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Reviews For: Alpha 9500

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

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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
K1JD Rating: 2012-02-07
Remarkable amplifier! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I planned to wait a full year before writing a review but actually it has been about 14 months. Several things have motivated me to write this now: (1) availability of new auto-tune software; (2) the newest release of Alpha Remote software that includes some neat additional features; and (3) a 160m-10m, 48 hour CW operating event requiring a lot of band changing this past weekend. In a nutshell, the amplifier remotely located in the next room performed perfectly. The latest firmware was easy to install and the auto-tune function has been taken to the next level,i.e to the point where you can essentially leave it engaged all the time. I had the Alpha Remote software running on a WIN 7 laptop separate from the XP machine that does the logging. The application's display has a replica of the 9500 front panel plus a new extended feature providing good information (tune and load numbers, temperature, AC main voltage and DC voltages). The update rate of the LED instruments as viewed on the computer is more sluggish than on the 9500 in normal operation. For this reason, I used an Elecraft W2 wattmeter at the operating position to keep an eye on instantaneous power out, and kept the other eye on the remote software for monitoring grid current and temperature. The blower can get a bit noisy when operating extended periods at the legal limit, but with the amp set up in the next room the only obvious noise (and not much at that) was from the K3's cooling fans.
Several more general comments: (1) The only failure in 14 months has been the main blower, a nightmare to replace in the 87A but extremely simple with the 9500; (2) the vacuum relays are noisy when operating QSK, so I normally use a QSK-5 T/R switch to mitigate it. With the amplifier installed in the next room, there is no reason to use the QSK-5 but regardless hope that RFC addresses this in the future, like with their own robust PIN T/R switch; and (3) Before moving the amplifier to the next room several weeks ago, I pulled the cover and the transformer, and blew out any dust. The tank coils and other components looked just like new - no oxidation or other heat related evidence whatsoever.
In summary, I am very pleased with this amplifier and impressed by the engineering, conservative design and quality throughout.
73,
John K1JD
AB4FH Rating: 2012-01-17
Great amp! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought the 9500 from someone who had owned it for only 4 months. It has performed perfectly for almost a year. It has helped me to confirm 162 countries during that time. I have gotten numerous statements about my "massive signal" from all around the world. It's tolerance to my mistakes has allowed me to operate it with confidence during contests when I've become fatigued and made careless mistakes, always protecting me by faulting out instantly, yet resetting to return to full operation. I have used it on all modes and would highly recommend the 9500 to anyone looking for a no-holds barred, full legal limit amp. BTW, I have a pre-order for the Alpha 4040, 4 KW auto tuner, as well! 73, de AB4FH
K5OA Rating: 2011-12-14
Hardware-software-people Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The new 9500 arrived more than two weeks earlier than promised, set up was easy and results outstanding. My main interest is remore control and the hardware and software works great. The new transformer is massive and takes only minutes to install. Programming to get all antennas set for each band segment took less than 30 minutes and makes operation a true breeze. Why a five? This is a true enginering marvel and the people are just as great and really know the product and the application of hardware and software and their customer service is the icing on the cake. The price will not fit everyone but you get what you pay for in this product and I expect it to last a lifetime. Great job by all the hams who care so much at RF Concepts. The Alpha Brand is surly alive and well. And Pam and Molly do everything to keep your order moving even with the backlog after the great Trade-In sale of October.
Made is the USA is doing well here at RF Concepts.

Russ K5OA

PS: I had long time dream to own a Alpha, dreams do come true. Happy Holidays to all.

KK7TV Rating: 2011-12-03
Great Amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got the amp delivered Friday and put it on the air. Here are some observations.

The 9500 has more fan noise then the 87A but not enough to bother me.

The auto tune allows the amp to get into the correct range for your stations conditions. I then use the memory 1 setting after manually tweaking the tune ( max out for minimum grid ) on each band to find it's sweet spot. Then I save it to memory 1 and turn the auto tune off. I then operate the amp in the memory 1 position. The reflector has people seeing problems with faults on 10 meters. I can't make the amp fail on any band. I don't think the amp is at fault. I think if you use the memory system and turn the auto off after the proper tuning is done the amp will not fault.

The construction is top notch. The sliver plating is perfect. I must say it is wonderful to see such attention to detail. Superb soldering, Teflon wire, Molex plugs, glass PCB boards, toroidal transformer and more.

