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Reviews For: Ameritron ALS-1300

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

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Review Summary For : Ameritron ALS-1300
Reviews: 63MSRP: 2,899
Description:
HF No tune Amplifier, 1200 watt solid state w/switching PS
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ameritron.com/Product.php?productid=ALS-1300
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00634.1
K7KB Rating: 2013-07-26
Getting Better? Has the 12V Module Failure bug been squashed? Time Owned: more than 12 months.
To be fair, I'm going to up my initial rating from a 0 to 3. Although I had a terrible time with the 12V power supply modules dying when I initially purchased the 1300 a couple of years ago, it has been trouble free since Ameritron sent a new power supply over a year ago. I believe they may have updated the 12V modules and that has taken care of the problem.

I do like the instant-on capability. For a DX'er it's nice to switch bands and be ready to transmit immediately. When I have made mistakes and transmitted into a high VSWR, the ALS-1300 protection circuitry does the job of shutting down the amp. I've used it in various contests throughout the year and it does the job well, including RTTY at reduced power levels.

If you do intend on purchasing a ALS-1300, I would try to make sure you get one manufactured within the last 8 months or so instead of one that was sitting on the shelf a couple of years. If not, you may end up getting stuck with the dreaded 12V problem.

John K7KB



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Earlier 0-star review posted by K7KB on 2011-10-06

My ALS-1300 has failed three times now since I purchased it a year ago. Twice the +12V section of the Power Supply failed with no apparent reason other than poor QC. And on this third failure it appears that one of the PA sections has died requiring another trip back to the Ameritron repair shop. This has been one of the most disappointing purchases I've made and if I could trade this amp for a good tube amplifier, I would so so in a heartbeat. Although I'm not blaming DX Engineering for selling me this amp, distributors need to be aware of it's problems and refuse to carry it until Ameritron does something about it's reliability.
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Earlier 3-star review posted by K7KB on 2011-03-31

Well I need to ammend my original review posted back in December and replace it with this one. At the time, I gave Ameritron a rating of 4 out of 5. But now I feel I need to drop them down a notch to a 3. Back in February, just hours before the ARRL DX contest, the amplifier failed. I wasn't even transmitting on the amplifier at the time. The +12 section of the Power Supply just decided to die. So I called up Ameritron, told them the symptoms, and they had me ship it back. I was a little agravated that I had to pay the shipping down there ($85) for a amplifier that was only 2 to 3 months old, but that's their normal policy. After having it in their shop for about a month, I finally got it back this week. So total turnaround, including shipping time, was 6 weeks. Nothing spectacular, but probably not too out of line for most repair facilities.

From reading the forum messages, it seems this amplifier may be having issues with construction, parts quality, and being over-rated for reliable operating conditions. So be aware of this before placing your order, in particular this thread:

http://www.eham.net/ehamforum/smf/index.php/topic,67744.0.html

My original review is below. I hope at some point Ameritron can correct some of the issues in the ALS-1300 and make it a bit more reliable. Yes, it's not a Alpha, but still expensive enough to warrant some kind of reliability.

*******************************************

I purchased my ALS-1300 from DX Engineering in November and it arrived just a bit over 2 weeks after the order was placed. I also purchased the ARI-500 Radio Interface for my FT-1000MP, along with the 10 Meter mod kit. Installation of the 10 meter kit was fairly easy. I think one person mentioned that it was far more difficult to remove all the case screws, and I agree :)

Operation seemed to be what I expected. Using 75 watts output from the FT-1000 seemed to be enough to drive the ALS-1300 to full output on all bands, except on 75/80 meters where it's just at 1KW. But I don't blame the amp in this case. I have the FT-1000 set for a maximum drive of 75 watts. I'm sure that if I brought it up to 85 watts or so, that would be more than enough to drive it to it's rated 1.2KW.

The protection circuits seem to work as they should. When I've accidentally transmitted into a high VSWR, the Amp would trip immediately into a fault condition.

There were a couple of problems and the reason I'm only giving it a 4 rating instead of a 5 (now a 3 rating from above). First, when I was operating on 40 meter phone, the amp would trip on a SWR/PA fault, even when the SWR was 1:1. After writing Ameritron a note via eMail, they sent me the procedure for making an adjustment for correcting the problem. Basically, it involves adjusting a trimmer cap on the Filter sub-assembly. It was a fairly easy adjustment, but it shouldn't have been necessary for something right out of the box.

