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Author Topic: Alpha Amps to be shipping NEW production amps (9500 'n 8410) in 2nd qrtr 2022?  (Read 6554 times)

KA4WJA

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Yes, you're of course correct....
It was a slip of the keyboard (the modern version of a typo..) I wanted to write w/ tuner, not w/o tuner. 

the Elecraft KPA-1500 (w/o tuner) and SPE Expert 2K amps, are > $7k


The KPA-1500 ($6.7K) and Expert 2K ($7K) both have built-in tuners. The German RF-2K at $5K with built-in tuner, QSK, two LDMOS devices rated at 1,700W each and remotable, is a tough act to follow, tube or SS. If Alpha doesn't produce something SS to compete, their long-term viability is questionable.

Sorry about the typo.  :(

73,
John,  KA4WJA
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AE0Q

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But, if someone desires a more modern "no-tune" approach, look for an older Alpha 87a....one without "AlphaMAX"...
The original Alpha 87a was a dream of an amp to use seamlessly with any solid-state rig (and multiband antennas)....it was "automatic" in the sense that it returned to your "pre-tuned" / "previously-programmed" tuned positions....anywhere from 1.6mhz thru 30mhz (5 or 6 segments in each of 8 or nine bands?  it's been decades since I used an 87a, so I don't remember if it was 5 or 6 segments, or 8 or 9 bands)

I'm not pushing the 87A (older stuff with HV in it has it's own problems), this is to clarify John's comments.

Every 87A built works as he described.  They detect the drive freq and automatically band-change and go to previously saved memories, 5 segments in each of the 9 HF ham bands.

IF an 87A has the AlphaMax FIRMWARE (version 1.00AT) the autotune function can be enabled, and the amp will retune (adjust the TUNE and LOAD capacitors) if the drive power or load has changed from the saved memory for the band segment it is in.  Autotune has to be enabled each time the amp is used, it does not come on by default.

Any 87A can be remotely controlled via the serial port, but only one with the version 1.00AT firmware (called AlphaMax) can be controlled via the Alpha Remote software that was written at the same time the firmware was released (1999).  The software uses the streaming function of the firmware, earlier firmware doesn't have a command to stream data out.  Plenty of other software has been written to remotely control the 87A, of course.

Every 87A built in mid-1999 or later came with AlphaMax firmware installed.

Glenn AE0Q
« Last Edit: May 31, 2022, 04:26:37 PM by AE0Q »
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K6RIM

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As of July 15, 2022 (3rd qtr 2022), what is the status of shipping NEW production amps (9500 and 8410)?

73,

Al, K6RIM
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AE0Q

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As of July 15, 2022 (3rd qtr 2022), what is the status of shipping NEW production amps (9500 and 8410)?

I'd guess that if you REALLY wanted to know, you would have emailed the Sales email from the Alpha web site.  So I suppose this is for the entertainment value of all the funny comments your question will get from the usual suspects.  I'm in Colorado and just answer Alpha technical questions, can't help with that one :-)
« Last Edit: July 15, 2022, 07:37:42 PM by AE0Q »
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KA4WJA

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Al, Glenn, et al,
They are building and shipping new amps!
(and, they have been doing so now from their facility in Dayton for a couple months)

As of July 15, 2022 (3rd qtr 2022), what is the status of shipping NEW production amps (9500 and 8410)?

73,

Al, K6RIM

Ironically, I was in email contact with Mike D. this afternoon!
While all I was inquiring about was the 9500, he confirmed they are building them for folks that have ordered them. (I did not inquire about the 8410, but assume they are building them as well?)

And, while they do have a wait list (like Mercury III has) that you can get on, I declined as I'm not in the market at this time (my inquiry was in regard to availability for a possible / future remotely-operated station).

Now, since they are building amps to fulfill current orders, they have no desire to activate their website "store" nor on-line ordering.
If you want one, just email them, get on the wait list and delivery is about 60 - 75 days out.  :)

(Mike told me if I ordered today, I'd have a 9500 by end of 3rd quarter....so, I'm assuming about 60 - 75 days delivery)
BTW, he responded to my email in less than 20 minutes....


Al, I assume this clears up the matter?

73,
John,  KA4WJA
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K7JQ

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Now, since they are building amps to fulfill current orders, they have no desire to activate their website "store" nor on-line ordering.
If you want one, just email them, get on the wait list and delivery is about 60 - 75 days out.  :)

(Mike told me if I ordered today, I'd have a 9500 by end of 3rd quarter....so, I'm assuming about 60 - 75 days delivery)
BTW, he responded to my email in less than 20 minutes....

