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| Reviews Summary for ALPHA 78 |
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write your own review of the ALPHA 78.
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N5OU
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 25, 2008 14:39
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The last amp you will own
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned an Alpha 78 for the last 4 years along with quite a few other amps. It was converted to a pair of 3cx800a7's and all the updates and mods were done by the Alpha Master himself N4UQ Dick Byrd. Folks, if you have an alpha do yourself a favor and send it to Dick for any repairs or updates. One of the finest gentleman and true electronics craftsman that I have ever met. As another review stated, I love this amp and will take it to the grave with me. Bottom line, if you ever get a chance to buy one, do it! The no-tune bandpass is very convenient when chasing DX or if I just don't feel like tuning.
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K0MD
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 26, 2008 18:59
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Solid and Easy to use
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned the Alpha 78 for 10+ years. It has been a workhorse for me. I am the second owner. It runs well, and the tubes are still good! It has interfaced easily with all of my rigs over the past 10 years.
I like the bandpass feature which essentially makes it a no tune amp. Just turn the bandswitch and you are ready to transmit.
I sent it back to Alpha in 2007 after a lightning strike. It runs like a new amp now.
I am very pleased with the service I received at Alpha. Janet and Molly were most helpful and provided explanations for the delays I experienced.
The 78 is a solid amplifier for multipurpose use in ham radio.
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W9CLA
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 10, 2008 07:52
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Quiet and totally reliable
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had the good fortune to have (2) of these amps both of which were converted by “The Man” N4UQ to use 3CPX800A7’s. I also had him add 30M, 12M and 10M. What a conversion. The new bandwitch markings look like the factory did it. The fan is extremely quiet, vacuum relay switching, full QSK and plenty of power from the Hypesil 2.4KVA transformer. The best part is the availability of reasonably priced 3CPX800A7’s medical pulls in the $175 each range.
I debated about a no-tune solid state amp but with the bandpass positions on the Alpha 78 it is almost as good all you have to do is turn the bandswitch and key it up. With the addition of the WARC conversion it does everything a new amp costing >$4K will do.
I did do some power supply upgrades by replacing the 220ufd filter caps with new CDE 560ufd 450V caps of the identical physical size providing much better ripple characteristics. It has 93ufd of total filtering versus the stock 36 ufd. Check those 2 watt bleeder resistors I had a couple that were open and some that were reading way high. I replaced all of them with high quality 2 Watt 5% metal oxide resistors. I also did the metal doubling mod so that you can load the amp to full power and yet stay on scale.
The Alpha 78CPX will go to the grave with me. It is all the amp you will ever need. If you can find one buy it!
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EI7BA
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 1, 2008 09:52
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Easy and reliable.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have two of these....I got the first one over twenty years ago second hand, and the second one about five years ago, also second hand. They both have the original valves, and both will still put out up to 2kW. I only had one problem, and that was the well known "sticky paint" syndrome on the original one. Alan EI8EM organised a nice new front panel for me, and I did a respray on the rest of the cabinet. The broadband tune facilty makes these amps great for chasing mults in a contest, as there's no time wasted in tuning up when changing bands. Every couple of years I do the recommended maintenance, which is just a clean out with a soft brush, and a drop of oil on the fan bearing. They are both still whisper quiet.
Alphas really are the Rolls Royce of amps.
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WB5QBN
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 26, 2007 16:49
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Super Amp
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Was looking for an older Amp and decided on the Alpha 78 because a friend had one and loved it.. What a great amp.. just got mine back from the upgrades performed by Dick Byrd.. N4UG.. What a great guy and he did a super job on my amp.. Have been having a ball with it.. 1KW out with it just loafing along... Highly recommend the amp to everyone...
Frank N5WJ
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K9ZW
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 29, 2006 14:30
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Rock Solid Power
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Bought my first Alpha 78 from a senior amateur who was downsizing her shack. After sending it to Alpha Products for check-out, clean up, new casework and some modifications I wanted, the Amp has provided exceptional service.
The Bypass settings were adjusted to my usual operating frequencies and work a charm.
Warm-up time is much less than the 87A and it is far less fussy about things than the 87A is.
The amp does what you ask of it, without complaint. Straight forward operation.
Output has been on the money, though I usually run at about 2/3rds output or less.
In the new casework it looks like the quality amp it is.
I've found a second Alpha-78 and had Alpha Products give it same check up & upgrades.
These are definately keeper Amps.