The other issue concerns how the amp operates with the ARI-500 radio interface, which is a bit strange. The FT-1000 does perform the automatic band switching of the amp through the ARI-500, that's not a problem. However, it completely disables the Operate/Standby switch of the Amp by using that interface. They do provide a Operate/Standby switch on the ARI-500, but only on newer models, and more as a modification, not part of the original design. What they need to do is completely re-design the ARI-500/ALS-1300 interface so that Operate/Standby switch of the amp always works, no matter what's hooked up to it.

I will say it's nice to have the "No Tune" operation of the Amp. I think I'm getting lazy and prefer the "Switch it and forget it" operation as I get older :) And it's nice to have that extra punch in the pileups. Even though it's not a full legal limit, it's close enough for the price and ease of use.

I'll let you know if I still feel the same in a few months :) (As per noted above, my feelings for this amplifier has changed a bit. I'm not convinced it will remain something I can rely on for my DX'ing.)

John K7KB
K1FPV Rating: 2013-06-19
1 Year of Taking a Licking & Keeps on Ticking! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well, I've had my ALS-1300 now for over a year. Like KJ4KBC, the only times my amp has defaulted is when I had a senior moment and forget to change the band-switch or a couple times, had the wrong antenna for the wrong band. Each time, the protective circuitry did what it was supposed to do!

Typically no more than 40 watts gets me to 1200 watts out. I had been using my AL-82 amplifier and using this as a backup, but lately, I find the AL-82 is in use less and less. Nothing wrong with the AL-82, but it heats up the small shack especially with the warmer weather coming.

I've found the ALS-1300 is a terrific amplifier for low powered rigs too. I have a Ten-Tec Argonaut V, and with the 20 watts PEP it puts out, that drives the amplifier to almost 400 watts PEP output.

I think the MFJ/Ameritron quality control has improved quite a bit! Way to go Ameritron!

Bill/K1FPV

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K1FPV on 2012-07-04

I've only had the amplifier for about 3 weeks but during that time, I've managed to put it through it's paces on several bands. I find it very easy to operate and the no tuning feature makes it a breeze to run.

I didn't hook up the ALC and have run it with 3 of my rigs. I find it to be very efficient. With typically 50 watts of drive, I usually get around 1,000 watts out of it. I usually don't run it at any more power as you can't tell the difference on the receiving end between 1,000 watts vs. 1,200 watts. When I use my Ten-Tec Argonaut V to drive it, I get typically about 450 watts out.

So far, I get nice audio reports on SSB, and on CW, it works great too. So far, I've used it on 20, 17 and 10 meters. Will probably try it using PSK31 in the next few days.

I was impressed how clean it looked inside and at the quality of construction.(Yes I know it is an MFJ product) I didn't find any construction issues with anything. I bought other Ameritron Amps and found loose solder balls inside, poorly soldered wires, nuts that weren't tightened etc. This one was nice and clean inside, all soldering I saw was well done, and I was impressed when I opened it to install the 10/12 meter kit.

