| M0MCX |
Rating:  |
2019-10-02 | |
| Just goes on and on |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have owned my ACOM 2000 for around 12 years. I'll probably never buy another amplifier again, this one just keeps going. Doesn't matter what silly mistakes I make; arc faults, no coax connected, too much power input, infinite SWR, etc, etc. Legendary protection circuits just snap the unit back to standby with a plain english error message.
And the power? Endless. I have a commercial High Power licence for antenna testing and happily squeezed out nearly 2,000W for over 1-minute key down. Didn't flinch. Scary though.
And of course, the beast is super quiet, honestly - you would probably never know it was on. Seriously whisper quiet.
I also OFTEN take mine portable. It might sound crazy, but I had a flight case made for her and genuinely take her on Field days, holidays, days out. VERY HEAVY though, so be careful with your back.
In light of the rough handling this old girl has had, I have only had one fault. The centre of the RG400 type coax used internally to the unit snapped away from the SO239 inside the box. I happened to be on holiday and found an engineer to fix it. It took a few moments. Probably something to do with me screwing in PL259s many times over the years and wiggling them about. Maybe I'll replace them sometime.
But I can live with a fault every 15 years or so.
And James (M0YOM) developed Acom Director, the software to replicate the Acom control panel on your monitor, or across a WAN for remote control. Amazing.
Treat yourself. You only live once :)
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Earlier 5-star review posted by M0MCX on 2010-11-20
Three years in and this is still an utterly amazing piece of equipment. It's in the professional league. Can I just say that some people can hear the fan. Well, I suppose if I listen for it, I might hear it but my very quiet Dell PC is louder. It's just not an issue.
Band changes are instant: Change band, key the mic and say "ah!" and the amp tunes in a whirr of a couple of stepping motors. Lovely.
The remote head is fantastic with lots of readings to enjoy whilst operating; mains power, SWR, tube temperatures, output power, drive power, etc, etc.
It's heavy. Real heavy. I had a custom flight case made for this toy by a touring case company. Even then, the weight of the amp has crushed the heavy foam on the bottom of the case. The pro case company have never seen anything like it. If you are going to lift it, either take the transformer out or get someone to help. There's no handles though and nothing for your hands to grab hold of. Be careful. I heard the biggest cause of ACOM 2000 faults is dropped amp syndrome, not component failure. You have been warned.
This transformer issue. It's not an issue. You carefully unscrew the case screws, take out a couple of retaining bolts, pull the power connectors off and take the transformer out. Some people say this is a 20 minute job. I suppose it is, but it's not an issue. Anyone can do this, just be careful that you don't trap any of the cables in the process. Some people don't permanently attach the transformer with the retaining bolts since they know they'll be transporting the amp periodically, indeed this is what I did for the first year until I had the case made.
Finally, protection. This amp will spot the tiniest flaw in the antenna chain, shutting down with appropriate error (normally "arc-fault" in this case). This is fantastic. I have noticed that we have always had an issue somewhere in the chain when this error flashes up on the remote. A bad PL259, nasty coax, a Balun on its way out. Something. Helpful for field days with all untested and old coax etc. Enjoy the protection this amp will give you, knowing that not only is it protecting itself, but also warning you of issues out in the field.
In the UK, with the exchange rate, this amp is very, very expensive. Let's face it, no matter where you are, this amp is one of the most expensive bits of kit you will probably ever buy as a hobbiest. However, over the life time, this will deliver flawless operation, driving the price per QSO to an almost negligable cost. I have never had this amp do anything else other than behave beautifully. I hope you will achieve the same.
73
Callum. |
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| PY1KZ |
Rating: |
2019-03-11 | |
| Excellent Equipment!!! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Dear All,
I bought a brand new ACOM2000A just over a month ago. Initially I was impressed with the quality of the components and the connectors. Excellent material. Linear is very quiet and easy to operate. It will be definitely perfect with the adoption of the CAT connection cable between the RCU and my TS-590SG. But this is not easy to find. You will have to build one. I think it was a perfect purchase for those who want to build a Remote Station like me. |
|
| K0COM |
Rating: |
2019-01-16 | |
| The quiet powerhouse |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Bought an older one used that had just been re-tubed and tuned up.
I did end up having the cooling fan become intermittent and finally failing. I was able to get a new one in the US and replaced it myself. (Thanks to Array Solutions)
It just sits there quietly in the equipment rack over by the antenna switches and auto tuner. The units produces watts with ease... needs very little drive from the exciter.
