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Reviews For: AM-6155 222 MHz amplifier

Category: Amplifiers: RF Power - 6M/VHF/UHF+

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Review Summary For : AM-6155 222 MHz amplifier
Reviews: 4MSRP: 235.00
Description:
The FAA used the AM-6155 in the 1980's with ground-to-air transmitters. They were designed to cover 225-400 MHz at 50 watts AM continuous output. With only a few hours of work, and almost no extra parts, they are capable of over 400 watts output on 222 MHz SSB/CW at Amateur Radio duty cycles. This amlpifier uses either an Eimac 8930 or an Amperex DX-393 tetrode tube.
Product is in production
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# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0045
KJ7OG Rating: 2014-02-06
Fan noise can be reduced! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Just a note:
The (very) loud fan noise on these units can be significantly reduced by re-mounting the fan with thin rubber washers between the motor and bracket, plus between the bracket and the cabinet. And wrap the underside of the mounting screw heads with 22 gage wire insulation before tightening.
AI4WM Rating: 2011-01-29
Built like a tank Time Owned: more than 12 months.
See my review of the 6154. The chassis for these amps is identical. The only difference is the cavity resonator or RF drawer. However even though the output can be selected for VHF/UHF the input circuit is also a resonator so it requires changing for different band operation.

The links on this site for either amp do not work. There is a link on my site to an archive of the N1RWY repository of information on the AM-6154 and AM-6155.
N8RAT Rating: 2004-02-13
Exellent Value Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Purchased unmodified unit from Fair Radio Sales last fall ($235 plus shipping I believe). Modification information is easily obtainable from various web sites. All mods were very easy to complete. The most expense was adding T/R switching (the amps were used with transmitters only). Most other parts were available from junk box. The amp appears to be running in the 500 watt neighborhood with no problems. The blower is a tad noisy but still well below the pain threshold. The best bang for the buck on VHF/UHF!
WM5R Rating: 2000-07-12
Best bang for the buck. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is easily the best bang for the buck amplifier for 222 MHz.

The AM-6155 can put out 400 watts on SSB/CW with just a few modifications. While, the AM-6155 and AM-6154 can be made to work on 144, 222, or 432 MHz, the 222 MHz modifications to the AM-6155 are reportedly the easiest.
(I didn't perform the mods myself, your experience may vary.) You will need to provide one or more RF relays to do T/R switching if you get an unmodified unit.

These amplifiers can be purchased at various locations, but one sure source is Fair Radio Sales (http://www.fairradio.com/), which can sell you an unmodified unit.

The amplifier is very well built, and designed to fit in a standard 19" equipment rack. The RF drawer can be removed without taking the rest of the amplifier out of the rack. Also, all of the fuses are located on the front panel, clearly placed there to make service easier. Almost every screw in this amplifier is "captured" so you do not need to worry about losing them when you detach compartments from one another - a very nice touch. Finally, the air flow through the amp is designed to enter from the front and leave from the rear, so you can stack several of these in a rack and not have to worry about blocking air flow.

The amplifier is very heavy, though, weighing in at over 70 pounds. You will want help getting it into an equipment rack. Also, the fan noise is louder than I would like. Neither of these is a enough to make me want to bump the rating down from a 5. For much less than $1/watt, you can get a very respectable linear signal on 222 MHz out of one of these amplifiers.