Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Alpha 76CA

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 : Alpha 76CA
Reviews: 17MSRP: 2695
Description:
Description: ALPHA Legacy Amp.
3 - 8874's
Same spec. as 76PA, but uses a 2.4 KVA Hypersil
Extra-Duty transformer.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.rkrdesignsllc.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00175
WR4N Rating: 2021-05-24
Nearly 40 Years of Perfection! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I was lucky enough to buy a 76 CA (CA has the Hypersil Extra Duty Transformer) from the Original Owner (WOW!) Drove from the Nashville area to Alabama to discover a Pristine Condition amp - just like it appeared nearly 40 years ago. I paid a premium, but it came with original invoice, all records, and and extra set of EIMAC Tubes. Had been converted to pair of 3CXP800A7 Tubes, had been modified for WARC Bands, had QSK Mod, etc. (All work by N4UQ Dick Byrd). When I bought it, I felt like tubes were going soft. Required nearly 100 watts for Legal Limit and I was lucky to get that. Drove to Atlanta to have Dick Byrd go completely through it (I didn’t suspect anything being wrong, just wanted it make sure it was 100%). He said it was perfect, but it did appear the tubes were going soft. He swapped out the tubes with the spare set that came with amp (both the tubes in it and spare set were medical pulls). After a quick swap, Legal Limit with 50 watts and 2KW+ with 70 watts (tested into a Dummy Load). You just can’t buy quality like this anymore! LOVE IT!
W9BB Rating: 2020-12-13
NONE BETTER Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I honestly believe this amplifier will go another 30 years ! I just picked it up from a friend , looks and still operator's like new .This amp is amazing ! Built to last ! I now own 3 alpha's ..
W4PIG Rating: 2019-03-25
BEST OF THE BEST Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
THIS IS AVERY GOOD AMP WILL DO LEGAL LIMIT NO PROBLEM.VERY QUIET AND EASY TO OPERATE THEY DONT BUILD AMPS LIKE THIS ANYMORE QUALITY IS NUMBER 1.
KY4LW Rating: 2015-02-06
A "Legend" like no other! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my most recent Alpha 76A from a friend. WOW Was I surprised when I got home & found the small sticker on the back panel that stated it was actually an Alpha 76CA model.
This model has a "hypersil transformer" & 3 tubes.
It outperforms anything in it`s class.
It is very very easy to operate.
One important thing to have with this amp is patience. Just gotta wait for it to warm up.
I am well pleased with this "Legend" amp.
KB4ZGO Rating: 2012-05-28
Great Vintage AMP Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've only owned my Alpha for a few months, all I can say this is light years compared to an Ameritron 811. I'm not knocking the Ameritron but will say the ALPHA is built with be best parts and after 30 years it still works great! The only thing I fear is the 3CX400A7 ceramic tubes going bad. So finding a spare set is hard but not impossible. I could and may invest in an upgrade option at some point to the 3CX800A7 or 3CPX800A7 ceramic tube. Time and money will tell. If you can find an ALPHA of this vintage and spend $1500.00 or less grab it. If taken care of it will last you a life time.
N4NW Rating: 2012-04-16
Better than my Alpha 374 for output Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After the Alpha 374, which I sold to a friend in the mid 70's, I opted for the 76Ca Alpha. On the front panel it noted just the 76 but the "C" designation was an indication of the 3 x 8874 final tubes and the 2.4kV Hipersil transformer made the 76Ca a more robust Aplha using the 8874 tubes.

I took this amp with me when I deployed to Africa and used it as TU2NW working thousands of DX stations. It earned me the 1983 Gordon Marshall CQWW SSB plaques with 4th place finish.

For almost 48 hours the my Aplha 76Ca lived the famous Alpha 'brick on the key" for that contest. Hams all over the world depended, as I did on the reliability of the Alpha 76Ca.

K6UJ Rating: 2012-04-02
A real workhorse Time Owned: more than 12 months.


I have had my 76CA for 10 years now. Very reliable, it takes the abuse from accidental transmitting ont he wrong antenna, etc
If you watch the grid current this amp really lasts a long time.

AE4IQ Rating: 2010-02-06
JUST GREAT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned this Alpha 76 CA for about 10 years now and all I can say is what a great piece of equipment. From it's superb construction to it's "brick on the key" performance, it just can't be beat. As an Air Force MARS station and Training Officer for the state of Florida, I rely heavily on this amp. It has never let me down. It's ability to smoothly tune, even on MARS frequencies is just wonderful. The tubes may be expensive, but I have never had to change them!(They may be the original ones). Also, the parts and service department is just super, still being able to provide me a replacement switch assy (cosmetically damaged before I got it) as well as panel meter lamps. I HIGHLY recommend this amp. My 9 year old son, KJ4OIX, can't wait to upgrade and "take it over" hi hi.
I still have the ORIGINAL warranty card from 1979 that came with the owners manual, obviously, never needed. THANK YOU ALPHA!
N0EC Rating: 2010-02-03
great amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned this amplifier for over 25 years now. It still has the original tubes and is still like new. Very well designed. I've owned many other amplifiers such as Henry, Ameritron, and Icom. I've had good luck with all of them, but the quality of the Alpha products have always been above the rest.
N7WX Rating: 2010-01-31
OUTSTANDING AMPS Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Hi all u hamsters...We have had many Alpha's from a water cooled PA-70V, four 76's and now a Alpha 77SX two holer, also a Alpha 374A upgraded with warc bands and thrid tube..What more can we say about their products and service..Only going to get better with RFconcepts behind them now..

Just ordered a new Alpha 8410 and can't wait for this one..Cannot get any better than a Alpha