I have the older control box and it's fine. I suppose the new one is more modern looking. It's a rock crusher and weights a bunch. Who cares! First auto tune linear I've owned and I love it. |
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| KG4LRU |
Rating: |
2017-12-22 | |
| Acom 2000A |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have owened my acom 2000a for 13 years using pair GU74B 10-160 auto tune amp , I also owned the remote acom switch . total time 7500 hours operating time about two weeks ago amp would not start it would fault going into stand by . I figured it was time for a new set of tubes . When I installed the tubes I got IG2 fault 30 ma when voltage should be zero . I wrote To acom in Bulgaria Val at the Factory wrote me back I had 3 new old stock Tubes I explained what the amp was doing . My new set of tubes were ppurchase from a previous ham who had a spare set that he longer needed 250.00 later I put them a way for rainy day zip head 10 years . Val gave me some direction on trouble shooting the amp . Via email For the next week and half a couple of ceramic disc caps that were bad . With the factory help I was able to repair the circuit with just replacing some capacitors that were leaky causing the issue . I replaced the parts and amp came up on High Voltage works like it did when was new . 20 watts drive gets you 1KW out 35 watts drive gives 1450. . The old tubes our probably still good and some day I will test Them. I purchased the amp New I made promised I would never sell it . The quality that many manufactures strive for but seldom get too. The Customer service From the factory was Best I have ever seen from our manufactures. I have two Acom amp and the 1000 for 160 6 meters . I cant say enough good thing about these amp. If you should need service out warranty theirs several service places in the states . shipping with out the transformer the amp weighs in around 30lbs . Good thing is do not need to ship transformer when send it in. Working on amps not for everybody Due to high voltage which can Kill you Quickly and the warnings our plentiful .This amp can not be heard unless yo install the second fan only needed for rtty and am modes running at Full power the amp has a lot head room 2500 into dummy load . My last set of tubes were at 65 watts drive to get legal limit tubes over 7000 hours on them . You can remote control the Amp and if you add the 2000s remote switch it will even rember the correct antenna position Well done Acom and Val Not many manufactures will walk you through trouble shooting the amp . If your looking Rock steady amp that can out live you this is the one .
73 Phil K4GY
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Earlier 5-star review posted by KG4LRU on 2004-11-20
I purchased My acom 2000A January of This year , I wanted a full legal limit amp and a tuner the handle my wire antennas . After looking at the others Acom 2000A Had the best price and the features I wanted. I had several amps my Pw1 amp was very nice it didnt quite get the job done on the built in Tuner and was loud with a long QSO it sounded like a BAC 111 Jet at Take off.
The acom design is seemless Turn it on and power it up speaked in to the mic its changes bands no special cables to radios like the ICOM, makes this amp a shack mainstay run your qrp on it or Your old boat anchors its rock solid . The amp protects itself, and will record what happens. very few new products that I have purchased have delivered as much statisfaction recently as this amp. Its Quite with the standard fan my radio makes more noise. Its a large investment , But well worth the cash. It will be in the shack for a long Time. I also run the the auto switch its been performing perfectly it also keeps you from hot switching or transmitting into a blank antenna. I had to wait several months to get mine so due some planning. Krassy and Wil have been more than helpful and have always followed up with a return call, unlike some of the competion. A few notes make sure your antenna is worthy of this amp, its makes big power and will melt poor coax and connectors. Also be sure clean the filters at least every two months . Oh yea its very heavy make sure you have some help when you installed the power supply. |
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| N2EHG |
Rating: |
2017-09-29 | |
| Fantastic Amp |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Had this amp for a while, having had great success with my Acom 1000, got this 2000a w/the newer digital head for a new location. One of the key features for me was being able to attach it to my microham keyer, and my maclogger dx program. This allows the linear to automatically follow me, everything is totally automated. Has always worked rock solid. The new digital head is easy to use and provides lots of info. Never had any problems with my Acom products. Hope to try their SS amp. |
|
| W8NWN |
Rating: |
2017-08-30 | |
| Failed |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
It worked fine for 7 months on lite duty but failed now and wont come on.........Too heavy and difficult to ship.......Very expensive garbage. ---sorry I would NOT recommend this amplifier to anyone.
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Earlier 4-star review posted by W8NWN on 2017-01-27
This amplifier has to be the heaviest unit ever made. It takes 2 people just to put the transformer in. (41 lbs). Also 2 people to bolt the transformer in the chassis. Nearly impossible for one person to carry to your shack table. (80 lbs.) Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. I just wanted everyone to know what they are getting into by ordering this product. It's a great amp but God help you if you have to ship it to be repaired. You must reverse the above procedure which again takes 2 people and about an hour to just pack it up. If you like the sound of 4XCX800's, this is the amp for you.
