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| Reviews Summary for Linear Amp UK Explorer 1200 |
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Reviews: 4
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Average rating: 3.5/5
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MSRP: $£1595
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Description: EXPLORER 1200 Linear Amp UK 1200W HF Linear Amplifier 1.8-30MHz (Inc WARC)
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Product is in production.
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More info: http://www.linamp.co.uk/
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GM7NVA
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Rating: 4/5
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Apr 19, 2009 02:10
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Heatherlite Explorer
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have 2 Heatherlite Explorer HF amps. Both of these date back (1980's) to the early years of Liner Amp (Heatherlite), when Peter Rodmell (?) owned and built these amps.
Both of my amps have performed very well over the years. There has been the odd component failure but I expect this from a heavily used 1k 2 bottle amp. The 3-500's (I use Chinese) are good valves. I have changed mine once in this time. Both amps were bought used (1 from the factory and 1 from a local ham).
The build might not be on a par with the big names such as Yaesu or Kenwood but they are rugged and do what they claim.
I am by no means an expert on high power amps but from an operators point of view, these amps give fair value for money and are easy to repair. The main downside being that the 3-500 valves are expensive.
If you are buying your first amp and are new to electronics or radio, looking around for a newer more up to date model from better know manufacturers might be the best way to go. However, a good deal is a good deal so, don't walk away from an old 'Heatherlite' if you find one. The early ones had a chocolate brown front panel. Some had brown cases also. The earliest had no soft start.
The guy who built and designed these in the 80's and early 90's, no longer has the company, as far as I know it was bought over. At the time of writing I understand they have moved to a new factory unit.
The original owner was very customer friendly and general advice on amps was always available by phone if he wasn't too busy. It was a family business then.
Good luck all John - gm7nva
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G8ITB
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Rating: 0/5
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Mar 31, 2008 16:19
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Poor Quality!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Having just used an Explorer HF linear in contest mode - for a while anyway! Till it stopped working after a very few hours use!
A detailed examination revealed extremely poor quality construction practices by the manufacturer; i.e.
Using a "BOLT" fixed to the range switch arm to contact a HV capacitor on one band.
Voltage doubler circuit for HV.
No Co-Axial antenna relay - just two holes punched in a relay case and the small diameter wires to/from the RF in/out SO239's soldered directly onto the relay leaves using wires going through the relay casing.
A low throughput 'muffin' fan pulling air out past the output valves - no way was this set-up capable of cooling the linear - air intake was minimal and further restricted if the case placed on a hard surface - the intakes are punched holes in the base.
No cooling in the toroid mains transformer area.
Components are working on limits.
"Soft Start" - just look at the schematic; then the construction [stop laughing, please].
Linear Amp UK was the 'successor' to Heatherlite - and all their products have a reputation in the UK as 'nasty' and this one confirmed it as correct.
Linear Amp UK has ceased trading as of March 2008 and production has been taken over by Elite Interfaces Ltd, Reading, Berks, RG1 8JP.
Lets hope they can do better!
In the meantime if you are offered a Linear Amp UK amplifier [even free] - just walk away!
Maybe I had a 'Friday Night Special' - mine has no resemblance to the items the previous two reviewers seem to own!
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G3VCQ
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 3, 2007 08:14
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QRP? No chance! DX chasing has never been so much fun!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I previously owned a FL2000B (Still have it on standby) and the Linear amp UK Ranger 811K (now sold).
I upgraded to the Explorer last year and was amazed at how well built this bit of kit is, a quality amp with excellent good looks! Sitting at 400w my FT1000MP MK V Field loves it - 35 watts will give me my max legal out and the fan is silent almost, My Pro40 does not even pick it up! If your looking for a middle of the range value for money amp - you wont go far wrong with this one thats for sure. 73 Colin G3VCQ
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M5TAW
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 9, 2007 04:56
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Nice amp
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Nicely constructed amplifier with a quality feel.
Provides approx 10 times power amplification - 40 in gives approx 400 out (UK limit) - the amp is just ticking over at this output and doesn't even get remotely warm. The fan is relatively quiet too.
This is my first Linear Amp UK amplifier and I'm very pleased with it. The telephone support is excellent and it's good to know that I can speak directly with the man who designed the amp in the unlikely event that anything goes wrong.
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