| K1ESM |
Rating:      |
2010-01-03 | |
| Great fun with first Amp |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I purchased an Ameritron AL-811 from HRO in Salem, NH over the holiday week. This was my first amplifier.
I decided on the AL-811 versus more expensive options. My initial plan was a solid-state, autoswitching amp with an auto-tuner based on my ideas of how difficult constantly tuning a tube amplifier would be. But based on discussions with several other hams on the air, I decided to save some money and learn about the classic tube amplifier designs that countless other hams have experienced.
The amplifier was packaged well in a double-box setup. After unpacking the amp I took off the cover and did a thorough inspection of the internal workmanship. I found a couple of high voltage wires too close to a PC board. I also found a trace on a PC board that has been scratched about half-way through. All the screws were tight and no other major problems were seen. The fit of the tubes into the sockets was OK with more slop then I expected.
After reading the AL-811 and my TS-2000 manuals through a few times I was ready to fire this thing up. I built a relay-keying cable using the 7 pin connector supplied with the TS-2000. I left the ALC off for now knowing that were was no way I was over-driving this thing being gun shy with tube amps.
Initial tuning into a dummy load was uneventful. Before putting the amp online I went back and double-checked the SWR of the Hustler 4-BTV in the Voice portions of the bands where I wished to operate. All was well so off I went....
I have worked several countries on 20 and 40 meters with the AL-811. Reception reports have been outstanding. Power output has been as advertised on CW mode. I don't have a peak meter to verify SSB output, but anyone that I've heard I've worked. I can't ask for anything more.
I just stared with this amp but I'm happier then I have ever been operating in my 18 year ham radio career.
The price was good, the fit and finish were acceptable, and the enjoyment is sky-high. Based on my experience so far I am giving the Ameritron AL-811 a 5/5.
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| K8ALM |
Rating:   |
2009-12-04 | |
| Ok amp for the money however... |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| My AL-811 works great after $64 for new capicitors (which I found out later I did not need. Bad advice from one of the Ameritron techs), and a trip back to Ameritron to fix the unit because it was blowing fuses (which cost me another $174). If you have the money buy a better amp like a Tokyo Hy-Power. I would not buy another Ameritron amp. |
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| KG4GPJ |
Rating:      |
2009-11-10 | |
| Good amp for the $$$ |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I've been running this amp for about 2 months now. It's my first amp, so I was a little leary of the tuning process, but more comfortable now. I bought it used from HRO-Delaware, which had it on consignment from the estate of an SK to whom HRO had sold it new about 4 years ago. After an "adjustment" for issues with the 811A tubes, I paid $450.00, plus shipping, a reasonable price considering the 30-day return policy HRO extended.
35 - 40 watts of drive from a Kenwood TS-870S gives 500 - 600 watts out on 80 and 40. I tend to run on the lower side of that range, so as to not push the amp too hard. The 20 meter band adjustment needs some "tweaking," as the amp doesn't want to tune up as effortlessly on 20 as it does on 80 and 40. I haven't really tried 10 or other bands.
I am using the Ameritron 704 amp buffer/interface/relay, but it's probably not necessary with the built-in amp relay and ALC interface of the TS-870S. I also have an ICOM IC-706, and the 704 or another amp keyer/interface is required to drive the amp with the 706.
I have been pleased with this amp, and would recommend it to anyone as a first amp or otherwise. It does exactly what it's designed for.
Having said that, this AL-811 will be up for sale in the not-too-distant future, as I just acquired an AL-80A from the estate of another SK. Just as soon as my Elmer and I give the AL-80A a thorough "going over," I'll be parting (with some sadness) with the AL-811. No good reason to leave the AL-811 behind, other than the the Tim ("Tool Time") Taylor mantra of "More Power!"
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| KJ4ECM |
Rating:      |
2009-11-10 | |
| Nice unit |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| It gives me a 2-4 DB boost over 100 watts. I can run digital SSTV at 400 watts all day. 80 meters is a little scary loading. Most of the time 30 watts of drive is too much. So far, not a single problem. Does what it is suppose to. Paid $400(us) used. Im thinking about new tubes just for the heck of it. |
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| OE3SGU |
Rating:      |
2009-03-02 | |
| all you may need to work DX |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
The amp works fine, giving me an easy 400-600 Watts out on all bands which is more than enough for our 400 W legal limit here in OE. Thats all you may ever need to work DX and for the price you cant beat it. The valves are very cheap and easily replacable. I might install 572Bs to see if it makes a difference. Like the AL-80B and all other Ameritrion products I owned some time ago it is well finished. The only complaint I have are the shared inputs for 30/40, 15/17 and 12/10 meters but that is common on many amplifiers. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.
