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Reviews For: OM Power OM3500HF

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

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Review Summary For : OM Power OM3500HF
Reviews: 5MSRP: 6500 usd
Description:
3500 W output in CW and SSB, 3000 W out in RTTY, AM,FM and digital modes. 60 to 80 W drive for full 3,5 KW.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.om-power.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0054.6
A41MO Rating: 2013-05-09
I beg to differ Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This amplifier is fine, when working with a decent output; however, I have a story to tell:
Back in June 2009, I decided to bite the bullet and buy this amplifier. I had to budget for the cost of the unit and the cost of shipment. I received unit 0919 in August 2009.
The OM Power 3500 HF arrived well packed, but DOA (dead on arrival). I was lucky to have a visiting first rate Dutch technician; who opened it and verified that soldering the final wire to the on – off switch was on the wire plastic sheath. There were multiple pieces of bare wires, soldering wire and debris inside in the cabinet which was really terrifying to see. We informed Mr. Tibi, and then proceeded to clean the amplifier, we made sure the soldering was right, and switched on. It worked but the devil was in tuning it. Anything above 600-800 watts output while tuning will trip the amplifier.
To cut a long story short, the majority of the internal components were replaced by high quality, high tolerance components from the Netherland. It was all in discussion with Mr. Tibi, after trying to eliminate and narrow down fault, after fault, after fault.
The amplifier worked for a few weeks. Then one night, while on 20 m SSB, in a conversation with a normal recommended drive to generate 1500W no more, into a 20M M2 monobander; that never exhibited an SWR above 1:1 on most of the 20 meter band, the amplifier died a horrible death with a very big bang. Thankfully, there was no damage to the surrounding and no fire.
Photos, emails, telephone conversations, went back and forth before we shipped the unit back to the factory. Only then did Mr. Tibi acknowledge that it was a defective unit and offered to PART-EXCHANGE it!
As beggars can’t be choosers, outside the western hemisphere, I had to part with more cash for a replacement and pay yet again for a third round of shipment costs, which is usually borne by the factory, had one lived in the ‘right’ area.
The second unit arrived and worked for a few months without problems. Sadly, I started receiving alerts, by other stations, that there were significant fluctuations in my signal strength. The output power level was intermittent and temperamental. After many emails, messages and telephone conversations, a relay was sent via regular post, which naturally took a very long time to arrive / try.
Since replacing the relay, the unit is functioning OK; but quite honestly, I do not know for how long.
Although I have tried hard not to be paranoid, I cannot help but think that quality control, for us folk living in the ‘wrong’ areas, on units shipped to us, is a luxury, not a requirement. However, if you are buying this from the comfort of Europe or the United States, I suspect you will be just fine; after all, it is a good amplifier…when it works.
HA8RM Rating: 2013-03-29
Simply the Best! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I like the nice technical products and the high power as well. Couple of years ago I lent an OM-Power 3500A from a friend.
I was very glad that I could use it for months.

This (and the other OM-Power amplifiers) is a jewel of HAM radio shack.
Relatively small, aesthetic, not too heavy box and quite high power.

Very reliable, many protects provides its long life.
Sometimes I felt, too much.... :)
E.g. overdrive, high SWR, high currents...
On the limit of its power capacity, sometimes the amplifier stood back to stand by mode.
It was annoying, but I could admit, this happened because of the saving the GU78B tube or other parts.

Turn the drive a bit back and/or fine tune, and the show went on...

The long time test were very succesful, hats to OM-Power crew!

Peter, HA8RM

P.S. I liked this construction, that's why I built my modest version.
A61I Rating: 2009-05-23
Big Gun Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After I buy OM2500HF, (you can read the reviews on Eham). I buy the OM3500HF with more power and same quit and nice look. With 15 to 20W in you can have 1500+ out? It’s Great AMP same as the OM2500HF. Good packing and on time delivery.
After all I want to think all who work on OM-POWER for the good product.
IK8HCG Rating: 2009-04-09
KILLER AMPLIFIER Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
i have bought a mount ago this amplifier, test it during a contest. OH MY GOD I have never seen anything like that during my radio life. this is a spits fire watts amplifier, you can run all night and day without any problem with 3.5KW, the rating peek power is over 4 KW with 90 watts drive.
buy one and you can enjoy your self
LA9DAA Rating: 2008-10-02
This is a winner ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Great looking amp. Tunes very easily, very well built. Solid carrying handles. Lots of power in a realtively compact package. Easy return to preset values when switching bands, although no vernier dial. A bit noisy fan (no concern for me as I always use headphones) Needless to say; does the job powerwise very easily even if you are using RTTY. Recommended ! Good communication with producer during the buying process (imported directly from Slovakia, delivered on my doorstep) Good value for money.