Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Alpha 9500

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

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Alpha 9500
Reviews: 122MSRP: 7950. USD
Description:
Fully-automatic 160-10M amplifier, successor to the 87A. Uses a single 8877 tube in grounded-grid configuration. Integrated antenna switching, full QSK with vacuum relay.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.alpharfsystems.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001224.8
AB4D Rating: 2022-06-04
RF perfection Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Back in 2008, I took delivery of one of the early production Alpha 9500. Things were great for a few years. Then I started hearing complaints about a common failure from the potentiometer sensor scheme Alpha had implemented at the time, for the first 100 or so units. Alpha resolved that issue with a hardware update on later production. I asked Alpha to extend the warranty and update mine under warranty, the answer was simply no.

I lost faith and decided to sell, and move onto other products. My 9500 also failed when I was demonstrating it to a potential buyer. I lowered the price on the spot, and he took it away. :)

I have owned many different amplifiers over the past decade+. However, I always found myself thinking about owning another Alpha 9500, because operationally it works so well. I recently purchased a late 2011 production Alpha 9500 that was very dusty inside, but otherwise in good condition.

This is a review, and observations on this particular amplifier that has been in use with a new Penta branded tube since 2015.

Overall, it appears the Alpha 9500 ages fairly well. I don't see evidence of anything that cause me major concern, such as stressed components, etc. However, I did find one minor issue. A large ceramic wire wound power resistor on the power supply board, that is part of the inrush protection circuit. The resistor, although tests fine, it is cracked and requires replacement, about an $8.00 part from Mouser.

I posted an inquiry on the Alpha 9500 users group about the resistor, and promptly received a response from Alpha RF Systems. It was explained, that the resistor can be damaged by inrush current, if the amp is switched off, then abruptly back on.

I'm happy to see, that Alpha aka Alpha RF Systems is still here to give support. Further review of their webpage reveals, they are preparing a building and equipment in Ohio, to once again produce great equipment from Alpha and Ten Tec.


2008 Review: I took delivery of my Alpha 9500 in mid July and it has been working at my station without any issues. I purchased the Alpha 9500 based upon Alpha's outstanding reputation and the fact that it is still made in the USA. I have not been disappointed. the amplifier automatically tunes very quickly, it easily makes 1500 watts of RF power with as little as 35 watts of drive (75 meters), and it a beautiful piece of hardware to add to your station. The multi function display is easy to read, it allows you to check all critical parameters at just a glance, and if needed, you can get more exact readings by using the seven segment display.

The only complaint I have had with the amplifier was fan noise. However, this issue was recently resolved with a factory supplied, user installed (at users option), field upgrade to the fan circuit and firmware. Now the amplifier does not seem to create any more fan noise than my other amplifier, a Yaesu Quadra.

Service and Support has also been outstanding. I have had no problems contacting the folks at Alpha Radio Products when I have a question. I usually get to speak to a live person, and mostly I've spoken to Molly Hardman, W0MOM, the President of Alpha, who is very helpful, and can usually take care of any concerns that you may have.

Furthermore, Alpha support has also been quick to respond to concerns raised by the owners of the Alpha 9500, which is evident by the recent factory supplied fan modification kit at no cost to the end user.

There is not much else to add about this state of the art amplifier. If you can afford the best, then own the best, the Alpha 9500.
K0HB Rating: 2022-01-02
Too bad it's an orphan Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The heading says that this amp is still in production. I honestly don't believe that is true, and I am suspicious that the company is even still in this business.

This is an excellent amplifier when it is working. As good as any I've seen. Very intuitive to operate, loafs at the legal limit, just a nice piece of radio!

But it is a very complex piece of equipment, utilizing several embedded micro-processors, sophisticated solid state electronics, and numerous "custom made" parts not available off-the-shelf. This situation is all well and good so long as the manufacturing plant is extant, but becomes problematic when that support isn't available any longer. It is my impression that Alpha RF Systems is near this point, or may have already passed it.

On the plus side, there are two engineers from the "glory days" who are still active in providing repair and consulting support for this amplifier. Both of them are active in an on-line user group email list as their time permits. I don't know the depth of the "factory spare parts" that remain, but I'm sure that it isn't infinite. And of course, neither of them is getting any younger.

Naturally, because of the small number of knowledgeable repair guys, turnaround time of units "sent in" for repair can be very lengthy.

Summary: I love my 9500 when it's working, but have had some lengthy repair episodes, and worry that repair/part support could evaporate.

If you have one of these, cherish it. If you find one for sale, consider my comments above.

On Edit: After writing this review, I received some news that Alpha was moving the Colorado operation to Dayton. They will be selling parts, and a broad hint that they may also relaunch the actual manufacture of amplifiers. If this all happens, then I'll need to rewrite this review. Fingers crossed.