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| WI7B |
Rating:      |
2009-01-16 | |
| After Re-Work, Still Strong |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I still use it after 4.5 years. Re-tubed with Taylor 572Bs, still a linear 500W averaged on CW.
I had a slight detour for a while with the input and output relays. They burned out, twice. Cheap to fix, but after the second burn, the foil on the rear PCB delaminated. Not pretty. So, talked to Mike at the Ameritron factory and ordered a new rear PCB with installed components for about 20% of the price of the amp.
You can follow the 'adventure' of installing that board in the AL-811 here...
=> http://wi7b.org/newpcb.html
But now, it purrs like new.
73,
---* Ken
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Earlier 5-star review posted by WI7B on 2008-01-17
I've enjoyed my AL-811 for over three years. Some feckless tune-ups and a burned-out ceramic inductor switch in my eBay-purchased tuner finally brought down one of my 811As. Power dropped to 350 PEP on SSB.
So, I re-tubed with the Taylor 572Bs. WoW! Right move. Sustained power out is 600W PEP with grid current ~120 ma. Runs cool, runs linear. Just remember to follow instructions and let the little puppies warm up on STANDBY for ~10 hours before tranmsitting to let the Ti getter do its job, clean up and improve vacuum.
73,
---* Ken
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Earlier 4-star review posted by WI7B on 2007-08-13
My first review (Sep 29, 2005) was written after 6 months of ownership. I wrote a second (Dec 8, 2006). Both times, I 've given this little amp a 5/5. This summer, problems arose.
After a 3 week vacation, I came back to find that I had difficulty loading up on 80m. While all indications were that I was exciting the AL-811, there was no output. Jiggling the Band Switch between 40m and 80m eventually brought up output on 80m. I suspected dust and disuse were the culprits. I openned it up and cleaned it out as per manual instructions.
My balcony was recently washed and re-painted, forcing me to take down my HF antenna. After this two week hiatus, I again turned to my AL-811. As soon as I flipped the power on, there was a crackling noise and the inboard fuse blew.
I again suspected dust and disuse. I openned it up, and cleaned it per the manual. In addition, I used Phillips anti-dust spray for electronics. After this, I closed it up. Now the power came on, but when I attempted to load it up, the AL-811 crackled, and the outboard fuse blew.
Undaunted, I replaced the fuse, loaded it with minimal 5 W exciter power on a different band. That worked. I slowly raised the exciter power. The output rose, all the way back to 500W.
I then went back to 80m and followed the same procedure. It loaded up fine.
What's up with this? I cannot find any unsoldered joints. Although, as has been pointed out, some are poorly fitted. Is this a sign of capacitor or tube failure, ot transformer arcing? Or is it just dust?
73,
---* Ken
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Earlier 5-star review posted by WI7B on 2006-12-08
I wrote a review of my AL-811 after 6 months of useage (Sep 29, 2005). After 20 months of use and abuse, it still drums like an "Energizer Bunny"(TM). The 811 half-sixpack hasn't lost a beat or a watt. It's garnered me WAS, as well as DX from Asiatic Russia to Argentina, Finland to Ukraine feeding only a 12 foot whip antenna on my balcony.
In anticipation of the ARRL 10-Meter Contest, I FAX'd Ameritron a copy of my license and they instantly FAX'd me the absolutely simple mod to open it up for 10 meter amplification.
It's my first and only HF amp, but if my future amps are anything this simple and durable I'll be a happy ham. Plus, its warm glow helps ward off Winter's bite!
73,
---* Ken
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Earlier 5-star review posted by WI7B on 2005-09-29
Bought my AL-811 from HRO. Have run it almost daily for over 6 months. It is a great performer, even when the ham driving it is having problems. I know I have done a few stupid things in tuning up (to embarassing to mention) that would easily had fried a 3-500Z tube. But these little buddies keep on pumping!
