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write your own review of the Ameritron AL-572 (not B).
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AB3ME
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 2, 2011 17:13
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great
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Bought this amp from HRO about 6 months ago. I live full time in an RV and have access only to 120 volt service....and most of the time not that at all. For this reason, I chose the AL-572 due to the ability to change the taps on the transformer to match my input voltage. Ran the amp as is for about 4 months (taps set at 125 V from factory) After making the mod to allow 10 meters, the amp would do about 800 to 900 watts out with my input voltage of 118. HV reading of 2600 on internal meter.
Changed tubes to Taylor 572 from RF parts a month ago, and reset the transformer taps to 115. HV now reading 2800 per manual, and output of 1000 watts (PEP SSB) consistently on 17 and 12 meters. Definitely an improvement.
80 to 15 meters performance is at 1200 watts SSB (PEP) and was with taps at 125v, no change with taps at 115, but output is at 1200+ on these bands now. Maybe the Taylor tubes made the difference, or the change in taps on transformer. I realize the 2800 minimum HV is making the biggest difference, and am pleased with the performance. I drive this amp with my Icom 7600 at the full 100 watts. All in all, I am very happy with this amp, and feel it fits my needs perfectly primarily due to the ability to easily change the transformer taps, and easily replaceable 572 tubes Good job Ameritron. This far outperforms my old SB200.
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W7DME
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Rating: 3/5
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Apr 1, 2011 15:08
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Not good!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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When I look at an amplifier add that says it will do 160 to 15 meters, I expect to be able to do so without having to modify the input tuning of the amp, that is, unless the add specifically says you have to modify it in some way to get the coverage it advertises, such as the 10 meter mod required. Ameritron does not reveal this until they have your money, and then only after you discover the high SWR on the input on the WARC bands and call tech support. It is no where in the manual or advertising. If you have a broadband radio driving it and no antenna tuner, you could damage the finals in your radio. Also not in the manual is anything saying you are'nt supposed to use an antenna tuner, even though they say the amp will stand 100 watts of drive and the normal radio can't put out any more power with or without a tuner and most radios today are 100 watt radios.
Shame on you Ameritron@!
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K4RYR
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 27, 2010 07:26
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Nice Amp.- But Caution!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have no complaints about the operation of the amp....it works great and requires very little drive to full output. However, having said that...be sure to carefully examine the internal construction of the amp. when you take off the top cover to unpack around the finals. Mine had the meters installed incorrectly in a bind and not seated properly into the front panel openings, I also found a two lug terminal strip just floating in mid air and not secured to the chassis as it should have been. MFJ supplies a lot of good products for amateur radio and we are lucky to have them in the USA, but the quality control leaves a lot to be desired, so always carefully inspect anything you buy for mfg. problems.
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N2JXN
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 11, 2010 17:41
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great so faf
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Nice amp get rated output. Only problem was when I did the 240 volt conversion. Powered up the amp and R27 as shown on the circuit board 127 as shown on the schematic smoked. Replaced it with an equal and since no Problems. From what I understand this is normal for MFJ. Contacted Ameritron and they sent me a replacment under warranty
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AE4GW
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 4, 2010 17:29
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Great so far
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just purchased the al572 a couple of days ago and so far I have been very pleased. I didn't have any problems getting 1kw out with the 120 volt hook up, i will be changing to 220 volt in the next day or so. I have worked several DX stations with ease using a inverted V and running about 500watts.
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KA3DNR
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 20, 2009 11:12
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Great!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Hello Folks,
This is a darn good amplifier. I get 1200+ W key-down on house wiring.
If you are getting low output, get the HV up to 3000V, via changing the transformer taps (very very easy to do).
There is a mod that I will be doing: http://www.k6jrf.com/FT2k_AL572.html
I appreciate Rick @ Ameritron speaking with me for as long as it took to fix I problem that I caused.
Regards,
Marc
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VY1EI
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 16, 2009 11:19
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Solid performer
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had this amp for a year and half now. It got me through last year's contest season with no problems. It puts out an honest KW. One of the tubes was bad, and a dial was missing a screw. Very happy with it, you can't do better without going up to 220 volts.
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AE9DX
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 13, 2009 06:31
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Good Amp!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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First let me say I've heard and read all the bad reports about this series of amp and have not experienced any of them. I bought this amp used on e-bay for $350.00 over 7 years ago and it still is going strong. That said, I did replace all the tubes with a matched set of Taylor 572B's and get the advertised 1300 watts out with 100 watts drive. This has been a good solid consistant performer for me and it gets daily use for DXing. For the money and the power out it's a good choice!
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W1ZE
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 6, 2008 07:28
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Works well
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have used the 572 for about six months. When I first fired it up one of the el-cheap-o
572s had a short in it. MFJ sent a replacement quickly. Since then the amp has worked very well.
PROS: Works as advertised
Good bang for the bucks
CONS: Cheap Chinease 572s.
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W0SWR
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 1, 2007 01:02
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A bargain at a buck a watt
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Time owned: months
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I have had my 572 for around 15 months. I had a bad bias board in mine and Ameritron paid shipping to and from factory for a new one, which was returned in 1 week. I bought mine because I have only 115 volts here and since the high voltage transformer is around 2600 volts the 115 volts runs it fine with output around 1000 watts. It is well built and smooth to operate. I get good results with it. I do not use the ALC line to radio because I had problems setting it up with all of my yaesu radios. I do use the Ameritron 704 box with it and have had no problems using this amp with all of my radios. These amps can deliver very near legal or higher power, however I would suggest running 800-1000 watts for long life on the tubes. Also I find the fan is quiet enough to not notice. I figure at a dollar a watt this is a bargain in todays market.
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