| K9OM |
Rating:  |
2021-03-29 | |
| Excellent Amplifier! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've owned Yaesu Quadra's for 21 years now and they continue to be an outstanding Amplifier. I've been using Quadra's at both my Florida and Wisconsin QTH's. During this same time period I've owned several other Amplifiers, including 3 Alpha's, and the Quadra's have been the most reliable of them all.
I really enjoy the built-in 4-Antenna Switch and the HIGH and LOW power settings. I usually operate in the LOW power setting and the Amp runs amazingly cool at 700 watts output.
The separate power supply is nice as it reduces the weight of the RF deck, and can be placed under the operating desk if wanted. The interconnecting cables are 6' in length. I have never had power supply damage due to AC line fluctuations or AC surges.
In my opinion, Yaesu hit a grand slam home run when they designed the Quadra, and that's why I own 3 of them. Though I've occasionally over driven my Quadra's it's never resulted in a blown final, unlike many solid-state Amps currently being sold. Also, the Quadra fans are quieter than most solid-state Amps.
Therefore, the Quadra deserves a "5" in my opinion.
73, Dick- K9OM |
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| W5XH |
Rating: |
2020-07-27 | |
| Voltage dropout VP-1000 failures (X2) |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I purchased my Quadra System in 2014, and it served me well, but after two years it succumbed to the common surge suppressor resistor failure when the power mains fluctuated one day. Yaesu repaired it under warranty, and it worked well for three years until we had several voltage dropouts in a short time. This time a loud "pop" came out of the VP-1000 along with the smell of burning electronics. I took it apart, and the large Q107 transistor had completely exploded, and there were two obviously burned resistors in the same circuit. Off it went to Yaesu, but they said that it could not be repaired. This is the only piece of ham gear that I have had that destroyed itself when the mains voltage dropped our for a second or so, but this is a common failure in this amplifier. So, one day I will attempt to replace the burned components along with a few other components in the circuit that may be faulty. Otherwise I have a nice RF deck that would work fine if only it had a functioning power supply. My amplifier was powered through a buck-boost transformer which fed it 224 volts AC. So far, the SPE Expert 1.5K-FA Second Series that replaced the Quadra has functioned perfectly. |
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| KX4WG |
Rating: |
2020-05-28 | |
| An Excellent Linear Solid State Amplifier |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| I finally received the Quadra System in April 20, after being in a production backlog in Japan. "Good things come to those that wait." My Yaesu FT DX 3000 is totally compatible by the use of a data cable to the Quadra System. The built in antenna tuner, tunes my GAP Challenger DX antenna within 1:0/1:2 vswr on most bands. The Quadra Amplifier changes bands automatically as well as memorizing the set vswr for that band. This amplifier is capable of 1.2k easily with a dedicated 220v line. I believe Quadra System would be a good investment, even thought of its expensive price tag. |
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| WD9IDV |
Rating: |
2020-05-17 | |
| 19 Years and Still Working Perfectly! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Sadly, I believe the Quadra has been discontinued and no longer in production.
Well what can I say that I have not said before. Nineteen years since original purchase and still in use almost everyday. I run mine at 1100-1250 watts on occasions with no issues. Normally its run at the 1000 watts. SSTV at 1KW no issues.
I use a Tripp Lite Isobar 4-Outlet 200-240V surge protector, and I think this helps with longevity...hopefully.
Factor original cost and amortize in 19 plus years, and thats a pretty good deal.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by WD9IDV on 2015-01-08
I am still pleased with Yaesu Quadra amplifier after almost 14 years of ownership. I have not had any issues in the last 14 years since my initial problem with one of the MOSFET MRF 150’s transistors going bad when it was first purchased new.
My only concern is with the LCD display. I wish it was brighter and had better contrast. My Yaesu FT-920 transceiver's display has nice contrast and brightness. The Quadra is definitely less bright and has less contrast compared to the Yaesu FT-920. One would think that Yaesu would have designed the Quadra display to match the FT-920’s display characteristics.
For reference, I have copied my previously published older review and included it below.
“Still going strong with no problems after seven years of operation. I use it almost everyday at 1100 - 1250 watts output. When I operated RTTY and SSTV I always ran it at a kilowatt. When brand new I did have a bad MRF-150 transistor, but Yaesu did replace it and has never shown any problems since being repaired seven years ago.
I run two radios into the amplifier. The first being my "workhorse" the Yaesu FT-920. The second radio is a Kenwood TS-570DG. I use an Ameritron ALB-702 amplifier buffer interface with the Kenwood radio. I have no problems using two radios with the Quadra. Works great and as expected if you read your manual.
Closing Comments:
I love this amplifier. It is very well built. The insides are a work of art. Solid Japanese electronic build quality. The control cables that were included could have been better though.
As to the price, I think it is reasonable. For the level of sophistication, quality, and technical expertise built into this amplifier, it will be money well spent over the course of its life.”
Robert WD9IDV
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| K6BRN |
Rating: |
2020-04-19 | |
| No fuss - Just GOES |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
It's hard to criticize an amplifier that simply works, and works well. But I'll try.
It's a bit heavy, requires being turned on in a specific sequence (MASTER which I just leave ON, POWER SUPPLY, then AMP), when used with non-Yaesu rigs it requires pushing a single button to "auto-sense" and move to the correct frequency (but follows band moves like a pupply on a leash with Yaesu rigs), it is only rated at 1,000 watts (but is really designed for 1,200 max). Hmmm. Let me see. That's about it. No, wait... the manual is obtuse and incomplete - but plenty of on-line info. Pretty much normal for Yaesu.
