Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Alpha 87A

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 87A
Reviews: 98MSRP: 6500 + shipping
Description:
The Ultimate 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
00984.8
K3SW Rating: 2012-08-30
Best Amp I've Ever Owned! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my Alpha 87A in 2004. It's been a freakin' workhorse here for 8 years now. I mainly work DX but 2 years ago got into contesting. As their ads show with the brick on the key, this amp can really pump out the maximum legal limit of RF and never gets wimps out! I've considered upgrading to the 9500 but my 87A just keeps on keeping on.

I also have the Alpha 4510 wattmeter so I can keep tabs on the antennas and keep my 87A happy!

Steve...K4IKM...73!...
N0AZZ Rating: 2012-08-18
A Real Bargin for a Quality Amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have owned 5 other amps in the past all were new 4 Amertron's 3 tube type's and a SS one. A Yaesu Quadra VL-1000 that I use with my FTDX-5000MP and my IC-9100 works very well.

Recently added 2 K3's to the station and decided to add another amp after searching for a while I came across the Alpha "RF Concepts" web site and looked at all of there amps. After reading and researching all of them I decided on a refurbished Alpha 87A. They came with a warranty and were a great amp so I ordered it and 3 days later it was on my door step.

When I brought it in and started to install the transformer I couldn't help from being impressed with the quality of the build parts and workmanship. It was nothing like the Ameritrons that I had owned in the past not at all.

Fired it up with my K3 and it hit 1k with 37w of drive nice 48w legal limit and auto band changing and frequency. The AlphaMax software that comes with the amp is really a nice touch as well for real control of the amp.

Must admit so far very impressed with this Alpha amp for sure.
KN2M Rating: 2012-06-27
Used in my remote station Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I use the 87A as my amplifier and the Alpha control software for my remote station. I have Alpha Max installed. Except for loss of down time after a High Voltage spike into the house 12KV, the unit has never gone down.
JH1ILX Rating: 2012-06-21
What a superb linear! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought my 87A as pre-owned at the Alpha's website. This is as good as new and working quite well for me. I have Yaesu FL7000 for 500W operation. In compare with FL7000, 87A is very quiet and giving me a very stable operation. 87A is very heavy and it is hard to place on my desk so that it has settled on the floor and used with AlphaRemote. It is perfect and I am enjoying ham radio very much. Thanks Alpha!!
XE1GR Rating: 2012-06-18
Excellent Amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I’ve used my 87A for almost two years, this is my first Alpha amplifier and the most wonderful amp I have ever owned, over the past several years I have worked both solid state and tube type including Emtron, Collins, Kenwood and Icom but this 87A is in top of all.
The construction, materials and wiring is impeccable and done by professionals.
I bought it second hand; the first owner sent it to Alpha for upgrades and a full check-up so I may say that it is like new. I was operating this amp from my maritime mobile station, I always got excellent signal reports trough my 3 double bazooka antennas. I will take it home to replace my Emtron DX-3.
The tuning is fast and smooth along with very quick automatic band switching; I have my IC-7700 connected to my PC as well as my 87A together with HRD the amp is automatically following the band and frequency segment changes of the IC-7700.
This amp is extremely quiet, it runs quiet and cool even with the optional fan which is always running, is an absolute pleasure to operate.
It will put out full legal limit with about 37W of drive and I have measured with my LP-100A up to 2.5 kW into the dummy load!!
The best is that this amp is keeping a good value, taking this into consideration and all the mentioned above you can’t go wrong with the 87A, I strongly recommend it.
The service support is fantastic, Molly she was always very quickly answering all my questions, I must say that I never had any single issue with this amp.
but if this happen one day, RF Concepts holds all the parts for this amplifier.

73 from the high seas
Juan-Pablo, XE1GR / MM
N4NW Rating: 2012-04-16
Best of all my Alphas Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The Alpha 87a, in my opinion is the best of all of the Alpha amplifiers I have owned (see other Alpha reviews).

I got this 1993 model used from a friend. It is just super. Yes, the plugs do need to be 'exercised' to keep the faults to a minimum but its performance has been great. When the Alpha became available I gave up the Ten-Tec Titan I had used since returning from Africa and selling my Alpha 77Sx (too much power for the US), I took the offer.

Still on the original tubes, although I have a spare set of 3CPX800s, it will put out the FULL legal limit with about 40 watts of drive from the IC-7800.

Others have commented on the wire/plug situation but other than the minor inconvenience of unplugging it, taking off the cover, exercising the plugs, vacuuming any dust out of the blower, I have found it performing flawlessly since 2009 in my shack.

I am considering replacing it with the 9500 - I like the built in 4 port antenna switching, resolution of the plug issue and true PEP watt meter. Nevertheless, the 87a still commands about $4k in value and continues to hold that value.

Unlike the 9500, the 87a will run outputs in excess of 1500 watts, a little more than 2kW in fact - it your dummy load will take it! So if you feel you really need all 1500 solid watts then consider the 87a.

Don't mess around with those lesser devices which pretend to be HF amplifiers.
K0EOO Rating: 2012-04-16
Excellent Amp!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just purchased a refurbished Alpha 87A from Alpha and can't say enough about how well is has been performing! I use it with my Flex5000A and use DDUtil to control the Alpha's remote functions. All I do is change bands on my 5000A and the Alpha just follows, tunes up and is putting out full power.... I'm so spoiled... 73' Dennis, k0eoo
K4VUD Rating: 2012-04-02
Age is not kind Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Over ownership of two 87a the PIN diode problem is continuously vexing, repaired several times and still intermittent Fault 9.

With age, the numerous plugs and sockets inside corrode and stop working. The fix is to disassemble and wipe all those items. Likely necessary twice a year, more often in humid environments.

Not surprising that the 9500 is advertised as not having this rats nest of little plugs, and as having no PIN diodes. Alpha knows what is wrong.
AD6W Rating: 2012-03-29
16 years, going strong Time Owned: more than 12 months.
An update to my post years ago - 87A still going strong after 16 years, changed the blower last year, still full output from the original tubes. The 87A is the reason I have 102 confirmed on 160 meters from a small city lot on the West Coast.
KB3RSB Rating: 2012-03-07
kb3rsb Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
8410 is easy to operate , does 1500 watts with 30 to 35 watts of drive, best amp ive owned. i have had several amps, tech support is good, i would buy again.