[BULK] - [Amps] OPINIONS PLEASE

[Steve Katz]

Hi Louie,

I prefer the AL-1200 of this group, assuming the 3CX1200 has continued
availability (no problems thus far).

Reason: Instant warmup just like AL-82, but a single, very rugged
metal-ceramic tube instead of two glass ones, and the tube has a bit more
gain than a pair of 3-500Zs, as well as 20% more anode dissipation.  Proven
to be an extremely rugged tube, as I've had one in my Henry 3K Premier since
1986 and with heavy use over 17 years, it shows zero signs of aging in any
way.  Of course, I've had 3-500Zs last that long, too.  

8877's a great tube but has lots of VHF gain which I don't need or want in
an HF amplifier, and the 2 minute warmup is a bit of a turn-off for me, as
is the fragile grid.  In the ETO amps using such tubes, there was so much
protection circuitry to make the tube last that the amps turned themselves
off (or switched out of line) very easily, kind of a bummer; I always found
that more trouble than I cared to deal with.

-WB2WIK/6



"Success is the ability to go from failure to failure with no loss of
enthusiasm." -Winston Churchill

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Gudguyham at aol.com [SMTP:Gudguyham at aol.com]
> Sent:	Thursday, December 18, 2003 8:51 PM
> To:	amps at contesting.com
> Subject:	[BULK] - [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
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