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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
AI4B Rating: 2009-10-07
Great Amp Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
My first Ameritron and I will definately own another. Full output at 80 watts drive, easy tuneup, very quiet.
AD5VM Rating: 2009-06-21
No problems here! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Also my 3rd Ameritron (AL-811, ALS-600S) works great, full output with 80 watts. Good reports, easy tuneup, no loose screws or cable ties inside, interior construction looks great.
Thanks again Ameritron.
K6VU Rating: 2009-04-24
3rd Ameritron Amp owned, ALL GOOD! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.

After owning two previous 600W 811's, I moved up to the 800W 811H recently. I only drive it with 25W or so from my Pro3 which gives an honest 325-350W PEP out, which is 50-70W or so more than the non-H 811's did. I've had the new one just onder 30 days, it runs cool, works great just like my other 2 did, after all guys, it's the first 200-300W that makes the difference, the rest is ego. Remember,an Amp will not make up for a poor antenna system, or poor tuning/operating, but it will help when band conditions are down...... I have had very good service response from Ameritron over the last 3 years or so, with NO complaints! I think an AL-811/811H is a great 1st (and maybe last) amp for any ham, I can't see needing more! Thanks to Ameritron for such a good product!

KE7QET Rating: 2009-04-09
Assembly quality Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just unpack a new AL-811H amp. Was rather surprised for find a few screws floating around inside the plastic bag surrounding the amp. Pop the cover to unpack the tubes. Saw a couple of screws that did not look tight holding one of the big power caps in place. Sure enough the screws were only finger tight. While tightening the cap screws found the circuit board was floating. It appears the screws holding the circuit board had fallen out. Same screw that were floating around in the plastic bag. Have one lock washing that has yet to be found. This is really bugging me. The band selector knob was right up against the face plat. If I were to move the knob, it would have scratched the face plate. Reset the band knob position.

Rather disappointed with the lack of Ameritron’s assembly quality.

I will give Ameritron credit for doing a good job of double/triple boxing the amp. As I have already experience one of these amps being destroyed by UPS because of there inability to pack and transport heavy objects.

After working through the assembly quality issues, I still think this is a good amp. I wish Ameritron would spend a little effort in QA’ing there product before it ships to a customer.
AI4WN Rating: 2009-03-10
Great amp for my budget Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased the AL-811H new two years ago. It's on-air almost daily. I haven't made any mods except for the 10m operation. I agree with holding the drive to 65 watts. The output is a solid 700 watts peak in SSB on 80m-20m. The higher bands do have a somewhat lower output.

So far for two years-- I've never had a problem, the output remains at 700 watts, I get very good DX signal reports, so what more can i ask for?

This is the best 'budget buy' amp on the market!

Good DX!


W7KOL Rating: 2009-03-09
Tunes Easy Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had this amp for several years. I put the 572B Tubes in, but if you use the Ameritron Amp Tuner Pulser, this amp will tune right up to full power, Then back off your drive power to about 65 Watts and you will run 700 Watts with no problem, no over heating.
VY1EI Rating: 2008-12-04
Solid Amp Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've had this amp for 8 months now, used it for 5 contests. Holds up to a strong CW duty cycle. Its performance on 10 meters is questionable. Solid amp, good value for the money

Eric
VY1EI
WA4JM Rating: 2008-11-22
Well Worth the Cost Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had my 811H for over a year now with no problems. It arrived from well packed and was fully operational within a few minutes. I operate mine on 120VAC but you may want to consider 240 if you are a long way from the mains. There is some flickering on the meter lamps that I attribute to IR loss. Power out is a solid 600 watts with the key down driven with 80 watts. I would check the accuracy of anyone's power meter who says they get 900 watts out! LOL!
PG00023016 Rating: 2008-11-16
Good Amp/ Poor Service Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Purchased on 30 July '08. Read instructions through many times before the unit arrived. I set up spread sheets to get amp settings documented. I also hand a spread sheet for each antenna. Worked like a charm. The numbers they give you for starting settings are pretty close to being right on the mark. I was happy with the amp.
Then the problem...it details in the instructions how to get the modification instructions and the fact that they are free. I sent a copy of my license, a copy of my receipt and a copy of the page in the instrustion book that tell you how to request the 10/12 meter mod.
I waited a few weeks.....nothing...so I called numerous times....no one there....
I re-sent copies of all information along with a self addressed, stamped envelope. I waited a few more weeks......nothing...
By this time I had owned the amp for over three months and still did not have the modification instructions.
so, once again I copied all revelant documents, twice, and sent one set of copies to Ameritron by expensive "signature required-verification notice" and another copy to A.E.S where I do all my ham business, so they could see what was going on. I sent the letter to A.E.S. by snail mail. What do I receive in about four days? the modification instructions from Paul, my salesman at A.E.S.! I was glad to get it, but I still have not heard squat from Ameritron.
I guess I'd have to conclude that while the product was ok, the service from Ameritron was worse than bad.
Sincerely,
WWØJD Kevin
IK2SAI Rating: 2008-10-19
Excellent Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Very long studies were made before to buy this unit.
After 10 monthes of use i can say that i made the right decision.
Wired for 240 V (AL811HXCE) with about 230 V in and 75W key down i get 620-650 W and about 750-800 W PEP (measured with DAIWA CN801 - PALSTAR AT2K - PALSTAR DL2K.
Usually i run with max 50 w IN just to get the 500 W OUT (Italian legal limit).
Even on RTTY i can run a very long contest as runner with just a little care about tube power dissipation.
Excellent.