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Reviews For: Ameritron ALS-600

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

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Review Summary For : Ameritron ALS-600
Reviews: 197MSRP: 1299.99
Description:
600W Output Solid State Amplifier w /Power Supply on 100/110/120V for US
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ameritron.com/Product.php?productid=ALS-600
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
451974.2
WJ1I Rating: 2023-04-01
Very Happy with this amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I added this to my kit around 7 years ago, purchased used with the switcher power supply. This was an additional amp to a Heathkit SB220 which is awesome, but really more than is needed much of the time. I also wanted something solid state and more "automated" for everyday use. I run it from 240VAC . Adding the ARI-500 for automatic band switching and remote amp enabling was a great thing to do. I've been super happy with this amp. It's been 100% reliable and the auto protection circuits work great for "goof proofing". I've found it comfortably drives to its advertised power with reasonable input (20M around 80-W for example). Like most folks, I've found it is sensitive VSWR, so I added an AT-600Pro , as I've seen many other do! Great solution. Is this an Acom? No, it's clearly not, but it's a great value, IMO. I'd buy another. 73 WJ1I
WM4RB Rating: 2023-02-07
I owned 2 of these Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have 2 on these in my shack. Been using them for the better part of 15 years. Never had a problem with either of them. GREAT AMP!
KI5FJ Rating: 2023-02-07
7 Years of Reliable Digital & SSB Phone Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I operate on 240 VAC to the Linear Power supply. SWR is ALWAYS minimized to less than 1.5:1. FT-8 200 Watts has made 100s of DX contacts possible. Power supply on RTTY (High Duty Cycle) for DIGITAL Modes. Occasionally SSB Phone at 450 Watts. Operation from 160-10 Meters. This unit performs as expected. Previous amplifier experiences: SB-1000 Kit, AL-80BQ. 73 Joe O, K I 5 F J NNNN
WJ1T Rating: 2023-02-06
Works very well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned this amp for a couple of years now. It performs very well. No issues at all so far. Mine is the HF only version. I have had no issues with faulting as others have reported.
K8FB Rating: 2022-07-07
Good Choice For Basic Amplifier Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Bought this amplifier based on its ability to operate on 120V AC and being solid state. Use with MFJ-998BRT remote tuner, which gets SWR at antenna down to a good level on most any frequency within its operating capability. I found the MFJ-994RT remote tuner to not have the tuning range to get the SWR down adequately on a number of frequencies. The transistor finals blew while under warranty. Turns out you are supposed to only operate output power under 100 Watts on digital modes. However, the manual indicates anything under 200 watts output on digital modes is okay. Suggested to the Ameritron tech that they update their operating manual to reflect this power limit. Otherwise have been very happy with the amplifier.
K5INI Rating: 2021-06-29
Easy to use Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Basically plug and play. Have it hooked to a LDG 600 ProII so I only have to set it to the band and push the PTT
KD5PNT Rating: 2020-10-03
finals Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Finals don't hold up well, use ALC with drive set to 20 watts, it's on it's 3rd set in 2 years. Would replace with a 600L if I could find one. Will never own an Ameritron product again.
WA4LJJ Rating: 2020-09-16
Replair on my ALS600. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
New finals in May, 2020. This is what the repair entailed:
*LABOR: @ $1.41 $84.60
*FINALS: (4) @ $55.50. LLT, TRANSISTOR, FET, RF, TMOS, MRF-150 Total $222.00.
*LLT, CAPACITOR, MONO, 10%,Z5U, 100v, .3~, 33UF (3 EACH) @.63. TOTAL $1.89.

All in all, it's a good Amplifier for the money. No tuning.

N4NUI Rating: 2020-08-31
Another Set of Finals Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Second set of finals in 2-years as the second owner. Finals had been replaced at least once when I bought it six years ago. I purchased a NEW Ameritron linear power supply for it. The FET finals in the ALS-600 don't like to run high duty cycle modes like FT8, PSK, or RTTY even when the linear power supply is set to "RTTY." Operating fine at shut down then dead the next morning at start up. I use a LP-100A SWR meter and record the curves. SWR never exceeded 1.15:1 on a resonant double bazooka. Input power never exceeded 50 watts on high duty cycle modes and 75 watts on CW and SSB when driven by a K3/100 or IC-7610. Ventilation around the amp and power supply is unimpeded. $306.60 just for the 4 FETs and labor and I have yet to receive the final bill with shipping. I'll relegate this amp to just CW and SSB going forward where it performs well. Service time and communication was good from MFJ (John) and a full operational check to specs was performed after the new FETs were installed.
W9BB Rating: 2020-03-02
I'm surprised Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I buy acom amps I have a 1000,1010 and I'm sorry that I sold my 600s . That's what bring's me to this amp, For the money and the ease of operation you can't beat this amp (no it's not a acom 600s ) but for the money it's great little amp. READ THE MANUAL ,KEEP A LOW SWR , and you will give this amp a more than positive review.

READ THE MANUAL..73's