73
Steve
K9ZW
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K2DC
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 4, 2006 09:52
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ALPHA POWER !!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I bought my 78 used about 6 months ago from KK4UA (also SM6SSP) when he was returning to Sweeden, and it is in gorgeous condition. The serial number is 1987 vintage. 1600W out on all bands with 100W in. Output may be slightly less in some parts of the bands in the no-tune positions, but still very nearly full legal output.
I recently managed (my mistake) to smoke the vacuum T/R relay, and sent it to Dick Byrd, N4UQ for repair. If you EVER have a problem with an older Alpha, Dick is THE MAN ! His labor rates are extremely reasonable, he stays in constant contact through the process, and he will fully test and document performance when he's done. He picked up a replacement relay for me from Max Gain Systems ($35 used but hi-pot tested), replaced a cracked plate choke insulator, installed the PA meter doubler, aligned the front panel meters and input and output tuning circuits, documented the tune and load settings for all bands in manual tune mode, and shipped it back all for $175 (plus relay and my shipping to him). Try and get that from Boulder !! Go to www.N4UQ.com.
I've owned an MLA-1200 and SB-200 in the past, and I still have an AL-1200 (that has been down multiple times with power supply problems and has a screaming fan) and an SB-200 for backups. But I am always impressed with the quality and performance of the 78. Even at its age, it's probably one of the best purchases I ever made.
If anyone knows where I can get a spare set of tubes (NOS or full power tested pulls) at a reasonable price, please let me know at k2dc@arrl.net.
73,
Don, K2DC
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NA1A
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 10, 2006 22:30
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Stentorian
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The Alpha 78 is one incredible amplifier. Back in the mid 80's, I had one of these with three Eimac 8874 tubes. It was a great amp, but the paint on the front cover was kind of gooey, so I did not care too much for that. Electronically it was great. The best feature I like about the 78 is not having to re-tune everytime you switch band. I just put the bandswitch to the band I'm on and I'm good to go. On 17M, I set the manual tuning for 17M. The bandpass tuning was set for 15M, so hopping from 15 to 17 to 20 to 75M, etc... was all by switching the bandswitch. Out of a weak moment, I sold that Alpha 78. I went on a rampage and used several different amps since then including the Henry 2KD-Classics, 3KA, 2K-4, 4K, Commander HF-2500, Kenwood TL-922A, Drake L4-B, L7, Alpha 76CA, 76PA, 86, 87A, Ameritron AL-82, 80A, 80B, ALS-600, etc... None I like as much as the Alpha 78.
Recently, I was fortunate enough to find another Alpha 78. This one that I have is a special one. I call it the 78CPX becuase it runs a pair of Eimac 3cPx800A7 tubes in grounded grid (instead of the three 8874).
To my knowledge, there is only about a dozen or so of these 78CPX. The tube conversion mod as well as the WARC band mods and a few other mods were done to by N4UQ. Check out Dick's website at N4UQ.com.
The 78CPX is one hella amp. Full legal limit is a brisk. Very smooth and quiet.
The Alpha 78 with a pair of 3cPx tubes is a big improvement. It is absolutely phenomenol. The triode tubes are stronger, and much more stable as compare to the 8874's.
I like this 78 so much that I no longer have the 87A.
If you could find a good used 78 even with dead 8874, get it. Send it to Dick Bird (N4UQ) to get the mod done. It is WELL WORTH IT! It will be a KEEPER for life.
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K8NQC
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 9, 2005 03:36
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None Better !
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Have had several Alpha Amps including the 76A, 87A, and 78. Have also used several other Top line amps, including QRO and Command Technologies, which are built in my neighborhood. This station has several operators, some who are more technically inclimed than others. The consensus here is that the 78 is the favorite. It runs so cool and quiet that it is almost transparent to the operator. No tuneup is needed except the band switch. The power shows up on the station monitor at legal limit while the amp seems to be loafing. We just monitor grid current and watch the power output on the station monitor. The forward/reverse PEP watt meter is very accurate for checking the antennas. The original Eimac tubes are still showing new power and may last forever. We did get a set of 3 full power medical pulls for a total of $300 which we keep on the shelf just in case they are ever needed. We keep the load and tune controls set at the 160 meter setting so no tuning is needed on any band from 160 through 15. I see the used prices on these units has gone back up and it does not surprize me. I see no better amp out there for less than $3000. Those who picked one up when they were down under $2000 really got a bargain.
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K9LEO
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 8, 2005 21:18
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GREAT Amplifier
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This looks like the only Amplifier anybody would ever need. operates flawless. WOW what a Amp. The Tune and Load are very smooth to opperate. I got rid of a Tec-Tec Amp and thought that was great, but this Alpha 78 i like a little better. I just love the NO-TUNE. This is a strong Legil limit Amplifier..
73 all K9leo
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