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Reviews For: Yaesu Quadra VL-1000

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

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Review Summary For : Yaesu Quadra VL-1000
Reviews: 87MSRP: 4000
Description:
Solid-state, automated 1 kW HF/6m linear amplifier
Product is not in production
More Info: https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?cmd=DisplayProducts&ProdCatID=102&encProdID=261A83CAF673084AAC58C6801013F76F&DivisionID=65&isArchived=1
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
25874.3
KE4EX Rating: 2008-04-25
Great Product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have used this amp on 160-80-40-20-17
I run it with 50 watts drive.
I have the Low set at 500 watts
and the high set at 1000 watts.
--Set up the amp into a dummy load.--
The tuner is fast, protection system is quick.
I am very pleased with this amp.
Follows my FT2K around like a puppy.
As for the company, evey time I call Tim has been johnny on the spot. Even follows up my call with a email (that a changeI can live with).

Well done Yaesu.
NB2A Rating: 2008-02-08
Ok but too pricy and not fully functional as advertised Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
First off it wont as stated by another reviewer easily do 2 radios at once as claimed. It comes up with error codes that are mentioned in the manual but do not always correspond with the current condition that is displayed. For example while doing the 10/12 meter mod on mine after finding 2 previous owners did not do it the amp kept giving me #1005 error code which relates to supply voltage. Supply voltage was 48 volts as called for so obviously this error code has other meaning. After calling Yaesu and actually getting a knowledgeable person they tell me to switch rear remote switch and magic it reset the secret error code!If you do try to run 2 radio alc lines on mine it locks up the display making it unable to even switch inputs on the amp! I did get my Quadra running now with some effort on my Icom 7800. It even follows the bands as well as power on/off with it.This is done with band data obviously just as it does with my Yaesu MKV. Is it worth the new price or even used price? I am still not fully decided it is after 2 months of use.Seems to have too many secret issues going on and with a service manual and tech notes around for it you are flying blind in my view.I have always owned Yaesu but now it seems time to integrate more Icom in my shack.The 7800 over the 9000d pushed me over it seems. Now this Quadra seems to make me realize my decision was correct to switch my thinking!One more point even though you can split the supply from the amp the amp weighs about the same as the supply quite heavy!The supply control cables are also flimsy at best where they make connections to each other too.Overall amp is in need of redesign!
K3ICH Rating: 2008-01-21
Five Years, working fine Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Admittedly, I don't use the amp for every QSO, but when needed, it has been the ultimate in simplicity. Normally it is paired with a "Field, but I just ran it last weekend in the January VHF contest with a PRO III exciter (50 MHz) on input #2. Most contacts were at "low" power (500 watts) and whenever a repeat was requested, the extra 3db was instantly there to make the difference. I didn't bother to hook up the bandswitching/keying cable so I'd just push the F-SET button and manually key the PRO on six. Got many unsolicited "great audio" reports, so I'm sure there's no RFI problems with this set-up.
W8DMC Rating: 2008-01-20
New, Used, Repaired or needing work Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Buy one. The only concern one will have is the associate equipment that surrounds this quality amp! A start is the FT-1000MP MARK V. Together you shall find versatility, quality, adaptation, performance, time trusted workmanship, taste, and great audio that keeps on giving day after day, month after month, year, after year. Life is short, much too short to fiddle, turn, tune, set define, balance and work to simply communicate with another. Save your money, buy one amplifier; install a 220 Line a fire off round after round quality audio strength. MD-200, Heli, Sure, they all must slide along a wave of strength. Looks, design, and aesthetics counts in life also.
IN3BAO Rating: 2007-09-02
Very nice Ampli Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Fantastic Ampli!!!!
K9ZTV Rating: 2007-07-28
Quadra & FT-1000D Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a great amp and mates beautifully to the FT-1000D and later iterations.

Like most literary efforts from Yaesu, the manual contains its share of ambiguities, most notably with respect to the BAND DATA 2 cable which you should connect to the PTT jack on the FT-1000D.

Contrary to what the FT-1000D manual indicates, switch S1002 in the transceiver should NOT be enabled when mated with the Quadra. Its function is already taken care of through the BAND DATA 1 cable.

Also poorly explained is the F-SET button. Unlike the TUNE button which initiates a full-tuning cycle, the F-SET button recalls from memory the appropriate matching calculations for the nearest frequency at which a full-tuning cycle was previously calculated by the TUNE button. By establishing such memory points at various frequencies throughout a given band, one push of the F-SET button instanteously configures the amp for the correct match for that proximal frequency. This avoids the several-seconds delay of a full-tuning cycle as the tuner seeks the best match.

The unique feature of automatically cycling the power supply relays periodically to keep them clean (even when the amp is turned off but still pluged into the wall) can cause some initial head-scratching until you realize what's going on.

