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Most HF Amplifier for the Price

Created by on 2022-07-30

Best priced amplifiers are used, of course. HF amplifiers have gone up in price about 30% in the last two years.

 

Frankly, HF amps are expensive. The best deal on a used and reliable HF amplifier with a tuned input is the Ameritron AL-811 and AL-811H. For long tube life the AL-811 should not exceed 450 watts output and the AL-811H 600 watts output.

 

Even 600 watts is not a lot of powe and 450 watts is not interesting at all IMO. However, one can get 800 watts output with a simple change with the Ameritron HF amplifier. The AL-811 is about $200 less cost than the AL-811H on the used market. Both the AL-811 and AL-811H used the same heavy duty 19lb  power transformer that is more than capable of 800 watts output.

 

The trick is to buy the less expensive AL-811 and upgrade the tubes to 572B with the 160 watt rated plate. Three 572B are about as powerful as a 3-500Z tube and way more powerful than four 811A tubes (240 watts total plate dissapation vs 480 watts total plate dissapation). Three Machlett or Penta 572B are $270 on ebay and three Psvane 572B are $190 on ebay. The used amp may have soft tubes anyways.

 

So, for around $800 to $900 you can have a 800 watt output HF amplifier. Better deals are usually on ham sites vs eBay. 

 

 

N9AMI2022-09-07
Most HF Amplifier for the Price
The best deal would be to stay away from Ameritron and pickup a nice SB200. I laugh every time I hear people talking about there 811 amp upgraded to 572s. It shows the foolishness line of thought today. No one will see a difference on the S meter. So pickup an heathkit sb200 for $300 range is fair in working order. Do a few of the harbach mods and you have a nice 600 + watt amp that will last. If you can afford a few more dollars there are a bunch plentiful pair of 3-500 amps out there starting with the SB220. That gets you in the legal limit realm. And if you want to maximize that pair of 3-500s the best built amp was the B&K 2500 amp with a proper power supply and built right but they are harder to find and cost you more. However, you get what you pay for. Please don't settle for the MFJ/Ameritron stuff do your homework and you will find plenty of info and amps available to the person who has some knowledge. And I will close with this. Most if not all of Ameriron amps designs were taken right from heathkit, dentron etc and made a little bit cheaper for mass manufacturing. Do they work sure they do but at the price point of them today you can do much better.
HA7WX2022-08-23
Most HF Amplifier for the Price
On a budget, I too, would buy a used Ameritron amp, they are worth what the cost, IF well taken care for, they will last.
BUT, personally I wouldn't increase the power from 600 to 800W on a HF amp, for 3 reasons (instead of 2) :
1) it's an Ameritron
2) on any brand, I wouldn't do it because of the factory rating of its components, for ex. its transformer, and here, especially because of 1)
3) the increase between 600 and 800W is not worth all the risks of shortening the life of the components ; 99.9% of the time what can be done at 800 can also be done at 600W...
My first amp was a russian tube home made 800W amp, with an overkill transformer which could easily handle its full power ; I always ran it at 4-500, never felt I would need the full power, but maybe that's due to my style of operating.
Just throwing my 0.02$...
K4RVN2022-08-23
Most HF Amplifier for the Price
The 572 B tubes will not increase the power one bit over the 811A standard tubes. They are just more rugged. The power supply voltage is not high enough to drive them to 800 watts. The 572 Bs in a Heathkit SB 200 run a higher voltage than the Al 811 3 tube amp. That's why it gets a little more power out. You certainly cannot get more power by just changing the tubes to 572 Bs in an 811 amp. I know as I owned one for 3 years. Sorry to disagree but you are most certainly misinformed.
VE3CUI2022-08-20
Re: Most HF Amplifier for the Price
Well said, Noel...!

Imported junque tubes are actually more expensive than the original ones being copied, because you'll end-up buying more than just the one original set.

I learned long. long ago, if at all possible, to religious avoid anything with the label "Made In China" affixed to it --- even (or perhaps, especially) foodstuffs. And to think that country wants to get into the global airline passenger jet manufacturing market...

No wonder I wake myself up most nights, screaming in my sleep...!