73,
John,  KA4WJA

So much business today is done through company websites…information, updates, and ordering. Why is the Alpha website so inaccurate and out of date? The site states that the 9500 is “available for immediate shipping”. Really? If you click on “buy”, it takes you to some COVID-19 explanation about repair services.

You’d think that the site would *at least* advise a potential customer to email them to order, and advise of a 60-75 day wait, like John states above. What company has “no desire to activate their website store nor on- line ordering”? And leave you hanging?

This forum topic would never have gotten posted if the website was up to date and accurate with their information. I wish them the best, but their merchandising strategy leaves much to be desired.
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KA4DPO

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Al, Glenn, et al,
They are building and shipping new amps!
(and, they have been doing so now from their facility in Dayton for a couple months)

As of July 15, 2022 (3rd qtr 2022), what is the status of shipping NEW production amps (9500 and 8410)?

73,

Al, K6RIM

Ironically, I was in email contact with Mike D. this afternoon!
While all I was inquiring about was the 9500, he confirmed they are building them for folks that have ordered them. (I did not inquire about the 8410, but assume they are building them as well?)

And, while they do have a wait list (like Mercury III has) that you can get on, I declined as I'm not in the market at this time (my inquiry was in regard to availability for a possible / future remotely-operated station).

Now, since they are building amps to fulfill current orders, they have no desire to activate their website "store" nor on-line ordering.
If you want one, just email them, get on the wait list and delivery is about 60 - 75 days out.  :)

(Mike told me if I ordered today, I'd have a 9500 by end of 3rd quarter....so, I'm assuming about 60 - 75 days delivery)
BTW, he responded to my email in less than 20 minutes....


Al, I assume this clears up the matter?

73,
John,  KA4WJA

I'll take the Mercury III and save a lot of money.  If I really feel the need for full QRO, the Acom 2020 does more than the 9500, and without an HV supply, the weak link in traditional amps, it is likely more reliable, and is less expensive.  Also, Acom has a fully up to date website:
https://www.acom-bg.com/ 

I find it interesting that Glen refused to answer K6RIM's inquiry, that seems counter productive to me.

 In spite of KA4WJA's post, I remain somewhat skeptical, not just of Alpha, but any company that has such a poorly maintained and cryptic website. That's not a very good way to represent your business to the buying public.

« Last Edit: July 17, 2022, 12:12:38 PM by KA4DPO »
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KA4DPO

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Now, since they are building amps to fulfill current orders, they have no desire to activate their website "store" nor on-line ordering.
If you want one, just email them, get on the wait list and delivery is about 60 - 75 days out.  :)

(Mike told me if I ordered today, I'd have a 9500 by end of 3rd quarter....so, I'm assuming about 60 - 75 days delivery)
BTW, he responded to my email in less than 20 minutes....

73,
John,  KA4WJA

So much business today is done through company websites…information, updates, and ordering. Why is the Alpha website so inaccurate and out of date? The site states that the 9500 is “available for immediate shipping”. Really? If you click on “buy”, it takes you to some COVID-19 explanation about repair services.

You’d think that the site would *at least* advise a potential customer to email them to order, and advise of a 60-75 day wait, like John states above. What company has “no desire to activate their website store nor on- line ordering”? And leave you hanging?

This forum topic would never have gotten posted if the website was up to date and accurate with their information. I wish them the best, but their merchandising strategy leaves much to be desired.

I can not agree more, the Alpha RF Systems website gives the impression that you can't buy anything from them.  If they are indeed producing amplifiers as KA4WJA suggests, it would seem logical that they would want to clearly advertise that on the website, and provide odering information.
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KA4WJA

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Rob,
1)  While I agree with you, it does seem short-sided to me.....to not update a website, provide ordering info / delivery timelines, etc., is (in my opinion) a big over-sight! 

But, I'm not running the company...If I was, there be plenty I'd change [like a manual-tune 9500 / 8877-equipped 8410....as well as the big 1.5kw+ Promethius, etc.]....an online-ordering store AND a way for those who've ordered one to track their progress on the waiting list!

So much business today is done through company websites…information, updates, and ordering. Why is the Alpha website so inaccurate and out of date? The site states that the 9500 is “available for immediate shipping”. Really? If you click on “buy”, it takes you to some COVID-19 explanation about repair services.