WA0HHX Rating: 2020-10-05
7 year owner review Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Purchased my 9500 new 10/2013. Flawless ops with two exceptions: 1) Frequent #8 faults when turned on requiring me to unplug it to reset the processor every time. This did clear the fault. This occurred from initial ops until the firmware was upgraded by Alpha while in their shop for another issue. 2) The other issue: in Oct. 2019 it started blowing both 20A fuses about half way through the 3 minute warm up countdown. After replacing the fuses it was fine for many random startups then would blow again. It became apparent that the 8877 was flashing over during the warm up. I had a spare Eimac 8877 in my Henry 3K and swapped it into the 9500. That resolved the problem to date. Otherwise this has been a fine Amp to operate and use. What surprised me was the fact that the defective 8877 was only 7 years old. I was also surprised that it was not an Eimac, but was a Penta Labs 8877. I've had Eimac 8877's go for almost 24 years before failure in my Henry; I have 3 Eimac 8874's in my Alpha 78 (new 1986) and they work great. I know this Eimac tube inside and out and my ops have always been well within it's operating requirements on filament and grid voltage as well as drive. I generally ran the 9500 at 25-30 watts of drive and 1:1 swr. So...conclusion: All things considered a very nice amp. BUT!! CAUTION: just fyi I sent the 9500 to Alpha in Nov. 2019 to have them do the upgrade, check the tube and confirm why the fuses were blowing. I didn't get it back until July 2020 and only after many pointed emails and then phone calls to the owner in Ohio. I never got a diagnosis that the 8877 was in fact the problem but they did do the upgrade (no more #8 faults so far!). So when I got it back the second time I started it, it blew both 20A fuses. As of this review the 9500 with the swapped out essentially brand new Eimac 8877 is working fine, but for over 8 months it languished untouched at Alpha. Granted the pandemic lock down was some of that but the communications were very difficult and not very responsive. Had I not gotten aggressive I probably would still not have it back. I know one other ham that is still waiting for his linear now almost a year later. Make of this what you will. Customer service quality either builds or destroys confidence in the products sold. Timely communication between company and customer is critical to that confidence. At this point my confidence in where Alpha is now and intends to be is on hold. I hope they live up to the well deserved Alpha reputation but I caution anyone reading this to beware their apparent difficulties as I experienced them. That said, other than this experience my relations with Alpha since 1986 have been fine and the Alpha 78, the 9500 and the 4520 A Wattmeter have been excellent products. Too bad they didn't use an Eimac 8877 in the 9500.
VE7ON Rating: 2020-09-26
Great amp. The best for digital modes Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought my 9500 new about a year and a half ago. Alpha RF Systems were easy to deal with and the whole process went smoothly.

The amp effortlessly produces legal limit power all day long. The solid state amps are great on cw and ssb but extremely noisy on FT8 or RTTY. The alpha is much quieter and the noise is always the same making it easier to deal with.

There is no complicated hook-up and the band changes are almost instant. The free Alpha Remote program works perfectly. Easy control of the amp and monitoring of all parameters from anywhere.

An excellent high quality product.
WJ3Z Rating: 2020-02-25
Another wonderful Alpha! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently just purchased this 9500. I have been a long time owner of the 87A for 20+ years now and absolutley love that amp. Got the 9500 setup and have run it multiple times now with no issues at all. It is quick to tune and works flawlessly on all bands. So far I am very impressed just as I was with the 87A.
KK4UU Rating: 2019-07-26
Doesn't Get Any Better ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Wow, Just received 2 Cartons of an Ebay Bid for
an Alpha 9500, sold fbo of a SK. Advertised as Open Box, but Never Used or Powered Up. !
Amp is 2014 (New Open Box), Well won the Bid, and it traveled safely 1,300 miles from the seller, without a scratch. Well review is in..This Amp is the Rolls-Royce of USA Built Amps.. Circa "RF Concepts" Installed 220 Volt 20Amp Line, Put Transformer in Amp, Checked the 8877 Tube & Connections to All Logic Boards...

It's a Monster, 45 Watts in = 1500 Out to Dummy Load....
When I become a SK, I'am taking this Beast with Me.... Just Great Example of USA Engineering and a memory of times gone Bye...
KK4UU Florida
KE4AMQ Rating: 2019-04-25
WOW Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just got a 9500 lastnight I still own a 87a and a 374a and a couple commanders. The 9500 is a heck of a amp only used it a couple hours 30 watts in is about 1450 out. It dont even get hot its a super amplifier. Have not used it all that much like i said a few hours but its a power house of a Amp.
WC1X Rating: 2019-04-09
Very nice Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I recently purchased this amp (FEB 2019) used from a fellow ham. It was basically a NOS amp with zero hours on it. I have been using it on SSB, CW and RTTY. The amp works perfectly. Every feature, function works as advertised. QSK is very good. Alpha remote software works well. My previous amp was a Alpha 87A.
AA6VB Rating: 2019-03-25
Wonderful Amplifier Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had this amp six and a half and it has worked flawlessly! Full legal limit without pushing the amp. I love the fact it remembers which antenna is used for each band and, of course, the no tune feature. It is a pleasure to use.

I'll admit I really don't like the 3 minute warm up (not a fault but a feature), because most times I just listen and if some interesting DX comes along, I'd like to have full power in an instant. So, there is that. Otherwise, it's been fabulous.

Outstanding build quality and totally reliable.

73,

Bob/AA6VB


----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by AA6VB on 2014-12-02

I've had this amp about two years and it has worked flawlessly! It is a pleasure to use and loafs along at full power. Tolerates a relatively high swr on the band edges (to about 2.8/1) on 160 meters with no problems. This amp is everything I expected from a high end piece of equipment and more. I am extremely pleased.

73,

Bob/AA6VB
KE7JHA Rating: 2018-11-21
GREAT GREAT AMP Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
i just purchased a refurbished Alpha 9500 from Glen at Alpha Amps and it works GREAT. Glen and Alpha were super thru the whole process. Support is GREAT, and I've never been so pleased with a product. If you ever had to tune & dip for every band and multiple freg. this Amp changes your life & enjoyment of the Hobby.
David / KE7JHA