:o)
Reply to a comment by : WS7X on 2022-08-20

I had the 811H for about 15 years. Yes with the "cheap" tubes. When I sold the amp, the tubes were just as good as the day I bought them. Any tube will not last long if you abuse them. The Ameritron amps have been a good value for a long time and is probably why they are still around. For less than $1000 you can get 600 to 800 watts, vs $2500 or more. This price difference is huge and you wont miss the extra watts on the air for the more expensive amps, whatever the brand name. American made products need to be priced competitively to the imported stuff or most people will opt for the cheaper priced stuff. Not everyone can shop with their conscience (buying American) over their pocketbook (buying Chinese made stuff) We need to start making everything in the USA again and stop importing cheap stuff from China, period. Then the prices will come down. In the meantime, get whichever your pocketbook and your conscience will allow Noel WS7X
Reply to a comment by : KT4WO on 2022-07-30

" However, one can get 800 watts output" Is that with your "Big Dog" chrome plated power meter?? Let see how long those tubes last at 800w. BTW-- tube amps are dead. Can't get most tubes and the ones you can come from china and are JUNK.
WS7X2022-08-20
Re: Most HF Amplifier for the Price
I had the 811H for about 15 years. Yes with the "cheap" tubes. When I sold the amp, the tubes were just as good as the day I bought them. Any tube will not last long if you abuse them. The Ameritron amps have been a good value for a long time and is probably why they are still around. For less than $1000 you can get 600 to 800 watts, vs $2500 or more. This price difference is huge and you wont miss the extra watts on the air for the more expensive amps, whatever the brand name. American made products need to be priced competitively to the imported stuff or most people will opt for the cheaper priced stuff. Not everyone can shop with their conscience (buying American) over their pocketbook (buying Chinese made stuff) We need to start making everything in the USA again and stop importing cheap stuff from China, period. Then the prices will come down. In the meantime, get whichever your pocketbook and your conscience will allow

Noel
WS7X
Reply to a comment by : KT4WO on 2022-07-30

" However, one can get 800 watts output" Is that with your "Big Dog" chrome plated power meter?? Let see how long those tubes last at 800w. BTW-- tube amps are dead. Can't get most tubes and the ones you can come from china and are JUNK.
WA2AAR2022-08-16
Most HF Amplifier for the Price
What are you a salesman for Ameritron? There are other good amps out there. you never said any thing about those amps.
KF4HR2022-08-05
Re: Most HF Amplifier for the Price
For all but the newest of the new hams, it's common knowledge the least expensive tube amps are equipped one or more 811, 572B, or 3-500 tube(s), with RF output peaking out somewhere around 600-1kw output (or so).

I've never been a fan of pushing any of my equipment to its absolutely maximum; that's just asking for trouble. If you want your tubes to last a long time it's just a matter of backing the RF output (and perhaps your ego) by 20% of so. It's a safe bet the receiving end will tell little or no difference on their S-Meter between your 800 watts, or 600 watts, or even 500 watts.

With the exception of a few amplifier brands, always running an Amp at full tilt is akin to always running your vehicle, only in its lowest gear. Sooner or later something is going to give.
Reply to a comment by : KT4WO on 2022-07-30

" However, one can get 800 watts output" Is that with your "Big Dog" chrome plated power meter?? Let see how long those tubes last at 800w. BTW-- tube amps are dead. Can't get most tubes and the ones you can come from china and are JUNK.
K0UA2022-08-05
Most HF Amplifier for the Price
I don't think there is any question that the best value in HF amplifiers today is the Mercury IIIs at $2500 kit price with a few hours of your time to put it together. I sold my 811H and never looked back. Those that are banking on getting tubes from China are going to be very disappointed. If you haven't been keeping up with world events, sourcing tubes or anything else from the enemies of the free world is going to become even more problematic.
KT0DD2022-08-02
Re: Most HF Amplifier for the Price
Ameritron AL80B used but well cared for is the best bang for buck out there IMHO. Have had mine for 8 years, paid $900. for it. AL-811/ 811H's are good too Tubes can be changed easily, no special soldering skill needed. SS amps are still waay too expensive for what you get under legal limit. Legal limit contest grade amps are about the only ones worth the high prices.
Reply to a comment by : KT4WO on 2022-07-30

