|
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 Alpha 99.
|
WA4CAX
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Nov 22, 2009 13:48
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Alpha A+
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
Bought my first Alpha in 2006 ( used Alpha 99)....This amp is a reliable work horse with a lot of headroom...The 99 uses 2ea. GU74B Russian tetrodes. A replacement pair can be had for ~$400.00 on the surplus market. Generally date codes on these tubes are 1970 to 1990s so proper pre-conditioning is needed (gettering,testing and matching)...New tubes are available from Alpha at market prices.....
WA4CAX....
|
|
K3VR
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 18, 2009 09:30
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Alpha 99 still appreciating in value
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I bought my Alpha 99 several years ago. I sent it back for updates once or twice and I've replaced the tubes once. It's simply a pleasure to use. The staff are first rate and Alpha quality is legendary. In fact it's the only amateur gear I have that's actually appreciated in value over the years. If only the stock market performed as well!
|
|
PY1BR
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 7, 2009 21:13
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Outstanding
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
It's an outstanding linear amplifier. I am using it since 2001 and I am absolutely satisfied. Every new country or difficult contact I wanted to kiss him. It's a highly recommended product. I never ever had a single issue.
|
|
W0CZE
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 23, 2009 21:05
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
GREAT AMP GREAT SUPPORT
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
MY SECOND ALPHA. SOLID CONSTRUCTION. QUALITY . THE BAND SWITCH IS A WORK OF ART. PLENTY OF HEAD ROOM. I PURCHASED THIS ONE USED AND HAD A PROBLEM . ONE PHONE CALL AND GLEN HAD ME TO THE DEFECTIVE PART IN A HEART BEAT! THANKS ALPHA
|
|
K3VR
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 12, 2007 17:33
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
5 Year Review
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
|
I don't like to be hasty, but after 5 years it's safe to say this is a great amp. I also own a Henry 3K Premier and the Alpha 99 is smaller, quieter, and easier to tune than my Henry. The Alpha also has a great built-in peak reading watt meter. Nice job Alpha!
|
|
KF7NN
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 22, 2007 17:33
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
always there
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
this is a 7 year review, bought it back in 2000
for half of what they are now. Alpha was going to charge me $40 for the auxillary fan but when i got it they didnt charge me and said it was thrown in since i waited another week for delivery. came in 2 big boxes and worked great first time i set it up and still works that way today although i dont use it much, maybe 1 or twice a week for a contact or 2. I never liked the tune indicator and just tune it for max blast
and run with it. i have tuned it into some strange loads and it never once didnt forget to let me know about it by immediately going into fault mode for 4 seconds. one thing i wish is that it warms up faster, 4 minutes is a long time when you first hear the dx and have to wait to warm up the amp while attempting to work the dx with 100 watts.
|
|
KK7AC
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 3, 2007 18:48
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
5 Year review
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
Ua, well, it's been about 5 plus years now and nothing new. So many Q's I cant count and as many hours providing flawless performance. This is the Glock of amplifiers; no frills, durable, reliable, trustworthy and works every time. period. If you want a "real" amplifier that will be the envy of all that hear it and those that see it, get one of these or it's variants. QRO or Henry are in this class, then there is the rest.
Price should be no object once you decide to "step up to the plate" and play hard ball with the big boys. Otherwise, make your way to the girls slow pitch softball field and play with them.
|
|
KC2GUY
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jun 22, 2007 12:54
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
THE BEST Quality and SERVICE
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
This is a three year update on my Alpha 99. I thought an update was important as these amps are not a small investment.
I think its well accepted that Alpha makes the best quality HF amps, period. When you own one, you know you have the Rolls Royce of power amps.
I sent my amp in for the three year check up, as the standby switch was taking longer each week to go 'green' into QRO mode.
Alpha did a very detailed bench evaluation of my amp, and looked over every aspect of it. Along the way, they kept me well informed of all the specs, condition of tubes, ect.
They replaced a capacitor in the switch, and a few other minor tweeks. The amp was delivered exactly on schedule. They even called to make sure everything was ok..... more attentive then many doctor's offices! On 160 it was misbehaving. They walked me through a few steps, and at the end, it was my fault for having a loose connection in my coax. They were so patient, professional, and helpful as usual. There is no better service anywhere. I am as happy with my Alpha as the first day it arrived. It runs smooth as silk, and the tubes are still strong. So, if you want the best, amp that has a great warranty and equally great staff to back it, with SUPURB customer service, Go Alpha. It will surely stay in your shack forever, while other equiptment may come and go.
|
|
W7PTT
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 7, 2006 12:07
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great Amplifier
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
I have owned my Alpha 99 for about 9 months now. It is a very straightforward amp to operate. It is very easy to tune. I have made alot of DX contacts with this amplifier. If I was to buy another amp, I would definately buy an Alpha. The new 8100 is what is replacing the Alpha 99.
When the 3Y0X team went to Peter One Island, they took Alpha 99 Amplifiers. They wanted an amplifier that would be reliable and would operate hour after hour after hour. I would imagine the new Alpha 8100 will be every bit as good as the Alpha 99.
73
Bill
W7PTT
|
|
N4DEK
|
Rating: 2/5
|
Nov 19, 2006 21:33
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
great amp but..........
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
|
Bought mine brand new from Alpha and the amp performed as promised but I felt that after paying $4K+ for an amplifier that I should have at least received the correct owners manual but I never did. Alot of promises from Alpha but they never did supply me with an updated manual. Finally got sick and tired of waiting and just sold the amp. Using a Commander now and I love it. And it came with the correct owners manual. Wake up Alpha.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
