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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
NS9X Rating: 2013-07-04
A Cannon! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have 2 Kenwood rigs, a TS-870 and a TS-950. I use the 870 about 98% of the time chasing CW DX. If I get impatient trying to put a station in the log, I fire up the 950 which is coupled to an Alpha 89. With this combination, that station is usually logged on the first attempt. What a Cannon! It's a fabulous piece of equipment.
K5YZS Rating: 2013-04-26
Very Nice Amp, but start up had problems Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had the Alpha 89 since 1992. Initial problems were that the transformer box was opened in front of witnesses and it had a gouge in the side of the insulation material, BUT the shipping box was undamaged. It took several months (under the 4 year warranty and my filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau) get them to air freight a new transformer to me. Their original proposal for a fix was for me to put some silicone over the gouge. I wont repeat here what I said to my self. Then after a return to the factory for receive PIN diodes failure(possible lightning) and transmit PIN diodes upgrade to more robust parts that worked OK. At this same return to Alpha, I said that the amp would at times blow the 20 amps AC mains fuses that was diagnosed with a replacement set of 3CX800's I got from RF Parts when they were cheap. I told Alpha that I didnt want the original set of EIMAC 3CX800's, but they did nothing. The working amp gets a 5.
Alpha service at that time gets a 1.

73 Jim retired engineer k5yzs
K3USC Rating: 2013-04-25
Best I've owned in 50 years ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Like most of my gear I bought my 89 used with a spare pair of finals tossed into the deal ! I've been licensed since 1962 and this is my first Alpha but certainly not my first amp. I've had everything from a homebrew pair of 813's, Dentron Clipperton L, Kenwood TL-922, Henry 3K Premier, Ameritron AL-80B & AL-1500 , Icom PW-1, Heathkits SB-200, 220 & 1000 and probably a couple I forgot. Believe me this Alpha is the BEST- quiet, easy to tune, built like a tank and forgiving of the occasional operator error. More expensive than some-sure BUT you get what you pay for and great resale too.
2 thumbs up !
K3AC Rating: 2013-03-27
Excellent amp, never a problem Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I owned an Alpha 89 for about 10 years, using it mainly on 80/75M ragchewing, mostly on SSB. Also used it on 40-10M when conditions require more power. It never gave me any problems, and if I screwed up on the tuning or not having the correct switch settings, it would fault and then could be re-set. Never required any factory repairs. Very easy to set up to, since the heavy transformer was removable. Sadly I sold it when I moved to a condo, but if you have a chance to get one in good shape, buy it! You won't be sorry. It's an amp you can pass down to your offspring.
W5HOW Rating: 2013-02-21
Simply the best! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Having owned a couple of other HF amplifiers previously I can honestly say that the Alpha 89 makes all the others look like toys!

Loafs at legal limit, easy on the exciter, very easy to tune, and nearly foolproof protection circuitry! What's not to like!

I'm keeping this one!
WU2M Rating: 2013-01-31
Solid Amp! The best I ever owned. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased this used from RF Concepts in late November. I had an issue with a relay which was promptly fixed. The customer service is fantastic.
This is the best amp I have ever owned. Makes 1500 watts all day long with ease. The QSK is absolutely silent and never misses a beat. I look forward to buying a new auto tune model soon!
K4IJ Rating: 2013-01-28
Good Amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was looking to replace my old SB220 when a friend suggested the Alpha 89. I was familiar with Alpha's quality so I found one. Let me say this far exceeds the 220 beast and is enjoyable to operate.
N7TVV Rating: 2012-07-14
Great Performance and Superb quality! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Outstanding performance, ease of tuning and operation separate this amplifier from all the rest of the pack, even those with comparable power tube complement!. The Alpha 89, while not the latest offering from the manufacturer, still holds it's own for smooth and easy tuning, robust construction, and power when needed. It is possibly the only amp to take FULL advantage of the 3CX800's outstanding capabilities. The entire package, with it's simple and fast tuning, make it
simply the best!
KD8HCY Rating: 2012-06-21
good work horse Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
i got this alpha 89 used from a good friend for my trailer used it for field day in the u.p. of mi
it works great for the job i ask of it
N0UY Rating: 2012-05-20
Reliable with TLC Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I acquired this unit used from an estate of a local ham. It is easy to operate but occasionally needs the cover removed and most of the many board connections reseated to keep it happy. This is a early production unit and I only use it occasionally. It is a little low on output so I imagine the tubes are not up to spec. It's a keeper