" However, one can get 800 watts output" Is that with your "Big Dog" chrome plated power meter?? Let see how long those tubes last at 800w. BTW-- tube amps are dead. Can't get most tubes and the ones you can come from china and are JUNK.
WA5VGO2022-08-01
Most HF Amplifier for the Price
Still using the same 4-1000A purchased in 1969 for $15. It still makes legal limit power effortlessly. I don’t think any of the Chinese tubes will ever have that kind of track record.
W5IR2022-08-01
Re: Most HF Amplifier for the Price
DX Engineering and HRO are sourcing Penta Tubes. Although probably made in China, Penta seems to be better than most. They say they have a rigorous burn-in procedure before shipping. I have two of their 572Bs in my SB-200, so far so good. Other brands I have used had multiple flash overs. (poor vacuum)
Reply to a comment by : KT4WO on 2022-07-30

" However, one can get 800 watts output" Is that with your "Big Dog" chrome plated power meter?? Let see how long those tubes last at 800w. BTW-- tube amps are dead. Can't get most tubes and the ones you can come from china and are JUNK.
K5UJ2022-07-31
Most HF Amplifier for the Price
This "article" is terribly misleading. You don't get more power by merely changing the tubes to a higher plate dissipation. That may allow for a heavier duty cycle but not much else. You increase power by increasing the plate voltage and/or plate current. Therefore changes to the power supply are indicated. It's a common mistake to believe that a different tube type provides more power. Tubes don't magically produce power by themselves. If you attempt to achieve more output by increasing drive and plate loading, you risk damaging the amplifier power supply and tubes.
VE3RWY2022-07-30
Re: Most HF Amplifier for the Price
I have a matching pair of 572B of Svetlana Russian made tubes, NOS, and a pair of new, matched Matchelett 572B tubes. I never got around to listing them on this site but they are there for anyone that wants to push their 811H. They are made to run harder and hotter although I agree it might be questionable pushing them to 800 watts every day. The Russion tubes definately have a better reputation over the Chinese tubes.

73 Rob VE3RWY
Reply to a comment by : KT4WO on 2022-07-30

"A single 3-500 tube lasts for years with no issues." My SB-220 has tubes that are ~41 years old but they were not made in a back-room in china by kids. That is the difference. A big one. And I don't run my amps even close to rated output. (ie- SB220 at 600w or MAX at 800w) No, my amps with tubes are not "dead" but buying a NEW tube amp today would be foolish IMO. I hope I never need to replace mine but if I had to-- it would be LDMOS.
Reply to a comment by : N5XJT on 2022-07-30

Guess I will have to go tell my Ameritron AL-80A it is dead after only 30+ yrs. of life and capable of an easy 1k output. A single 3-500 tube lasts for years with no issues. For many hams like me tube amps work great and are an economic reliable solution. Not dead yet!!
Reply to a comment by : KT4WO on 2022-07-30

" However, one can get 800 watts output" Is that with your "Big Dog" chrome plated power meter?? Let see how long those tubes last at 800w. BTW-- tube amps are dead. Can't get most tubes and the ones you can come from china and are JUNK.
KT4WO2022-07-30
Re: Most HF Amplifier for the Price
"A single 3-500 tube lasts for years with no issues."

My SB-220 has tubes that are ~41 years old but they
were not made in a back-room in china by kids.
That is the difference. A big one.
And I don't run my amps even close to rated output.
(ie- SB220 at 600w or MAX at 800w)
No, my amps with tubes are not "dead" but buying
a NEW tube amp today would be foolish IMO.
I hope I never need to replace mine but if I had to--
it would be LDMOS.

