Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Yaesu FL-7000

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

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Yaesu FL-7000
Reviews: 28MSRP: 1895
Description:
500-700 watts out. 10-80 meter solid state.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.n4ats.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00284.6
W2FMB Rating: 2020-11-14
Bill Grassa- N4ATS Repair Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My band change servo went out on my FL-7000 so I sent it down to the FL-7000 specialist- Bill Grasso. Unfortunately the box I shipped it in was damaged causing some damage to my amplifier. Bill repaired the damage as well as the servo problem. He also did a mod for me. I had my 7000 back and on the air, as good as new within a week. I highly recommend Bill for any Fl-7000 repair, or other work you may need done.
G3EJS Rating: 2019-06-16
Best I have used! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I used one many years ago, and a couple of years ago I bought another.
Have used it with a IC-7300, IC-7600 and now with an FT-991A.
With the Icoms I made up a keypad to change bands on the rig and FL-7000 and to set the Icoms power; of course with the 991A it follows the rig automatically.

I made up a home brew version of the antenna switch (works as the original) so I have a fully automated system, built in tuner (which has a very wide range compared to any of the rigs internal tuner) and 4 antenna selection for less than half the price of the nearest used equivalent.

It will do 500W plus on all bands, so it has an easy time with our 400W limit.

Protection is excellent, I have never had a false trip, and I like the power folding back fairly quickly if the SWR is a bit high.

Using FT8 continuously for a long time, the fans do come on high, but on SSB they don't, which is what I would expect.

I don't see the advantage of a solid state linear with no auto tuner, this one gives you instant band changes,

The auto tuner is not the fastest, however it is silent.
Once you have tuned it on your antennas, it occasionally needs a quick stab at one of the tuner buttons to bring the SWR down, but not a full tune, so the speed really has little effect in actual use.

Prices vary, but £800 or less is a bargain!
KC8HXO Rating: 2019-03-28
Wonderful! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Hidden diamond, if you can find one. Wired with my FTDX-3000, it's just like having a 600W rig. Band changes on amp follow right along with the rig. Will run just fine on a stout 120V supply line. QSK built in. Fairly quiet.... I have mine setting upon a laptop cooler, and the fans nearly never hit high speed. Cannot speak highly enough of this unit. A+
VA3PUX Rating: 2017-11-01
Great amplifier Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought a four button model from a local ham (VA3MPM) and use it with my ICom 7300. Output is limited to 500 watts from a 120 volt socket. There have been no issues short of user error that quickly threw the amplifier into safe mode.

Hopefully Bill will perform his magic on it in Feb. 2018 as my friend is spending time not far from his QTH.
AD4PF Rating: 2017-02-01
Great AMP Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is the Second one for me.Sold the first one what a mistake. Bought another one works good the four button one. This amp is so easy to use . I have the band switching cable hooked up to my FT -1000 D The amp follows the radio wherever I go. Makes it's a lot easier for the operator. The amp also has the modifications done by MR Bill N4ATS . If you can find one pick one up you won't be sorry that you did. Billy AD4PF email billyad4pf@gmail.com
W1PDG Rating: 2014-08-27
Still loving it. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Have been using the fl-7000 from N4ATS for a couple of weeks and for my ft-1000d I can't imagine that there would be a better match. Using a dentron super tuner rather than the built in tuner and a radio works Carolina windom. Fans are whisper quiet and this thing doesn't even get hot. Using the external alc to adjust the output to around 600 watts on 20 meters works great with the 200 watt exciter. Seeing from 600 to 670 watts cw depending on the band. Band switching works great too with the cable I got from WN2FMM who makes cables for Bill N4ATS . If you want one of these amps get it from Bill. You won't be sorry.

Update 8-27-2014 I just wanted to say that now that I have had more time to use the amp I realize the two speed fan isn't quiet once it kicks into second gear. Using the amp to run a net for 3 hours 2 nights a week and never a hiccup from it. Still loving it!
OD5ZZ Rating: 2013-09-07
Great amplifier Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had this amplifier since the 90's but it went to the side with the presence of the bigger AL-1500 , actually I forgot about it , till my AL-1500 needed service and I started to use the FL-7000 again, it is a trusty amplifier , it gives you the 500+ W output , I do not like the tuner side so I use the Ten Tec 238B as an external tuner , but as an amplifier it is a great piece, if you fine one in the market you will not regret having it.
AH6OY Rating: 2013-08-01
Buy 2 Maybe 3 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It's a N4ATS beauty. Just started taking the amp camping. Amp had set around for 4 years while under antenna restrictions but it's escaped now. Power meter sure jumps to full power quick but that's what's going on working EU from a campsite on the other side of the world. Ran the amp SSB using the foot switch PTT with no problems. WN2FMM listed on Bill's FL-7000 website is making me a couple cables now for my mobile rigs. He originally made me an FT-2000 cable but that radio isn't going camping unless it's a DXpedition.

Anyway the amp works great with no flaws. I believe N4ATS is recondition the amps with a little more power that stock depending on available transistors. Best thing is the amps work best as he says using 120v which generators supply. It's 66 pounds but you get a clean 47v dc transformer making that weight all in one package.

I purchased a camp table made for cooking on one half on a grill works that worked great for adding a fan to keep a cooler breeze across the intake. Amp stayed cool only going 2 fan lights never over heating. Amp kept making a nice clean signal during the 2013 IOTA contest while I could operate. Like I mention in the heading get 2 or 3 if you can since you won't want to be without one if one goes down.
EI4KE Rating: 2013-01-31
A dream machine Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Sold my FL2100z and bought the FL7000 to go with my FT2000,,,, Fantastic combo,,, auto band change, no tuning up with a carrier, read up on Bills site, rarely use the internal atu, bought a Palstar BT1500a, made up a doublet dipole fed with 450ohm line and wow, dx can hear me,,,,, all bands icl' 160m, no issues,,, 10/12m on a Sirio cb antenna,,,,,really pleased,,, yes I do like the FL7000,,,,hi
AB3CX Rating: 2012-01-24
Fun Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I used a Bill Grassa modded FL-7000 back in 2007-8, which eventually moved along to a new owner. Another became available to me again today, it was new 1996, and was last used in 2006. This one is unmodded. I find it works flawlessly. The original band data cable that was sold to be used with the FT-757 is fully functional with the FT-2000. It's really fun to have the amp track bands. I worked VP6T, TN2T and HK0NA pretty quickly with the 500 watts, maybe 1.5 kW is overkill after all....I know the N4ATS mods are fantastic, but don't be afraid of using it unmodded if you are familiar with it and have control of your antennas and SWR.