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Reviews For: Ameritron AL-84

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

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Review Summary For : Ameritron AL-84
Reviews: 22MSRP: 300-400 used
Description:
1.8-22mhz Linear Amplifier
100w in, 400w min out
4x 6MJ6
120v or 240v
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ameritron.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00224.8
N8FVJ Rating: 2022-05-10
Uses reliable 6LQ6 unlike unreliable Chinese Tubes Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This amp will make 500 Watts PEP out on 75 meters, a little less on upper frequency bands. Tubes have changed a lot and the reliable US manufactures are long gone. Chinese 811A, 572B and 3-500GZ are not reliable tubes and are expensive. I had a 50 hour 3-500ZG fail (no warranty).

The 6LQ6 are quite expensive in NOS, but the 6ME6 that is a direct replacement for the 6LQ6 are $25 each on ebay in same brand. And, these are reliable tubes unlike the Chinese products.

Solid-state is an alternate, but are very expensive and especially so at 750 watts or higher output.

For the money spent even with buying four new 6ME6 tubes the AL-84 is a bargain. 500 watts makes a large difference in signal strength. You do not need more power in 99% of contacts.
KC6USM Rating: 2018-09-30
AL 84 Amplifier kc6usm Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Actually it was decent. 160m-10m, doesn't seem to
Eat tubes so far. I have about 13 xtra tubes for it so far. Have gotten decent reports on the air.
Although I did replace the capacitors,with 150uf
At 450vdc. So more air hits the tubes to cool them
Down faster. I used the O.e.m. tubes the seller
Gave me.
I do have an extra fan, that I'm thinking about
Using to pull the air outta the Amp. Other than
That I think they are overpriced on ebay..

SA3AYF Rating: 2017-10-01
Forgiving and reliable Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Wrote my last review in 2012 an feel I have to write an update on it after five years.
Tuning the WARC-bands is a breeze AND the amp has 160m (!)
In ham radio, the firs S-unit or in reality 400W makes the biggest difference. To go another S-unit would mean 1600W which is illegal anywhere in my knowledge. And it is wonderfully small and lightweight though rugged as a tank.
Also, they usually go very cheap, 100USD or thereabouts.
So, why not a 5 and only a 4 ?

Well:
1. the tubes are getting scarce. And whatever you do, do NOT use the American original tubes unless you´re in to flash-overs and the white smoke built into most components.
2. Age, caps in PSU WILL need replacement after a certain age to be able to deliver the juice for those peaks.

Please consider these alterations:
Change to European EL519 tubes (or PL519 which are at sal currently on eBay at 5-10 USD a pice if you search for them) or their Russian equivalent. All are much sturdier and will even slightly increase you output power !
Maybi the Russion TI7B would be the best bet ? Haven´t tried that but similar amps like the Dentron 1000 seems to be easily changed, and they are very similar in construction.
Those tubes are also very easily obtained AND cheap (great combo!).
Also, incorporate adjustable bias (5 components are all you need).
Most of all, incorporate a HV fuse in the anode supply.
Info on all upgrades can be found on the homepage of SM0O or be derived from the homepage of PA0FRI.

The amp is a true workhorse and will bust piles like a $2000 amp any day.
Find one ? Buy it IF you have know-how to make the modifications mentioned and you have a portable tank of an amp !

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Earlier 5-star review posted by SA3AYF on 2012-05-05

Got my amp cheap on eBay and had no expectations to be honest, but the amp is a fantastic piece of equipment.

It gives me the extra make or break S-unit in any pile and it sounds really good on air according to the reports I have received.

Living in an apartement with only a vertical antenna on the balcony, this is the perfect amp to spice your signal up without the neighbours gathering outside your door with tar and feathers!

I am very happy :-)
K9UR Rating: 2016-12-27
Cheap amp not good...good amp not cheap... Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Simple to operate. 400W output with 100W input. I tried it because it was cheap. I flipped it quick to get a proper amp. On a cost-per watt basis, I wouldn't pay more than $200 for one of these in good cosmetic and electrical shape with good working tubes installed.

Note: The 6MJ6 and substitute sweep tubes have become quite expensive, plan on $100-$150 to re-tube the amp, depending which brand of tube you go with....and these are not nearly as rugged as a true RF tube.


