[Amps] Ameritron Amps

[mike kendall]

I don't want to bash Ameritron but I have a friend who bought an AL-1200 and did have considerable problems with the electrolytic capacitor bank on the HV power supply.  They did not have a good safety margin on their ratings when compared to the output voltage.  My friend recommended a good US source for an electrolytic that would allow a safety margin.  I seem to remember he blew out the caps a couple of times before he got rid of it.  A great looking amp with a problem that needed to be fixed and Amertron unwilling to fix it properly.  I own an ALS-600 solid state linear and have experienced problems with the open frame relay.  I read on Eham.net that others have also had this problem.  I am currently looking into replacing it with a Gigavac device but once again, think Ameritron should either offer a QSK vacuum relay as an option, standard, or some other type of fix.  I have had two Ameritron linears, the AL-80A was OK (also blew a HV electrolytic but plenty of space to
 fix it easy).  Overall, my opinion is Ameritron  is good but they need to listen to their customers a little better and fix problems a little quicker.
  73,
  Mike

Scott Manthe <n9aa at arrl.net> wrote:
  If you hate your fellow hams so much, maybe you're the one who should 
find another hobby.

My experience with Ameritron amps has been positive, so I'm having 
difficulty understanding your bilious comments.

I'd be interested in an accounting of the "almost daily occurrence" of 
Ameritron owners asking for help on this reflector. I've been on this 
list for years and have never seem this phenomenon.

Scott, N9AA

Bob Maser wrote:
> My, I seem to have tweaked a sensitive spot with all you ameritron 
> lovers(not capitalized on purpose). I can see where appliance operators 
> would love them, just buy it, bring it home and plug it in. What could be 
> easier?
> And when it goes belly up, just get on the Amps reflector and ask for 
> help(an almost daily occurrence). Life is good. Of course, you could take 
> the same money that you spent on the MFJ amp and build your own and have 
> some pride about it and money left over, but this is too much to ask from 
> most of our current amateur radio fraternity. BTW, the next time you're at 
> a hamfest that has an ameritron booth, compare their product with any other 
> amp maker an if can't see the differences, maybe you're in the wrong hobby. 
> Price can't be the reason that so many hams buy them, since you can either 
> homebrew your own or buy some of the fine used amps on the market, example, 
> why would one spend $850 on a AL-811H when you can find a 30L-1 for 
> considerably less? An AL82 for $1300 instead of a L4B? Come on guys, you're 
> smoking that cheap stuff.
>
> I love this reflector.
>
> Bob Maser W6TR 
> 
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