ON the PLUS side, it's never quit, never done ANYTHING bad and just works, in a very predictable and nearly invisible way. I've had mine for four years and have used it with FTDX-1200, -3000 and FT-991 radios, all Yaesu. The antennas range from a Cushcraft/MFJ A3S (now DEAD) Mosley TA-33-MW/40M (working just fine), to a an EFHW-8010-2K (great to fill in the band gaps on the Mosley), to a Comet CHA-250B (really is at its best on 60M without an amp). The amp handles them all, and the occasional "I forgot to change the ALPHA DELTA antenna switch!" brainfart without a single issue.
Also on the positive side... It has two separate and switchable exciter input ports and two control ports to go with them. It has FOUR switchable antenna output ports. The built-in servo-motor driven tuner is roller inductor/capacitor based and seem to handle all of my antenna across their respective bands without trouble. The VL-1000 amp also has full and half-power settings plus a 3db input attenuator that allows dialing down power while leaving the amp in-line. I thought these were gimmicks but found both features to be very useful. BTW, the amp runs FT8 and RTTY just fine, even far, far beyond the recommended 500W RTTY limit. Read the ARRL review. This puppy is overbuilt. I LIKE that!
In a pinch, it CAN run off oc 120VAC. Do NOT recomment that, though. You'll need to throttle output back to about 500W.
This amp is also pretty quiet. Yep - at 1KW+ out on SSB some microphonics can be heard from it. But this does not affect output signal quality. And you'd better have pretty good hearing to notice it.
Overall, this is a tried and true design that has stood up to the test of time, even in rhyme. :)
How could it be improved? Well, if it was the size if a lunch box, weighed 10 lbs soaking wet, ran off of 120VAC at 1,500 watts out, then yeah... there is room to do better. And in quite a few ways, the new LDMOS designs ARE doing better. But this puppy does the job, looks great, is reliable as can be, is perched quite happily on Aunt Ednas old end table in the corner of my "shack" and has no bad habits that I've been annoyed by. So it stays.
I'd never take it on an expedition of any type - the amp/PS combo weighs in at 80 lbs! But that's just not a big deal to me. I have a nice little KPA-500/KAT-500 for that.
Is a Yaesu Quadra/VL-1000/VP-1000 in your future? That's up to you. Have fun!
Best Regards,
Brian - K6BRN
ADDENDUM: One year later - 4/19/2020. This amp continues to perform without any issues at all. And I've really run it hard on the digital modes from JT-65 to JT-9 to FT8. I've added Elecraft KPA500/KAT500 amp/tuners to my two other QTHs. They are much smaller, just as agile, trouble free and reliable as the Quadra - but have half the output. Moral of the story - The Quadra is older technology and uses eight (8) MRF-150 FET transistors plus combiners to hit 1KW output, so its big and heavy compared to newer LDMOS transistor based amps. But in a fixed installation this makes little difference. Just turn it on and off in the right sequence and you'll be good to go. Brian - K6BRN |
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| IK2CNC |
Rating: |
2020-01-30 | |
| A real race Horse |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
After my very nice experience with FTDX9000D, I decided to pair it with Yaesu VL-1000 Quadra. In Italy is not easy to find it due to it is no more exported in Europe. Few month ago I was lucky and find a mint condition VL-1000. Very easy to wire it to 9000 and is amazing the power capability of this amplifier! 1.2K very easily, but I use maximum 5-600 Watts in order to extend the life and due to legal regulation. I power it at 215-220V maximum trough an autotransformer because I've 235-245 V. in my town, it's to much for it.
In any case is a great machine!
Carlo IK2CNC |
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| K4FX |
Rating: |
2020-01-07 | |
| Great amp |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| The Quadra is a wonderful amp. 1200 watts and it never complained. It would do full power on 6 meters as well. I contested with no problems. The Tuner actually works in this amp. With today’s current used prices, the Quadra is quite a value for a near legal limit amp. |
|
| N3ALN |
Rating:  |
2019-06-20 | |
| VP-1000 DEAD! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| My VP-1000 died and I sent it back to Yaesu and they said the main board was bad and a new board would cost over 2K. I feel I was left high and dry and now I have no working amp, I am pissed! :-( |
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| K5LLZ |
Rating: |
2019-06-13 | |
| Great amplifier. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have had mine for about 3 years now with no problems. Got rid of my tube amp amp for it. My buddy got a Pw1 about the same time and has had both of them back to Icom for problems. Got rid of both of them.
I use a Icom 756 Pro 3 with 60 watts drive and put out 900 to 1100 watts depending on the band and antenna I use. Antenna tuner works great. Can't say enough about it. Power supply is a little behind the times but don't drive it hard it should last a long time. |
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| VA7OJ |
Rating: |
2018-10-07 | |
| 20th "birthday!" |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
20 years old and still going strong! My Quadra is now set up for two exciters, IC-7610 and IC-7300. At this rate, the Quadra could well outlast me.
73, Adam VA7OJ/AB4OJ
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Earlier 5-star review posted by VA7OJ on 2017-12-11
My Quadra has now been in my station for 19 years, and is still operating flawlessly. The current exciter is an IC-7300, with an IC-7610 soon to follow. I use the simple "Band Data 2" interface.
I believe strongly that the Quadra is one of the best solid-state HF/6m amplifiers currently on the amateur market.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by VA7OJ on 2015-11-15
My faithful old Quadra is still chugging along at 1 kW (occasionally turned down to 500W) after 17 years in my station. The current exciter is an IC-7700. |
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