New, out of the box, the amp was showing 1250 watts output, but the power supply was also groaning its displeasure at this level. To preserve component life, be sure to follow the directions in the manual for adjustment of the ALC for 1000 watts output in the HIGH mode, and 500 watts output in the LOW mode.

The appropriate 220v plug was easily found at Lowe's Hardware and is identical to the thirty-year-old plug on my SB-220, although inscribed with the ubiquitous "made in Mexico" phrase.

Finally, after all the acolades about how well built it is, and its bullet-proof performance, the most outstanding thing to me is its appearance ... there has been nothing in my nearly fifty years in amateur radio that is as unique in styling as this amplifier. It "classes up" any desk on which it sits, and any transceiver set next to it.



KB5KYX Rating: 2007-04-10
Nice Amplifier Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I run this amplifier with a 160m full wave length horizontal loop and an FT-920. It works great and handles any mismatch up to 3:1, and sometimes higher, without a problem. I like to change bands frequently in search of DX, so this amplifier fits perfectly with the loop. Together the loop and amplifier allow me to move around anywhere from 160m to 6m and quickly work DX pile-ups without having to manually re-tune. The display shows various information including the SWR across each band. I give it a 5.
VE3JMJ Rating: 2006-10-13
A no problem unit! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The very best thing to do after banging about in a freight truck is to open the two cartons at the store, set it up, learn a bit about it, then take it home. Angelo and his fine crew, not to single any one person out to be fair, made sure all was well. Thank you and the service on all levels does make a difference!
The setup I have is very straight forward so I have not run up against multiple exciter problems as described elsewhere. Some of the wires are a bit on the light side but if they are just "there" and supported it does not make a bit of difference. Yes, the manual is odd to get used to but after awhile it all begins to make sense with use. Probably translation issues. None the less, just set it up, plug it in, turn everything on, set it up, listen, in my case listen some more, then a bit more to be sure, then PTT and have a great time. There is a world of decent ham operators to make contacts with. It is not forgiving, as with most amplifiers, of less than ideal antenna designs or construction techniques but let's give our collective heads a bit of a shake. The wire clothes line and hanging pie plates just does not work so well anymore. To purchase and use any amplifier and not check all systems for integrity is shortshighted at best.
For the absolute ease of operation with any legal power level needed to get the job done this is the amplifier for you to consider.
K4IA Rating: 2006-02-12
Caution Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had a Quadra and ran it with both a Mark V Field and an Orion. The automatic bandswitching was nifty but the primary purpose of an amplifier is to increase your power. Any ampifier can do that without the unecessary complication and expense of this box.

Be aware:

The power supply screeches at high power - even on 220 volts. I sent mine to Yaesu and had it returned with a note that was "normal." Sounds like fingernails on a blackboard.

The antenna tuner is very limited in range. You will still need an external tuner if your SWR exceeds about 2.5.

The plugs that connect the control and power cables are very flimsy. I fully expect the wires and plugs to come apart in time.

If anything goes wrong, you will probably not be able to fix it yourself. You can read the reviews of Yaesu's repair facility. I was quoted $3000 to repair a power supply board and was told there would be no warranty since it was damaged by a power surge. I guess the power supply has no surge protector built in.

Yaesu will not sell the amp and power supply separately. If you lose one to lightning or a power surge, you will have to buy a whole new system. Be sure you have your equipment insured!

For 1/3 the money you can get plenty of other amps that will put out the same power and are a lot easier to repair. I replaced the Quadra with an AL572B and have no regrets.
AC5DF Rating: 2006-02-12
Heart of the Station Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The Yaesu VL-1000 Quadra System is the most wonderfull addition I have made to my FT-920 setup here in the shack. It is a beautiful piece that operates flawlessly and in perfect harmony with my 920. Power output is truly clean on all the bands. I have low power set to 600 and high power set to 1200 give or take a watt. The amplifier has plenty of head room above 1250 but........ Better hold it there. Mine is a sn# 5Ixxx Purchased new from HRO Atlanta in 2005. The amp and powersupply run super cool. The FANS take care of that. I love the sound of the 4 large FANS. There is another small FAN hidden underneath the amp to keep the tuner section cool! The display is awesome. 4 different screens to choose from while you operate. Automatic antenna switching per-band as I desire (4 antenna outs). 220v is the only way to go for full output but it runs nicely on 120v also with max about 700. The TUNER will TUNE almost anything within reason and the FANS run no louder than you would expect them to. Turn on the rig and the amp fires up automatically runs its self test and is ready for action. It is a hands off amplifier after you set it up. The only draw back to that is, it is so beautiful here in the shack, it is hard to keep my hands off of it. 4K is very reasonable when you hook it all up and realise they could have got 5 (hi!) This amplifier coupled to my A-3s & 920 is a 20 meter dream. I absolutely believe this amplifier is indestructable with its on board self monitoring protection system. I just dont see how a manufacturer could design a better amplifier than the VL-1000 Quadra System. It is the "Heart of the Station".