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| Reviews Summary for Alpha 8100 Manual Tune Amplifier |
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Reviews: 8
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $4850.00
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Description: It’s an Alpha, it’s rugged, it’s manual tune and it’s full legal limit... what else do you need to know? Ok well here’s a little bit more. The Alpha 8100 utilizes an enhanced version of the bombproof RF deck found in the Alpha 99. On the 8100’s control board you’ll find a microprocessor that allows us to calibrate the power and gain metering for each specific band, normalize amplification performance and increase reliability and durability. All of these functions aggregate into a single greater benefit for the user, ease of tuning. The 8100 comes stock with a serial port for remote monitoring and performance data logging. The power supply stack found in the 8100 has been designed for maximum durability and reliability while allowing for extremely easy voltage tap changes.
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More info: http://www.alpharadioproducts.com/8100.asp
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You can
write your own review of the Alpha 8100 Manual Tune Amplifier.
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W8BLA
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 13, 2008 12:22
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Just superb!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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My first new Alpha in years and what a superb choice. I researched all the supposed legal limit loaf along amps and the best choice is the 8100. Many have good quality and many are "well built" but this amp sets the standards in construction, reputation, service and service. Save your time, pick up the phone call them now
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WR8D
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 7, 2007 10:55
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Perfection
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Time owned: months
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I'm still using my 76ca "1982" which i restored to new condition a few years ago. It's in one of my primary operating positions. I bought a 89 new and as usual the alpha line of perfection continues with the 8100. Simply the best there is "period"
73, long time alpha fan John WR8D
Hi Molly!!
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N2ETJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 7, 2007 08:49
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Doesn't get any better
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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After one year of operation with Alpha 8100 #2 production.. Wouldn't hesitate buying again... smooth as silk and loafs along at 1500 all day long.... If you are looking for a legal limit amp , this is IT..... buy one and enjoy many years of trouble free operation...
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HK4CZE
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 7, 2007 09:13
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Review update
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After an extensive research for a full legal limit amplifier I came to the conclusion, that I should have given myself and the folks at Alpha the chance to get my amplifier going under warranty. In a word I could not find an amp. on the market to be as promising and as well built as the Alpha. Being in HK land I wanted something reliable and rugged that could last for years, in fact here amateur radio repair shops are non existing. I got in touch with Molly at Alpha and told her I wanted to give the 8100 another change, since I had not been patient enough to get my previous amp serviced. She was quite committed to get me a unit that performed as It should. Anthony took care of the rest, he was very polite and always ready to meet my needs regarding transportation delivery dates etc.
I finally received my second 8100, I have been using it for the last week extensively. It is a dream machine to say the least, it loafs along at 1500 Watts runs cool too. It so easy to tune, It's fully protected against most likely to occur faults, which make it absolutely reliable. I have been hamming for many years and after having tried an Alpha that operates at its full potential; I think this is the real one, not a play toy like something else I owned in the mean time.
I am so glad I went Alpha again.
Jorge HK4CZE
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K0RWL
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 29, 2007 08:48
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Pleased owner
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Previously had a 76 which I added a third tube. Bought in 78 at Dayton swaptable and used until January 2007. Turned and sold it for about what I gave originally and it is on the air each night. Bought the 8100 January 30 and using it daily. One problem, not Alpha's as I had a vertical short out, took the roller inductor on the tuner and band switch on the amp. Anthony and Alpha took care of repairs with no problems and got it back to me quickly. Easy to tune, great reports and the only snag is the TS870 has some RF spike issues which will not allow it to work with the 8100. The TS830S does fine with it so got a FT2000 (late XMAS present to myself) and 40 watts will drive it to the limit. Hope to use this Alpha around my shack for another 20-30 years. Greatly pleased with the service I got from Alpha. Think this was the 4th or 5th Alpha 8100 off the line......even talked my buddy into an Alpha 91B.
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NA9F
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 10, 2007 13:07
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Alpha Has Produced Another Great Amp
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have owned several amps over my 40 yrs of ham radio but nothing as good as the Alpha 8100.
This amp has operated flawlessly. The Alpha 99 was a terrific amp but this one is even better.
It is so easy to tune and the dials repeat when you at a later date go to an established freq.
I had looked at Alpha amps at Dayton last year and was impressed to see one in key down mode at full power for the entire Ham fest. Cooling was not an issue. It was quiet running and impressive to look at.
I ordered my new Alpha in January of this year. It came without even a scratch in the packaging. I was impressed because I have received equipment from other delivery companies that looked like they were dropped from a truck or things piled on top of the packaging. I then recognized Alpha ships with a company that does not use conveyors in their process. Smart thinking Alpha!
I found the placement of the transformer to be very easy and I even did not have to install those 4CX800A tubes. They were secure in their sockets.
I immediately hooked the amp up and found the tuning was a breeze. The reference numbers for Tune and Load that Alpha provided were very close to my final numbers I now use. I noticed in the manual there were a couple of ways to tune the amp. I had only used the peak and dip method over the years on other amps and had a question about their second way of tuning. I called Alpha and found them to be very helpful. Initially I did receive some less then desirable audio reports and called Alpha. They immediately found the issue. I had received one of about three amps that had gotten out the door with the corrupted firmware installed. I was told how to talk to the amp's processor via my computer and change one data. The amp worked great after that. I have been told that those three units were the last ones leaving the door with that corrupted firmware. I do think the other e-ham reviewer that gave the amp a 0/5 had gotten one of the three. We bought the amps at about the same time. In any case Alpha was really concerned and helped me resolve the issue. Thanks Alpha. The ARRL product review that came out in April's QST had the correct firmware or we would have heard about it.
This amp has that "bombproof" RF deck I have been on the wrong antenna, I have had the old MN-2000 Tuner on the wrong band and I have had the exciter drive up too high. The amp just went into FAULT indicating protection had taken control.
I am well satisfied with the amp. I have gone back to a tube amp after operating solid state. Those tubes can take abuse whereas the solid state I have had didn't.
Ron Hinton NA9F
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K4AHA
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 31, 2006 13:57
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Top of the line Amplifier delivers
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Alpha amplifiers have set the standard for quality for decades. Though the owners have changed a couple of times Alpha has not lost it focus as the provider of high quality units.
The 8100 is my third Alpha starting with a 77DX, an 87A then the 8100. Over my 50 years I have owned several other amplifiers. None can compare with the Alphas. The 8100 with its microprocessor system wont let you get in trouble unless you really do something like hit the input with 500 watts. Tuning is extremely smooth and highly repeatable. Blower noise is low and considering the power level it is very acceptable.
Looking inside the components is very laid out and they seem to be oversized for reliability.
All in all the 8100 is worth its extra cost.
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N2ETJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 7, 2006 10:12
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Smooooooooth as silk
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After using the Alpha 99 for almost 6 years, It was time to get another amp for the shack.... what? No more 99's? What is next? THE ALPHA 8100... sure why not. Don't hesitate, buy one. Think of it as the REFINED 99... much smoother tuning, more linear power across the band.... all in all another winner for Alpha. If I could give it a 6 I would. There are many nice amplifiers out there but in my opinion, there is only one Alpha. Factory support from Molly, Andrew, Nancy, Glenn and the whole team has been nothing but professional and first class any time you may need them so if you are considering a legal limit amp... with plenty of head room that is so easy to tune and duplicate time after time... no need to get auto tune... give the 8100 a try, you won't regret it.
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