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Reviews For: Alpha 87A

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

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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
WL7M Rating: 2000-04-12
Awesome Amp! Time Owned: unknown months.
I can only echo the other reviews of this amplifier - it's like having a 1 KW transceiver that is fully automated - from 160 through 10! Full QSK, instant bandswitching with only a couple of "dits" or even just a gentle, whispered "puff" into the mike will make it tune up properly to the right band. I've nailed all the latest DXpeditions with nearly the first call. With DX4WIN's automatic transceiver tuning, it's a point-and-click world - click on the DX spot and in a microsecond, you're ready to work the new one. I considered the ACOM 2000A, but being a new to the market amplifier, I was leary, and went with the amplifier with a solid history and 4 year warranty, vice a one year warranty. The Alpha 87a is built like a tank, has a very thorough manual, great features, and is a great value! You can't ask for more. 73, Joe WL7M
WA4RYW Rating: 2000-04-01
Excellent Amp Time Owned: unknown months.
I have had my 87A for a little over a year now and have been very impressed with it. I received the AlphaMAX and AlphaRemote upgrades and installed them in 10 minutes (after I got this tank apart), and everything works as advertised. The only problem I have had is the QC may have slipped a little (built on Friday) and some connectors, jacks and assorted other fasteners vibrated loose. I noticed this when the wire on the TX phono plug finally broke due to the plug spinning around on the chassis. This thing is built like a tank and extremely difficult to get to certain components without removing several other sub-assemblies to gain access. It was a royal pain in the a** to repair, but since tightening everything back down and repairing my TX relay jack, It has performed flawlessly. This unit is truly a joy to own.

Another important note to add, I had a matching network go bad in a folded dipole I was using, and the 87A detected the mismatch and shut down instantly with no damage whatsoever. I believe if I was using my "other" amp at the time, I most certainly would have fried something. The protection devices that this thing incorporates are amazing. Look up the error code (displayed by flashing lights) and diagnose the problem. I'm seriously considering purchasing my second one.
K4MGN Rating: 2000-03-14
FO0AAA No problem! Time Owned: unknown months.
I really got a chance to test this amp out on the FO0AAA ... I had not had it inline I had just purchased it from an estate sale.

I sent it back to Alpha for free upgrades and to ensure that there was nothing wrong with it. They made any upgrades/mods to my amp since its design for nothing. All I had to pay was the shipping cost.

As far as usage it is simple to use and I am seriously impressed with it's performace. FO0AAA first try on almost every band with only a R7000 vertical. Got them on 40m, 20, 17 and 10 first try and 12, 15 with just a little effort. This amp changed me from a small fry to a medium gun overnight! Thanks ALPHA!
N5OT Rating: 2000-02-13
Hard if not impossible to beat Time Owned: unknown months.
I have had occasion to use just about every amp made, including a number of Alpha 87As. Sure I was upset the one and only time I hard-faulted W6AQs (very early) amp and had to send it back. I am not someone who routinely destroys equipment. I think it is telling that the factory very promptly conceded the original PIN doides were not stout enough, had already changed the design, and repaired Dave's unit at no cost to us. Subsequently when I got my own Alpha (an 86), the factory also performed the same upgrade, again at no cost.

I don't think a product has to be perfect to be good, but this kind if integrity at the factory is certainly a breath of fresh air. With the better PIN diodes, I have never hard-faulted another Alpha in 7 years, and none of the units (mine, AQ's or W6UE's) has been back to the factory since - they are kind of like those pink bunnies.
W2XX Rating: 1999-10-19
My favorite piece of gear! Time Owned: unknown months.
I have owned an 87-A for the last 4 1/2 years.
It was previously owned by another ham who probably used it for less than 20 hours total.

I have put many hundreds (thousands?) of hours on it since then, mainly in competitive contesting, in both single-op and multi-op service. It has *never* let me down in the heat of battle.

The one time I had trouble with it, due to a nearby lightning strike, Alpha fixed it in record time and had it back to me in time for the next contest. They were very courteous, helpful and fully understood my dilemma.

I just received the AlphaMax and AlphaRemote upgrade and can't wait to install it.

I wish everything else I spent $4000+ on worked
as well.
W4CID Rating: 1999-10-17
Works Great But ... Time Owned: unknown months.
I now own 87A s/n 002, sold to me by K2WE. Seems like it was bragged on at the time. Works fine and has done so for last 4-5 years.
K4ISV Rating: 1999-10-17
how can you beat the BEST Time Owned: unknown months.
Several amps are use here in a contest environment. The 87a's perform flawlessly!

When I decided to setup a contest station in VP5 an absolute given was to have a 87A!
9K2HN Rating: 1999-10-17
Great Friend..... Time Owned: unknown months.
I have been using my Alpha 87a for four years now, and it was really a good friend in the Pile-ups and in the contests. I don't think there is any thing in the market today even close to the Alpha 87a. I will never forget it......... Thank you Alpha
W9RN Rating: 1999-10-16
BEST AMP I'VE OWNED IN 36 YEARS OF DXING! Time Owned: unknown months.
I have owned the 87a for 4 years. Previously have owned an Alpha 77dx (still have) a BTI, and a SB -200. 2 years ago the high voltage decoupling caps went and Alpha replaced quickly and at n/c.With this 1 exception the 87a has performed flawlessly.Absolutely love the ability to quickly band hop. Sure, you can tune many amps quickly, but this amp really spoils you in the same way going from tune up tube transmitters to no tune solid state transceivers does. I've now owned Alpha products for 16 years.After sales support has been outstanding. My experience over the years dealing with ETO/Alpha is one which is highly ethical,forthright and customer oriented,a real credit to Dick Ehrhorn.
KE4WY Rating: 1999-10-04
FLAWLESS QUIET FULL OUTPUT AMP Time Owned: unknown months.
I have owned my 87A over (4) years and it's ran quiet and flawlessly. I recently added the Alpha Max and Alpha Remote upgrade to the amp and it performs as advertised. I would buy another one.