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[KE4IZA]

      I am considering purchasing an Ameritron AL-80a.  The gentlemen told me he has had the amp for 5 years but he is not the original owner.  I have also been told via an inquiry on a forum the amp is over 20 yrs old.  The gentlemen selling the amp says no way is it 20 yrs old.  The serial number is 2214.  How can I get some idea of this amps age?

Thanks

[KO4NR]

Email Ameritron they may be able to help you.  

It doesn't rally matter though.  The condition is all that counts.

73,
Bill

[WB2WIK]

The AL-80A has certainly been around a very long time, and was replaced by the "B" model (with improvements) several years ago.

Since the "B" model, brand new is only ~$1100 from every dealer in the country (and I see used "B" models selling at the local Swap Meets for about $600), I surely wouldn't pay very much for an old "A" model...probably about $400 would be the highest I'd go.

WB2WIK/6

[K8AC]

The original AL-80 (not A or B)is close to 20 years old.  I bought one of the first and that was in '83 or '84.  There were a couple of serious problems with that model, such as arcing bandswitches, that make it very undesirable.  Haven't heard of any similar problems with the later models, and owned an AL-80B for some time with no problems whatever.  You may need to purchase a new 3-500Z. If you ask the owner whether it shows full output on 10 meters, that would be an indicator of tube health.  But - sadly - most guys wouldn't know how to answer the question.  If possible, it would be a good idea to have a peak inside the pi-net compartment and see if there are any visible burn marks on the bandswitch or anything else.  No telling how a previous owner might have abused the amp.