Jim:
Contacting Ameritron is not easy, but if you call around *08:30 their local
time* you may get Mike, the service manager. Failing that you get Sonorra
who will get mike to the phone. They may be closed Monday and also there is
a hurricane in the neighborhood come Monday. Mike knows the products VERY
well.
I have had to sit redialing a long time so expect it.
Dave K3FT
On Sat, Aug 30, 2008 at 11:15 PM, Jim Reid <reidj021@hawaii.rr.com> wrote:
> Was asked,
>
> "Why did you send it back??" and,
>
> Mike chimes in:
>
> "Squeaky wheel and all, I would be calling them."
>
> Well, I had purchased the Ameritron from a gear seller on eBay.
> I paid the "buy it now" price as I thought it was a great deal,
> and it was sold as having been operating just fine.
>
> But when I received it, I could not get RF power out.
> Following the manual tuning instructions, ll was well down through
> "step 7: switch to OPR" XMT light is lit, and the Ip = 0 ma.
>
> But at step 8, switch exciter to very low drive and Ip should
> be about 100 mA. But Ip current continues to read 0, meter
> needle does not budge, but the Grid current does read 30 or
> 40 mA or so. So, I tried adjust the ALC voltage.
>
> Step 9, adjust the front panel ALC SET to about 8 volts with
> the multimeter switch set to ALC SET,
> I can tweak the voltage to around 8v, but it does not
> stay there? It may drop to near zero, or it may increase.
> Moving the ALC SET knob a bit, and the ALV voltage will
> randomly vary to all sorts of values, even falling to zero.
> No matter where the ALC is set, or the drive power increased
> slightly, no plate current will flow. I know there is rf power
> goiing into the amp, as the output power meter on the
> exciter (FT-1000MP) will read around 5 to 10 watts, have
> not tried to increase beyond that in drive power.
>
> This amp is equipped with both the grid current protection
> circuit #500080.5 and the QSK-5PC T/R switch PC board.
>
> I contacted the seller that I was going to send the amp to
> the manufacturer for repair. Ameritron had told me that
> via the serial number, it was built in January of 2000 and to
> return it to them for service.
>
> He replied as follows:
>
> "Jim, Thanks for the update, I apologize for the inconvenience.
> Let me know what Ameritron has to say once they have tested it."
>
> I have advised him since that so far no news from Ameritron.
> I am presuming that the seller will refund some of what I have
> paid as a result of the amp being DOA, as far as I am concerned.
>
> That's the tale to the moment. Guess I better try calling Ameritron
> again Monday, but they are very SLOW to answer the phone, if
> ever on a given call. Either their line is busy, or just no answer,
> at least that has been my experience.
>
> Will advise what happens next,
>
> 73,
>
> Jim W6KPI
> Kauai
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Carl" <km1h@jeremy.mv.com>
> To: "Jim Reid" <reidj021@hawaii.rr.com>; <amps@contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 4:11 PM
> Subject: Re: [Amps] Ameritron
>
>
> > Why did you send it back??
> >
> > Carl
> > KM1H
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Jim Reid" <reidj021@hawaii.rr.com>
> > To: <amps@contesting.com>
> > Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 9:48 PM
> > Subject: [Amps] Ameritron
> >
> >
> >> Well, one issue with them, I have had an AL-572 at their
> >> sevice facility in Mississippi since 30 July, date UPS
> >> deliverd same to them.
> >>
> >> So far, not a word back; no acknowlegment, nothing.
> >> Guess they are way backed-up in their repair/service
> >> workload.
> >>
> >> But, I am sure, one day they will call/contact me about
> >> the issue, what they can do about it, and the cost.
> >>
> >> Just patiently waiting....
> >>
> >> 73, Jim
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Amps mailing list
> >> Amps@contesting.com
> >> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
> >>
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