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Reviews For: Ameritron AL-811H

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

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Review Summary For : Ameritron AL-811H
Reviews: 187MSRP: 899
Description:
160-10 meter RF Amplifier. 4 811A tubes
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ameritron.com/Product.php?productid=AL-811H
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
24.51874.5
KQ4ZM Rating: 2011-09-13
nice amp Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have had an 811h for about 5 months.I bought it used and had a relay to stick after not being on the air for a few days.I called and got good tech
service and cured the problem.I have amp on 220 and my output varies on some bands, but runs from
750-810 watts.I was happy to see how quiet the fan runs and how cool it runs under prolonged use.
I think the amp is a good buy.5/5
KI6GCI Rating: 2011-08-19
811H not good bang for $ Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My 811H put out 500 watts on 20m SSB. The tuned input was well over 2.5 from the factory. Customer service had me tune the input slug to get it down to an acceptable range <1.5 but it did not make a difference. With 65 watts drive or 80 watts drive output was the same. My 811H went back to Ameritron and came back to HRO with a note stating 600 watts key down was within operating parameters. I returned it and bought the 811 not worth the extra 250 dollars for the same output as the 3 tube 811
VK2CRC Rating: 2011-08-19
Okay amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had four of these over the past few years. They've all worked okay but I've always ended up selling them after a couple of months due to the unacceptable noise levels in the shack. The vibration from the power supplies is sometimes so damn bad I had trouble reading the station I was trying to work. I've re-varnished transformers, I've mounted them on steel blocks, rubber blocks and even had aluminum cabinets built. Very little gain. The problem is with the puny power transformers which Ameritron continue to use.
NK5G Rating: 2011-08-05
Works Well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had mine for just under two years. I run it on 120VAC mainly RTTY and CW contests with no problems at all. Infact it still smells new.
WC0L Rating: 2011-07-27
Good Mid Power Amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently bought a 1998 model 811H on Ebay for $570 from a non-ham who didn't have a clue. He advertised it as "just like new" and I fell for it. It was dirty inside and out and poorly packaged. It must have been dropped by USPS, as the bottom plate was bent and the tubes were bouncing around inside the amp (amazingly, the tubes were not broken). After a thorough clean up and fix up and after replacing the bottom plate (Ameritron had it in stock and had it on my doorstep in 4 days), this thing works great. Easy to tune and full output. After a fresh coat of flat black paint, now it really does look "just like new". I saw no parts in this amp that caused me concern. Construction is conventional. Nothing fancy, but very functional. There are lots of these available on the used market in the $600 range. Due to the simplicity of the design, there should be nothing in this amp that the average ham could not fix, assuming a little electronics/construction experience and lots of respect for the high voltage power supply.
M5PDL Rating: 2011-04-11
Great amp if it worked properly Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I brought my amp new back in November. Got it home, Unpacked it and one of the tubes was broken. Replaced the tube only to find that the amp will not produce more than 400watts on any band.
35 watts in will produce 400 watts out and thats all I can get out of it. Increasing the input to 65-70 watts still only generates 400 watts out.
Seems to me like there is something wrong somewhere.
Mines gonna have to go back to the shop I think.

If this amp was working properly Im sure I would have rated it with a 5.
K5WPN Rating: 2011-02-14
super Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
this is my 2nd amp and it the best thing since sliced bread. Easy to tune, 811 tubes are working just to spec, with my 706m2g and the 4-btv i can work dx with easy
W8YG Rating: 2011-01-06
Okay amp Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Like any of the low cost amps this amp is really not great but will get you by til you can get a better amp.
And you best hurry these little amps can go south or north on you really quick. Or it can last for years. Who knows.LOL I have one for a back up amp .....
N4JTE Rating: 2010-11-27
does what it's supposed to do Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have owned just about every ameritron amp and for various reasons have sold them. that being said I got the 811h off ebay as an unused amp for $650.
Had my reservations when I noticed the really loose tube socket design etc.
However it is an easy amp to tune up and provides about 650 ssb peak power which is what I was needing on this go around.
forget trying the 220 hookup, not really gonna help power out and the manual has no relation to that idea anyway.
buy it if under $600 and you will be welled served by this light weight and inexpensive 4 tube amp.
N4JTE
VE6NU Rating: 2010-11-19
AL-811H disaster Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I give a 2, because of the following:
The amp was connected to my FT-1000 MP Mark V Field according to instruction. However, after only a few days while transmitting on 20 meters there was this big bang/puff. Turned off the amp immediately and back on again... and she came back to life; showing 1700v. I then pushed the PTT again...and bang/puff!
after that she was silent. Regretfully, that darn "thing" destroyed my radio's front end; no receive anymore. I have to line out, I did not overdrive (50W exciter output)170Ma on the grid and 600Ma plate current.
I looked at the tubes, yet there is no indication whether they are "kaput". The amp is still under warranty, yet I am hesitant to ship it out for repair since the cost for shipping and handling (plus parts) might exceed the value of that "thing.
Sorry for the emotional post, however, I am angry!

Would still appreciate some input here.

Thanks for reading this.