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write your own review of the Ameritron AL-572B.
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KB8E
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Rating: 4/5
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May 6, 2009 08:21
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No Issues
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased this amplifier 9 years ago with the Svetlana tubes installed. No real issues. Tunes up nice and makes 1 kW+ with 50 watts drive. Works best from a dedicated 220-volt line, no flickering lights, voltage sags, etc. Also, tapped primary to reduce HV to 2500 VDC no-load. No change in performance and the next set of tubes (if there ever is any) should appreciate it. Installed QSK-5PC kit and it works well. Recommended, only reason for not a 5 is that good 572B tubes are apprently hard to come by now.
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W3NRL
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 10, 2009 20:22
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Sweet
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I traded for this unit and sent the unit to Ameritron for just going over and getting a clean bill of heath, also managed to get 4 Taylor 572b's and wala and sweet!!!!
I recommend this amp
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W1IT
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Rating: 2/5
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Nov 3, 2008 14:11
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Bad Tubes as sold
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just took delivery on a NEW Al 572, I owned this rig before I moved from New England and it was a powerhouse when working. However, the tubes supplied tend to gas arc causing damages.
Oh, yes, I never learn, the new amp just arced and took out a 50 ohm resistor, Q2 and Q 3 in the bias line. I called Ameritron and after a little help the tech told me to check the four tube bases, 50 ohm resistors, to discover which tube was bad. That done the bad tube was discovered, leaving only three more tubes to arc, at some other date.
I am an engineer retired and know how to swing a soldering iron, so they are shipping me two 50 ohm resistors, and Q 3 and Q 2.
I should have known, this amp is only a good as its tubes and you should save yourself aaggraation, just buy four balanced 572 B Taylors from RF Parts and not even try using tubes supplied.
Over all this amp is a lilttle work horse with near legal output at a cool temperature, but beware of the bad tube issues. This problem has not disappeared.
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KA2ZNI
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 14, 2008 20:56
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One terrific Amplifier
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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When the original tubes are replaced with Taylors look out... This thing really wakes up and get's with it. I wired it for 220 immediately, I feel anything Kilowatt status or plus is only doing it favors.
The amp is easy to tune, I have had it going on a year and the thing has been trouble free, even occasionally using it on AM while keeping the Plate current at .275 mills and the plate voltage at about 2600 volts when keyed, yields roughly about 250 watts, which is what it should be rated at with a little headroom for asymmetrical modulation.
The Amplifier on SSB with Taylors/220 volts yields about 1400 watts out and I have run it continuously that way for extended periods on 20 meters with no ill effects or excessive heat build up.
In today's market where the prices of amps is going thru the roof, this one you cannot beat for the the price, durability and output in an inexpensive tube.
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KB3LAZ
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Rating: 4/5
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May 26, 2008 00:49
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Not Bad
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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The 572 is not a bad amp, nor is it a great amp.
Iv had it for around 5 months now. Relatively quiet fan. Keeps cool rather well after extensive use. However the output power stops increasing at about 65w of drive, which only gives me around 900w. I only have 110 in my shack but others swear that I should still get full output power. So Im going to switch to 220 and see if It will do full output then. If not 900w will suffice. Although i will continue to run at about 1kw. I just think running 1200+ w with these tubes would only shorten their life. Not a bad amp but if I were able to do it all over I would just buy the 811H!
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W7OVE
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Rating: 3/5
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Apr 11, 2008 10:42
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3.5/5
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This an update of my last review of the 572B amp. I was unable to completely resolve the issues with 15/17 meter tuning..After putting this amp on the air I noticed the swr between the transceiver and the 572 would suddenly jump to 3.5 to 1+ during a "qso".This of course cut the exciter power to almost nothing, forcing an end to said "qso" I contacted Ameritron and and talked to Mike. I expressed my dissatisfaction with the 572B, and asked if I could return it for credit and purchase an AL-82. Mike agreed to make the exchange and I paid the difference. Because I spend 80% off my on-air time on 17 meters I am not a fan of this amp. For me there are to many compromises with 15/17 meters. Having said that I have to say Ameritron is a very good company to deal with. Mike understood my concerns and making the exchange for the AL-82 was very easy. I would recommend any Amateur who is looking for an amp give this company a chance. I purchased the 572 because the tubes are inexpensive to replace, but as I found out, that should not be the only concern depending on what your operating parameters are
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KB3MMX
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 13, 2007 18:22
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BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK---PERIOD!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased this amp from the sale of a SK's gear(WA3VDX). The previous owner(Buck) took excellent care of the Amp and I am impressed with the performance of this model amplifier!
As noted on another review, the output on some bands is better than advertised! Another nice thing is how quick and easy the tune up is and also the ultra quick 3 second warm up period.
Fan "noise" in my opinion is very good, it is not a noisy unit, as I have it on my desk about 3' from my Mic and the fan is not picked up in my audio.
Gotta love the Warm Glow of those tubes too!!
This is a "MUST HAVE" for the operator trying to get the most amplifier for the buck!!!!
Near legal limit for a fraction of the price!!!
Tube replacement costs are inexpensive if ever needed too!!
You won't be sorry with the purchase of this amp!!
73 and best DX,
KB3MMX----Chuck
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WP3EX
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 31, 2007 19:21
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Powerful and Inexpensive
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Real name: AL-572, I got this amp used with Bad Bias Circuit but i repair all the circuit, Unfortunately in event of gas-arc,glitch,overload Etc. blown some Transistors disabling the dynamic Bias Circuit. Then I decide to improve the Dynamic Bias Circuit: I replaced the Q101 and Q102 with 2N2222 and 2N2907, then i replaced the Q103 with a 25A TIP35C. Resulting in a High Current Very rugged and stable Dynamic Bias Circuit, although in event of a gas-arc,glitch,overload Etc will keep Working at all,
"I Like my AL-572"
73, WP3EX
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N9FME
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 23, 2007 14:07
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High power @ great price
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Purchased this amp on the used market. After replacing the tubes with a new set of matched Taylor 572B's this little jewel is doing a great job!!
It will easily do 1300 + on all bands with about 75W drive. Very shortly, I will be converting to 240 operation.
The fan is literally whisper quiet and you really have to listen to hear it. As others have commented, if you happen to find one that has not been abused, you will not be disappointed. If I ever ever buy another amp, I will definitely hang onto this one for a spare...Ameritron Tech support also gets high marks!!!!
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WW5AA
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 5, 2006 14:25
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Still ticking
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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After 9 years I have replaced the tubes just because! Still full output prior. This amp just keeps on ticking. Replaced a meter light and that is the only problem I have ever had with this amp. Tuning is easy and settings are reproducible time after time. Just bought a used one as a back up to this amp and the AL80b.
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