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Reviews For: Commander HF-2500

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

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Review Summary For : Commander HF-2500
Reviews: 35MSRP: 3995.
Description:
Two high-power Eimac 3CX800A7 Ceramic-Metal Triodes
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.palstar.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
25355
WC4R Rating: 2023-02-26
A lifetime keeper Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I can't add much to what other HF2000 owners have said. This is a top-of-the-line standard that amps are measured by.
I got mine from a SK in May 2004. He bought it from the original owner in Nov. 1997. The amp was built in April 1996.
Here it is over 12 years later and it still runs like new with the original Eimac tubes. Loafs along at 1500w with 30 watts drive.
I did return the amp to Pat three years ago for a bad relay. Pat was great to work with and the turnaround was fast.
**UPDATE: The age of my amp is now 26 YEARS OLD and still operates beautifully with ORIGINAL tubes like it did from day one! Bought a spare pair of Eimac tubes many years ago but never needed them.
KG4UQZ Rating: 2023-02-25
Super amp! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had this amplifier a little over 10 years. super easy to tune. Super tough Even have mis tuned it a few times. But it keeps on going, as far as power it beats anything else I have . Kenwood TL 922A and a alpha 76a with 2 tubes of the same 3CX800A7 by Mr Byrd. Still the Commander out does! The last 3 years I rotate my amps every 2 months. Always glad to get on the Commander. I remember giving $2,000 for it on eBay and the seller I believe was Jagger dog let me make payments on it. It came United States postal service. Good thing I took my son to help me pick it up. Cuz this amp is a beast. And as you have seen in the other reviews, easy to tune, superpower on all bands. I did last year removed the coil and to check the box with the capacitors in it two years ago Caps were still good and put it back together and it's still running super strong .
WB2VVV Rating: 2022-07-10
About the best full power all band HF amp! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is the best full power all band HF amp ever, bar none! It's even better than the big Alphas and Henrys. It produces legal limit output power no muss, no fuss. A brilliant design that operates so effortlessly with modern rigs. Tube life is outstanding, just pay attention to grid current. I have been using the original tubes in mine for decades...
W4TNA Rating: 2020-12-31
Amazing Power-Like an armored tank. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have the unicorn of the Commander line, HF-2500E. It runs 3 of the 3cpx800's.
This is a top-of-the-line standard that amps are measured by even today when it comes to quality. Sure you don't get all the extras like you do on some of todays newer amps, but this thing is a flat out tank and a beast on power. It will easily do 1500+ on just 35 watts in and is capable of over 3k+ with below 60ma grid current still on the original tubes and showing no signs of weakness after years of daily use. If you find one especially the 3 hole snatch that thing up, it will most likely outlive you.
K4KBW Rating: 2019-10-20
Really nice Amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just picked up this amp from a friend at near-fest
THIS THING IS A BRUT ! easy to load and tune , the one I have is the HF-1250E Export only it has the 2 3CX800A7 tubes and the same transformer and 10 ,12,15,17,20,40,80,160 meters WARC bands. so it is the 2500 with different nomenclature , it puts my HL-2200 to shame. LOVE IT SO FAR .
BOB KK4IBG
KE4AMQ Rating: 2018-09-10
Great amps Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have two of the commanders one 2500, and a 1250 I love these amps had them for years. I wish they still made these amps, You cant compare them to any other amps. I have a alpha 87a and a mla 2500 but I put the commanders in a class of their own. I you find one buy it quick it wont be around long. The 3cx800 tubes are great with low grid current I run my 1250 at 700 watts with 50 watts of drive. and the 2500 with 45 watts for 1500 out and the grid on both is like under .15 mils
W8NVC Rating: 2018-04-09
4 years later Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Hi W8NVC in Ohio. I still have the Commander HF 2500 But It's not the Magnum, I made a mistake in my last review. Anyhow, I need to tell you the amp is still like a tank. As with anything made by today's standards and It's only a matter of time before Amps won't last as long. Just like the new stoves and refrigerators, there made to last only just so long so you the consumer can buy another one.
This is not the case with the Commander HF 2500.
WHen Pat Stein built this amp, he built it to last. And so we see here that It is in fact A TANK. Mine still runs legal limit plus with only 32 watts of drive. I do yearly maintenance on it however. I clean the dust out of the vent holes, and I clean and vacuum the inside and I oil the blower and clean the cut out blades inside. Also, I clean the TX relay. Cleaning is fast and easy. Once a year I do this. I will continue to keep my Commander happy and satisfied as It keeps me happy. So, if you want a tank of an amp and your not afraid to tune your amp like some of these guys. I suggest the Commander HF 2500 because It has paid for itself 3 times over. Only one rule. You can talk on it all day long with no issues But, when your done, put it in standby mode and let that blower motor cool off those tubes before you shut the amp off. This will preserve the life of those wonderful 3CPX800s or 3CX800s. I have the Medical pulse rated MRI Eimac tubes in mine, that's what the P stands for. Anyhow Get one. You will never look back. I stick with what works. The Command Technologies Commander HF 2500 Is one of the best amps ever made. Look at the reviews points. It's a 5.0/5, that's the highest you can go for points ratings here on Eham.net. see for yourself.
73 for now. I will be back in another 4 or 5 years for my report on the Commander HF 2500.
NICK, W8NVC OHIO
KM1B Rating: 2013-11-27
The best!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is the only amp that I use at the present time but have gone through a few amps before this; Ten-Tec Hercules II, Kenwood TL-922 and Ameritron AL-811H. I like the heavy and sturdy look of Commander and it works well every time. Mine is one of the earliest production and still has original set of tubes but still puts out around 2kW max. I drive with only 30W to get a clean 1.2kW. I don't go any higher as I don't think that extra power will make much difference.
It is very heavy but with reasons.
The fan noise seems loud but it is same for most amps. Just like many others, I am a happy and proud owner of Commander amp.
W1MSG Rating: 2011-12-18
Best Amp ever. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is my first and probably my last legal limit amp. I cant think of any reason to get rid of this monster. I have had it about 3 months, picked it up October 2011 used. Seller said it might have 10 hours on it at most, and I believe him. Tune it up for max smoke and she runs full legal limit all day with very little drive. The best thing is that Commanders will be back in production for 2012 at http://dedicatedrf.com ... If I ever do replace it a new Commander will take its place !!!
NL7FK Rating: 2008-12-21
I traded down, NOT!!! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I thought I would be trading down when I went from an Alpha 99 to the Commander 2500. Boy, was I mistaken. I thought the Alpha was a tank but the Commander is a tank on steroids! Can you say Quality with a capital Q?

It is not the prettiest thing in the shack. It does not have any fancy leds, small meters, or mamby pamby fancy writing on the front but if one is looking for nothing short of total brute force then this amp is it.

On 75 meters 27 - 30 watts into this baby produces a whopping 1500 watts out of commanding power with loads of headroom out of the two 3CPX800's. It is quiet and no clanking relays to contend with. Tuning is by the numbers and once learned it is a breeze to turn in a matter of seconds. The controls are smooth and a flip of the band switch proves that this is a REAL AMPLIFIER.

The quality of the internal components will shock you for an amplifier at this price point. I have owned numerous legal limit amps during my radio career and this gem stands head and shoulders above any of them.

This amp is a keeper. If you want to buy mine it can be purchased at my estate sale.....