[Amps] AL-82 opinions

[Carl]

Since the AL-82 uses the same PS and RF section as the AL-1200, and AL-1500 
which are known to have failed for others in a RTTY contest at a full 1500W 
I fail to see how the AL-82 is any different. Perhaps there is a difference 
between contesting and Contesting.

The AL-82 is also derated above 18 MHz.

The bandswitch is the same as used by Alpha for decades and several others; 
it is a survivor when used properly.

OTOH I have had to repair quite a few big Ameritrons used in RTTY Contesting 
at a claimed 1500W.

Carl
KM1H


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Cole" <dave at nk7z.net>
To: <amps at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 8:58 PM
Subject: Re: [Amps] AL-82 opinions


> Hi,
>
> Having owned an SB-220, and an AL-82, I would take the 82 any day...
>
> Here is why:
>
> Good Points:
>
> 1.  Solid as a rock
>
> 2.  Full output on all bands, RTTY contesting
>
> 3.  Will do 10 Meters
>
> 4.  Easy to tune
>
> 5.  So far-- good on tubes
>
> Bad Points:
>
> 1.  You should run it on 220, (Not really that bad, all decent
>    amps should be)
>
> 2.  The band switch is a bit light...  If you move it while
>    transmitting, you replace it.  I did not do this on a 220
>    so I don't know how the 220 would react, probably the same
>    way.
>
> 3.  Heavy as heck
>
> 4.  Noisy, but it moves a LOT of air across the tubes.
>
> 5.  Replacement of the band switch is a real pain in the rear...
>
> Overall feelings towards the amp:
> Very simple to use, easy tune up, solid as a rock.  I have used it in
> Contest RTTY, and all it does is get warm...  Runs fine...  Beyond the
> bandwidth switch issue, (which I caused), it has had zero issues for the
> past 5 years of RTTY contesting.  It runs WAY cooler than a Heath 220
> does in an RTTY contest.  Better air flow, the 82 used a pair of
> chimneys, while the 220 I had did not have any.
>
> I would buy it again over a Heath  any time, any day....
>
> -- 
> Thanks and 73's,
> For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
> www.nk7z.net
> for MixW support see;
> http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
> for Dopplergram information see:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info
> for MM-SSTV see:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, 2013-11-06 at 16:11 -0500, Pete Smith N4ZR wrote:
>> 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
>> Check out the Reverse Beacon Network
>> at http://reversebeacon.net,
>> blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
>> For spots, please go to your favorite
>> ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.
>> _______________________________________________
>> Amps mailing list
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>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>
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