My only complaint if you can call it one is the fan noise. I have the power supply beneath the operating bench, and the amp just above it. The combined fan noise is noticeable but not objectionable. Nice job Ameritron!
KJ4KBC Rating: 2013-06-19
Still great after 4 month's! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I still don't understand some of the problems written here as after 4 month's of use I must say that I have became "tune Lazy" and hardly ever use my Alpha 86. The ALS-1300 is so easy to operate. The only faults I've experienced have been by my mistakes. Transmit on the wrong band or into the wrong antenna and guess what happens. I'll have fault lights which is what's supposed to happen! All I have to do then is switch the by-pass off and back on and correct my mistake and I'm ready to go with full output and no issue's. Mine require's anywhere from 35-45 watt's in for full output and as all solid state Amplifier's is sensitive to SWR. Keep them under 2 with a tuner or resonate antenna and I never have an issue. The switching power supply is quiet, efficient, and powers up as designed each time it's turned on(about 5 second's). I highly recommend this amplifier based on my experience in the last 4 month's! 73's
K5YZS Rating: 2013-06-19
Trash Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had 3 switching power supply failures now, and in the last repair Ameritron replaced the complete power supply at an internal warranty cost of over $1000. Now the power supply is overheating in the start up mode -- it starts OK from a cold start, but if I turn off amp I have to wait over 10 minutes before the power supply will restart. On prior returns the tech missed the intermittant receive and I was sent a new antenna relay board that I installed my self -- I can replace bad parts with good parts. The tech also missed the binding multi-meter switch that required repositioning board behind the front panel. Now with having to deal with the slow power supply start-up I leave it on most of the time. Recently, the amplifier will stop working after about 30 minutes and cut out on
a PAB (amplifier power imbalance) fault. I tried to check the final PA transistors bias and it looks way different between the two amplifier strips. So, I am packing it up again for one last time before I ask for my money back under Texas deceptive trade practices act.
Meanwhile I am using my 10 year old Alpha 99 that works just fine. I know how to operate and tune
amplifiers. Trash boxes (ALS-1300) don't belong in my shack. 73 Jim, retired engineer, K5YZS
W5EAT Rating: 2013-06-08
Well Pleased Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Reluctantly bought this amp 2 months ago, due to the excellent service of my ALS-600 for the past 4 years. I was expecting the worst due to the poor reviews posted BUT,,,,what a surprise ! ! ! 45 watts drive gives me 1100 on 75 mtr and 1450 on 40 mtr. I personaly think most of the negative MFJ and Ameritron reports are due to operator error or lack of knowledge of the equipment. I can only say that I am VERY WELL PLEASED ! ! !
AA0PO Rating: 2013-01-13
FANTASTIC AMP Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
INSPITE OF POOR REVIEWS ON THE EARLY RUN OF THIS SOLID STATE AMPLIFIER, I FOR ONE WILL HIGHLY RECCOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO GET A VERY, VERY CLEAN AND POTENT SIGNAL ON ALL BANDS. I HAVE SCEEN IT ON A COPE, AND OTHERS AS WELL HAVE COMMENTED JUST HOW CLEAN IT IS ON THEIR PAN SCOPES AND "WATERFALLS".

THE AMP WILL OFFER YOU EXCELLENT PILE-UP ADVANTAGE AND YOU WILL BE HAPPY TO KNOW THAT IT IS "TOM-PROOF". IF IT WORKS FOR ME, THEN IT WILL WORK FOR YOU TOO.

I AM USING A RANDOM 1400 FOOT WIRE LOOP SUSPENDED BY 4 UTILITY POLES AND A TOWER. AT ABOUT 5 FT FROM THE BASE, I HAVE ANOTHER MFJ PRODUCT, THE MFJ-998RT REMOTE TUNER. I FEED IT WITH LMR-400 COAX AND AFTER THE TUNER, PRIOR TO THE WIRE, I EMPLOY A DESIGNS BALUN 4:1 CURRENT #4114S. THE RESULTS ARE AMMAZING. REPORTS ARE TERIFFIC, AND THE PILEUPS ARE A BLAST.

THIS AMP WILL OFFERS NEAR LEGAL LIMIT ON ALL BANDS. THE 10 METER KIT IS A MATTER OF UNDOING 2 SCRES AND INSTALLING A COIL AND CAP BOARD ASSEMBLY. IT WORKS GREAT TOO.

NO TUBES TO TUNE, NO FIDDELING TO DO. JUST TURN IT ON, AND GO.

