerations of buying a used one. First, it appears that not all 86s were created equal. Mine is apparently the "commercial" model and has 9 bandswitch positions covering 1.8 - 30 MHz continuous. 17 shares a bandswitch position with 15, and 12 with 10. Not a problem, but different from what others have stated. The blower was VERY noisy and I found the blower motor bearing cup was touching one side of the hole in the rear panel. That indicates whoever installed the blower last didn't do a very good job of it. When looking at one of these, make sure the blower bearing is reasonably centered in the hole in the rear panel. The hole is located just to the right of the RF input connector. To their great credit, Alpha still sells the blower motor assembly for this amplifier, as well as the optional fan that mounts on the rear panel. There is no ALC adjustment on the 86, and while the ALC output voltage may be right for Kenwoods and Yaesus, it may be too high for your Icom rig. This is pointed out on Page 11 of the manual as is the solution - using a 100K pot across the ALC line and using the wiper for the adjustable output. If you fail to heed this warning, you may find you're unable to drive the amp to full output on some bands as the ALC will clamp your transceiver output too soon. I've found that Alpha ships parts quickly for the amp, and you are easily able to talk to knowledgeable technical people about the amp. If in the market for one of these, make sure to check for full output on 10 meters with somewhere around 50 watts of drive. Replacing the tubes is expensive, but the 3CX800s seem to last forever if not abused. Unlike many other amps, it's NOT necessary to remove the tubes from the 86 for shipment. They're held in place with some non-conductive rods fastened to the cabinet.
The T/R switching circuitry uses a small fuse to protect the receiver from certain faults. If that fuse is open, you won't hear anything on your receiver. Alpha still carries the fuses although they're a bit expensive. It would be a good idea to have a spare on hand and know how to install it. While I had some doubts about the LED displays at first, I now like them better than meters as they have much faster response and take up less panel space than meters would for the same functions. If you can find one of these amps with good tubes at a reasonable price, don't pass it up!
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KB9FMV
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 19, 2005 21:03
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GREATEST AMP EVER OWNED
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I still have my Alpha 86and al I can say is it is the best amp I have ever owned! It is still running excellent on all the bands! 50 in 1500 out ! Who could ask for more!!!!!!!!!!
73's
Paul
K9PLK
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WD0CT
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 24, 2005 01:11
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just a very good amp
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I owned one a few months ago for a couple of months. I traded for one in mint condition.
I had zero problems. The amp always ran into my homebrew tuner. Tune and load settings were very repeatable and I noticed no drift on the tuning.
It was quiet, did legal limit with the drive requirement as specified in the manual, and would do legal limit all day long.
You can't expect any better.
I only sold it because I'm getting to the point that I don't want to horse heavy amps around any longer.
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