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Reviews For: Alpha 89

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

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Review Summary For : Alpha 89
Reviews: 35MSRP: 3995.00
Description:
The Ultimate Manually-Tuned Linear Amplifier
Product is not in production
More Info: https://www.alpharfsystems.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00354.9
ALPHA89 Rating: 2022-01-04
Best AMP Ever! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
About 15 years ago, I purchased an Alpha 89 from the estate of good friend who went SK. The tube was removed and washed to remove fuzz and dust and I also cleaned the connectors to all of the printed circuit boards. Purchased some new Eimac backups on eBay about 11 years ago, but have never needed them.
It continues to use the original Eimac tubes and outputs 1.5K++ with low grid current.
I currently own SB-220's, AL-1500, SB-1000, and a Collins 30L-1. Hands down, the Alpha 89 has the cleanest signal and is the most reliable amp that I have ever used. I especially like the protection circuits as I have been known to switch to the wrong antenna, etc.
73 de Dave - W5BU
WR4N Rating: 2022-01-04
PERFECTION From The PAST Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Let me begin by saying that the ALPHA 89 is one of the "LEGACY" AMPS and is truly worthy of the title. They were made by Master Craftsmen - who would settle for nothing less than PERFECTION. They came with a pair of legendary EIMAC 3CX800A7 Tubes.

Now then, in 2005, I bought my first ALPHA 89. It had been manufactured in 1995. I used it and loved it until 2011, when my situation changed, and I was not able to have a Shack for another 10 years. My best friend took the reins in 2011 and still has it; 26 years after production, it is still using the same EIMAC Tubes - producing in excess of 2 KW!

In 2021, I was able to purchase another ALPHA 89, this one came from the original owner - who purchased it new in 1999 (there were only 8 more made after this one). Like the other ALPHA 89, it was still using the same EIMAC Tubes - 22 years after production! I was able to purchase it with a new, spare set of EIMAC tubes (for the price paid in 2000!) - that were never needed by the original owner - and which I will most likely never need. It still does 2.2 KW with 50-60 watts of drive, using the original Tubes. I use it at Legal Limit, driving it with 40 watts. It has seen heavy use, as acknowledged by the previous owner, but you would never know it. The knobs are as tight as when it left the factory. The inside looks like it just left the factory! The Peter Dahl Power Transformer (which is in both of these 89s) is a beast.

I have owned most all the High Output Amplifiers: Commander, QRO, Ameritron, etc. - and just recently bought & sold the HP ACOM - I am currently waiting on delivery of an OM POWER 3 KW AMP. There are those who moan and groan about the price of NOS or "PULL" EIMAC Tubes; I wonder if most have ever actually owned an ALPHA with EIMAC Tubes. Yes, it would cost me around $3,000 to buy a pair of NOS EIMAC Tubes if they were needed - and I could probably buy a pair of PULL EIMAC Tubes for around $1,500. And yes, Chinese Tubes are much, much less expensive - Russian Tubes are less expensive (but not like Chinese Tubes). What most do not consider is this: if the Grip Current of an ALPHA 89 is not pushed hard, these tubes can last 30 years! Even when pushed hard, it is common for them to last 15-20+ years. On the other hand, I read numerous Forum Posts about having to replace Chinese Tubes 3 times during the warranty period of a particular amp! And while the genuine Russian SVETLANA GU series Tubes can last for well over 10 years - nothing compares to EIMAC. If you do the math, EIMAC ends up being WAY, WAY LESS EXPENSIVE and usually causing No Headaches.

If you can find an ALPHA 89 with Tubes that produce Legal Limit while not exceeding 60 mA of Grid Current, the tubes should outlast most any Chinese or Russian Tube (that is merely my opinion and personal experience). The manual suggests 35 - 60 mA and the Meter shows "Green" (still safely within specs) up to 85 mA. But if you find a Mint ALPHA 89 with Soft Tubes and can get it for a really good price (depending on how Soft, perhaps $1,000 - $1,700) - TO ME - it is well worth paying $1,500 for PULLS or $3,000 NOS. The Bottom Line is that I would much rather invest $3,500 - $4,000 in a Pristine ALPHA 89 with NOS EIMACs or Nearly New, Full Output at Low mA Tubes - than have similar money invested in some of the New Amplifiers on the market. How often do you read about an old ALPHA 89 needing repair!?!? They are TANKS! I will have other amps, but there has always been - and will always be - an older ALPHA in my Shack! Regardless of the reliability, problems, etc. of any NEW AMP - I never worry about having Legal Limit available, as long as a LEGACY ALPHA is in the Shack.
W9BB Rating: 2021-01-22
It's a Alpha Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have purchased many amplifiers finally trying an older Alpha 89 . Well I came across a like new 89 and what a great amplifier. Its old but the style still looks modern and operates as new . I'm finding out why Alpha owners love Alpha products. I liked it so much I went out and bought a second Alpha yesterday. Don't be afraid of trying an older Alpha. THEY WORK !
W5RG Rating: 2019-11-05
GREAT AMPLIFIER STILL Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought this Alpha 89 used at a great price now day's and the seller was honest and it was just as he said full output and in great condx. I have had many amplifiers and built a bunch of amplifiers and its hard to beat a Alpha still today. The 89 uses high priced tubes but if you do not over drive them they will last a lot of years. I sold a QRO 2500 Mark lll which had a output of 3kw with cheap tubes but the amplifier was not built right and had lots of problems and some repair shops will not even work on them. One shop here in Florida will not touch it..so I sold it and went with a Alpha as I said I have had a few Alpha's 76,77,86,8410 and now the 89. Very easy to tune, lots of trip features, swr monitor. Their has been a time or two that I had it on the wrong band and nothing blew up or popped. I saw one for sale for $1500.the other day. I run 30 watts into it and get 1.5kw out on most all bands. This amp put out plenty of power for the price, I think a lot of hams now days run over 2kw and up 5kw but for me now the old Alpha's will be just fine..
WB5IRI Rating: 2015-04-23
15 years and still going! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I posted my first review of this amplifier in 2000, and I am still using it and still love it. Right now I am using it on boatanchor AM, driving it with 12 watts carrier on 75 meters for a full 375-watt carrier. Modulation peaks of 48 watts give 1500-watt peak output. It just loafs along at that level, never complains, and doesn't even get hot after long-winded, "buzzardly" transmissions on 3885. Alpha doesn't advertize "put a brick on the key and walk away" for nothing!

