Looking for amplifier options for SSB (10-12)m

[nomadradio]

The 811A? To quote a favorite expert, "1-800 Toll-Free" it has all the linearity of a half-wave rectifier.

Up to around 100 or 120 Watts peak per tube is okay, but this is not a good tube for AM. Unless you're willing to throttle back that far. The 811A is a tube that will happily deliver enough RF power to burn a nice, round hole in its thin sheet-metal anode.

73

 

[Chris120]

Nothing wrong with running a DX1600, if you're planning on just loafing it at 500W or so. Running it there will keep it in the class AB region, as you won't be generating much heat. Buy a fan kit for it, with a good power supply and you're good to go. I ran a DX1200 Hot Plate with a modified Cobra 148GTL on 10M all the time when I was a ham years ago, and always got unsolicited compliments on my audio. Just don't tell them what you're running, and you'll be fine.

An Ameritron AL811H is a good amp, and will also work nicely loafing it at 500W, but tubes are a little fragile, so you do have to be a little more mindful when tuning the amp. The AL80B is probably the best bang out there, and will also play nicely at 500W as well, and will last a very long time at that wattage.

For ease of operation, go with a DX1600, for getting something that you'll be able to use on multiple ham bands if you decide to get your general or extra class, go with the AL-80B.

Just my .02.

~Cheers~

How do you feel about the new (fake) 2879's in the new texas stars? Are they ok at 13v with "reasonable" drive? I hear mixed reviews.

 

[W4KVW]

What is your opinion on the 811H?

What is your opinion on the 811H?

I owned an 811H for about 12 years & it was very reliable.I sold it to a local friend when my wife purchased me an ICOM PW-1 solid state amplifier & he has had it since 2013 & he still loves it as well.I tried running 572B tubes in it & I was surprised that they did not last very long.Other than running a bit cooler I noticed no difference in the amp.Save your money & just keep a good set of 811A's in it & you will be very pleased.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[W4KVW]

Almost forgot but the ACOM 1000 is another great amplifier & a steal for the price of one on the used market.I see them for around $1200 to $1300 &it's an HF & 6 meter amplifier & none of the Ameritrons will do that.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[Road Squawker]

...it's an HF & 6 meter amplifier & none of the Ameritrons will do that.

SIX-SHOOTER

there are many Ameritron amps that do 6 and HF, both ss and tube

 

[Chris120]

I like the idea of either. DX1600 definetly has ease of use and the Ameritron having more options. Sounds like I can't really go wrong with either. Ameritron is back ordered until who knows when. I have been looking for used amps. Pretty few and far between. I must not be looking in the right places?

 

[sp5it]

If I can suggest something, I would focus on other bands since 10-12 will be dead most of the time for next few years.

 

[Chris120]

If I can suggest something, I would focus on other bands since 10-12 will be dead most of the time for next few years.

That is a big part of the reason I have been looking into Ameritron.

 

[W4KVW]

there are many Ameritron amps that do 6 and HF, both ss and tube

There are Only TWO Ameritron Amplifier models that do HF & 6 meters & Both are Solid State.The ALS-606 & the ALS-1306.If you know of others NONE of their Tube amps do 6 meters.Please share what models they are.Thanks.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[Crawdad]

The amateurs on 10m (rarely open nowadays) probably won't be terribly friendly toward your Anytone (splatter) or your Texas Star (more splatter) on the SSB portion of the band, hearing you on their much cleaner HF rigs.

73

 

[Chris120]

The amateurs on 10m (rarely open nowadays) probably won't be terribly friendly toward your Anytone (splatter) or your Texas Star (more splatter) on the SSB portion of the band, hearing you on their much cleaner HF rigs.

73

Interesting. I find the Anytone to be fairly stable and clean. Maybe not "kenwood" clean but it isn't bad. I had a 570D and nobody has noticed a difference between the two.

 

[Chris120]

The 811A? To quote a favorite expert, "1-800 Toll-Free" it has all the linearity of a half-wave rectifier.

Up to around 100 or 120 Watts peak per tube is okay, but this is not a good tube for AM. Unless you're willing to throttle back that far. The 811A is a tube that will happily deliver enough RF power to burn a nice, round hole in its thin sheet-metal anode.

73

I take it you are not a 811A fan?

 

[AudioShockwav]

The amateurs on 10m (rarely open nowadays) probably won't be terribly friendly toward your Anytone (splatter) or your Texas Star (more splatter) on the SSB portion of the band, hearing you on their much cleaner HF rigs.

73

I have been running a president Lincoln Mark I for a couple decades with a Texas Star 500 behind it on 10 meters.
Never have had a complaint about signal quality.
In fact I generally get kudos on the way it sounds.
Same results with a 2950dx 500 combo.

Just because some operators mis tune and overdrive equipment don't mean all of us run like that.
Far from it.

73
Jeff

 

[DainBramage]

There are Only TWO Ameritron Amplifier models that do HF & 6 meters ...
SIX-SHOOTER

Well, which is it?, you said there were none.

 

[gamegetter]

I have been running a president Lincoln Mark I for a couple decades with a Texas Star 500 behind it on 10 meters.
Never have had a complaint about signal quality.
In fact I generally get kudos on the way it sounds.
Same results with a 2950dx 500 combo.

Just because some operators mis tune and overdrive equipment don't mean all of us run like that.
Far from it.

73
Jeff

same here, using a 2950dx with a tnt amp, keep it at 100 watts and all is good.