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Reviews For: Linear Amp UK Ranger 811H

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

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Review Summary For : Linear Amp UK Ranger 811H
Reviews: 16MSRP: UK£895.00
Description:
HF Amplifier 160m - 10m
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00164.3
EI9FBB Rating: 2007-12-19
572B Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just recently purchased the Ranger 811H but with the 4 x 572B tubes fitted rather than the usual 811's. From using a detoriating Ameritron 811H for numerous years, I decided it was time to upgrade so did a lot of research. There were several possibilities but finally I decided on this one.

With a tube as robust as the 572B it can cope with the odd mistune , can easily give more than double the legal output power , has seperate positions for each band from 160 - 10M , is very broadband , is a great looking amp and is very good value.

From time of initial enquiry and a brief run-down from Peter, my mind was made up and I placed the order. A little over a week later a very well protected double boxed amp arrived in perfect condition with a very well illustrated manual with clear instructions. This amp had been personally tested and checked before despatch.

As this amp was a direct replacement from my old Ameritron , everything was the same and 5 minutes later it was on air.

One thing I will say is that it is a little noisier than my old Ameritron ; from once you turn it on, the fan is on constantly. Definately a price worth paying for instant TX facility. My Ameritron even on stand-by also doubled as a heater for the shack, where this one is constantly cool, so it still gets a 5/5.

For me, I definately made the right choice and would do it all over again if I had to. Great company providing a great product. de Dave EI9FBB
MW0LAO Rating: 2007-10-30
811H 12 MONTHS OLD Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
PURCHASED NEW 12 MONTHS AGO AND HAS WORKED FINE UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO WHERE IT DEVELOPED A SCRATCHY NOISE ON 15M . WHICH DEVELOPED INTO TOTAL FAILURE OF THE AMP A WEEK LATER.FORTUNATELY I DID MANAGE TO GET REAPIRS DONE LOCALLY . IN ALL HONESTLY PETER AT LINEAR AMP IS A TRUE GENT AND ALWAYS HAS TIME TO TALK AND ADVISE , HE WAS TOTALLY ACCURATE ON WHAT HE BELEIVED HAD GONE, AND I GUESS YOU HAVE TO PUT IT DOWN TO EXPERENCE . ALTHOUGH MY FRIENDLY REPAIRER ADVICE IF YOU ARE IN THE HOBBY LONG HAUL YOU SHOULD LOOK UPMARKET
G4WFQ Rating: 2006-09-03
Good value amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Review of LinearAMP UK Ranger811H by G4WFQ.

Previous amplifiers owned over the last 23 years include:-
LinearAMP UK Explorer 1200
KW Electronics KW-600
ACOM-1000

The linear was purchased direct from LinearAMP UK.
The amp is second hand, approx 5 years old.

Next day delivery and very well packaged. Double boxed and valves protected for shipping by foam inside the unit.

Minor adjustments were required to the input VSWR on 10M and 17M, a satisfactory match was achieved by adjusting the slugs on the input filter board.
A new slow-motion drive had to be fitted on the TUNE knob by myself, which was supplied free of charge (again, next day service).

The cooling FAN runs quietly.
Little in the way of idiot-proofing protection, but if your competent you'll be fine.
Zero problems with TX/RX relay timing. If you're using a Kenwood Radio, try using the +12V on transmit pin-7 of remote socket instead of the clunky "linear relay" inside the rig! Buffer the 12v on tx with a transistor to provide gnd on TX. This provides considerably faster switch-in time of the linear tx/rx relay!
700-800Watts output all bands.
I thought the ACOM was easy to tune, but this is just as easy and quicker!
Best part is ZERO warm-up time!! No more waiting 3mins for the amp to warm up whilst that rare DX hits the cluster and then the task becomes considerably harder!
A standby switch which the operator has control over!
Well-finished cabinet and attractive front panel metering.
Only thing missing is QSK, but then it was £1,000 cheaper than alternative brands.
If you're on a budget then this unit will deliver watts when required.

Good email/telephone support.
G0CVL Rating: 2006-03-27
FANTASTIC VALUE Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Have just obtained one of Peters "baby" amps in fantastic used condition. Had to pop in 4 new 811's (obtained with it!!), and POW! 750-800 watts out no problem, and SOOOOOOOO cool!!! Rang Peter to ask a few questions,and you couldn't find a nicer, more knowledgable and freindly company to deal with.
Best bang for the buck? - DEFINITELY
Best QUALITY for the buck? - ABSOLUTELY
Why spend anymore for 1 S point???
M0AWS Rating: 2005-09-06
Superb amplifier Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've now had the 811H for 4 years and felt it was time to up date my original review.

The amp is still working perfectly, apart from the 1 valve I changed early on nothing has needed to be changed.
I am now living in France and have enough space to use 41m and 60m verticals for 160m, thus allowing the amp to come into it's own.
I often crash through pileups for DX stations on first call with the amp bumbling along at 400w.

The only thing I have noticed is that the input SWRs seem to have gone up slightly, average is now about 1.5:1 instead of the original 1.1:1, however this does not cause a problem at all.

The original problem with missing the first letter on CW has been fixed by using a Tentec Omni VI for CW, it would appear that the switching on the FT1000MP is rather slow, not the amp !

All in all, if you want a relatively cheap amp, that is solidly built and will last even when used at the legal limit all the time, then the 811H is the amp to buy!
G4OCO Rating: 2004-02-05
Good solid performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Having owned a Ranger for over eighteen months, I can confirm it performs very well and so far no faults.

I have not used the amplifier in a contest, however it is easy to use, with very large illuminated meters and vey easy to tune up.

The only slight downside is the A.L.C. control, being only operational in its last 10% of its range, full power to only a couple of watts (FT897 being the prime mover), however the control is on the front panel and not tucked in an non accessible spot on the back panel.

So its a winner, if you want cruise at full U.K. leagal power out.