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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
KG0WX Rating: 2006-05-20
Nice beginner's amplifier Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
There seems to be some question as to the proper drive level for these amps. The literature says 100w, the manual says 100w yet the previous poster and my amp's previous owner say 50w.

I say follow the manual's directions and apply drive until you reach the point where "on air" tests indicate over driving. Then back off the drive by 10% and verify that you are not exceeding 800ma of plate current. Note this is my way of adjusting drive (SSB mode only) for my amp (with tired tubes) with my exciter (TS-850SAT) and my antennas (no tuner inline). YMMV.

On my setup I use a calibrated PEP wattmeter and it shows 80w drive from the exciter gives 500w power with 700ma IP. The amp, aside from it's current load of tired tubes, seems happy with this setup. Note the previous owner always used a tuner where I don't (all my antennas are tuned). Maybe that had something to do with it?

If you are reading this as you shop for an AL-84, please consider that sweep tubes are getting rare and expensive. I found NOS 6MJ6's selling from $60-$90 EACH! For the average price of one of these amps (say $350-450), adding $240-$360 for fresh sweep tubes quickly qualifies as "dumb".

I paid $200 for my amp. I'll replace the tubes when I can no longer get 400w. After that, I'll save my money for an Alpha. I figure I've got 3-5 years of useful life in this little amp before then. Good thing I've got so much time as the newest amp from Alpha is $7,900! Ouch!

Overall - this is a nice beginner's amp or an amp for those who want just enough power to be heard without needing to upgrade coax's, meter's, antennas, etc. to QRO levels. I run RG-58 (80') to my R-7000 vertical but I'll have to replace it when I get a bigger amp. I'm not even sure if the R-7000 can handle legal limit, either. The manual says yes but the reviews say no way.

One more thing - there is an Ameritron Yahoo eGroup - I subscribed and posted great pics of the inside of this amp and the manual. Both show how to do the 10/12m mod if you look close.

73's de Ken KG0WX
KB0VOY Rating: 2006-02-20
Good starter amplifier Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Got my AL-84 off ebay about 3 years ago. Good starter amplifier. Think I was told it did about 500w. Never got over 350w to 400w. Now I see why. It should only do 400w max with out over driving.
Run it mostly on 3.9250 just a bit more punch. It is not going to walk on any one of the big boys. No bad reports,no stray RF, like all amps don't over drive it. 50w in 400w out. Small foot print.No pops or bangs for three years, just keeps putting out. It is a Timex amp. Next amp will be AL-811H or at two times that price the Al-572B. A call to Ameritron got me going on the set up and tune.Good amp, hope my next amp is as good as this one.
GD