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Reviews For: Alpha 86

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

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Review Summary For : Alpha 86
Reviews: 23MSRP: New 2200
Description:
Legal-limit HF linear amplifier, manufactured from 12/87 to 5/92.
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.rkrdesignsllc.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15234.8
KG4FET Rating: 2023-02-28
Quiet! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Mine is an EXPORT model showing band spreads rather then the HF bands and began life at the "Skunk Works"!
Initial impression was that this amp was broken! First key-ups didn't make a sound! Having used amps with Big Open rail Relays for TX/RX I was expecting a "thunk" and this thing is quiet as a mouse. I got over that in a hurry. Not my first amp with 3CX800A7's so I knew to take it easy with it. Easy 1500 watts, unlimited key down. Grid current stays low and it's easier to tune then any of the other amps I have owned. With some TLC these are EXCELLENT amps

A word of caution: The protection for the PIN Diode switching is excellent but It is also adjustable. I reduced mine from the factory setting of 2.0:1 to 1.5:1. this adds an extra little bit of protection. Second If you look on the T/R board and see 3-4 yellow diodes change them. Mouser part # 625-1N4007GP-E3/73. The symptom for failure is the RX drops out when the amp is switched to OPR (RX fuse blows too). Little Fuse still makes a fuse you can use for RX.
N8KR Rating: 2022-06-08
Sweet Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I love this amp! The pin diode switching is super quiet and it loafs at 1500 watts. Full qsk on cw! The grid current is always low and it is very easy to tune. QUIET AMP! 3cx800’s will last a long long time if you keep the grid current down.
N2RRA Rating: 2021-01-12
An incredible amp and piece of engineering art work. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased this amp a bit over priced, but after getting it mint with a custom cover and the vacuum relay mod done by Dick Byrd already it’s been well worth every penny.

This amp will do everything with ease better than some new amps I have to compare it too. What more can I say than echo what most everyone else has already. This amp looks awesome with that gun ship metal grey face plate and cabinet, nice brush bezel and simple complete necessary display panel for operation. Tuning is a breeze under any condition and don’t worry about screwing anything up. You couldn’t screw this amp up in any way with all its protection circuits unless you run the snot out of it at 2K+. Love this amp and I’m not sure I could ever let this bad boy go.

Good luck finding one cause I believe a limited amount were made.

73
VE7AGW Rating: 2015-03-20
Fantastic Amp Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Update on my Alpha 86, it's been about three months since I purchased it locally and I've now installed the updated relay board in place of the pin diodes. This board has made a big improvement with the output and speed in recovery from TX to RX, the response in digital modes has improved tremendously as well. The LED metering sensors are also on the new vacuum relay board and they seem more accurate now. Setting the metering was a bit of a problem at first till I found drawings for the metering board as this amp was one of the first series manufactured and there was three different control boards made. With the new vacuum relay board installed this amp performs with no problems and it is now my man amp and used on a daily basis. I have confidence that I will keep this amp for many years and get plenty of use out it. I would venture to say that if you happen to find an Alpha 86 buy it before someone else does, you will get years of enjoyment from it.
AF4RK Rating: 2013-12-24
Very Reliable Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I use the Alpha 86 for CW, RTTY contests and DXing. Since I had RF Concepts put in the vacuum relays, the reliability has been excellent
K1ERP Rating: 2013-07-31
Solid Performance and Dependable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I picked up a really clean Alpha 86 at a small ham fest 3 years ago. The owner was firm at $1200 :) I had a T-T Titan 425, But couldn't pass up an Alpha at a bargain price. Easy tune-up, excellent tube protection and loafs at the legal limit. Still has the original PIN diodes! I use a Powermaster meter set to trip the PTT line
if I exceed 1.5:1 SWR. I sold the T-T Titan amp. A solid 5!
K1ZR Rating: 2012-12-11
Outstanding Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Outstanding amplifier for heavy duty contesting. I use the 86 for the run station and an Alpha 76PA for the mult station in a SO2R configuration. The 86 runs 1.5kw without breaking a sweat.
UN8GEQ Rating: 2012-12-05
Class A+++++++ Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought my "Rare jewel"((c)KK5DR) exactly one year ago. In rfconcept directly. No modifications! Stock PIN diodes. Magnificent machine! LEGAL limit - no problem! The only thing that I did - first SSB gave me is not good REPORTS concerning the bias current of the tubes. I put the diode D7 little less voltage. The problem has improved, but remains too early. Then I just removed the old tubes and put two 3cpx800a7 used, which he bought on ebay. Problem as a "grandmother shot witchcraft"!;) All passed and I still continue to please his colleagues over the air.
As for protection - it is simply wonderful! There are all sorts - and the antenna were torn at the moment the snow and they showered and forgot to switch the antenna, changing the band- protection works just fine!
I am: cubical quad 2 elements on 10 and 15 meters (and CB band), a cubical quad one element at 20 m, and a delta of 40 meters.
KJ4KBC Rating: 2012-11-17
High quality!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have three amplifiers including a Clipperton L with custom power supply and industrial tubes and its a nice amp but The Alpha is hands down the best amp in the shack. Never needed a new power supply or anything I may add. Tune easily. 1500 watts out if that's what you need. Several hundred watts more if you wanted to get in trouble! I've read of issues with the diode switching. I say put a cheap keying interface between the amp and exciter and you'll never have an issue. This is good advise when using an amp with any newer radio as voltage spikes on the keying line can destroy keying circuits and possibly the finals in your nice Radio. Either way, if you have an opportunity to try an 86, I think you'll be as happy as I have. 73's
N0JD Rating: 2012-02-23
A very reliable amplifier that is very Dependable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My experience with the Alpha 87A is well taken by its composition of dependability and rarely , for a moment, it will not display failure. This is why I rate it number 5. With other amplifiers it was not dependable and forever breaking down and their modes consist of frustration on behaf of communication. I realize the Alpha 87A is one outstanding amplifier for contesting, CQ's, and just every day use. I highly recommend this alpha 87a over all amplifiers and the technicians are very helplful.