We have a couple AL-82's at the local club station, Louie.
Recently I got to use one of them in contest service (ARRL
160 and CQ Worldwide CW Contests). So far, I am fairly
impressed. The amplifier is quiet, instant on, and seems
to do 1500 watts output with no trouble at all. Now we have
inexpensive Diawa cross needle power meters at the
station, so I take the readings with a grain of salt, but on
several occasions, I found myself getting 1800 to 2000
watts output (according to the Diawa CN-801) without
trying real hard, so it would seem that the amplifier has a
little headroom above legal limit (the amplifier specifications
indicate peak power outputs of 1800 Watts "plus"). Plate
Load and Tune controls are smooth and repeatable (they
are both vernier drive).
The only problem I've seen so far is the meter function switch
which appears to be a cheap rotary wafer. When you wiggle it,
the plate current/power output readings sometimes
cut-out. YMMV.
73 de Mike, W4EF......................................
----- Original Message -----
From: <Gudguyham@aol.com>
To: <amps@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2003 8:51 PM
Subject: [Amps] OPINIONS PLEASE
> Hi All, I would like to have your opinions on something regarding
amplifiers.
> Ameritron makes 3 powerful amplifiers that are all 3 exactly the same
except
> for the tube compliment. They are the AL-82, AL-1200 and the AL-1500. The
> stats on these amps are as follows. The AL-82 does a max output of 1500
watts
> with 100 watts drive and has a pair of 3-500's. The AL-1200 makes 1800
watts
> out max with 100 watts and has a 3CX1200A7 and the AL-1500 makes 2250
watts out
> with 100 watts and it uses the 8877 (3CX1500A7). When I was confronted
with
> the decision on which one to buy, I bought the AL-1500 because I wanted
the
> extra power regardless of the extra cost. I figured that the tubes were
> plentiful as pulls and that at 1500 watts I would rarely ever need to
replace the
> tube. If you own any one of theses 3 amps, I would like to know the
reasons why
> you selected the one you did. Please discuss price or whatever else took
place
> in the decision making process. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
> If you do NOT own any one of these amps, please assume for a moment that
you
> had to make the same decision and what the criteria would be for your
> decision.........Thank You 73 and Happy Holidays to all
> Louie W1QJ
> _______________________________________________
> Amps mailing list
> Amps@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>
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