Hint: To make it easier, I built a "dolly" made out of 3/4" plywood (18" X 18") and casters for it to sit on. Now I can easily move it if I have to sweep around it or connect coax cables etc. I STRONGLY recommend building this dolly. It sits on the floor beside my desk with the RCU on the desk. Very cool indeed! Why the 4? I took off one point for the excessive but necessary weight.
As to its ability to amplify your signal? What can I say? One GREAT amp!!! |
|
| KW2W |
Rating: |
2017-05-20 | |
| great amp, but |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| having had many amps in my 57 yrs as a ham, this acom 2000a is just out of this world... i wont boar you with all the usual stuff you can read about.. but am confused about one thing ... the amp, comes with a remote controller, and with extension cables, can be placed quite far away from the operating position .... nice feature ... but, you still have to visit the amp to turn it on ??? ... there is a main switch on back of the amp, that must be placed in the on position befour the remote control will work ?? ... so, i ask, where is the remote capability ??? i bought this amp for many reasons, one being that i could place it in some rempte portion of the shack and forget it, just like it states in the operating manual..being some what disabled, i thought this would be a great feature....well, in reality, its not...so,i had to make room for it near my operating position..no big deal as the fans are very quiet, but the motors that move the varable caps, well, thats another story ..... hey, dont let this discourage you from buying this amp .... again,its fabulous...this is just a heads up, if your truly looking for a ..."real remote " amp |
|
| AF4WH |
Rating: |
2016-11-20 | |
| A Very Fine Rig and Company |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
At first, I was a bit overwhelmed by this amazing piece of equipment. Back in the 70's I had the good fortune to own an Alpha 78. Consequently, I thought I know all I needed to know about automatic tuning RF amplifiers. Please don't make my mistake. Get out the manual and go through it thoroughly. I was baffled for a time by the rig shutting itself down for no apparent reason, because I didn't know where to look. Turned out the power company was sending 258 volts down our 240 volt line, and the rig was protecting itself.
It also took some research to learn that this rig actually has a fine antenna tuner built in. There I was trying to run it with an extra tuner I had no need of. Once set up, this rig memorizes all the settings for every frequency you are likely to operate on.
Puts out lots of power. Capable of 2000+ watts into our big oil can. Has a remote control that lets you locate across the room if you wish, although I found the ACOM to be very quiet, and I really don't like fan noise.
It uses a pair of GU74B tubes, which are apparently relatively plentiful in Europe, as they is used by the Russian military. It seems to be nearly indestructible, which make sense. Who would want military gear failing at the first bump in the road. Not expensive. either. US equivalent is the 4cx800a. Two of them give you 1600 watts of plate dissipation!
This rig will also work with a remote antenna switch from the same company. Will automatically (or manually via a remote control box) switch up to 10 remote antennas on a single piece of coax. Almost pays for itself in coax savings.
The company has been most supportive. They have responded quickly to my questions, and provided excellent help. They quickly and inexpensively repaired the antenna switch after it was subjected to an extended under-salt-water experience during the recent hurricane. While it has proved weather-proof under most conditions, several hours under the salt water was too much...)
In my opinion, it would be tough to find a better amplifier than the ACOM 2000a. |
|
| IV3EPO |
Rating: |
2016-11-15 | |
| Acom 2000a a tank! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I was been a proud owner for 10 years of an Acom-1000 that never dissapointed me. I've decided to change with "big daddy" 2000a...wow...amazing amplifier !! 2kw down easily, built like a tank, cheap high quality tubes, ecc..
If you try it you'll never come back.
73' |
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| W2PP |
Rating: |
2015-09-12 | |
| Fantastic amp |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've had mine now for two years. I will never sell it. I have found that its rock reliable. I use the microbit...see my review over their....for internet control and it just works perfectly. I tuned it up per band segment and it retunes nearly instantly when I change bands. I had an alpha 9500 and sold it as it self destructed all by its self. This amp is one I will be using for many years to come. Bought an extra pair of tubes from Array solutions and they are brand new in box. I'm set for decades to come.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by W2PP on 2014-11-25
I've had my ACOM 2000A for two years and I LOVE it. I sold my Alpha 9500 for this amp and it was a wise choice. Now, I just got the RC1216H, you have to get it direct from Microbit in Sweden but boy was it worth it. The RC 1216H allows you to remotely control the ACOM 2000A over the internet. You have your own web page for the amp, I can say this is ROCK reliable. My son was able to control my ACOM from the middle east tonight!!!! You need the RPON still but with the RC1216H man its a whole new world. Do NOT confuse the RC1216H with the 1216H they are NOT the same. |
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