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Reviews For: Ameritron AL-80A

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

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Review Summary For : Ameritron AL-80A
Reviews: 56MSRP: 1399
Description:
Ameritron AL-80a 1KW Output, 160-15, 10 possible with mod.
run a single 3-500z, 850 watts CW, 1000 watts SSB.
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00564.9
N5XJT Rating: 2020-12-25
A Super Amp!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Purchased used after it had been sitting for about 5 years. Found it was an original Ameritron (pre-MFJ) built in Ohio with a RF Parts Taylor Chinese tube. Built like a tank, cleaned up to look like a new one, even the meter lights still working, owners manual easily found on the internet. Brought it up on a Variac for about 6 hours and it works perfectly. Had some concerns as this is my first amp but quickly learned it is easy to tune and operate, fan is very quiet and the full output is an easy 1,000 watts. I operate it at 600 watts with 35 watts input at 130ma where it runs cool and just loafs along. As a bonus it is very forgiving of new operator "oopsies" such as tuning on the wrong band or inadvertently overdriving. Matched with a Drake MN-2000 tuner this is a great combination and a great amp.
N5DJV Rating: 2020-09-06
Rock Solid Reliable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought this Amp used in 1990 and have used it for 30 years. Replaced the tube after 25 years and it has been going strong for the last 5 years. I use it an hour to five hours a day and always get great signal reports. It has been a stable performer for a long time.
KC7MF Rating: 2019-07-18
Great Amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I traded an older HF rig for this amp and have never looked back. It is solid as a rock. In 5 years all I have done is replace the relay. I did replace the tube but the one in it was not bad. I just had a new one so I trade them off periodically to keep them fresh. (I know. Obsessive.)

Easy to tune and bullet proof. I agree with the poster who said to make a note of your tuning points and tuning this amp can be very fast. I get about 900 watts for about 90 watts in. I have gotten 1000 once or twice. (I am supposed to claim here that I never run the amp flat out. I do occasionally and you do too. Admit it.) But this old guy can handle it no problem.

Had a solid state amp for awhile and the amps it put out were certainly more expensive. Expensive amps have to be better than used-radio-traded for amps, right? But I will stick to my cheap old amps. Nobody has complained yet.
W5BT Rating: 2019-07-18
Great amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had the AL-80A for some time. It was off the air for about 18 months after a move. Fired right back up like it was never down. I'm at least the 3rd owner, but that is probably optimistic considering when these things were made. The person I purchased it from admitted he didn't know what he was doing when he obtained it. As a result, I got an amp with a lot of new parts. The AL_80A is an excellent amp. Once you have it somewhat configured with your transceiver and have made good notes for 3 or 4 frequencies per band, you can tune it in 5 to 10 seconds at most (still use a dummy load please). Mine has the additional safety mods added, some before I purchased and some after. I will keep this amp forever; however once I upgrade, the plan is to convert it to a 6M only amp (already started purchasing some of the parts as I trust it enough to spend the $300 extra for the mod). Although I've never been able to achieve the full rated watts out of it, I've never been one to drive things hard or to the max either. I guarantee it will do well enough that no one will know the difference. It is tough and it can handle contesting etc. It has received excellent audio reports, which these type amps are known for. Most of the parts are still available and/or interchange withe the AL-80B which is an added benefit. So considering the amp, the parts, etc., it is a excellent amp for the price you can purchase one for these days. Due to the age and prior use, still do your due diligence when purchasing. If you can't see it in operation, consider that when making an offer as you would with any other amp or equipment. Don't let the age dissuade you, this amp will probably be operational long after I'm gone.
W8NIC Rating: 2019-03-04
My 2nd One Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I sold one I had 5 years and regret doing so. Got another used one but was abused by previous owner. Fixed her up a little bit and she's now back in shape.
850 watts with 80 watts drive on cw mode all day with no problems. I should have never sold the first one. But this 2nd will do just fine.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by W8NIC on 2017-01-03

I've had this amp 5 yrs now but only used occasionally. Always see 1k with 90 watts drive, cooling system is excellent and fan noise in non-existent.
Very good amp for the money.
EI3GD Rating: 2018-03-09
Excellent amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Came across a little used copy of this amp along with its Heathkit brother SB1000, restored both easily and sold the SB1000. Kept the Al80A as it had a perfect band switch. Produces ~800w on all bands, including WARC at ~700W. Warms up in under a minute and is ready, low distortion and smooth running. A solid design and easy to maintain. The AL80A has mains taps to compensate for 220v or 230v operation, also has a nice step-start relay. if you can get one.. then keep it!!!

A well deserved 5/5 for this amp.

Cheers
N7RD Rating: 2018-01-01
Solid as a ROCK Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My AL80-A is a great performer. Only operate CW and with 50 watts it will run 750 watts all day long with no hitches. Built like a WW2 Tank it just keeps on keepin on.
VY1JA Rating: 2017-06-07
Great Contest Amp 18+ Years Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The station at VY1JA is opertated remotely by YCCCN contest group and has been there for many. For many months now we have been only using the AL-80A and if you worked VY1AAA, XO1A, CF1AAA, or VY1JA this amp is what helped make you hear us. We have found that Martin F Jue and his staff provided excellent service the one time it was needed and the amp ended up better than new as a reslut. This amp has been in service in the Yukon for many years and just keeps plugging away. I strongly recommend this amp for anyone who contests.


OE4VIE Rating: 2017-04-09
Still a good choice! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have had my AL-80A for about 6 months. I bought it second hand and it performed flawlessly ever since. I have not experienced any problems or issues. In my AL-80A I am using an swiss BBC (ABB) T510-1 tube with graphite anode which give me easily an Kilowatt if needed. I renewed the parasistic suppressor with a F1BXL hairpin design, which you can buy on ebay. I had a few 2x 3-500z amplifiers in the past but was always looking for a single tube linear like this one. If you can get one for a good price, take it!
W2ZR Rating: 2017-03-21
Wonderful Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well, it finally happened. After 27 years, my trusty little amp has developed a small glitch. There seems to be something slipping such that turning the PLATE knob doesn't always turn the capacitor. Other than that, it's operated flawlessly.