Reply to a comment by : N5XJT on 2022-07-30

Guess I will have to go tell my Ameritron AL-80A it is dead after only 30+ yrs. of life and capable of an easy 1k output. A single 3-500 tube lasts for years with no issues. For many hams like me tube amps work great and are an economic reliable solution. Not dead yet!!
Reply to a comment by : KT4WO on 2022-07-30

" However, one can get 800 watts output" Is that with your "Big Dog" chrome plated power meter?? Let see how long those tubes last at 800w. BTW-- tube amps are dead. Can't get most tubes and the ones you can come from china and are JUNK.
N5XJT2022-07-30
Re: Most HF Amplifier for the Price
Guess I will have to go tell my Ameritron AL-80A it is dead after only 30+ yrs. of life and capable of an easy 1k output. A single 3-500 tube lasts for years with no issues.
For many hams like me tube amps work great and are an economic reliable solution. Not dead yet!!
Reply to a comment by : KT4WO on 2022-07-30

" However, one can get 800 watts output" Is that with your "Big Dog" chrome plated power meter?? Let see how long those tubes last at 800w. BTW-- tube amps are dead. Can't get most tubes and the ones you can come from china and are JUNK.
VE3CUI2022-07-30
Re: Most HF Amplifier for the Price
Some 30 years ago I home-brewed a KW RF amplifier using --- TA DA...!!! --- N.O.S. surplus 813 tubes that I bought a local Hamfest here for 5 bux apace...

Funny thing, the DX stations that I contact don't know if I'm using JAN tubes from July 1958, or some new-fangled 3CX1500B (or whatever!) made in a garage someplace in Shanghai...! Hi Hi

"The end justifies the means", I guess...

:o)
Reply to a comment by : KT4WO on 2022-07-30

"Ever the eternal optimist" That has NEVER been said about me!!! HAHA Look, I have 3 tube amps and love them. BUT--- The Mercury, etc (LDMOS) IS the future. As for a AL-811 amp at 800w ? The tubes, even 572b's, won't last long.
Reply to a comment by : VE3CUI on 2022-07-30

Ever the eternal optimist...! :o)
Reply to a comment by : KT4WO on 2022-07-30

" However, one can get 800 watts output" Is that with your "Big Dog" chrome plated power meter?? Let see how long those tubes last at 800w. BTW-- tube amps are dead. Can't get most tubes and the ones you can come from china and are JUNK.
KT4WO2022-07-30
Re: Most HF Amplifier for the Price
"Ever the eternal optimist"

That has NEVER been said about me!!! HAHA
Look, I have 3 tube amps and love them. BUT---
The Mercury, etc (LDMOS) IS the future.
As for a AL-811 amp at 800w ? The tubes, even
572b's, won't last long.
Reply to a comment by : VE3CUI on 2022-07-30

Ever the eternal optimist...! :o)
Reply to a comment by : KT4WO on 2022-07-30

" However, one can get 800 watts output" Is that with your "Big Dog" chrome plated power meter?? Let see how long those tubes last at 800w. BTW-- tube amps are dead. Can't get most tubes and the ones you can come from china and are JUNK.
VE3CUI2022-07-30
Re: Most HF Amplifier for the Price
Ever the eternal optimist...!

:o)
Reply to a comment by : KT4WO on 2022-07-30

" However, one can get 800 watts output" Is that with your "Big Dog" chrome plated power meter?? Let see how long those tubes last at 800w. BTW-- tube amps are dead. Can't get most tubes and the ones you can come from china and are JUNK.
K4GTE2022-07-30
Most HF Amplifier for the Price
If you push an 811/811H to 800 watts constantly, it won't last long. Tube amps will drop in value as tubes become more expensive and hard to come by. LDMOS amplifiers, like the Mercury III, a great value, are the future.
KT4WO2022-07-30
Re: Most HF Amplifier for the Price
"tube amps are dead."

Just try to find 2- 3cx800's for my Alpha!!
(that don't cost more than my house)
Reply to a comment by : KT4WO on 2022-07-30

" However, one can get 800 watts output" Is that with your "Big Dog" chrome plated power meter?? Let see how long those tubes last at 800w. BTW-- tube amps are dead. Can't get most tubes and the ones you can come from china and are JUNK.
KT4WO2022-07-30
Most HF Amplifier for the Price
" However, one can get 800 watts output"

Is that with your "Big Dog" chrome plated power meter??
Let see how long those tubes last at 800w.
BTW-- tube amps are dead. Can't get most tubes
and the ones you can come from china and are
JUNK.