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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
WB7BV Rating: 2002-09-19
Gud but watch the grid current. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have received the amp slightly used, 1 month old as new in the box. purchased via this sites adds from another ham. this is the HF2500HP
It preforms as advertised and very helpfull people at the factory. They know what they are talking about! Nice change from the "Get Lost" attitude at most companies.
OK so on with the info: The amp makes legal limit at 22 to 26 watts input, on all bands. Not for 30 meters. Settings are as the manual list indicates. Each amp is tested and documented in the manual! This includes a spectrafgaph on each band. The manual is detailed and clear, correctly organized.

The hardware is very high class with insulating sleevs around high voltage leads. PC boards are well made and with good componet layaout. The fan is quiet! Thank you Commander!

Into a 2KW dummy load:
160 Mtrs: 84Win=2400Wout, Ig=40mA, Ip=1550ma, Plate voltage=2700VDC all bands.

80Mtrs:
Pin=84W, Po=2500W, Ig=41mA, Ip=1450mA.

20 Mtrs:
Pin=80W, Po=2500W, Ig=44mA, Ip=1525mA.

Please note this is the Pulse tube version, with the 3CPX800 tubes.

The tune up is smoth and predictable however:
The only issue is the grid current changes with the input power. Thus requiring the retunning of the amp. So set up the amp to the bands AND power settings needed. This will take care of this issue.

Note use care installing the transformer. It is heavy (60 LBS) and big, thus it could damage the PC Board componets if care not taken installing it.

73 es much dx DE WB7BV Morris wb7bv@outdrs.net

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Earlier 5-star review posted by WB7BV on 2002-09-11

This is on the HF 2500 HP. The one with the 3CPX800 tubes.
The good:
1 Accurate meters, 2 high power output, 3 nice looking amp. 3 Tune and load controls are very smooth. Power out is 2500 watts with about 60 watts in. Plate current below spec and grid current well below spec also. QUIET! Fans only noise is moving air, due to shock mounted blower. Works as advertised.

The negatives: (which are phew) 1 The transformer is heavy and large. That is OK but the transformer is a little too large to easally fit into the unit without contacting the control currcuit board. This is not a problem just be Care-Full!
2 The geid current is sensitive to dreve and needs retunning if dreve power is changed. Also not a problem, but one MUST read the manual!

Works good, lasts long time, will not chip crack or peal. 73 DE WB7BV
W6THW Rating: 2002-04-05
BUILT TO LAST Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Ok i am not going to give all the information
about the Commander HF-2500 read below on that.
If you are looking for a amp that does what it
is suppose to do (run the legal limit key down forever) this is the one. You pay for what you get. The service is great you have someone to talk to that builds the amp without trying to call and being on hold or no one is there. Everything in it is of the highest quality. Includeing the tubes. The High Voltage plate transformer which is the engine of your amp is more than capable of running 2000 watts key down without a groan or heating. Again customer service is great, i talked to Pat quite ofter when mine was being built and he always had time to answer any questions that i asked. Of course ARRL is using his amps so that should tell us something.
Mike
W6IZT Rating: 2001-11-26
One great amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned my HF2500 for over 7 yrs s/n 6xx. It is a very solid performer. Output on all bands >1500w continuous (yes, I indadevertantly had a keyer lock down during a power surge and the amp was key down for a long time) with 40 watts or less drive. Absolutely no problems. This is a no frills amp with first class components used throughout. Simple, reliable, the best

Gregg
W6IZT

btw, I threw that keyer in the trash after the aforementioned incident!
KR4WB Rating: 2001-08-08
Great amp...Lots of power....well built. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I brought this amp in 1995. No problems yet. Easy to tune. Qsk relay is very quiet.It runs cool at full legal power of 1500 watts all day long. This amp only needs 20 to 30 watts of drive for full legal limit on all bands. (10-160) This amp is very well built and has nice workmanship inside and out. Money well spent on this product.
Best of luck on your amp choice. Charlie.(kr4wb)
K5YY Rating: 2001-01-15
Fantastic linear - HP model Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have just purchased the Command Tech 2500HP linear with the pulse rated 3-CX800 tubes and HD PS with 3600 volts (5.1KVA xformer) instead of the standard 2600 volt model. This is the best constructed amp I have seen and I have had several Alphas, Collins, QRO etc over the years. Pat is always available to talk to you and knows the problems immediately, if you have one. 20 watts in gives 1500 out with only 20 ma grid drive. 1000 watts to spare. Nice panel and the xformer comes packed like a battleship with wooden container and wood screws, bolted down. This is the only linear I would want if I had just one choice.. Look at their website... San K5YY