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write your own review of the Ameritron AL-811H.
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N2RJ
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Rating: 4/5
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Nov 17, 2009 08:18
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Weak spot is the Chinese tubes
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had this amp since 2006 and it has been with me through several contests and lots of DX.
First of all it is very easy to tune and get going. Very tolerant to operator error, within reason of course (meaning if you key down 100w for an hour with the band switch in the wrong place don't expect your amp to be working afterwards, or your exciter for that matter).
The power rating is a bit high for these tubes. Yes you can get 800w but you are pushing the tubes hard at that point. I typically run mine around 500w to 600w pep. Nobody can tell the difference (and in the pileups I beat out a lot of guys running at least 1.5kw and maybe more hihi).
Now about the Chinese tubes. I had three separate incidents of tube defects. The first one was where the anode caps on a new set of 572Bs became loose. I noticed in CQWPX CW 2008 that the amp was only putting out 400w or so which was really odd. Opened up the amp and pulled the cap off the tube and it came right off, with the glue crumbling to dust. Three out of four tubes had the same issue. I put back in the original 811As. Worked for a while.
Then after my major antenna repair/refurbishment in 2008 I fired up my amp for CQWW. Blown fuse. Ended up operating low power for the contest and came 2nd place in 2nd call district.
Checked the tubes and found one of the filaments broken. Had to replace tube, grid resistor and fuse. I also found one of the coils loose so I re-soldered that too.
I ordered a new set of tubes from Ameritron. One of the tubes had something shaking inside before I even installed it in the amp, so I sent for a replacement. So far so good. But the high incidence of failure in these tubes tells me only one thing, that the Chinese tubes are no good.
My next amp will likely be solid state with the 811H kept as a backup because it is cheap and I can replace the cheap tubes when (not if!) they fail.
But the 811H is a good starter amp. Just keep a spare set of 811A tubes around along with some grid resistors and fuses which are effectively maintenance items with this amp. Don't bother with 572Bs as they won't give you any more power and as can be shown by my experience the longevity isn't any better.
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RUSS324
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 23, 2009 10:58
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Excellent low cost amp!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had this amp for 2.5 years. I works great. Tunes up easily. I use the orginal 811A tubes. No problem. Follow the instructions and don't try to MAX the amp out and you are good to go. I also own the AL-1500 and a Heathkit SB-1000. This amp holds it own in it's power rating. A great value for the money. Russ K8QF.
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N5VU
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 23, 2009 10:31
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What I expected!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This is my third Ameritron amplifier. Started out with the AL-811, upgraded to a AL-80B and now I have an AL-811H. My most favorite is the AL-80B, however, I did not have a back-up amp in the event of a failure. I received the amp packed perfectly. Turned it on and it works!
Personal thoughts: I must confess, I'm an ampaholic. I just love these things! I sold an old Heathkit HL-2200 and the next day I started Jonesing for another. You just have to love the glow.
Overview: The amplifier made all the advertised numbers easily. I first tried it on 120 VAC. You can use it just fine on 120 VAC, however the voltage sag is bad. THis is entirely normal in this set of circumstances. I placed it on 220 VAC and it simply came to life. All specs. were met (With some to spare).
Advice: Just like any other amplifier, drive it according to the manual and all will be well. Sure, you can drive it with more input power, and you will gain a few more watts. But unless you can gain 3-6 db more, you will only be shortening the tube life (quickly) and producing a loud crappy signal.
Ameritron use to have a bunch of bad reviews, but, as you can see,things are coming together for them and their products are improving. I believe that Ameritron actually reads these reviews and then corrects any problems that the customer has.
I always have had good and accurate help from Ameritron.
73 and happy amping. MArcel
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AI4B
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 7, 2009 22:36
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Great Amp
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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My first Ameritron and I will definately own another. Full output at 80 watts drive, easy tuneup, very quiet.
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AD5VM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 21, 2009 20:18
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No problems here!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Also my 3rd Ameritron (AL-811, ALS-600S) works great, full output with 80 watts. Good reports, easy tuneup, no loose screws or cable ties inside, interior construction looks great.
Thanks again Ameritron.
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K6VU
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 24, 2009 07:10
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3rd Ameritron Amp owned, ALL GOOD!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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After owning two previous 600W 811's, I moved up to the 800W 811H recently. I only drive it with 25W or so from my Pro3 which gives an honest 325-350W PEP out, which is 50-70W or so more than the non-H 811's did. I've had the new one just onder 30 days, it runs cool, works great just like my other 2 did, after all guys, it's the first 200-300W that makes the difference, the rest is ego. Remember,an Amp will not make up for a poor antenna system, or poor tuning/operating, but it will help when band conditions are down...... I have had very good service response from Ameritron over the last 3 years or so, with NO complaints! I think an AL-811/811H is a great 1st (and maybe last) amp for any ham, I can't see needing more! Thanks to Ameritron for such a good product!
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KE7QET
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Rating: 2/5
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Apr 9, 2009 15:30
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Assembly quality
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just unpack a new AL-811H amp. Was rather surprised for find a few screws floating around inside the plastic bag surrounding the amp. Pop the cover to unpack the tubes. Saw a couple of screws that did not look tight holding one of the big power caps in place. Sure enough the screws were only finger tight. While tightening the cap screws found the circuit board was floating. It appears the screws holding the circuit board had fallen out. Same screw that were floating around in the plastic bag. Have one lock washing that has yet to be found. This is really bugging me. The band selector knob was right up against the face plat. If I were to move the knob, it would have scratched the face plate. Reset the band knob position.
Rather disappointed with the lack of Ameritron’s assembly quality.
I will give Ameritron credit for doing a good job of double/triple boxing the amp. As I have already experience one of these amps being destroyed by UPS because of there inability to pack and transport heavy objects.
After working through the assembly quality issues, I still think this is a good amp. I wish Ameritron would spend a little effort in QA’ing there product before it ships to a customer.
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AI4WN
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 10, 2009 19:48
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Great amp for my budget
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased the AL-811H new two years ago. It's on-air almost daily. I haven't made any mods except for the 10m operation. I agree with holding the drive to 65 watts. The output is a solid 700 watts peak in SSB on 80m-20m. The higher bands do have a somewhat lower output.
So far for two years-- I've never had a problem, the output remains at 700 watts, I get very good DX signal reports, so what more can i ask for?
This is the best 'budget buy' amp on the market!
Good DX!
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W7KOL
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 9, 2009 13:04
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Tunes Easy
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had this amp for several years. I put the 572B Tubes in, but if you use the Ameritron Amp Tuner Pulser, this amp will tune right up to full power, Then back off your drive power to about 65 Watts and you will run 700 Watts with no problem, no over heating.
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VY1EI
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 4, 2008 21:11
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Solid Amp
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I've had this amp for 8 months now, used it for 5 contests. Holds up to a strong CW duty cycle. Its performance on 10 meters is questionable. Solid amp, good value for the money
Eric
VY1EI
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