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Reviews For: Ameritron AL-572 (all models)

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

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Review Summary For : Ameritron AL-572 (all models)
Reviews: 74MSRP: 2400
Description:
1300 Watts PEP SSB nominal power out on 160-15M. WARC bands and 10 Meters with reduced performance - user modified for 10/12 Meters with license. Uses four 572B tubes
Product is in production
More Info: https://mfjenterprises.com/products/al-572
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00744.1
W7OVE Rating: 2008-04-11
3.5/5 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This an update of my last review of the 572B amp. I was unable to completely resolve the issues with 15/17 meter tuning..After putting this amp on the air I noticed the swr between the transceiver and the 572 would suddenly jump to 3.5 to 1+ during a "qso".This of course cut the exciter power to almost nothing, forcing an end to said "qso" I contacted Ameritron and and talked to Mike. I expressed my dissatisfaction with the 572B, and asked if I could return it for credit and purchase an AL-82. Mike agreed to make the exchange and I paid the difference. Because I spend 80% off my on-air time on 17 meters I am not a fan of this amp. For me there are to many compromises with 15/17 meters. Having said that I have to say Ameritron is a very good company to deal with. Mike understood my concerns and making the exchange for the AL-82 was very easy. I would recommend any Amateur who is looking for an amp give this company a chance. I purchased the 572 because the tubes are inexpensive to replace, but as I found out, that should not be the only concern depending on what your operating parameters are
KB3MMX Rating: 2007-11-13
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK---PERIOD!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased this amp from the sale of a SK's gear(WA3VDX). The previous owner(Buck) took excellent care of the Amp and I am impressed with the performance of this model amplifier!
As noted on another review, the output on some bands is better than advertised! Another nice thing is how quick and easy the tune up is and also the ultra quick 3 second warm up period.
Fan "noise" in my opinion is very good, it is not a noisy unit, as I have it on my desk about 3' from my Mic and the fan is not picked up in my audio.
Gotta love the Warm Glow of those tubes too!!
This is a "MUST HAVE" for the operator trying to get the most amplifier for the buck!!!!
Near legal limit for a fraction of the price!!!
Tube replacement costs are inexpensive if ever needed too!!

You won't be sorry with the purchase of this amp!!


73 and best DX,


KB3MMX----Chuck
WP3EX Rating: 2007-07-31
Powerful and Inexpensive Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Real name: AL-572, I got this amp used with Bad Bias Circuit but i repair all the circuit, Unfortunately in event of gas-arc,glitch,overload Etc. blown some Transistors disabling the dynamic Bias Circuit. Then I decide to improve the Dynamic Bias Circuit: I replaced the Q101 and Q102 with 2N2222 and 2N2907, then i replaced the Q103 with a 25A TIP35C. Resulting in a High Current Very rugged and stable Dynamic Bias Circuit, although in event of a gas-arc,glitch,overload Etc will keep Working at all,
"I Like my AL-572"
73, WP3EX
W0SWR Rating: 2007-06-01
A bargain at a buck a watt Time Owned: N.A.
I have had my 572 for around 15 months. I had a bad bias board in mine and Ameritron paid shipping to and from factory for a new one, which was returned in 1 week. I bought mine because I have only 115 volts here and since the high voltage transformer is around 2600 volts the 115 volts runs it fine with output around 1000 watts. It is well built and smooth to operate. I get good results with it. I do not use the ALC line to radio because I had problems setting it up with all of my yaesu radios. I do use the Ameritron 704 box with it and have had no problems using this amp with all of my radios. These amps can deliver very near legal or higher power, however I would suggest running 800-1000 watts for long life on the tubes. Also I find the fan is quiet enough to not notice. I figure at a dollar a watt this is a bargain in todays market.
N2CLB Rating: 2007-03-11
nice amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
i got this amp used from hro have used it on 160-20M works fine on AM/SSB i am not a CW guy so have not tryed it there geting about 1Kw out with NP runing it on 240V
N9FME Rating: 2007-01-23
High power @ great price Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Purchased this amp on the used market. After replacing the tubes with a new set of matched Taylor 572B's this little jewel is doing a great job!!

It will easily do 1300 + on all bands with about 75W drive. Very shortly, I will be converting to 240 operation.

The fan is literally whisper quiet and you really have to listen to hear it. As others have commented, if you happen to find one that has not been abused, you will not be disappointed. If I ever ever buy another amp, I will definitely hang onto this one for a spare...Ameritron Tech support also gets high marks!!!!
WW5AA Rating: 2006-09-05
Still ticking Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After 9 years I have replaced the tubes just because! Still full output prior. This amp just keeps on ticking. Replaced a meter light and that is the only problem I have ever had with this amp. Tuning is easy and settings are reproducible time after time. Just bought a used one as a back up to this amp and the AL80b.
K5QBX Rating: 2006-07-25
Good Piece of Gear Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used the amp now for over a year and have NO complaints. The plate and load factory recommended settings are very close and good starting points. It has a sharp dip in plate current and the if you load it just past the point of max out, it is reported to have a very clean signal, i.e. no splatter or buckshotting on adjacent frequencies. I drive it with a TenTec Jupiter (between 45-60 watts drive) and run the amp at a 1KW on sideband and if I use it on CW, at about 500 watts. It runs QUIET and the exhaust air temperature is approximately 120 degrees after 3-4 minutes talking continuously in SSB or 3-4 minutes of CW. The fan seems to do a good job of removing the heat from the finals. It will easily reach the advertised output on a dedicated 125 volt line.

It's very easy to tune and the controls are very smooth. The metering is large and for me, easy to read. It arrived undamaged and has worked out of the box with no problems. One handy feature was the 12v jack on the back...I run the fan in my dry dummy load with it and don't have to remember to turn it on when I go to load the amp. All in all, a solid product...
KC4CP Rating: 2006-06-14
BIG PROBLEMS Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this amp about 3 years ago. From the beginning, it had problems. It continued to arc and blow one component after another one. After 2 trips to Ameritron, Ameritron finally reimbursed my money (good for them). This is the only Ameritron amp that has ever given me trouble. I have heard some say that the problem is cheaply made tubes. Perhaps Ameritron has worked out the problem. For the record, I love my 811, 811-H, 500, 1200, etc. So this is not Ameritron bashing... just my personal experience.
WV4I Rating: 2006-01-19
Lots of Watts for $s Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I am on my second AL-572 and wish I had kept the first. At roughly half the cost of an AL-1500 and nearly legal limit as well (on SSB), I decided to reacquire an AL-572 and use the $$s difference elsewhere.
These are very straightforward amps. I'm using new, unmatched Chinese tubes from RF Parts, and so far, so good. Original tubes were apparently damaged in transit (2 of 4). Rattle, rattle inside.
Another reviewer is correct on plate voltage for 572 tubes. Both Taylor and ARRL Handbook show max of 2750 and 2400 operating Vp. No load, my amp is showing 2800v and 2400v loaded, using 240v primary. Seeing rated output of 1kw CW with as little as 65w input depending on band, into dummy load. Also noticed quirk with 15/17m input SWR, and would seem input pad would be broad enough to match both bands without retune to eliminate roughly 1.5:1 mismatch? Don't remember this issue with first amp. 10m and 30/20 positions okay.
If you can find one of these that has not been abused, buy it. Slightly higher performance than AL-80B, at about the same price and tube(s) are cheaper. I have an AL-80B also, so it's really a matter of which one you find first at a decent price, condition.