Ameritron AL80A Has arrived and shes a beast.

[lonestarbandit]

Of course that is SSB not AM and the FT-710 only has 25 watts on AM vs 100 on SSB and that is PEP but that fat old tube is beastly. People instantly come back and compliment the audio quality and punch. Guess this may be a good mashup after all of old and new tech!
The sticker is for the benefit of my wife who likes to rearrange things however this is a heavy beast probably an unneeded caution lol.

 

[nomadradio]

Just keep the SWR low on 80 meters. The band selector becomes a weak link with high SWR on that band.

A real 3/4-ton pickup truck of an amplifier.

73

 

[Justme]

Brother of my Heathkit SB-1000 nice

 

[nomadradio]

And if it follows in the footsteps of many SB1000 amps, the HV transformer will fail with no warning.

Someday. Here's what we do: https://www.worldwidedx.com/threads/lazarus-rises-from-the-dead-becomes-a-tube-tester-sb1000.217781/

73

 

[lonestarbandit]

Oh dear. Is this more specific to SB1000s or is the Ameritron AL80A subject to hightened failure rates as well @nomadradio

 

[nomadradio]

Don't have enough experience with the "A" Ameritron branded box to form an opinion. No idea what makes the SB1000 so susceptible. And I'm not the only one to observe this particular old-age quirk.

73

 

[codeman]

Here is a nice little article about the Al 80.
I have one of the original refurbished amps. Mine is serial number 324.
It puts out some pretty impressive watts on 11 meters....into a dummy load. cough cough

AL80 Ameritron History

History of Ameritron and AL80 amplifier series

www.w8ji.com

I bought it from a local here who then bought a new Ameritron 811H, I believe.
My AL 80 is sitting here waiting for me to get a house again. I miss having a base station.

 

[lonestarbandit]

Nice box Glad you didnt get the earlier sn! Yes, I'd read that article previously. But I didn't see anything on the AL80A eating transformers so @nomadradio scared me given the SB1000 seems to be a clone of AL80A.

 

[linearone]

Just keep the SWR low on 80 meters. The band selector becomes a weak link with high SWR on that band.

A real 3/4-ton pickup truck of an amplifier.

73

Eh...kinda more like a dodge half ton.

 

[lonestarbandit]

Eh...kinda more like a dodge half ton.

Don't SAY that! That's awful! At least be a F250. It weighs like one.

 

[linearone]

Don't SAY that! That's awful! At least be a F250.

With a 300 inline 6, yes

 

[lonestarbandit]

Very reliable motor! I'll be all right then. ️

 

[BJ radionut]

Avg OUTPUT should be in the range of 700 watts PEP.
Otherwise, NFL comes to mind.
N= Not
F= For
L= Long

 

[lonestarbandit]

Easy @BJ radionut wattmeter picture was PEP on SSB with max recommended drive per manual. I was just testing the tube out. I THINK it's an Eimac from the design but I didn't see the printing on it. (Didnt pull it out as it survived shipment installed and packed in place I didnt want to pull it out to look for sure as it was working great) I'm not running at that in normal use. I have SSB input down to about 75 watts I think that was showing around 600. I was going to ask what the recommended output was but you've answered it. I definitely don't want to be replacing tubes or transformers pushing for negligible gain. I did have one question though I seem to remember from my firebird 500 and Phantom days it was advisable to dip the plate at the end of tuning? Been solid state so long having to re-learn.

 

[BJ radionut]

advisable to dip the plate

Every stage... See manual! No need to retune every time either. My HB 6m amp/2-3-500z gets "tuned-up"" only about once a week(maybe)...only when the band is changed or big 200+kc shift in freq. requires a "Tune-up"... Nothing to be gained by getting 50-100w "extra" except hammering the tubes.