Absolutely nothing has gone wrong with my AL-811 in all this time and through all this abuse. The ALC is easy to adjust after reading the instructions and that's about it. I bought the Ameritron amplifier interface, although with my TS-480SAT I could probably got away without it.
73,
---* Ken |
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| KI6LO |
Rating:    |
2008-11-18 | |
| Solid little amp for the price |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Bought my 811 amp used about 18 months ago. Works just like advertised. Easy to tune. Have run both 572B and 811A tubes in it. Get a solid 600W on 80M to 500+ on 10M using a PEP reading wattmeter and two tone input on new set of Taylor 811A's.
One feature I really don't like is the shared input tuning circuit for 17M/15M and 12M/10M. I like to work both 17M and 15M so I had to split the SWR level between the 2 bands for my TS-940S to look into. 12/10 didn't really matter for now as I usually am only on 10M if open. How hard would it have been to add a couple more switch positions?
I have learned a good lesson about running RTTY. The manual says cut the power back to around 400W for RTTY. I guess I ran a few too many RTTY contests at max power cause I ate up a set of Chinese 572B's in about 12 months use. So now using 811A's and I turn the power back to 400W like the manual says. So far so good.
It ain't no ALPHA amp but then the tax on an ALPHA would pay for the AL-811.
Would I buy another one - probably, but depends on intended use. I would probably go for something in the 1 KW or higher class. |
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| K6VU |
Rating:      |
2008-10-17 | |
| Better Than Expected! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| I bought this amp slightly used on E-Bay about a year ago, to use until I made up my mind about buying a "real" amp. It puts out almost 700W, very clean on the scope, and has been very reliable, impressive for what most would call a "low end" amp. I now use the 811 with my old FT-101E setup and use a "new" 811H with my new 746ProII, and getting 870W from the "H" with 65W drive. Inexpensive to own & operate, you can re-valve the 811 for around $100, what's not to like? |
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| K4LD |
Rating:      |
2008-10-12 | |
| Good |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I rescued this amplifier from a ham who has quite a reputation with amplifiers. I paid $325 for the amplifier, which made up for the basket of lies I had been told about the amps performance.
Upon inspection of the amplifier, it put out the most power it put out on any band was 440 watts, which was totally inexcusable. The filter capacitors needed to be replaced, and the IP/HV switch needed to be replaced.
After help from a fellow ham, we got the amplifier to do over 700 watts on a Bird.
It's not an Alpha or an Acom, but it all in all it works nice and gets the job done.
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| KI4CRA |
Rating:     |
2008-08-14 | |
| Decent amp |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Got my AL-811 in a trade a couple of months ago,so this is a used amp and I knew it. Before the amp arrived I went ahead and ordered 3 new 911 tubes from Ameritron, I was going to put 3 new tubes in weather it needed it or not. Good thing I did, cause when the amp arrived it was only single boxed, suprised it came through at all. Well not only were two of the tubes broken (little metal caps on top broken off) but the board where the ceramic caps a soldered to the caps were broken off, in shipping no doubt. Well after another call to Ameritron ordered a new relay board with caps and all for $32. Well got everything ordered in tubes relay board. my plate current meter was dead, another call another order to Ameritron, got the meter in, got everything soldered back in. Powered up the amp, no output power. Checked and rechecked, ANOTHER call to Ameritron talked to one of their tech's and we spent the next half hour trouble shooting the amp came down to 2 wires one to the coil behind the grind current knob and another to the bandswitch, again probably due to the way it had been shipped.
Finally after all was said and done the amp now preforms flawlessly, with the new tubes and board, everything solderd in the way its supposed to be I easily get 600-650 watts on SSB. Good amplifier for the money, probably should have waited spent the extra on the AL-811H, but for an extra 200 watts probabl wouldn't make much difference.
Anyway, this amps a keeper, I'll run it till I can't get parts for it any longer, or it just gives up the ghost and dies on me. Even after all my troubles most of which were probably brought on by the way in which it was shipped, if the previous owner had taken the time and boxed it properly maybe none of this would have happened, then again maybe it would have. Still a good amp for the $125 I put into it.
73 de Mark
AI4HO |
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