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Reviews For: Ameco PT-3

Category: Receive Pre-amps

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Review Summary For : Ameco PT-3
Reviews: 7MSRP: 99.95
Description:
A receiver preamp that installs between the radio and the antenna connection. Can add up to 20 DB of amplification to received signals.
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0074.3
N0TLD Rating: 2018-01-07
Good, solid Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used my PT3 for many years, over 12 years I think.

In all this time, I've never had a problem with it.

The PT3 is a good performer. Not the greatest, but what amp'd preselector is? They all add SOME level of noise and they all raise the noise along with the signal... but this one seems to me to be noticeably quieter than any of the MFJ units I've used.

It can be modified to have another receive antenna added on board, with a relay and some other components and about an hour or so with a soldering iron. I loved this modification/feature and use it often.

Just don't overdo it, you know? ANY amplified preselector will get really noisy if you throw the gain all the way up, and likely distort everything. I never push the gain beyond about 4 o'clock on the knob (probably 80% or so). It's never overloaded or distorted or added even more noise.

Also, it's pretty and sleek and looks nice with all my radio shtuff. :)
KD5RDY Rating: 2009-05-22
I like it! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Don't use it all the time, but sometimes it makes all the difference. Here is a link to the PT3-RA mod. http://www.flickr.com/photos/22369075@N07/
It allows me to have separate RX and TX antennas.
Pretty easy mod.
Have Fun!
W6YDE Rating: 2008-06-22
Works very well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own two PT-3s, I like them better that the MFJ's, because of the TR switching. I am 100% CW/QRP. I don't need to pull in weak signals. If the sending staion is not S-6 or better... they will never hear me. I use my PT-3 for de-tunning the signal to remove QRN and QRM. They work very well for this part of your receiving system and with the TR relay... when I transmit... the PT-3 is out of the antenna system and the de-tune is not in the antenna circuit.
73 Mike/W6YDE
N2BIX Rating: 2008-02-03
hot preamp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hooked this up to my Icom 736 and it was able to pull out readable signals that the Icom didn't even know were there. This is true of 80 meters and 20 meters so far.Strong signal level increase to barely readable signals.
AF4KK Rating: 2006-10-10
This unit WORKS well! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Wow, I've hooked up the Ameco PT-3 to my Icom IC-7000 and it sure is HOT! It doesn't create alot of noise and it sure amplifies the desired signal! The tuning control is a bit sensitive but once you get used to it, it's not a biggie! Very well done!
K4XS Rating: 2005-10-21
Don't buy this one Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I picked up one of these for use on 160 and 80. It was a total bust on 160, and not too great on 80. Yes, it is a hot amp, but the garbage it generates on 160 makes the band unusable on 160 and to a lesser extent on 80. Birdies are all over the place.

It works well on 40 and higher, but do not expect a great preamp for 80 or 160. I am going back to my old PLF2.
AA8EK Rating: 2002-05-27
nice product. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have owned the PT-3 for 6 months and I find that it increases rceived signals dramatically. The only drawback is it increases the QRM that you receive also. I find that it works best on the higher HF frequencies, such as 6,10,12 and 15 meters. I have used it most frequently on 10 meter SSB and I am very happy with the preformance on that band. It can take a S-7 signal and make it sound as it is 20 DB over 9.