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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
KD7ATL Rating: 2010-06-11
love it Time Owned: more than 12 months.
it's one good amp no problems 75 watts in on 80
and 40 meter 450 watts out 65 watts on all the rest
550 watts out getting good report back
VK3WHO Rating: 2010-05-28
Excellent world wide service Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I purchased the ALS-600 and the switch mode power supply through DX Engineering via the Internet. Being in Australia, not many US companies find it worthwhile to deal with us. Most who do have excessive postage changes that make it non viable option. This wasn't the case with DX Engineering, having reasonable postage rates and prompt delivery. The amplifier arrived within one week. ( It's always a concern when I purchase equipment from overseas with regards to warranties, devices don't function as advertised and will the equipment ever arrive)

I took the amplifier out of the box and opened up the power supply to change the jumper for 230Volt operation as specified in the manual and connected to my IC-7000 using the prescribed interface box that I purchased at the same time. The amplifier operated superbly for about one week, although, I could something hear a little side modulation leaking into the power supply, until the power supply went off with a flash of light and a bang. I opened up the supply and found that the four switching transistor had been destroyed. I looked at my options, it was going to cost more to send the power supply back to the USA than the actual cost of the repair. I decided to see if I could get Ameritron to at least send me the output transistors. I Emailed them a photo of the destruction and I received an Email with photographic instructions on how to replace the entire switching module with their redesigned module and stating that the new module was in the mail.
I replace the switching module and the amplifier has now been operating without problem now for four months with great results.

What I like about the Amplifier
Excellent world wide backup
Excellent price to performance
Uses commonly available components meaning long service life.
Well thought out construction that allows easy repair and modifications without requiring any special skills or tools
Useful peak power meter
Protection circuitry that works well
Easy to read manual although the circuit are incomplete.

Dislikes
The auto band switching should have been include inside the amplifier not as an optional extra.
KF7CSO Rating: 2010-04-26
Survives my bonehead rookie mistakes Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have only had this unit a few months and it is my first amp. With that being said, it has survived several attempted transmissions with the band switch in the incorrect position. It's a matter of default, reset, and do it right.

In my situation, instant on, no tune is huge, as I have to slip in a few moments of operating here and there on occasion, then shut down and go.

When I installed the 10/12 meter board, I found the rest of the amp seemed well assembled. I used to run a wave solder machine for a living so I really studied the solder joints and they looked great.

I run it on 110v due to limitations in my shack and 45 watts drive usually gives around 400 watts CW. I not interested in driving it any harder.

Very happy so far.
WV1K Rating: 2010-03-26
A back saver Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Like all Ameritron products I have had no issues with mine, a remote controllable version. I like my AL-811H, but no tune is nicer as a careful user of resonant antennas.
W8WIL Rating: 2010-03-26
Wonderful AMP Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this amp new in March of 2000. 10 years now with out the slighest hint of a problem!!! I think that the majority of the negative reviews here is mostly operator error!!! Please read and understand your manual, and you should have the same results that I have had. Would I recommend this amp to a friend, you bet!!!! I do all the time.
W0ZPE Rating: 2010-03-12
2ND ALS 600 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have two operating positions in the shack and I now have two ALS 600 linears. I've had the first unit over 12 months and I can attest to the ALS 600's ability to perform flawlessly. Do not overdrive these solid state linears! Both exciters are set at 15-20 watts for attaining 300-350 watts output. 40 watts input will give me 550-600 watts PEP. I have the 10/12-meter mod that also performs flawlessly on the newer unit. Once again...do not overdrive these solid state linears and you'll enjoy many years of good DX with the ability to bust into the pileups.
K8DXX Rating: 2010-02-26
So Far So Good Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased this unit as a replacement for two amps (AL811H and AL572) because tubes were becoming expensive and of unreliable quality. It has been plug and play so far. Depending on band, 35 - 50 watts drives it to rated output according to an RF Applications digital wattmeter. Construction and finish are acceptable. Fan noise from the standard power supply is just slightly higher than I'd like but not a real problem (run a noise gate).

Two notes for Flex Radio owners considering this amp: (1)The Flex does not have an ALC feedback line. I started driving it at 10 watts and created a simple chart to record typical drive power level by band to achieve rated output. For SSB, I set the front panel ALC control to 2:00. On AM, set the ALC fully counterclockwise per the manual. (2)This amplifier performs well on AM. 20 watts gives 110 watts of carrier and 500 watt peaks. Guys on 75 meters have complimented the sound of the Flex+ALS 600 combination.

To date, the amp has not faulted (gone into protect mode). On the other hand, I have not given it a reason to fault... yet!
WA3HVR Rating: 2010-02-25
16 years of flawless performance Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Yes, that's right, 16 years and still going strong. Quiet, plenty of power and virtually indestructible.No tuning is great and you have to like the quality of this amp. You'll have to pry it from my cold dead fingers.
KG8JF Rating: 2009-12-21
great amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I do not remember if I have reviewed this amp before, but I must say it works very well. Do not try to overdrive to eke a few more watts out of it. It won't work. And, do not expect to get it going too far off resonance. It will fault out if the swr is too high. It is so good to not have to retune when large frequency jumps are made. It is just a fine solis performer.

As to the power, my feelig was, and still is, that if 600 watts does not get one through, 155 watts is not that much better......
AC0FA Rating: 2009-06-04
Excellent low drive amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned more than one ALS-600 and know several other hams who enjoy them as well.

I have noticed a common theme in the reviews of some folks who are having trouble.

The ALS-600 does not require more than 35-40w drive in most cases for full output.

The owners manual states it will take UP TO 100w drive but that is with the ALC line conected and adjusted properly.

The alc circut in the ALS-600 is or should be limiting thie input to about 35-40w.

When over driven 100w in 700w out the four finals seem to blow in pairs.

It will limp along at 250-300w till the last pair blow out.

I don't think there is any protection for over driving the amp other than the alc circut.

Good quality product uses surface mount circut board technology. Could repair by hand. Power supply is neat and well laid out. Compact design. Auto band switching should be standard.