[Amps] Idiosyncratic opinion on amp choices

[Charles H]

An Idiosyncratic opinion

The choice a ham makes in getting an amplifier is as unique as the ham and needs and tastes make differences.  Here is what I would say to any ham who asked, "What amplifiers on the market should I consider":

"2 KW"-- meaning above 1.5w usually:

-Ameritron AL-1500F...$3400 w. imported 7788, best tube for availability.  Buy three amps for 3 bands and spend $10,200 and save Dishtronic money even then.  All manual tune, old-school and a bargain.

-OM and ACOM, dont know nuttin.  Op should study.

-SPE Expert...$5046 FOB Rome, feature rich w. SWR+watt meter (antenna tuner, mine will tune 3.9 down to abt 2.1 and go), six auto switched outputs, two inputs (with SO2R that I dont understand, dont use) built in and real antenna tuner that you tune once for band segments and not agn unless changing antennas (fast retune for ants swinging in the wind).  Meter reads 2200w and auto cut back to about 800 on high heat CAD, continuous amateur duty like RTTY, reads temperature, fast auto accept of AC line voltage changes,  hook to computer and never touch its front panel.



-Note, SPE offers a "combiner" device to hook up two SPE amps and get double output.



-Dishtronix 2400L 1/A, $10850... using factory internet info only.  Appears a new beast on the block, my subjective reactions.  Suggests that if ur SWR is high, just turn it up to compensate for lost power (wow), no antenna tuner (I need one, ant swings in wind, changes as rotated, etc.), limited outputs.



-Yaesu Quadra, 1 KW rating, do not push it.  Matches Yaesu and has built in ant tuner and two inputs, multiple outputs.  SS but has been around a long time.  Check evaluations for notes about potential line voltage problem.



-ICOM IC-PW1, 1KW rating.  Evaluations very mixed and over a long time which make me doubtful.

-ICOM IC-4KL,   used.  1.5 KW, extensively automatic, ant tuner built in.  Old model few reviews.



-Avoid Alpha 9500 due to slow band change re-tuning, good tube.  Mine went very sour three times, long story.   Some units change ant outputs by itself, defying ur programming.

-Avoid Alpha 87a, used, for slow band changes and as it ages, little plugs and sockets inside get tarnish and stop working, quirky fault detection system.



Lower power



-SPE Expert Model 1.3K-FA, $3400, light weight, ant tuner, 4 outputs, 2 inputs, the GoTo amp for DXpeditions.  Some say it will do 1.5 but rated at ICAS 1.3 KW.  Price without built in tuner is $2460.  All FOB Rome.



-Elecraft KPA500, 500 watts, underpowered but small and matches K3, external antenna tuner, now outclassed by 1.3K-FA for portable ops.  Amp with ext. tuner $3000. FOB factory.



-ICOM IC-2KL, 500watts used.  Highly sought amp. for small size w. separate p.s. and IC-500 matching automatic antenna tuner.  Package of three boxes give flexibility in portable op.  Old and thus beware of failures.  (I had three complete sets for DXpedition use, sold.)



-SPE Expert 1K-FA, $2800  FOB Rome, 1 KW but very mixed reviews, some negative may be result from running amp at over power.  Caution.



-Ameritron has a large choice for SS automatic or manual, as well as tube-type amps, some oldie-but-goodies widely used around the world.



Add your favorite.

73, Charly