Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Collins 30L-1

Category: Amplifiers: RF Power - HF & HF+6M

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Collins 30L-1
Reviews: 39MSRP: 520.00
Description:
80-10 meter 1KW PEP linear amplifier
Product is not in production
More Info: http://collinsradio.org/html/30l-1.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15395
K5ZG Rating: 2013-06-13
great classic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Art Collins really knew what he was doing when he designed this. So many electonic experts will put it down abt this and that being wrong. i got one used and two weeks later the diode board went up in smoke. Got a new board that is very nice, installed that and got new 572B tubes..the concept of the tubes is they are stronger than 811's but dont really put out that much more power. I run mined on 110V and like to see the lights in the aprartment flash. It puts out 700 watts on all bands key down. Dont run it on RTTY. In a cw or ssb contest I lift the lid and put two fans on top of the RF deck to suck out the heat.
Always wanted one of these just to say I have one. Have had many many amps over the yrs and this is just a fun, easy to tune amp with the Collins name on it. Kinda like people buying a John Deer lawn mower cuz of the name (they say it is quality).
ZS6DJD Rating: 2012-07-21
what a good linear Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I like the Acom 1000 a good linear of today. But I also like the Collins 30l1. So when one came along I snapped it up. Now I am working all over the world from my QTH in South Africa. This is such a good linear I do not need the Acom any more. 59 into europe on 15m with poor band conditions. My radio is an Icom 7200 my antenna is 730 v which is also reviewed on E Ham





VK2CRC Rating: 2011-08-19
I've had three of these linear amps, Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my first 30 L1, winged emblem in 1970. At that time I also had a Dentron amp. The mechanical construction of the Collins was infinitely superior to it. The 30L1 was also whisper quiet in comparison. Since then I've bought two more of them. I am currently running a Kenwood TL922 and an Ameritron AL80A, as well as a Round Emblem 30L1. The Collins is all but soundless, especially compared to the Ameritron. The 30L1 is a breeze to tune and it is always a pleasure to operate it....
F6CER Rating: 2011-07-15
Very nice Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
My first commercial amplifier since more than 50 years of home-brewing : very nice piece of equipment , Small and compact .... works like a charm as any Collins Equipment does , only one thing : why a so bad and fragile mains input wiring ? .
KE5OQV Rating: 2011-06-10
Great American classic - still no.1 in my book Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought two of these amps, both round emblem models (you Collins' collectors know what I mean). Neither had had any appreciable use in the previous 40 years.

I had a Collins certified technician check out both amps and then put them into service, one with a KWM-2 as the exciter and one with a 32S-3A as the exciter.

Tuneup of a Collins station is more labor intensive than with a solid state station. It actually requires some knowledge of amateur radio theory, sadly lacking in most appliance operators of today. If the instructions in the Collins' manual is followed, however, tuneup is easy and once done for a band, seldom needs repeated.

Power output (with 90 watts input) is 500++ watts using 120v input. Fan noise is non-existent but these units are like new.

The aroma of a tube radio station under full power, once experienced, is never forgotten. The glow of the final amplifier tubes of a 30L-1 is a sight to behold and puts a visual exclamation point on what an amplifier's job is.
NF6V Rating: 2009-08-09
True Classic Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Ditto to all the raves below.
I'd like to add a comment on RTTY.
This amp was not intended for high duty cycle but with it's conservative ratings and military construction quality I can run mine (I own two) at 600 watts output during the long RTTY contest weekends. I've put 572B tubes in the unit(s) and put a "muffin" fan on top during RTTY and it just works and works and works. Don't pass one of these great amps up if you can pick one up.
73 - Steve NF6V, VK3TDX
W4PTO Rating: 2008-12-19
Outstanding!!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Let me toss my hat into the ring for another "5!" I need not reintroduce this vaunted linear amplifier. There enough lauds and cheers for it here on Eham as well as from other Collins users and websites. Quality of construction is top-of-the-line. It's nearest competitor is the Heathkit SB-200. The only trouble is, the '200 is mostly made of aluminum. But the 30L-1! Check the insides of a 30L-1? How about the heft and feel of real steel, conservatively rated U.S. manufactured high-grade quality components, teflon wiring, and the like? The current generation of amplifiers do not stand a chance when icompared to to longevity, classic lines, rugged construction, and timeless engineering found in the L-1. Even the so-called "beat up" military versions are worth a crack at saving. If you got the pesos to do it, forget your Mighty Junk line or not so American-Tron specials and take an immediate hard right towards the Collins 30L-1. Winged Emblem, Round Emblem, or Rockwell-Collins versions: pick your flavor. You can't go wrong with any of 'em.
K3JJC Rating: 2008-12-15
The Best There Is Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own two 30L1s and they are both on the air every day. The just continue to work and work and work. Very reliable, beautifully made and easy to tune. I can not understand why anyone would buy one of the new 3-hole or 4-hole amps when these great amps are still available. I guess some people have to have new. A nice 30L1 can be had for under $650. But, I won't sell either of mine. If you are looking for a medium power amp that runs 811As, find a friend running a 30L1 and check it out before you spring for something else.



----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by K3JJC on 2007-07-20

I have two of these at present. Love them both. One is on 75 meters for about 2 to 3 hours per day every day. One is on 20 meters for a few hours every weekend. Both are real troopers, great performers, very reliable, no proplems ever with either. Both have been in service at this location for several years.
WA0IIH Rating: 2008-11-17
A True Classic!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Art Collins and the gang hit a home run with this amp!! The quality is unmatched by anything out there, mil-spec all the way. I own two, one made in 1962 and the other in 1964. Both needed some resto work but what a beauty to work on and what reliability they give. I am glad I am stuck in a time warp back to the 60s, I am having a blast!!! Built like a tank with the classic curves of the best looking gear ever made. Mine are NOT for sale at any price. 73s, Shawn, WA0IIH
K8DGL Rating: 2008-08-30
Marvelous Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My second one and all I can say it is hard to beat. I installed the aftermarket power supply board and new Taylor finals. Works great, quiet, easy to tune and as loyal as a dog.
I have had several 811 amps and the 30L-1 is simply the best.