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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
K3CN Rating: 2009-01-28
Very fine amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently purchased this fine amp for use with the Kenwood TS 870. I use the Heath Shop Ampkeyer as an interface. It tunes up easily runs quiet and delivers the power I need. I run it at 1kW and it operates smoothly. I have the Taylor tube and it produces 1200 watts at 200 mils of grid current with 100 watts of drive. I then reduce drive to 90 watts and get 1Kw out. It is wired for 110v. I could not be more pleased with it and I won't be selling mine anytime soon.
WA5RR Rating: 2009-01-28
Reliable Amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had my AL-80A for close to 18 months now and never had a problem with it. Tunes up easily and stands up to full-effort contesting. The amp, coupled with the Heathkit Shop Ampkeyer works FB.
N2HEP Rating: 2008-11-29
Great 1K Amp! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased this amp new in 1991. Still going strong with the same 3-500Z! Never a problem. If I ever replaced it, it would be for more power only and probably with the AL-82.
K4GK Rating: 2008-01-31
Keeps on ticking Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Several other amplifiers have been used in the past. I purchased the AL-80A (used) when I had a need for a good amplifier which would run well on 110 Volt AC supply. It continues to deliver near 1 KW output on all bands except 28 MHz and 24 MHz where the output is a little less. Despite operator abuse on my end, I have never experienced any problems. The amplifier can typically be purchased (used) in the $400 to $600 range at hamfest, and is possibly one of the best values in amateur radio.
KC2FTN Rating: 2007-12-29
Nice Amp! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been running my AL-80B on/off now for a couple of years and have never had a problem. I generally keep 'er throtted back to about 600 watts, and even then it's generally one call, one contact. Great pile-up buster!
W5DHE Rating: 2007-11-25
Great 3-500 Amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got my amp off eBay. When I got it the band switch was broke butt I was lucky. The spot it was broke I was able to super glue it back. I changed it to 120V put it in line. It is so easy to tune its silly. On 40M I can get a Kw out with no problem. I run it on 20M sending pic's on SSTV and I get 750W out all day long. It works great with PSK31 also. My ant is a MFJ G5RV knock off that is 4 feet in the air. I use a drake MN-2000 tuner. If you are looking for a starter amp this is it. 73's Tim
NL7FK Rating: 2007-10-26
Can you say Dependable? Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is probably one of the best 1 KW amplifiers on the market. This is one workhorse of an amplifier that needs to be in everyones shack as either a primary or back-up amp that will always be there when needed.

Unlike the AL80B which has the cross needle metering and front panel ALC adjustment this amp is a straight forward no nonsence amplifier that will keep on ticking even after giving it a licking. The 3-500 is one heck of a tough tube that is very forgiving and can take on the rigors of any contest with ease. It is quiet but loudly puts out 800 to 1KW+ depending on what line voltage one uses. 800 to 950 Watts can easily be expected on 110v and expect 900 to 1KW+ when using 220V. With this slight increase of power it is not necessary to go through the expense of having 220 run into the shack. That is a plus for may operators.

The amp is not really a light weight. The power supply easily allows the amp to do it's thing without straining thus the 3-500 can be used to its full potential if needed or wanted.

Due to the populairity of the amp expect to pay premium prices for this amp and it is well worth the investment. I have seen street prices range from $575.00 to beyond the $700.00 mark depending on the condition. Is this amp worth the expenditure? You bet it is if one wants a rock solid no trouble easy to tune amplifier. This amp is a great starter amp and can do any seasoned ham well.

This is a tune and enjoy amplifier that is well suited for everyone wanting to have a big punch and stay within a limited budget.
N5XM Rating: 2007-08-13
A Workhorse Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
For what this amp is, I have to give it a 5. I run it at about 500 watts on CW and it seems to be stable as a rock. I came upon one with a new ceramic power tube, and it is so easy to tune it is silly. I could get a lot more power out of it, but 500W seems to work just fine for me. It is built like a tank, and isn't fancy, it just works and works well. It runs very quiet and the operation is seamless. It isn't my friends PW-1, but so what? I'm very happy to have it!
5R8GQ Rating: 2006-12-04
SUPER Amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been running an AL80A for over ten years now, wired to 220v. I am a RTTY Contester and I consistently and constantly get 1000-1150 watts out of it all weekend long in contests. It has a much beefier power supply than the AL80A and is built stronger overall too. And none of those stupid cross needle meters.

W4IV Said "The only thing I didn't agree with was 1000w claimed output on a single 3-500Z continuously, that is running it a little hard IMO"

Well, my AL80A has run 1000 watts+ for ten years in RTTY AND SSB contests. I have an Eimac tube in it though.

You can't go wrong with this amp. They are a GREAT value on the used market, much, much better than the plastic, downsized AL80B, which will only run 500 watts RTTY even though Ameritron calls it a KW amp!
HS0ZBG Rating: 2006-10-31
Good Amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased this Ameritron AL-80A used at a swap. For 400 dollars. It came with the instruction manuals for the HeathKit SB-1000 amp. I think these two must be one in the same from the looks of the pictures. The mod to allow it to run on the 10 meter band where there is a "click" of the switch is easy enough to remove the short wire.

I found it runs best in the 400-500 what range and gets pretty hot with anymore than that with SSB. That is plenty of umph to get my signal out though.

Be sure to see the SB-1000 HeathKit model page for more pictures. The only difference seems to be the paint on the front panel around the two meters. This is not the AL-80 which has only one meter. It is big, heavy and solid when in use. Because of the weight of the transformer, it does draw a lot of amps and you can here the rush of current.

I later purchased a graphite version of the 3-500z tube and it is also very good with it. I think the old tube was getting gassy so I replaced it. (It had blue in the tube)