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Reviews For: Ameritron ALS-500M

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

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Review Summary For : Ameritron ALS-500M
Reviews: 54MSRP: 799.00
Description:
500W Output Mobile Solid State Amplifier on 12VDC for US
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ameritron.com/Product.php?productid=ALS-500MR
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00543.9
VA2DV Rating: 2014-02-08
Nice small amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was hesitating between this one and the Tokyo HL-450B but the recent bankruptcy of THP left me with only one choice...However i did find that the construction quality and initial feeling was quite
acceptable.No loose screws or anything (HI).
I am using it in a base station configuration with a deep cycle battery and charger.While it's rated at 500w and more, i am driving it with 40w and get a good clean 400w out.Seems well suited for my portable operations.
WD8DBY Rating: 2013-11-01
Good Amp Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought this amp for use with MARS...works great with no issues. Definitely doesn't care for SWR. Simple to use...turn it on, select the correct band and go.
AK4NJ Rating: 2013-04-04
Update Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Well it's been more than a month since my original review of the ALS 500M and ARI500 interface (The Icom Patch cable are a big plus when it comes to band switching and operation. Factory cables are available for Yaesu , Kenwood and others) I didn't see any horror solder joints or shoddy work,We did have a problem, it seems that a pot on the power supply.board that caused all of the problems with the band selector on the front panel as it mimicked a misaligned selector switch.

I had bought the amp for mobile operation, and after running her from the shack for emergency radio operations during the fall storm, what can I say?? - She worked like a charm - and honestly there she has been ever since - it's nice to have a no tune amp that comes to life with a quick flip of the switch...

Thank's to Rod and the Boys at DX Engineering - for the fantastic customer support and service - First Class Operation Always..

ALS-500M ARI-500M 5 Points
DX - 5+ Points
Ameritron service = 2.5 points
W1WOW Rating: 2012-09-11
Just works... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased and installed the Ameritron ALS-500m about two weeks ago.

It was purchased new from DX Engineers. This is my first Amplifier ever. I installed it in my SUV. The ALS-500m was placed in the rear of the vehicle and was connected to an axillary battery of the same size as my SUV. The axillary battery and the vehicles battery are connected and fused with 4 AWG wire. I did this as my vehicle's alternator only produces 80amps and a larger alternator isn't feasible. I have my IC-706MKIIG's body also installed in the rear or the SUV next to the ALS-500m. For an antenna I'm using the Tarheel 40a-HP. The Ameritron has been working flawlessly and has really made mobile hamming a whole new experience. The ALS-500m runs cool and behaves as designed. (Im also using the remote head for the ALS-500m) Like others have said "maybe I just got lucky?" You can see photo on QRZ.com
KH6TA Rating: 2012-09-10
Great Amp all around! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought one used on ebay just over a year ago that was 2-3 years old, seller didn't like it and had issues with it. I did NOTHING to it, used it almost daily, and never had one issue with it at all. I just sold it to a good friend in TN and he reports no issues. Hmmmm

Since I'm retiring very soon, I bought a new one that I hope will last me for many years. I am using an LDG AT-600ProII tuner with both amps, and it just couldn't be easier.

I highly recommend this amp to anyone.



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Earlier 5-star review posted by KH6TA on 2011-03-30

Bought this one (was used for 6 months) on "flea bay" w/10m installed. Fits in my setup well and has worked flawlessly since I first hooked it up. Used to have an 811H and just hated retuning all the time, but this one with an LDG AT-200 (just bought 600W model) runs at 250PEP with 15-20W drive from the IC-7600 on 10-80m. As with any amp, keep your ALC where it should be, and don't over drive it and you'll have no worries.

With my WA2NAN G5RV and 200-250W out, if I hear 'em, I can work 'em, Need proof? Check my QRZ logbook.

I love this little amp!
KB6LED Rating: 2012-07-27
Worknig great Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased mine new through DX Engineering (at a good price) about 2 months ago and the only issue was the SWR protection circuit was activating with not much reflect. So I called Ameritron and they told me to make adjustment to a potentiometer on one of the boards and with a little playing around it now has been working flawless, and have had great reports on the Air with it. so far I have been very happy with it.
WD0FIA Rating: 2012-02-08
No complaints! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I must have gotten lucky, I own two with no problems. My first one has over 2 years of daily use in our 2005 Cavalier. My commute is 84 miles, so it gets a few hours every week. I purchased it in February 2010 from Associated Radio for $739.

Plan on purchasing the ARB-704 $59.95 option which is a plug and play relay box and the needed cable for about $18, as you can not hard key a amp safely without a buffer relay.

I found that driving amp around 30-35 watts mobile is all that is needed to get almost 350 watts of output power . You can drive it to 55-60 watts but the difference in extra output is not there and the amp overdrive protection circuit will kick in .

I ordered a 2nd amp in July 2011, and have never had an issue with it either. I bought it for our Coachman motorhome, but I actually use it as a base for times I need it as NCS on USAF MARS.
KB2OUA Rating: 2010-12-17
great performer ifused appropriately Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Hi from KB2OUA I have had my als 500m for 3 years and have had no problems with it at all. I did tho get it brand new and right out of the box, it pulled 100 amps of current and gave me a whopping 2 watts out. I was devistated, BUT Mike at Ameritron took care of me and replaced a few parts and said to me "you will be satisfied with your amp " and when I got it back ...perfect I do a lot of longwinded key downs on ssb, do am, rtty, cw and the digis. no problems and when using a stiff power supply and as a base amplifier it is great no need for a big amp the first 600 watts does the trick.As for mobile if wired correctly and not skimped on connections and use a good antenna the 500m will work very nice. ssb at 15.6 volts driving by my ten tec corsair 2 at 55 watts into the dummy load (heath k can) using my ten tec 238b metering I see 700 750 pep on 40 75 . I would buy another one for a spare in a heartbeat. Thanks Mike and crew aat Ameritron! KB2OUA
K6RJP Rating: 2010-04-28
Good Bang for your Buck Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have two of these units, one is operated fixed/portable and one is used mobile. These are both built in 2010 so I assume they have all the factory fixes installed. Both units have the 10 meter board installed.
So far they have worked perfect, output is slightly over 500 watts on both. When running psk or rtty you have to use an external fan for anything exceeding 100 watts, run mine at 200 watts rtty w/fan. In the SSB mode, which is what this amp was really designed for, it runs as specified and does not need any extra cooling. There are better units out there but they cost more, sometimes a lot more. If you are looking for a basic 500 watt SSB amp this will work fine and the no tune feature is great in contests and mobile.
K4REB Rating: 2009-07-19
GREAT AMP Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have own this amp for close to 2 years,only problem I have had with it mobile is that it has to much power for my Tarheel Model 75 Screwdriver antenna.I have never had any problems what so ever with it.
I have used it on SSB, PSK, CW, and RTTY.
Used it at 400+ watts continuously for hours during contests at my base station.
I can't count the times it has saved me from my mistakes while switching bands during contests.
If you follow the instructions in the manual this amp should perform at 400+ watts 160-10 meters.