By comparison, 811 based amp (Ameritron, Collins) or a 572B based amp (Ameritron, Yaesu, Heathkit) will give way better life and performance bang for the buck vs sweep tube type amps. Cost per watt, you're going to be much less expensive with an amp using different tubes. An SB-200, for example, goes for about the same price, for double the RF output AND uses real RF tubes that will outlast the sweep tubes by thousands of hours of operation.

Hams with radio roots in CB radio seem to love these amps. I dunno why.

This amp is not at all recommended for CW or RTTY/Digital use. Can't handle it. Even on SSB you're barely getting 6dB of gain (which is maybe an S-unit on a good day).

For SSB, they are acceptable but there is a need to know how to tune them properly (ie, dont tune for Maximum Smoke - always advance the loading setting, thereby reducing capacitance and power output to ensure a linear signal with minimal IMD).


KD8NBW Rating: 2016-02-16
excellent amp despite haters Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Bought from a swap not knowing if it really worked...with help from N8XG learned how to tune up....unit works great! Get unsolicited quality reports on QSO's...I would say the reports on this site are correct...and on another eham site, only 4 haters with nothing good to say....I have had it for over 2 years and aside from forgetting to switch to the proper band and smoking a tube, have not had any problems,it is easy to tune, very quiet (don't even know its on by sound) fan, and low power usage. 6mj6 used, around $80 for 4, seem to be made better than the original tubes....
KE5QFQ Rating: 2015-12-09
Great little amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Needed a inexpensive amplifier for my portable station used when snowbirding. Bought a used AL-84 and new tubes 2 years ago and have no problems. I can get 350 watts with no problems with signal or audio. I met one of my ham friends at a tail gate and he had just purchased a AL-84 to use for the same purpose as I use mine. He let me know the other day that he is very pleased with his purchase. Only drawback is the tubes run about $50.00 each when you can find them and it needs 4 of them.
VA2DV Rating: 2014-08-11
Quiet and dependable Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I am on my second AL-84. I sell the first one to try
out a solid state model but the IMD was just too high for my taste. I was able to found a mint AL-84 form a gentleman in Nova Scotia. Even have NOS 6MJ6's fitted inside. Well, it works just fine as my first one. 400w keydown or around 500w on voice peaks on SSB. It take around 5-6 second to tune so no worries for the light sweep tubes. Regarding the tubes, I was able to secure more than 3 complete set of replacement tubes for around 100$ so it's not a desesperate case if you own an amp with similar devices. Overall I am very happy with this old one. Small, quiet and easy on the wallet.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by VA2DV on 2013-09-20

Despite the bad comments about sweep tubes I took the plunge and got this amp for a fair price with a spare set of valves.I was surprised by the small size and the simplicity of use.I get a solid 400-500w depending on the band with 60w drive.I find it easier to tune than a AL-811H I had a few years ago.
For a casual operator like I am at the moment, the AL-84 gives me the little extra I need for almost half the price of anything else on the used market.
As for the tubes, I've found many replacemenst for around 15$ each so it's not more expensive than most amplifiers to re-tube it.Very happy with mine.
AA1PR Rating: 2012-04-25
miss mine Time Owned: more than 12 months.
this was my 1st HF amp ever. you have to be quick in your tuning & leave enough rest time in between tuning though.
I miss mine as it was the right size to place on a desk unlike the AL811 now, this al84 was truly a desktop amp
most will complain about the sweep tubes, be careful & they will last
600 watts is 600watts w/o breaking the bank
N0UY Rating: 2012-04-21
AWESOME and then some Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I read these reviews several years ago and was impressed by most responses. I recently put an ad online for selling a Gonset 2 meter amp and stated I would be interested in a trade for an AL-84 or similar. One responder had an AL-84 for sale. Cheap. ($150) I bought it sight unseen. When it arrived I was amazed on how good of condition it was in. Looked almost brand new. It works flawlessly and is one of the easiest amps to tune I have ever used. I was so impressed with this little champ that I sent the fellow some additional funds because he sold it to me way too cheap. Great piece of gear. I am totally satisfied with this well made amp.
WZ7E Rating: 2011-03-29
Excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The AL84 is a great choice where limited space and modest budget is a concern. These amps are simple, easy to use, quiet, and reliable. The sweep tube finals are still commonly available. The ten meter mod is a snap. No sputters, burns, or unstable operation in my experience.