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Reviews For: Ameritron AL-811

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

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Review Summary For : Ameritron AL-811
Reviews: 151MSRP: 650
Description:
Uses three tough 811A transmitting tubes
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ameritron.com/products.php?prodid=AL-811
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001514.5
N2DE Rating: 2004-10-01
Great Price / Performance Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
When I bought this amp used on eBay, for a little less than $350, I was a little sceptical. Sure enough, the tubes needed to be replaced, but everything else looked pretty good, and I was actually surprised by the quality of many components in this low cost amplifier.

If you take a close look at the parts list for the AL-811 with 3 tubes and its bigger brother the AL-811H with 4 tubes, you'll see that they have the same power transformer and power supply components. So it seemed a reasonable assumption that the power supply has some spare capacity, and the Pi matching network is also identical for the AL-811 and the AL-811H and should be able to handle slightly more power. So I decided to replace the old 811A tubes with new 572B's. Since 3 572B's actually have a maximum plate dissipation of 480W, compared to 240W for 4 811A's, this configuration actually runs cooler and with less strain on the tubes than the AL-811H and easily produces the output of its bigger brother.

Overall this amplifier has been running exceptionally well, and it produces all the output I need (CW only here) to battle the declining sun spots.
W7AV Rating: 2004-08-28
Great Little Amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used the AL-811 for over 3 years with not one moment of down time. Bought it used on eBay, replaced the 3 tubes(cheap) because two were broke in shipping. Simple to hook up and very easy to tune (very forgiving when I forget to change the band on amp). I get 500w output on CW and thats all I need. No it's not an Alpha, but for someone who doesn't need 1500w to work the DX this is all the amp you need. Put your money in a GOOD antenna not an amp.
K4LLA Rating: 2004-03-02
Not bad Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got an AL-811 at a hamfest this weekend for $350 (they're $650 new). The seller claimed it had new tubes in it, which it does. After building a switchbox to make its relay work with my Kenwood 850 I was good to go. Power output is about 550 or so watts on the lower bands, but on 10 meters it only makes 450 watts. Even so, its not bad for a $350 amp.
K2CAD Rating: 2003-10-02
Great amp simple to use Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have had this amp for a little over 6 months and it works great. I bought it used and immediatly ordered a new set of tubes. The fact that it uses cheap tubes is a major plus. When it arrived the original tubes worked so well that I have not had the need to change them yet. It is simple to operate and provides the extra punch to get through the pile ups. Ameritron has done a great job with this classic grounded grid design.
WR0S Rating: 2003-09-30
Great Amp!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Good value for price. Used a friends amp last night and it worked great! I ordered one today from a reputable dealer and am awaiting its arrival. I liked how easily it tuned up. A very simple straight forward design. Tubes are cheap for it. I will put 572's into mine and likely run it til the day i die. WRØS
WD4AWO Rating: 2003-08-24
Use it 5 days a week Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Operate on 15 and 20 meters Monday-Friday and occasionally on 80, 40, and 17 with no problems.
Easy to change bands and retune.
Full rated output+ with 60 watts drive 80-15 meters.
Runs cool with forced air fan. Very little noise.
Recommend using a tuning pulser when loading.







KB6HRT Rating: 2003-08-24
Still working GREAT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have had the 811 a good 18 months and no complants here. I use it on 75 meters only! Have only retuned it twice since initian hookup and check out, output on 75 meters into a 87 ft inverted V is 800-900 watts with 1.2 SWR but a lot lower on the uper bands when i first checked it out, this is a great product for me! Output is still as good or better than when it was new, I even burnt one of the jumpers off my belum when the Amp was in line and after repairs were made to antenna the amp works as well as when new. Great Product, (Highly Recommended)

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Earlier 5-star review posted by KB6HRT on 2002-02-26

Did not want to buy a tube amp, but did not want to spend 5 Grand for the matching Amp for a ICOM. I brought the 811 and never having a Tube Amp I was a little leary. Hooked it up an alternate way from the manual diagram and it works swell. It improves my signal 2S units and thats what I was looking for. It has a forced fed fan system but it does not make a lot of noise. The Amp is big compared to my other components about twice the size of my RS35 power supply. All of the people that I have talked to have said it has not degraded my signal in any way and I sound loud and clear. I brought the 811 at AES in LV, NV. and the staff was very helpful, A win win deal.
KE4IZA Rating: 2003-06-08
Excellent Amplifier Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.

I bought my AL-811 about 5 weeks ago for $350. The unit was in mint condition except for a sliced power cord. I simply cut the bad section off and installed a new plug. The cord is now 18" long but reaches the power strip on my desk fine. 850w into a dummy load. 450w 10m and 550w 80m. Very easy to use and quiet. I do not understand the complaints I read about the noisy fan. I can not even hear mine. This linear comes in very handly when 100w will not make it. I am very satisfied with the AL-811 and recommend it for a general use linear amplifier.
VK6WB Rating: 2003-06-05
5+++++ Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This the good AMP that i ever have, So clean.
I run this AMP with my Icom IC-756, Only need
about 50 watt to drive it.to get full power
10M, I get 550 WATT out of it.
20M, I get 600+ WATT out of it.
40M/80M, I get 700 WATT out of it.
My antenna is MB Vertical HF6V. And it so cheap
second hand,I bought mine for $900AUD.
The FAN little bit noise, But it work oh.....
if you seen one buy it, you wouldn't regreted.
Cheeers and 73's de Gusti VK6WB

N1XXU Rating: 2003-05-16
Good Amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought the 811 used from Lentini's in Newington
Ct.about 5yrs ago for $350 and the unit has worked
great. I also bought a set of matched tubes for $25 at a Hamfest. Output is Lower at 10mtrs & 12mtrs at about 450w.The rest of the bands are within 500 to 600w ranges. I think that I got a great value for my money. I use it with a Icom
756 and and MFJ tuner into a G5RV or a Cushcraft
R7000 vertical.