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Reviews For: Alpha 8410

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

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Review Summary For : Alpha 8410
Reviews: 114MSRP: 5395
Description:
The Alpha 8410 utilizes an enhanced version of the bombproof RF deck, found in the Alpha 99 and Alpha 8100. On the 8410’s control board you’ll find a microprocessor that allows us to normalize amplification performance, calibrate the power and gain metering for each specific band, and increase reliability and durability. All of these functions aggregate into a single greater benefit for the user, ease of tuning. The 8410 comes standard with USB and serial ports for remote monitoring and performance data logging. The power supply stack found in the 8410 has been designed for maximum durability and reliability, while allowing for extremely easy voltage tap changes.

This amplifer is handcrafted, designed, and built in Boulder, Colorado, USA, comes with a 4-year warranty.

Tubes: 2 x 4CX1500B Tetrodes
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.alpharfsystems.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
001144.9
KK5XE Rating: 2013-09-12
great amp. KK5XE Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Wish I had bought an ALPHA before the other amps in in my shack. Although the other amps are good in their own respect (30l-1,TL922, home brew 813 and 4-100), the Alpha 8410 is now my primary amplifier The 8410 is every thing the advertisements say it is. The folks at ALPHA will actually listen to you if you should need to call with a question and try to you!
WK3N Rating: 2013-08-15
It's a keeper Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Having owned 6 rf amps over a 30 plus year period I find the Alpha 8410 to be the quietest of the bunch. Tuning this amp is a snap. Nice fit and finish, ergonomic display and layout. A full time service department that will fire back answers quickly was a major player in my decision to go with Alpha. Their "Dayton deal" was the closer for me.
N4HOQ Rating: 2013-07-31
Great Amp. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is not my first Alpha Amp. I have used Alpha products from the get go...And as I expected the 8410 was the kind of products I have seen for many years.
The one thing I really like, is the amount of Low Drive it takes to get great power out. Also I like the thought of having the power to update any new software that is created by Alpha. As for the cost, well my good friend always said, Good things aren't cheep and cheep things aren't good..
W1KRK Rating: 2013-05-28
Great Amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just received the new Alpha 8410 and I must say the fit and finish is outstanding. I had two questions on set up and tuning called Alpha twice and got the info. Great performance 17 watts drive and 1 KW out. It's expensive but all the best things in life are, you won't be sorry.
N3EON Rating: 2013-05-07
Simply Impressive Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I finally made the decision to purchase an Alpha amp. I wanted legal limit capability with headroom to spare. I thoroughly researched the "contenders" and decided to go with Alpha, due to its stellar reputation, quality workmanship and customer service. It was not an easy decision by any means as the amp represents a major financial commitment. The people at Alpha quickly responded to my questions. There was never a hard-sell to their communications with me. I even talked with Alpha's new CEO, Joe Jurneke, who was extremely helpful and made quite a first impression. The amp was delivered in a few days by FedEx. The packaging for the amp and the heavy transformer was excellent. After installing the transformer, I made the few connections. Since I studied the amp's manual, I was ready to put it into service immediately. Tune-up is very easy with the help of custom settings for each band provided by Alpha. With 30 watts in, I got 1500 watts out. Feedback on the signal strength and quality of the amplified signal were uniformly positive. The amp is visually stunning and draws attention on the operating desk. It's everything I expected from a world-class company.
VE3PM Rating: 2013-04-13
VE3PM Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
After doing a lot of homework on which legal limit amp to buy my decision was definitely Alpha 8410 Here are some of my reasons,Built like a tank,Very solid and well enginered,Very easy Tuning,Excellent Fault Protection,LED,s on front panel show Status at a Glance,Very low drive from exciter deliveres Full legal limit if desired,Alpha 4 Year Warrenty,I have owned my Alpha 8410 for about 6 months and am very happy R.F.Concepts people are fantastic and will treat you the way a customer should be treated.Go ahead order your Alpha 8410 today You wont be sorry!
K5REZ Rating: 2013-03-27
Workhorse - Built to Last Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Yes, it's an expensive amp. I pre-paid for mine over several months, divesting of other unused hobby articles. This took the sting out of the immediate purchase.

The amp is lovely and built like a TANK. Heavy duty material throughout, no skimping or wrinkles on this jewel. I had no issues with the light assembly required and the amp was packaged with care. Sails along at 1.2k, doesn't even get warm.

I previously owned an Ameritron 811H which is a great amp in it's own right but when you decide to step up to legal limit, read the reviews of the Alpha 8410 and make a careful decision. American made and built to last. Thanks, Alpha.
N9KZ Rating: 2013-03-24
Impressive Amplifier Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The Alpha 8410 is a high power, quality amplifier.
Reasons for this amp:
1.Power-35 watts of drive will make 1500 with quiet ease.
2.Handles up to 3:1 SWR. Solid state amps do not tolerate reflected power.
3.Quick tune up and no ALC to adjust.
4.Looks great with LED's showing status at a glance.
5.Exceptional staff and warranty on a USA product. Amplifier was at my door on the day I requested.
Thanks RF Concepts.
W6LAX Rating: 2013-02-24
Beautifully designed and constructed Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I decided to treat myself to an Alpha 8410 even though I already owned a perfectly good amplifier by another manufacturer. There are lots of good things to say about the Alpha.

First, the construction is beautiful. I had to pause and take pictures before I sealed its cover in place. And as many have commented, the chassis is well designed and really solid.

Second, tuning on the WARC bands is as good as tuning on any band because Alpha did it right and made separate taps for each band (rather than stretching 15 meter tuning to 17 meters, etc. as is commonly done). Also, 10 meters tunes with ease.

Third, it does not strain to put-out full power. Depending on the band, 25 to 35 watts drives it to 1500 watts, thereby allowing my transceiver to run cool. This is especially beneficial on RTTY where my former amplifier demanded 90-watts from my K-3 to get full power on the higher bands.

The tuning is straight forward and fairly easy, although it is substantially more sensitive than the AL-1200 I had run for the past decade. As careful as I’ve tried to be, I have “tested” the 8410’s fault protection several times, and thank goodness it reacts very quickly to operator error.

The QSK works flawlessly, but the one disappointment I have with the 8410 is that the vacuum relay is louder than I’d expected. I really wish Alpha would improve this.

The YouTube videos by Al Senechal, K0CN, were very helpful for setting-up and becoming familiar with this amp.

This amplifier is not cheap, but it is worth every dime.

W7AL Rating: 2013-01-29
Good Amp Excellent Service Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Another very fine product from RF Concepts "Alpha". I've owned 5 different Alphas and this one is by far the best manual tuned one with the exception of the 77SX. What I'd really like to comment on is the Exceptional Service provided by Molly and the crew at RF Concepts. I've never seen such a responsive action taken by a company when a problem occurs. There are many fine amps out there but I'll always be an Alpha owner.