You’d think that the site would *at least* advise a potential customer to email them to order, and advise of a 60-75 day wait, like John states above. What company has “no desire to activate their website store nor on- line ordering”? And leave you hanging?

This forum topic would never have gotten posted if the website was up to date and accurate with their information. I wish them the best, but their merchandising strategy leaves much to be desired

Heck, we can get more info from the guy making videos for HRO, than from the Alpha website itself!
Have a look!  :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZCFp_WAHa0

And, Rob, your next-to-last sentence here is so perfect!   If they'd just update things and operate like a 21st Century company, there would be no need at all for this topic / thread at all!  :)




2)  And, BTW, while I usually would never consider posting my personal correspondence here in public....I get the impression that some think I'm BS'ing here?
So....
So, here is a quote from an email I received from Mike D. at Alpha, this past Friday, at 1:23pmEDT:

Quote
Right now I would say delivery of a 9500 by end of third quarter.

You really want to be on the list to lock in your place.  It is hard to do things now as you know because of limited employees, parts, etc.  We have parts!


73,

Mike N8WFF

He included his phone number, but I'm omitting that here.

But, if anyone wishes to order an amp from them, you can just email them at
 sales@alpharfsystems.com
Or, call 'em.....or look Mike up on qrz....he isn't hard to get a hold of...



3)  To sum up....
Yep, I agree it's a pretty short-sided way to do business these days!
And, while I'm a pretty "easy sell", I'm still not buying a new Alpha.....so, how in the world are they going to convince the average ham, let alone the skeptics / cynics out there?

Yep, a simple update to their website and a way to track the progress of your order would go a LONG way to reduce the skepticism! 



73,
John,  KA4WJA
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K7JQ

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In these troubling times…COVID-19 still around, supply chain issues, record inflation, acquiring qualified employees, political/cultural craziness, etc…I have empathy for anyone trying to start up (or re-start) a business.

But there are right and wrong ways to successfully achieve this. One thing you don’t want to do is misinform or keep prospective customers in the dark, thereby eroding their confidence in buying from you. In the 21st century, a properly maintained and informed website would greatly cut down the need to call or email the company with questions.

Bob K7JQ

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AE0Q

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I find it interesting that Glen refused to answer K6RIM's inquiry, that seems counter productive to me.

Glenn answered that Glenn doesn't know, and said why.

Glenn AE0Q
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VE7RF

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Alpha will have a tough time trying to compete with the 4 kw OM-4000..... which comes in both a manual tune...and also an auto tune version.  1.5 kw  vs  4 kw.   Similar pricing.
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K7JQ

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Alpha will have a tough time trying to compete with the 4 kw OM-4000..... which comes in both a manual tune...and also an auto tune version.  1.5 kw  vs  4 kw.   Similar pricing.

Both companies will most likely be SOL in the next 5 to 10 years if they don’t design and market a couple of SS amps.
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VE7RF

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Alpha will have a tough time trying to compete with the 4 kw OM-4000..... which comes in both a manual tune...and also an auto tune version.  1.5 kw  vs  4 kw.   Similar pricing.

Both companies will most likely be SOL in the next 5 to 10 years if they don’t design and market a couple of SS amps.

Who currently makes a 5-10 kw pep output SS amp for HF use ??   I can't find one anywhere, commercial or amateur or military.  They flat out don't exist.... not yet.
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K7JQ

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Alpha will have a tough time trying to compete with the 4 kw OM-4000..... which comes in both a manual tune...and also an auto tune version.  1.5 kw  vs  4 kw.   Similar pricing.

Both companies will most likely be SOL in the next 5 to 10 years if they don’t design and market a couple of SS amps.

Who currently makes a 5-10 kw pep output SS amp for HF use ??   I can't find one anywhere, commercial or amateur or military.  They flat out don't exist.... not yet.

For all *practical* purposes, why would anyone need (or want) a 5-10 KW SS amp? Or even a tube amp. I know in Canada, maximum allowable power is, I believe, 2,250W PEP. Sufficient headroom is nice, but 5-10 KW??? As it is, U.S. legal limit SS amps are priced from $5K to $8K. Maybe I'm missing something in your statement ;).

And how many OM-4000's are out there? I don't know...maybe a bunch in Europe? Still, in 5-10 years, how many new tube amps will be available, at the rate tube prices are increasing and production is dwindling?

As I said, OM Power and Alpha better get with the program and design some SS offerings, or they'll be twiddling their thumbs.
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