All in all a great amp and I am very pleased with Molly and the crew at Alpha, they are truly a top notch company

Randy
NU4DO Rating: 2011-11-30
Stand behind their product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned an ALPHA 9500 for about 3 years. Recently, it began to act funny and not function properly. I sent it back and repairs were made swiftly and just parts and shipment back, charged to me. This unit does what it SAYS, and the company BACKS their products! Take it from a ham who owns one!
KJ0Y Rating: 2011-09-14
THE BEST OF THE BEST Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Remarks: THE 9500 IS THE BY FAR THE BEST AMP EVER BUILT! I AM TOTALLY PLEASED WITH EVERYTHING ABOUT "BIG AL",THAT IS HIS NAME!! HE HAS EARNED THAT NAME.LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT SOMETHING EVEN BETTER AND THATS ALPHA'S SUPPORT, ALPHA PURCHASED ABOUT 3 BAD LOT NUMBERS OF VACUUM RELAYS NOT KNOWING THAT THEY WERE BAD, I HAPPENED TO BE ONE THAT PURCHASED A 9500 WITH BAD RELAYS AND TW0 DAYS INTO OWNERSHIP OF THE 9500 IT QUIT WORKING AND THEY DIDNT KNOW WHAT WAS UP WITH THE FAILURE THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WITH A NEW AMP SHIPPED RIGHT OUT AT NO EXPENSE TO ME AND TWO WEEKS LATER THAT ONE FAILED AND BY THEN THERE DISTRIBUTOR LET ALPHA KNOW ABOUT THERE BAD RELAYS' AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE I CALLED ALPHA AND THEY GAVE ME A CHOICE TO SEND THE AMP IN FOR REPAIR OR HAVE ME PULL THE RELAY BOARD OUT AND SEND IT IN FOR REPAIR WITH THE KNOWN GOOD RELAYS.ALPHA HAD FED X OVER NIGHT AIR PICK IT UP THE SAME DAY I PULLED THE BOARD OUT THE NEXT DAY IT WAS REPAIRED WITH THE GOOD RELAYS AND SENT BACK TO ME THAT SAME DAY AND THE FOLLOWING DAY I GOT THE BOARD BACK , IT TOOK LESS THAN AN HOUR TO INSTALL AND GET THE AMP UP AND RUNNING AT ABSOULTELY NO COST TO ME WHAT SO EVER FOR THE WHOLE ORDEAL. I HAVE TO COMMEND MOLLY FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY FOR HER EFFORT, HER TAKING CHARGE LIKE THAT AND GETTING THE CUSTOMER TAKEN CARE OF THAT FAST SPEAKS WELL OF THE WHOLE ALPHA ORGANIZATION ,THERE IS NO WAY ANYONE CAN TOP THAT --A GREAT PRODUCT AND SUPER GREAT SUPPORT! THANK YOU MOLLY AND THANK YOU ALPHA. IN MY BOOK YOU GET A FAR HIGHER RATING THAN JUST A 5 ,SINCE THE RELAYS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED THE AMP HAS BEEN RUNNING FLAWLESSLY COULDNT ASK FOR A BETTER AMP . ALAN------KJ0Y
W2CS Rating: 2011-08-11
Superb Amp with Superb Support Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I could not be happier with the 9500 purchase, which I view as a lifetime investment for this OT. Auto tune works flawlessly. Fan noise reported by some is non-existent in casual operation and when in a contest with the cans on, who cares? It's still just fine. I like the auto antenna switching capability. The software supplied for the 9500 will be replaced shortly, so that weakness will disappear. Molly is superb in her ability to answer questions, suggest alternative approaches to solving technical problems, etc. I couldn't be more pleased with the team at RF Concepts. I run moderately high speed CW with QSK. The relay does make a considerable amount of keying noise. That is the one area I would suggest needs improvement. The solution is not necessarily PIN diodes. Perhaps some form of damping of the acoustic coupling between the relay and the chassis would suffice. It appears to me that they are physically attached with no "shock absorber" whatsoever. But that's in the category of a tiny improvement on a great product. Nice job, RFC!
WB3JGP Rating: 2011-07-09
Maybe not quite ready Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
In retrospect, I should have bought the manual tune model instead. This amp worked well for a while, then developed a problem tuning on one band. The customer service is excellent, and they helped me resolve the issue. But two months later, the entire amp is down. I think there's just too much automatic and it's not ready for the long haul yet. Now I'm dealing with the prospect of disassembling this behemoth and shipping it back to the factory for repair. Yikes. Too much, too soon. I had an SB-220 for years and years, never had a problem with it. So given the chance, you might want to consider the manual tune one instead.
K9VUJ Rating: 2011-07-01
It just works Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
After 3 plus months and hundreds of on hours, worked lots of DX. It is still operational everyday. A good amp. Fully automatic if you like auto. Manual too. I leave mine to auto tune when needed. Maximum legal power, if needed. It is fail safe. I've yet to find a way to break it. I have tried....

I just have no issues with this amp. It works and works hard. What more can I say. Knock on wood....

Dale, k9vuj
N8VWI Rating: 2011-06-02
Dream Machine Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
WOW!!! This amplifier is fantastic. It's a real pile up buster. I like to chase special event stations, and now I don't have to call more than 2 times, to get through. And so easy to switch band. I now have a dream station, an Alpha 9500 and a Flex 5000A. And the manual is so easy to follow. With pictures to make details easier to understand.