My first piece of Mercury equipment was a IIIS AT (automatic tuner). I have been using it with my tube amplifiers, at the appropriate power levels. It is a work of art and will tune virtually anything. I have a 40m/80m/ fan dipole and not only does it tune all of both bands, but it also tunes all of 15m (I haven’t checked other bands, but it has already exceeded my expectations). So, when the LUX arrived (5 days ago), I already knew that Mercury only makes quality equipment. I had been lucky enough to be one of the first on the LUX list and very lucky to receive a LUX from the first production run. As soon as I turned it on, it was love at first sight. No, appearance does not equal performance, but WOW – it’s gorgeous. The display is in a league all its own. I hooked it up to 120v and it immediately detected the AC voltage. I did the same with 220v and had the same automatic AC voltage detection, have it ready to go to work. NOTE: I run it on 220v, but I was first interested in the Mercury equipment because it can run off of either voltage without the user needing to do anything – absolutely nothing. (I had been looking for an amplifier that could be powered by my Honda Generator, in the event of a long-term power outage. I was also searching for an amp that would serve EmComm needs in all settings.) And after my first conversation with Angel, the Customer Service Guru, I was interested in the Mercury equipment for countless other reasons. I have never experienced the type of service that I have received from Angel. He is a ham, one of us, and it is obvious that he is committed to the Mercury brand being the best in the industry.
I received the LUX on a Monday and the first night, I had it on the air; I could not even hear the fan. I turned the fan on “MAX” and I had to move my ear close to the amp to hear even a hint of sound. I then proceeded to have an 80m rag chew session that lasted 2 hours. The next morning, it was 3 hours of ESSB. From there, I chased DX on 20 meter and had a 2-hour 40m rag chew session. Then, it was CW time. Since that first night and following morning, I have spent many, many hours operating. It is an utter joy to operate! Its RF Sensing is by far the best I have ever experienced. Personally, I see no advantage in using a transceiver interface, it is lightning fast. However, for those who need or want CAT/Computer interface or a radio interface, it is there to use. As I have worked my way through the bands, it has performed flawlessly. It is rated at 1.5KW, and it delivers; at 1,500 watts, it still has an abundance of headroom.
I have tested it with my ICOM 7300 (works perfectly), but I have it permanently paired to one of my two ANAN 7000 DLE MKII transceivers in the shack. I note this because in my excitement, I had initially forgotten to connect my external Xtronic Coupler to the LUX (which allows the necessary sampling for ANAN "Pure Signal.") Yet, all initial reports noted that there was no IMD on my signal! I finally remembered that I needed to connect the coupler and after doing so, proceeded to test Pure Signal. With PS, the ANAN and LUX provide a completely IMD-free transmit signal (certainly well below any possible noise floor). I have the same razor-sharp band edges as I do when using one of my amps with an internal coupler!
Though I have only been operating it for 5 days, I am more excited about this amplifier than any I have ever purchased (which is saying a lot for me – I have had most everything). The on-air reports I get are stellar. I am able to switch between 3 antennas. Set up and operation are totally intuitive. Everyone that learns I am operating a LUX won’t let me go without giving them a detailed report (Mercury is truly the Hottest Ticket on Broadway!) I could go on and on, but my final notation will be this. For the first time in the last 25 years, I don’t worry about anything amp related, other than making sure that I find enough time to enjoy the amp. Having a no-fuss, automatic, solid-state, no tube warm up time amp, has taken the joy of working the bands to a whole new level. But there is even more to worry-free operations. With nothing but perfect reviews of the Mercury IIIS, and seeing/experiencing the quality of build, I am confident the LUX won’t need any work. But should that day ever come, this made in the USA amp could arrive back at the Florida factory in 2 days! No phone calls with technicians who speak broken English (no offense meant - I am just remembering past experiences). No shipping an amp to a foreign country. No searching for a hard-to-find tube that cost $1,000 or more. No sir, should I ever need service, it is found in the Sunshine State. Can it get any better than that? Well, yes. Even after the warranty period, all labor is covered; the original owner and any future owner (you read that correctly - any future owner) would only pay for components and shipping. I don't know of any other manufacturer demonstrating this level of confidence in their product. Kenny, Angel and team, please accept my heart-felt gratitude for an absolutely amazing product!
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