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Reviews For: Alpha 99

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

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Review Summary For : Alpha 99
Reviews: 79MSRP: 3850 + shipping
Description:
The Ultimate Value in a linear amplifier - Made in USA
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.rkrdesignsllc.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00794.9
AC8AM Rating: 2010-12-25
Will whisper the legal limit! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Molly helped me into a used Alpha-99 and glad she did. I got a warranty on the amp and the tubes.
She even taught me how to save a bundle on shipping since I was close to my terminal.

The amp delivered was palliated with two boxes, assembly was easy and tuning it is easier than my
Heathkit HB-1000.

I shot exhaust temperature during heavy rag chew at 168 degrees at 1500 watts with an ambient of 91 deg. I believe this unit will last a long time, tube wise.

Digital readout is fast and bright, makes tuning easy. The amp is left at ear level and I can hear my radio relay but I don’t hear the 99, just the lights change. If you listen close you can hear the two fans but since the exhaust is left rear/top that noise is as far away as it can get.

No lightweight at 77 pounds as far as power, it will whisper the legal limit!
PY8AZT Rating: 2010-11-12
What PA! Must to be an Alpha! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
At PW7T - Fortaleza DX Group Contest Station, we use only Alpha Amplifiers on the shack. The Alpha 99 is one of them. This equipment runs under extreme conditions - 30 degrees Celsius at severe weather in Northeastern Brazil. We are active on major contests every year and it never failure even running full legal power 100% of time. Great PA for every serious contester effort. Congratulations Alpha! Need a PA? Get an Alpha 99 and forget about it!
N9IND Rating: 2010-05-19
Wonderful Amp. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I made a trade with RF-Concepts and the Amp. that i traded in was an Alpha 374-A and it was a good Amp.They gave me a deal that could not be turned down and the Alpha-99 is one nice Amp. that probably will last me the rest of my life and then some. Molly told me that i would love this Amp. and she was right and i cannot add anything that has already been said about this great Amp. All i can say if you by one you should not be dissatisfied of the quality and performance! God Bless to all and Best Wishes to RF-Concepts.
DL1EJA Rating: 2010-01-31
real contest amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I'm working with this amplifier since quite some time, and it's absolutly reliable and trustable. I use it during contesting and DXing almost every day, and it is solide like a rock...
W8VI Rating: 2009-12-18
Highly recommend Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I really like the Alpha 99 and how well it performs on the air. With no more than 50 watts of drive I can easily produce 1500 watts pep all day with minimal heat and low blower noise. I had a Commander HF-2500 for 19 years that was also an excellent amp but produced a lot of blower noise and utilized a tuned input circuit for each band - except WARC. My evaluation is based on owning the Commander HF-2500, Amp Supply LK-500ZA with two 3-500z's and the Alpha 99 for over a year.

Pro's of the Alpha 99:
- Easy to tune including WARC bands
- Loafs along all day at 1500 watts
- Quiet and low heat at legal limit
- Grid and high SWR protection
- Built in Led Watt Meter
- HV transformer easily un-bolts and un-plugs for service, cleaning and shipping
- 4cx800 tubes are rugged and powerful
- Lot's of "head room", output power and SWR forgiveness compared to solid state amp's

Con's:
- Seems to take forever to warm up when you hear a new one.

Tubes: The Eimac 3cx800's that came with my HF-2500 have lasted for over 19 years with full grid and output power. I believe that the Svetlana GU74B/4cx800's in the Alpha 99 will last at least as long if you take care of them. I have an extra set of GU74B's tubes but I doubt if I will ever need them.

Having enjoyed this amp for over a year now I would not hesitate purchasing another good used Alpha 99 or recommending one to a friend.

73, Gary W8VI
WA4CAX Rating: 2009-11-22
Alpha A+ Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought my first Alpha in 2006 ( used Alpha 99)....This amp is a reliable work horse with a lot of headroom...The 99 uses 2ea. GU74B Russian tetrodes. A replacement pair can be had for ~$400.00 on the surplus market. Generally date codes on these tubes are 1970 to 1990s so proper pre-conditioning is needed (gettering,testing and matching)...New tubes are available from Alpha at market prices.....

WA4CAX....
K3VR Rating: 2009-09-18
Alpha 99 still appreciating in value Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my Alpha 99 several years ago. I sent it back for updates once or twice and I've replaced the tubes once. It's simply a pleasure to use. The staff are first rate and Alpha quality is legendary. In fact it's the only amateur gear I have that's actually appreciated in value over the years. If only the stock market performed as well!
W0CZE Rating: 2009-02-23
GREAT AMP GREAT SUPPORT Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
MY SECOND ALPHA. SOLID CONSTRUCTION. QUALITY . THE BAND SWITCH IS A WORK OF ART. PLENTY OF HEAD ROOM. I PURCHASED THIS ONE USED AND HAD A PROBLEM . ONE PHONE CALL AND GLEN HAD ME TO THE DEFECTIVE PART IN A HEART BEAT! THANKS ALPHA
KK7AC Rating: 2007-08-03
5 Year review Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Ua, well, it's been about 5 plus years now and nothing new. So many Q's I cant count and as many hours providing flawless performance. This is the Glock of amplifiers; no frills, durable, reliable, trustworthy and works every time. period. If you want a "real" amplifier that will be the envy of all that hear it and those that see it, get one of these or it's variants. QRO or Henry are in this class, then there is the rest.

Price should be no object once you decide to "step up to the plate" and play hard ball with the big boys. Otherwise, make your way to the girls slow pitch softball field and play with them.
W7PTT Rating: 2006-12-07
Great Amplifier Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have owned my Alpha 99 for about 9 months now. It is a very straightforward amp to operate. It is very easy to tune. I have made alot of DX contacts with this amplifier. If I was to buy another amp, I would definately buy an Alpha. The new 8100 is what is replacing the Alpha 99.

When the 3Y0X team went to Peter One Island, they took Alpha 99 Amplifiers. They wanted an amplifier that would be reliable and would operate hour after hour after hour. I would imagine the new Alpha 8100 will be every bit as good as the Alpha 99.

73

Bill
W7PTT