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Reviews For: Ameritron AL-1200

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

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Review Summary For : Ameritron AL-1200
Reviews: 58MSRP: 3310
Description:
Tube Type Linear Amplifier
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ameritron.com/products.php?prodid=AL-1200
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00584.9
W7RUE Rating: 2011-06-19
Excellent Amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have owned this AL-1200 for a couple of months now and it has thus far, given me excellent service. I am the third owner. It is a 2001 model and it is replacing an AL-811 which I sold to a new General-class friend of mine.

I got this AL-1200 from another ham friend who had it laying around in his shack collecting dust. He doesn't have a 240v service and he didn't think that he would ever get around to having it installed so it was a 'win-win' for both of us.

I drive it with a Yaesu FT-1000MP which only puts out 100 watts so it will never overdrive the amp. I don't need or have the ALC hooked up and I use an ARB-704 buffer between the amp and the transciever. I am quite satisfied with its performance. It puts out the full 1500 watts of clean RF with less than 100 watts of drive. It is easy to tune and very forgiving whenever I have a 'senior moment'.

I now have no problem with reaching those hard-to-contact stations when I am running or relaying for club and traffic nets; especially during poor atmospheric conditions!

So far I give it top marks!

W7Rue
K9XOK Rating: 2011-05-28
A fine Amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Here it breaks the pile ups and keeps the shack warm too. The tube is expensive to replace but if you do, replace it with a P3cx1500A7(8877) then you will have a AL-1500 but the supplied 3cx1200 is a very rugged tube.If I where to build this amp I would have put that very nice very heavy transformer on the floor with the rest of the power supply.The 8877 conversion is not a direct sub. Requires socket chimney and fil transformer changes. I run one daily on 7.153. With the 3cx1200a7 it loafs along at 800watts rms
When you test drive one it should do 1500 watts with 100 watts of drive.I like the amp, and if you can find one grab the used one for a lot less
money than the much smaller new amps.
Have fun Lifes too short for QRP :-)
73
W4USA Rating: 2010-04-04
GREAT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have several amps, My AL-1200 is by-far the #1.
It has a 30 second start time and gives full power. Not ever a problem. Works full duty. A little sensitive on 12 meters. I have operated mine for over 5 years now and would buy it again.



KG8DP Rating: 2010-02-18
WHAT A TANK!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am experienced with legal limit amps. Commander, Alpha and others. All I can say is WOW. I bought this TANK used only 20 minutes on the tube. the amp was purchased originally from a ham that is a silent key. His brother got it. No use. The boys were only mid 40's and i turn 46 this year. Paid 1900.00 for it went to outside of Detroit and paid for it brought it home. Shazam!!! A-4s, A-3WS, HF-2, and others they all love it. EASY TO TUNE FORGIVING. Find one. Buy it. I have heard they sell medical pulls in NE Ohio 3CX1200A7. If any body has a line on this, e-mail me. kg8dp@yahoo.com
KD8BZY Rating: 2009-09-29
I love this amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Have had my AL-1200 for only four days. It is serial no. 0277 and I bought it from a eham classified from a fine Ham in TN. It came unmodified and I inspected all workmanship before installing XFMR and tube/chimney. I was positively impressed by the workmanship involved. The power output is there plus, even for such an older unit (all original so far as I was told and can see). It is easy to tune and forgiving of operator headspace (if anyone can blow out a tube I can). This is my first full legal limit amp and I expect it to be mine for life. The blower, as described by many, is noticable - yes it is. I chase DX and usually the hot DX are pretty light. My ears are 57 years old now but I find it not an additional problem copying the light signals with this amp setting beside my rig, right there with me. Tuning is dependably repeatable. I paid a certain fair price for this amp just a few days ago and would NOT take an additional $500 profit for it. This is my keeper and I am so very happy to be able to have her. I love this amp.
W7MY Rating: 2009-02-07
Perfect 1.5 KW amp! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My AL-1200 is going on 10 years of near flawless performance.

My only failure was the surge suppressor relay in the HV primary circuit. Within a week I had a new relay and replacement resistor (design change) that went in easily.

If I had to purchase an amp today, I would not hesitate buying an AL-1200.
KI0Z Rating: 2008-08-28
Beyond Excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I wanted you to know the AL-1200-XQ is working flawlessly and the new 2.5KW Pin Diode QSK-5 PC internal PC is AWESOME ! It is seamless and silent, you can not detect any attenuation on or off and it is as smooth as if you were using the K C keyer, Perfect With the Icom. The new QSK-5 switch is far better than the old pin-5 switch as far as attenuation,swr change,loading and logic. the 12v jack on the back now has a lable called Handshake used for yaesu and Ten Tec.so I'm very happy with it.Love the instant on of the 3CX1200A7 truly a tuff tube,mine is 20 years old and puts out +900 watts with 30 watts in,and goes way beyond our needs. Need Help?? talk to MIKE ENNIS @Ameritron he is great to work with....!
K0KS Rating: 2008-06-06
Good Value for High-Power Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
My AL-1200 was rescued from CB service and is about 5 yrs old. It proabably wasn't used for ragchews or contesting. The HV cap and diode boards are shared with 2 other full-power amps and the caps are pushed beyond the max rating. Two of my 'lytics vented violently leaving a mess to clean up and $120 for new ones. When installing the xfmr and tube, do inspect and tighten everything because MFJ is notorious for bad solder and loose screws. The AL-1200 is NOT an Alpha but I didn't pay for one either. It's a good value for the bucks.
73 de Ken, K0KS
JUNKMAN Rating: 2008-03-17
Well Built Amplifier Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned two of these in the past and just bought another one used. It's a fairly early model but it works great. This one still has the original tube and only takes 75 watts to produce legal limit. 100 watts makes about 1950 watts out. Although not as much output as my 800H it is built better on the inside with better components. Would probably take alot more abuse than the 800H as well. I'm very well pleased with it.
WM3T Rating: 2008-03-06
Pretty Good Service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned the AL-1200 for about 2 years. In that time, I have had no problems with the amp, even when on the wrong antenna. I have a PL-259 that this amp burnt up without damage to the amp. I run legal limit for hours during contests and about 1K during RTTY contests. I don't doubt the ability of the amp to run legal limit with RTTY, but want to take it easy on the radio during that time.

I highly recommend this amp as the tuning is very smooth and very tolerant of operator error.