[Amps] AL-82 opinions

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

I'm pondering purchase of a (probably used) AL-82.  My current amplifier 
is an SB-220, which I use like an active antenna tuner, and which 
delivers 950-1300 watts 10-80 meters.. Where my K3 will fold back at 
just over 2:1 SWR, the SB-220 cheerfully drives an 80M array tuned for 
the CW end, up into 3800-3900.  Even though the reported SWR is over 
3:1, so long as the loading control can find an output peak, I just go.

My principal reason for going to the AL-82 would be to get 160M, but I 
don't want to do it if I would be trading my SB-220 for a touchy 
monster.  A couple of questions:

Is the power supply adequate for 1500W CW in contest service?
Is the output circuit reasonably forgiving, compared to my SB-220?
Any other significant concerns, aside from the brute weight?


73, Pete N4ZR
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