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Reviews For: Ameritron Factory Service

Category: Amateur Radio Equipment Repair

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Review Summary For : Ameritron Factory Service
Reviews: 39MSRP: 85.00 hr
Description:
Factory Service for Ameritron Amplifiers
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
10394.6
WX3B Rating: 2009-02-19
A+ Great Service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own 4 Ameritron AL-1200 amplfiers of different vintages, had a couple AL-80B's, and one AL-80A.

I have called Ameritron countless times, and found that most issues can be resolved easily, over the phone. The ones that I didn't feel like fixing myself, I found Ameritron quite responsible and EXTREMELY REASONABLE with their pricing.

Many of the folks I talk with are the same ones that were there in 1998!

Great job - keep up the good work, guys...

Sincerely,

Jim Nitzberg WX3B
K5ML Rating: 2008-11-13
Great support Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I purchased a used AL-82 several months back. On two occasions I had problems with it. On both occasions, when I called Ameritron and told Rob the problems, he pinpointed the solutions in less than 30 seconds. It turned out that both problems were minor and fixing them was inexpensive. It is sometimes hard to get through to Ameritron because the line is busy or the phone doesn't answer. But once you get Rob on the phone, the service is polite and excellent.
K5YF Rating: 2008-11-12
Telephone Support Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I spoke with Rick today. He was very helpful and courteous.

The amp in question is a year-old (but new to me) AL-80b with a slipping load knob. Rick explained how to position the loading capacitor and repair the knob if it was cracked.

Fast, friendly, helpful, and courteous. Who cares if they don't have an 800 number. Paying for the call is very much worth it.

Their number was busy for a while but when I got through things went great. Rick didn't even make me feel like I was being rushed.

If they had an autoloading autotuning amp I would buy one.
WV4I Rating: 2007-05-24
Great phone tech assist Time Owned: more than 12 months.
About a year ago, I acquired a used AL-572 amp with what turned out to be a minor problem, i.e. a bad transistor affecting tube bias and a blown cap (obvious).

Recently, I acquired a used AL-1500 amp that apparently had had a tank circuit, doorknob caps to be exact, arc on 160m. This took out a diode on the filter cap board.

In both cases, I got Ameritron tech on the phone, and they were great. Told them the symptoms, and they were readily able to tell me the likely problem, and WITHOUT all the hassle, expense, of shipping the amp(s) to them.

Thanks Ameritron tech! If you need an amp, and want to know that the factory support is there if needed, buy an Ameritron.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by WV4I on 2004-04-24

I purchased a used AL-1500 amplifier that had not been operated for some time, and possibly had exceeded some limitations in it's prior use. Like the prior reviewer, I dealt with Willie at Ameritron Service. What a breath of fresh air. He knows their product line thoroughly, helped me troubleshoot over the phone repeatedly, sent and then took back parts, much more, and never got impatient or otherwise too busy to help me out. Only if you've dealt with other manufacturers' service and support personnel can you truly appreciate Ameritron, and especially Willie. What more can I say?
KE0XS Rating: 2006-11-09
SB-1000 Repair Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Recently experienced a tube flashover with my SB-1000. Returned the amplifier to Ameritron for repair. Within two weeks the amplifier was back. Rob Hood did a great job and took the time go through the amplifier replacing defective components and aligning the unit. Not only did they do a great repair job, the way they pack the unit for the return trip was box inside a box with styrofoam holders! Great job Ameritron!!

Brad
KE0XS
KB4BJM Rating: 2006-06-05
pleasure to deal with! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I sent in my Heath SB-1000 and received it in a timely manner and well packed. They were honest and did not take me for a ride.
W7CO Rating: 2004-11-17
Great Service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I can echo the comments about great service. This year my AL811 was giving me fits and Willie spent over an hour on the phone trouble shooting the problem. We found the problem and got it working. Best service I have ever received from anyone or any place.

Mike W7CO
WO8USA Rating: 2004-11-17
Saved me Money with Advice! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
My AL-811 was giving me a hi SWR reading on my Mark V....i thought I had blown something. I checked and inspected everything I could. Finally called MFJ, talked to Willie first. He took me through some things to diagnose the probelm to determine if I really needed to send it in (I have no test equipment). After getting the results, I called back and talked to (Jim or Mike), they had told me we'd do a live test to help. He suggested I look at the coax--sure enough, bad (Radio Shack supplied) coax/jumper.

They could have just said "I can't help you, send it in" but did not. Ameritron Amp service sets an example for others to follow!!

(I'll also not let Radio Shack supply my needs!)

Chris WO8USA

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Earlier 4-star review posted by WO8USA on 2004-04-24

My AL-811 had a problem. I contacted Ameritron for instructions on how to get it serviced (out of warranty), which they provided. I shipped it. The service was excellent--the technician (Willie) even got on the phone twice to explain the problem, give an estimate. But eh clerk lost my amp when it came in and did not date itm so the first-in-first-out rule got lost on my amp. Once I called back and they discoverd the lapse, the took care of it right away.

Other than the loss and no 1-800 service number, the facory service was very goo, very good price also.
KG8JF Rating: 2004-10-29
outstanding! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had telephone contact with Ameritron on two occasions. In both cases the outcome exceeded my expectations. I would not hesitate doing business with them again