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write your own review of the ACOM 2000a.
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N0PL
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 22, 2009 19:53
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Excellent Amp
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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In my 44 years of hamming, I've owned over a half dozen differently manufactured amps from Collins to Yaesu. I have not owned an Alpha but I've operated them (they are excellent).
I purchased the Acom 2000A about one month ago and couldn't be happier. The workmanship is a piece of art. Installing the power xformer is straight forward and takes about 1/2 an hour.
20-30 Watts from my Icom 7600 drives the amp to 1K to 1.2K with ease. I know it will put out the 1500 watt legal limit but I only want to loaf at 1K. The 7600 and Acom amp are my new retirement setup. I researched rigs and ampls for a number of months before I purchased. I looked for reliability and ease of operation in both items. I hope these two items will out live me as when I retire, I will not have the financial means to upgrade or repair.
Am I happy? Yup! Did I purchase the absolute top of the line? No. I purchased what would satisfy my needs and my bank account.
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KE4WY
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 5, 2009 06:50
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Still the Best
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I want to revisit my review of December 28, 2000
in giving the Acom 2000A a 5/5.
It's still number one in my book and I still give it a 5/5
my review of December 28, 2000
Over the past several years I have owned a number of different Amplifiers, both solid state and tube type including the Alpha 87A and after using and owning the Acom 2000A rate it heads above all others. I simply love this amp.
The tuning is fast and smooth along with quick automatic band switching. The Acom is simply a plug and play Amp. The unit runs quiet and cool. Although not needed for my type of operation I added the optional cooling fan and find the two fans in the Acom to be so much quieter than my computer fans.
To sum it up, the Acom offers fast simple full automatic tuning, handles SWR’s up to 3 to 1, remote diagnostic capability, RS232 control, first rate components along with quality construction, remoting of amp off the desk with control head on the desk, many protection circuits plus numerous amplifier monitoring functions (Forward and Reflected Power, Drive Power, Bias, DC-Input, VSWR, Temp-F, Temp-R, Screen –V, Plate-RF, Mains Voltage, I-Screen, I-Plate, I-Grid, IF-Rear, IF-Front, High Voltage,Gain, Fil-V, Frequency and more…..all digital)
If you can afford one, buy it.
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K7HC
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Rating: 5/5
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May 2, 2009 11:39
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GREAT IN EVERY WAY
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've used my 2000A for over two years, and I was a second owner. I have owned three 87As and really liked them all, but the 2000A is more convienient for me. I do not run it hard or for a lot of hours, but it ALWAYS performs beyond any reasonable expectation. I love the remote controler and quiet operation of this amp. I've always been a trade and try person, wanting to see what the 'other' equipment was like, but I cannot imagine giving up my 2000A.
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PA3HGT
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 16, 2009 10:31
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2nd Acom 2000a
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I bought the 2nd Acom 2000a for a very attractive price.This Acom has the option-fan for RTTY-operation and was in action during the PACC-contest for PI4F .
Operators who don't saw an Acom 2000a before except from picture's liked the amplifier and enjoyed this silent pile-up buster.
When transmitting with the Acom 2000a with 350 watts coming back was not a problem.
This Acom with firmware 5.9 is more critic then the 5.8 which i had with my first 2000,so liked the previous firmware more.
The Acom 2000a has not a nice appearance but is a beauty in technique.
Some brands of amps making beautiful amplifiers but they can't make any better then this 10 year old design,that's why i choose for Acom again.
This well-designed amp needs no alc-line,it looks after itself.
Apply the correct rf-power,the right antenna and the Acom 2000a will do the thinking for you so the operator can concentrate to the real work... operate the transceiver.
With a contest you have better things to do then looking after your amp.
Band change is working like a breeze...a quick whistle or a dot in CW is enough when you have a multibandantenna.
You will not hear the Acom 2000a only a good strength report so you know that the 2000a is in operation.
When you need an amp which is very reliable with good support when needed and you've the money , you never regret.
When you want to see the Acom 2000a or Acom 1000 on photo,visit my website www.pa3hgt.nl
73,Hans,PA3HGT
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SM4OTI
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 8, 2009 23:10
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Great Amplifier
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Hi,
Used this amplifier for a couple of years now and it works fine. Though, I had some initial problems with it. Mr Murphy was very much present in my shack for a while.
When turned on the power switch at the very first time, the amp. was dead. Shortcut in the cable to the remote control. When fixed, received ARC FAULT message in the display after auto tune, for no reason. Sent the amp. back to Acom for substitution. The new amp's remote control was reseting after about 50 hours of usage. Got a new remote control and everything has been working ok after that (about 1000 hours usage).