The trick to AM operation is to load the amp to a full 1500-watt output, then back the carrier on the exciter down until you get 375 watts output with no modulation. Then with 100% modulation, you should see 1500-watt peaks, the FCC's definition of legal limit output on AM.

Will it run more? Well, yes, indeed it will. But I think it should last forever at the legal limit, so why break the law, annoy other stations, and risk damaging the tubes for a couple dB?

This amp will run the legal limit on all modes forever -- it is a tank -- unlike many other linears that do fine on SSB but sag and start to fail when you ask them to do something that takes real grunt.

If you see one for sale, grab it. You won't be sorry.
W3RSW Rating: 2015-04-19
Very Robust Amplifier, the Epitome of 3cx800a7's utilization Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Purchased my pre-owned ETO/Alpha model 89 as an Alpha reconditioned from Ham Radio Outlet in May, 2013. The Amplifier shipped directly from Alpha came in "as new" condition with new factory boxes for amp. and transformer. A complete Manual and schematic along with tables for my amps specific band settings, power in/out, etc. came with it, even spare fuses and extra cab. screws, etc. Suffice to say, I was very pleased.

Opening it up revealed a P.Dahl. 3.5 KVA transformer (labeled #3 in mine) along with 3cx800a7's with date codes that matched the 1997 amplifier build. The tubes performed up to spec., that is yielded 1.5 KW continuous output but required about 8 to 10 watts more drive per band than my newer set, anticipated for rotation.
The previous owner must have had a lot of fun in continuous contest operation, but these tubes just keep on truckin.' Grid drive never exceeds 30 to 40 ma., --simply phenomenal! I expect specified output to continue with my light usage, given the Eimac reputation. As some might say, it's been decently broken in.

To me, the 89 is just about the finest ETO/Alpha in that cabinet form, a rugged series using 3cx800a7's and incorporating the appropriate WARC bands. The veneer tune and load knobs front back-lit scales, 100 divisions each, computer grade filter capacitors, and extent and the quality of measurement, shutdown and limiting circuits all bespeak 'quality.'

The 89 is one of the last models without a central processor, but populated with TTL /RTL logic and other fairly easily found components. The "light show" is vintage Alpha, everything measured and shown virtually instantaneously. For a more "sedate" and average or peaking output, I use an LP-100A which agrees with the Alpha and really tells the story.

The build date of my 89 pretty much satisfies the wringing-out of the T/R diode problems others have experienced. I've had no problems (other that oiling the somewhat slow aux. rear fan) in my two years of ownership. As others have mentioned, the quietness of the fan and blower is astounding.

If you find an 89 for a reasonable price, you won't go wrong. There's a lot of info on the net for best operating practices, common repairs if required over many years, and what few modifications one might want to consider.
W5UDX Rating: 2013-12-27
The best Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've had several amp over the years from a Cliperton L, Heath kit 220, Kenwood 922, Ameritron 80b, Ameritron 1500, Emtron dx3, Commander Mag 2500, and now using the Alpha 89 and through the years of playing audio on HF, I have to say the Alpha 89 is the best amp for playing audio. It has to be one of the best if not the best for low IMD out there. There is no bias circuit to clutter up the audio like most of the new amps out there. True, the tubes are not cheap to replace but they will prob last me a lifetime at 1500 watts out on ssb. The other nice thing about this 89 is the noise of the blower vs others I have owned. This amp is so quiet it's a pleasure to operate in a room where every little noise is picked through to minimize over the air background noise. The 89 uses pin diodes for keying the amp so there is zero noise from a relay. Just a complete pleasure to operate this amp from my station and hope to use for many years to come.
NA1A Rating: 2013-10-13
Awesome Amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had several amps through the years including some Alphas. The 89 is top on my list. Brute power, quiet, very predictable and stable amp.
Highly recommended.
NK0F Rating: 2013-07-10
Used ALPHA Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased a used ALPHA 89. When it was delivered and I opened the box, I thought "They made a mistake and sent me a brand new one". No, it only looked like a new one inside and out. What a wonderful surprise.
F5OZF Rating: 2013-07-09
It's rock ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought 2nd hand this amplifier 3 years ago. I do not regret my purchase. It is really a rock, the quality of Eimac tubes has nothing common with the Russian tubes. I make SSB, CW, RTTY with more power than necessaries.If I exchange I remain faithful to the brand sure