73s,
TOM AA0PO
VA3GJB Rating: 2012-12-02
very poor support Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
good when it works had it less than 3 weeks the power supply started blowing the fuses when you turned it off you got an inrush back into the amp 3 or 4 times before it shut down ...contacted ameritron about it there is a fix small board they requested i send it back $200 round trip,,,i requested that they send the board to me and I would have it installed by an ameritron dealers tech ....mmmm never heard back from them 3 requests for a reply ....so i am afraid i can't good it a good rating as poor service ...never buy anything from them again or recommend them so for sake of a 25 $ board they lost a customer go figure
N7TVV Rating: 2012-12-01
Exasperating, unnecessary failure! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Despite my earlier review, and about 35 more hours of conservative operation, I have experienced the dreaded 12V supply failure in my ALS-1300 power supply. This event occurred during a QSO and while operating at about 900W PEP. The amp suddenly went completely dead!
As we all know, any high-power solid-state RF amp requires a lot of DC input power to make output power. This includes the 12V support DC supplies. Having looked over the design of the switching supply as best possible (try finding a schematic!), it’s my opinion that the +12V supply section, lodged on the same board as one of the high-power 50V supplies, may be underrated and possibly operated too close to safe limits. This supply, is rated at 2A? (best information I can get)and supplies power to the active circuitry on the Control Board, Metering Board, Filter Board relays, meter lighting, led indicators, the four RF deck cooling fans, the 8-MRF 150 FET bias circuits, as well as the main relay T/R switching in the unit. Its companion -12V supply appears to power only the single DC P/S fan, the Metering Board, and the Control Board, but no relays or other functions.
My unit is about 6 months out of warranty. So rather than haggle with Ameritron, I will simply add a separate (small) enclosed +12V, 5A, 240V AC switching supply mounted in the available space in the PS cabinet, and wired in identically to the failed supply. The cost of these readily available switching supplies is on the order of $20, better than $100 + (?) repair costs to send the unit back.
Based on my experience, and the fact that this appears to be a common failure mode, I have reduced my previous rating of this amplifier.


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Earlier 4-star review posted by N7TVV on 2011-05-02

Have previously operated with the ALS-600 (with the orig., unreg. supply) and have never had a problem with it - a solid medium power performer!
I received the ALS-1300 as a replacement 2 weeks ago, installed the 10M filter and have total of about 10 hrs. on all bands without incident. The unit seems solid and the internal workmanship typical for Ameritron. As reported by others, fwd. power meter errs on the high side by as much as 200W! Will report more later, after additional hours of use are realized.
K6STN Rating: 2012-11-24
Works good Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought my ALS1300 in January 2012. It has been back to Ameritron 3 times. The first was the day I took it out of the box, and fired it up. The amp worked ok for about 5 minutes, then shut down. I called Ameritron, and they had me return it at their expense (nice). I got it back within a week. They replaced the chip, and reset the SWR shutdown to below 200 watts return. Worked OK for about a month or so, and then I lost the low voltage supply. This time, I paid the freight (100.00). They repaired the power supply, and checked out the amp as well. Again, It was returned in about a week. The third time I sent it back was because some of the wiring looked flaky at the antenna connections. They paid the freight again. I asked the tech to just turn it on, and let it run for some time. They did some minor tweaks and returned it in short order.
I can only get about 1000 watts on the 75 meter band at 80 watts in (65 amps max on the amp). The other bands seem to fare better with less input. According to John at Ameritron, one should never exceed 1200 watts, nor should one exceed 65 amps when driving the amp.
I will give kudos to John, Mike and the other techs for helpful info, and quick turn around. I have been using the amp with an interface that I built for the Orion II to automatically change bands with the radio. This eliminates the problem of forgetting to change bands on the amp.
The amp has been trouble free since the last tweaking by Ameritron, and I have been happy with the hand off use. I use it with the Palstar HF auto tuner, and it has been trouble free.
Andrew
K6STN
WB4K Rating: 2012-09-09
Great amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have nothing bad to say about thie ALS 1300. Bought the amp used from a friend. He bought the amp new in April 2012. He did not have any problems with it nor have I since I bought it in August. I have owned many amps including Alphas. I am not sure why so many have posted bad reviews. I can only speak of what I have experienced. My amp has performed flawlessly. I use it for dx on 10, 15, 20m and for rag chewing on 40, 80 and 160. My antennas are a KLM KT34a (m2 upgrade) for 10, 15 & 20 and I run resonant inverted V wire antennas on 40 and 80 no tuner. I have no problems with the amp kicking off due to swr issues. The amp fans are not overly loud compared to other types of amps. It is not near as loud as stock AL1500. Output is great easy 1200 watts. For the price Ameritron did a great job. This amp is no dud. The ALS 1300 is affordable, simple to use, well made and performs as the manufacture states.