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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
K1ZYW Rating: 2007-12-15
6 YRS & STILL GREAT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this amp for over 6 years - bought it new.
IT JUST KEEPS ON PUMPING OUT 1500W ON ALL BANDS despite my many senior momements....

I have owned many amplifiers but this one is the best - and it is a basic amp that any OT OP will be able to maintain....

Smooth loading and MOST Rugged

Ken K1UM (EX K1ZYW)
K7YNO Rating: 2007-09-29
Excellent value Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I got a good deal on a used AL-1200 made in 1987 that needed some refurbishment due to prior operator mis-use, not design deficiencies. It now puts out more than 1500 watts CW with the original tube! The 3CX1200A7 is a very rugged tube.
I replaced the arc-damaged plate tuning cap (from high SWR) and replaced an arc-damaged 120 VAC SPST step start relay with a $10 double-pole version, both poles tied in parallel, and the step start resistor with a 20-Ohm unit, as used in the newer units. I replaced the meter lights (which had burned out) with a light-bar I made from 1/2-inch plexiglas bar stock, and 6 super bright white LED's, 3 above each meter(and appropriate series dropping resistors). The LED lighted meters look great. Stripping and repainting the cover made the amp look like new. When I replaced the bias zeners (one had been damaged) I improved their heat sinking to the chassis with an aluminum strip with smaller thru holes, and thermal grease. I adjusted the position of the 40-meter coil to reduce coupling into the cover, per factory suggestion. I made 0-100 scales for the TUNE and LOAD caps, that I laser printed. This makes logging settings much easier. Factory technical support was excellent, and Ameritron replacement parts cost was very fair (zeners and new plate tuning cap). I have several HF linears, this one is a keeper!
KG4HUP Rating: 2007-01-18
Very Impressive amp Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I was thinking about a legal limit amp for sometime so I came across this AL-1200. I sure am glad I purchased this unit. I have a old AL80-A that has worked perfect for 7 years. The AL-1200 will put out legal limit very easily. On 160-75-40 meter bands it will do 1500 watts with very little power input. I dont think I will ever need any more amp than this jewel. Works great an looks great, I'm very impressed. 73's Tom
N4JA Rating: 2006-08-31
Great amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I am one of the hams that has 2 linears. For the other summary, read my review of the Ameritron AL-82. In this review I will be comparing the AL-1200 to the AL-82.
With 100 watts drive, the AL-82 will put out 200 watts more output than the AL-1200, but you can drive the AL-1200 with 200 watts and get considerably more power out. However you can get more than 1500 watts out with 100 watts drive on either amp. I am not suggesting you run more than 1500 watts out, but I am giving you this information as a comparison for you to consider when you choose an amplifier. As of this writing the tube for the AL-1200 costs $729.00 and a pair of tubes for the AL-82 costs $300.00 from RF Parts.
K9KJM Rating: 2006-04-18
Great Buy! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I agree with the other positive remarks about the Ameritron AL-1200 amplifier.
I bought mine used, With a few minor problems. Sent it in to Ameritron and they brought it up to new specs for a VERY reasonable cost!
As mentioned by others, The cooling fan does make some noise, But I have my amp built into a console, That helps to quiet it down a little bit, AND I look at an RF amplifier like using NOS in a drag race car. Just turn it on when really needed!
A minor complaint is the plate tuning knob. I replaced mine with a vernier type tuning dial so I can return to previous settings every time.
(I log settings on a sheet and can return to a setting for a particular antenna with NO on air tune up at all! (The amp is very forgiving of a minor VSWR mismatch)
All in all a GREAT value!
WD6DBM Rating: 2005-12-04
Bury me with it Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my AL-1200 about 16 years ago, so it's an oldie. I've been active and inactive on ham radio over the years, and bought and sold a lot of equipment. I had two SB-220s before this amp, and have used a number of amps in contests at different stations, including an Alpha 87a. I love this amp. With my TS-690 it puts out a high of 1800 watts on 40m, and a low of 1300 W on 10 meter. It operates slightly out of tune without a complaint--the huge grid dissipation has saved my cookies a lot of times. It is rugged and built well. I won't say it's better than an Alpha, but it's half the price! It loafs along w/SSB. I've never had a problem with it.

Why am I writing this review after so long? Folks, last night I busted through a pileup on 20 meters with it to work a south pacific station. Only I had left the antenna switch on my 40/80 vertical, and it was probably runnning into a 4:1 SWR, at 1500w. I love this amp.
AD3G Rating: 2005-08-20
Good value Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Good amp for the money...Stiff power supply,good construction,only weakness is component quality...cabinet is kind of flimsy,doorknob caps could be a little bigger,but for the money (1300-1700 used)it's tough to beat. Will do legal limit all day long. Fan is a little noisy,only because of the volume of air it moves,but you get used to it.Dollar for dollar,probably best value legal limit amp going,because they're not pricey used. Also easy to work on if needed,unlike some other amps out there with logic IC's and and other proprietary components used in their design,so when they break it's off to the manufacturer for repair,unless you have a benchful of test equipment and a fair amount of repair savvy.
W9PMZ Rating: 2005-07-03
Very Good Value Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Very nice and economical amplifier.

Manual very informative. Follow the instructions and tuning is a breeze.

Did have the fuse blow once, but I was trying to tune the amplifier on 40M with a 80M signal.

Reasonably quiet.

Would purchase this amplifier again.

If any room for improvement, the metal cover could be a little thicker.
W2DAP Rating: 2005-02-07
Great value Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is a lot of amplifier for a relatively low price based on the current marketplace. I am particularly impressed with the full-wave rectifier circuit which is very stiff. Key down voltage drop is less than advertised. I use mine exclusively on AM at 300 watts carrier. To achieve this output, the 3CX1200 requires about 12 watts drive. PEP is about 1200 watts and well within the dissipation rating of that big final by Eimac. The power supply is rugged and even after a long period of operating, the area around the Peter Dahl xfmr is still cool. I like the resettability of the tank, it is by the numbers. I wired my blower for max speed and while noise is about 70 db, I find it acceptable, as moving a lot of air is a very good idea with these operating parameters and that unit will do it. I am very pleased with the blower, it is an extremely well-balanced ball bearing unit which, when power is removed takes almost half a minute to completely stop. This is a good component. The build quality of the amp is excellent with clean solder joints, a well thought out layout to begin with and easy access to most service areas should this be required.
N3MX Rating: 2005-01-18
I am happy with performance Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Good solid amplifier which works as advertised. I have now owned this amp for one year and have used it in serveral contests and have many hours on it. I will say, that to get a full 1500 watts output you definitly need to be putting a full 100 watts or slightly more input to the amp. Both my Icom 756 PRO 2 & 3 do not quite drive it to a full 1500 watts on all bands. The manual states you need about 90 watts to get full output and I am finding it needs a full 100 watts on my amp. That being said, I do get 1250 watts to 1500 watts depending on the band I am working. I have measured the output of the 756 PRO's and they are putting out between 85 & 95 watts to an external meter. So my assessment is that the AL-1200 is working as advertised by Ameritron. The AL-1200 is a very sturdy reliable amp. It is used by many contesters and DX'ers with a solid reputation and is in my opinion a excellent value for a legal limit amplifier.