Broke down one tube, probably because of overlaoding the grid, so keep track of the grid and don't push the amplifier too hard over long periods. New tubes seems to be more and more difficult to get the hands on at a reasonable price these days. Anyway, got lucky and was able to buy 2 pairs that works very well togheter.
The service is top notch at Acom. Stan at Acom provides very professional assistance.
The performance of this amplifier is very good. Antenna tuner works great. I can highly recommend this amplifier, despite my initial problems. Support and service is great, so hopefully Mr Murphy has left this building for good, hi
The only thing that I consider is how to get spare parts in the future, but that's another story.
See you down the log.
73//Steve, SM4OTI
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GM6TVR
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 24, 2009 11:58
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Good news.......
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My 2000A has just celebrated its 8th birthday in my care. Ordered new from Ron Stone of Vine Antenna Products in Wales in December 2000, delivered in January 2001. This amplifier has also travelled to Bahrain where it spent some time helping to generate massive RTTY and SSB pile ups, returned to Scotland unscathed, all travels were under the careful care of DHL. No need for me to waffle on with regards to specifications etc, suffice to say that this has got to be the best HF linear amplifier on the market, (I have owned and ran others including Ameritron and my old faithful TL922), my 2000A still runs on the original tubes, absolutely no sign of any wear and tear in any of the components, and the case remains unmarked and as new, despite age and travels. This kit is without question the longest surviving shack equipment I have ever owned, costly, but relatively cheap over the long term, go on, to hell with the Credit Crunch! Recently been driving the 2000A with my TS950SDX, what a line up,
All the best, John www.johnblack.org
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VE2EWQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 30, 2008 14:38
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Best HF AMP I have ever used
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have been running the Acom 2000A for over 3 years. It has performed flawlessly and operation is extremely simple. I was fortnate to pick up this unit from an estate sale. Make no mistake this amplifier will give you trouble free preformance. It will tune any antenna within a 3:1 SWR. It has lots of built-in protection so you really can't damage the amp unless you really do something silly. It only needs 50W from the Icom Pro 3 or 706mk2G to drive it fully. It is a gem to work in contests. This one is here to stay. The only concern you may have is to locate replacement tubes. The 2000A has a pair of match 4CX800's which are getting harder to find. Good luck and best 73's !
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YO3VU
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 20, 2008 06:26
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Great
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Unbelievable but true. I was expecting TVI RFI and lots of problems with my PC and neighbors, and they were none. Very quiet. You should be aware that it will not tune an aerial with an SWR greater than 3:1, so in respect to this here is a minus, but all the other futures fill up this. It worth every penny! Despite it was a huge investemnt for me I consider that it was a good one.
73's Mike
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DIPOLE
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Rating: 5/5
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May 2, 2008 16:23
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SIMPLY EXCELLENT
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Just dropped the 2000A inline today after dropping almost $8K of cash four months ago. But the wait and price is worth every dime in my opinion. The build quality is second to none. I say that even in light of the Drake and Collins amps that I either presently own or have owned in the past. With the transformer installed, it weighs in at about 75 lbs. Luckily, it's at home on the floor, away from the operating position, as it only has a master on/off switch. The amp is controlled from what ACOM calls the "Remote Control Unit" or RCU. The RCU is about the size of a paper back novel and also built like a tank. With rubber feet, it doesn't slide around and seems to be reasonably spill and dust proof.
If you have Yaesu rigs, go ahead and spring for the 2-rig commutator. This gadget will allow two Yaesu rigs to be simultaneously connected, and control immediately goes to which ever rig keys. I'm also awaiting delivery of the 2000S/SW remote antenna switch, which allows the 2000A to automatically control antenna selection as well.
Unless you're trying to use your patio furniture as an antenna, there is no need for a tuner, as this puppy is all solid state, computer controlled front end but with vacuum tube finals. Thus, it will automatically load into an antenna with up to 3:1 SWR with no problem.
Simply Excellent.
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IK3UMT
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 28, 2008 14:45
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A monster with excellent brain
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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HI,
Usually amplifiers are demontrations of brute force and their construction is lead to simplicity , where mechanical plays greater role than electronics
This machine is a state-of-art union between high power technology , mechanics, electronics and microprocessor controls.
When you just open its cover , you see wher your money is gone and the good way it is gone !
Understanding its functionality is a pleasure , knowing its protections system makes you relaxed.
You don't need to deal with it about settings connections etc, it seems to understand what you need
Just with a PTT line you have a 1.5 kw radio
A small RF applied for a fraction of second is all it needs to do a band swith and in one second you have it perfectly tuned and ready to go.
Factory assistance is excellent and deal with Stan LZ1IU is always a pleasure.
Highly recomended
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