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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
N9GJ Rating: 2011-01-22
...the amp is an Alpha Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've been a ham more than 40 years and this is the second amplifier I've owned - and it was a considered purchase. I talked to a lot of fellow hams, read these reviews, and paid attention to on-air comments.....Alpha amps are held in very high regard by people with a lot more experience than I have.

Customer service has been great, answering my questions, and the amplifier is very forgiving. I get excellent audio reports. I wanted an amplifier I could operate at full power with no time limit and could be tuned to the USAF MARS frequencies I use. The 8410 fit the bill. Naturally, I bought decent coax, high quality coax connectors, a good tuner, ran a 220 line to the shack.....and the amp simply gets it done.

It took me 4 decades but I am very happy with the performance and my only regret is I didn't get one sooner.
KE7GSK Rating: 2011-01-10
Fantastic Amp and Customer Service Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I decided to upgrade my amp so I reviewed Eham and took in as much information via the internet as I could and I came down to two choices, both with solid followings and high Eham marks. One company had its U.S. distributor only 30 miles from me. The second was American made based out of Colorado. So on a Sunday I emailed the companies, certainly not expecting replies for at least a few days but, within a few hours, I received a return email from Molly of Alpha Radio Products with answers to my many questions. I do put a lot of stock into customer service as, in my opinion, it is a window to how you’ll be treated by the company as a whole. Well, after waiting a few days for the other company to respond I bought the Alpha 8410 on Wednesday. On that Friday I had the 8410 sitting in my Shack and, after actually reading the manual I was on the air. When I have more time to comment I’ll chime in with a performance report but so far the 8410 hasn’t even broken a sweat – quiet, cool and built like a tank! Just for information, a week later, I’m still waiting for the other company to reply.
Rating: 2010-12-31
Excellent! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I don't normally buy new equipment,but this time I wanted a NEW Alpha.
I'm not dissapointed.This thing runs so quiet,and cool you hardly notice it's there unless you look at your wattmeter.
The 8410 is very easy on the eyes too!
I've had many amps in the past(HF-2000,AL-1500,still have those),and some lesser amps,but the 8410 is my favorite.
The Alpha staff was very friendly,and professional.The amp arrived very well packed,and on time.
I'll buy from Alpha again(3-500Z amp please)
73,
Mike
W5IEI
K5RSI Rating: 2010-12-28
Excellent Amplifier Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I bought this amplifier at the 2010 Huntsville, AL Ham-fest in August and it has lived up to my expectations of a product with Alpha's name on it. It's by far the easiest amplifier to tune and operate that I've ever owned. With all the protection features it has, I doubt that I can do anything to hurt it. With the current prices of other brand amplifiers on the market, the 8410's price is not out of line and represents a better value.
K4RH Rating: 2010-12-22
Great Amp Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is by far the best amp I have ever owned and the customer service is great.
N5FG Rating: 2010-12-18
EXCELLENT Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
As with past purchases and communication prior to purchase this one was great !
Delivery was prompt and very well shipped
Once unboxed, installation went quickly
With only MINOR adjustments to the suggested settings from Alpha it has FULL output PLUS very easily and quiet also
BIG HEAVY AMP that just goes and goes
LOVE IT
Will highly suggest this amp if it is in your price range
BEST ALPHA SO FAR!!!

Enjoy
Loud is BEST
Life is too short for QRP
DX IS
73
Floyd, N5FG
FORMER_W7EPA_JEC Rating: 2010-12-17
GREAT AMPLIFIER Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using my 8410 for over 1.5 years now.
One minor glitch (my fault) of hitting the input
with 200watts(it needs to be 20/30)a few too many
times resulted in a trip to Boulder to replace some swamping resistors in the input circuit.
So, excluding that (WHICH AGAIN WAS MY FAULT)the
amplifier has behaved perfectly...I was really amazed at how docile it was during the last 10 meter contest...just sat there and purred along.
In over 57 years of hamming, this amplifier is
far and away the best I have ever owned....you
will never regret the purchase of one!!!!
WB0MCO Rating: 2010-11-17
Another Great Alpha Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was unhappy with the fan changing speeds all
the time but after talking to Molly and upgrading
the software, problem resolved. Tunes very smooth
by the numbers that Alpha provides with each amp.
Great factory support.
Thanks Molly
WB0MCO,Dave
W4GM Rating: 2010-11-14
Awsome Amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After talking with Molly I decided that the 8410 was the amp for me. Installing the transformer, getting the amp on the air was easy. The quality of the construction of the amp is the best that I have seen. After using the amp I am sure that I made the right choice. The amp tunes easily and will loaf all day long at legal limit.
KD5NVC Rating: 2010-11-12
My loss and My gain Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After I lost all my gear in a fire over a year ago, I had the chance to upgrade. The 8410 along with a new HF rig was a match made in heaven. The 8410 is very well built, a joy to operate and if the operator makes a mistake (we won't admit to it) will not operate under less than adequate circumstances. After a year of flawless service, I am very pleased with Alpha and the 8410. Signal clarity and linearity are one of the very best I have seen, par with some of the best commercial gear out there.