[LCC] LCC Digest, Vol 110, Issue 12

Ted Saba kn5o at bellsouth.net
Thu Dec 14 18:04:35 CST 2017 

Scott:

As you know, I have three Alphas.. 8410, 99 and an 89..

I have had problems with 2/3.. One of the Chinese 8410's shorted and 
took out a few components.. Had to send to Alpha for repair, as I 
couldn't (needed new circuit board, etc, but it was under warranty 
thankfully).. I still had to pay to ship it to them though :-(((

The Alpha 99 I bought used.. Came off the Peter I DXpedition.. The 10M 
bandswitch position arc'd over and burned a contact off the multi-wafer 
switch.  Had to send to Alpha for repair because it had to be aligned in 
their test jig.  I couldn't do it.  Thankfully they did, because they 
messed up the switch during the repair and had to fix that on their 
nickel.. But nonetheless that was a $700 repair.

Having said all that, you have seen folk's pros and cons.. Yes, I'm 
uncomfortable with Alphas rocky relationships over the years, wondering 
if they will stay in business.  But someone, somewhere will always be 
around to repair these units because they have sold quite a few of 
them.. Not as many as Ameritron, but still a lot.

The main difference is the power supply between Alpha and Ameritron 
amps.. The Ameritron XFMR is only rated at 1.8KVA CCS, where as the 
Alpha transformers are 3.5KVA CCS.  Meaning that you can keep the Alpha 
key down, no time limit, at 1500W output.

The other difference is the Ameritron 1200's bandswitch.. Not as beefy 
as the AL-1500.  It has had a tendency to blow out if you are not 
careful.  But at least you can repair it vs the Alpha.

So you can find pros and cons depending on who you ask.  If you want the 
Alpha, go for it.. But remember, watts is watts and dollars are 
dollars.. Depending on how you operate, it's your call.. I push mine 
pretty hard, so I tend to lean towards beefy XFMRS.

You only go around once..

Cheers/73
Ted KN5O


On 12/14/2017 12:00 PM, lcc-request at louisianacontestclub.org wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
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>     1. Re: Amplifier (w5sum at comcast.net)
>     2. Re: Amplifier (Steve Lott)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2017 05:15:54 -0600
> From: <w5sum at comcast.net>
> To: <lcc at louisianacontestclub.org>
> Subject: Re: [LCC] Amplifier
> Message-ID: <1249183B12594DC887B6B7F7946DAEF6 at MININTMC1HLDC>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> 	reply-type=original
>
> I have a AL-1500 and I don't think I will EVER own another Amplifier. Its
> tuning is persnicketty when you move frequency by a large margin, but that
> is easy stuff.
>
> I love it
>
> It melts things LOL
>
> R
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Charles Morrison
> Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2017 8:42 PM
> To: w5wz at w5wz.com ; lcc at louisianacontestclub.org
> Subject: Re: [LCC] Amplifier
>
> The 1200 is a workhorse of an amp with the simplicity needed to work on it
> yourself.  The 3CX1200 in that amplifier is expensive but tough as nails.
> Treat it right an you'll never have to replace it.  The 91b is an EXCELLENT
> amp and has 2 4cx800/gu74b's.  They WERE cheap at one time, but not so much
> any longer (but not near as expensive as the 1200 or 8877's or especially
> 8874's for the Alpha 76/78 owners out there).  But they ARE new old stock
> now.   Add that to the uncertainty of Alpha the company.  Is Dishtronix
> working on the 91b?  Can you fix the 91b yourself (surface mount IC's,
> etc?).  The 1200 can be repaired by almost anyone with a small amount of
> soldering knowledge.  I've already changed the relay, bleeders and filter
> caps in my 1500, piece of cake.  If I had to work on my Alpha 99, anything
> beyond the high voltage or the tube, I'd probably be lost.
>
> Stick with the 1200 unless its low on power and you don't want to buy a
> tube.  No need to inherit the uncertainty of the 91b.  I have a spare set of
> GU74's, but they're getting old.  I gettered them about a year ago, ran the
> heaters without the HV, hopefully to keep them in tact until called to
> duty.. but perhaps never?
>
> My 2cents.
>
> Charlie
> N5WE
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: LCC [mailto:lcc-bounces at louisianacontestclub.org] On Behalf Of
> w5wz at w5wz.com
> Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2017 4:00 PM
> To: lcc at louisianacontestclub.org
> Subject: [LCC] Amplifier
>
> Hi guys,
>
> I've currently got an AL-1500 and an AL-1200.  They both serve me well.
> However, I've just learned of an Alpha 91b available for sale at what seems
> to me a bargain price of $2,400.  If I do this, I'd likely offer the AL-1200
> for sale.
>
> What do you guys think?  Stay with what I've got, or go for the Alpha ?
>
> --Scott
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Message delivered to cmorrison at lusfiber.net
>
>
>
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> Message delivered to w5sum at comcast.net
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2017 06:05:51 -0600
> From: Steve Lott <lottsphoto at gmail.com>
> To: Roland Hull <w5sum at comcast.net>
> Cc: Contest Club Louisiana <lcc at louisianacontestclub.org>
> Subject: Re: [LCC] Amplifier
> Message-ID:
> 	<CAH1YVzgvAD-eL81HaQrGkVS+QX22VwroTDcy_fCBMkK2JciTgg at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> I had a Henry 3 K
> , several Heath Kit amps
> I now have the 91b as well as a QRO Technologies 2500DX
> Out of all the amps I have had and those I have played with I prefer the 91b
> By the way the rumors that Alpha is doomed or is no longer in business are
> very exaggerated
> They are still in the business and are even doing repairs
> I think I have had my 91b for over 5 years now
> she has performed awesome for me
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
> http://www.KG5VK.com
> My Ham Radio Friends
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 14, 2017 at 5:15 AM, <w5sum at comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> I have a AL-1500 and I don't think I will EVER own another Amplifier. Its
>> tuning is persnicketty when you move frequency by a large margin, but that
>> is easy stuff.
>>
>> I love it
>>
>> It melts things LOL
>>
>> R
>> -----Original Message----- From: Charles Morrison
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2017 8:42 PM
>> To: w5wz at w5wz.com ; lcc at louisianacontestclub.org
>> Subject: Re: [LCC] Amplifier
>>
>>
>> The 1200 is a workhorse of an amp with the simplicity needed to work on it
>> yourself.  The 3CX1200 in that amplifier is expensive but tough as nails.
>> Treat it right an you'll never have to replace it.  The 91b is an EXCELLENT
>> amp and has 2 4cx800/gu74b's.  They WERE cheap at one time, but not so much
>> any longer (but not near as expensive as the 1200 or 8877's or especially
>> 8874's for the Alpha 76/78 owners out there).  But they ARE new old stock
>> now.   Add that to the uncertainty of Alpha the company.  Is Dishtronix
>> working on the 91b?  Can you fix the 91b yourself (surface mount IC's,
>> etc?).  The 1200 can be repaired by almost anyone with a small amount of
>> soldering knowledge.  I've already changed the relay, bleeders and filter
>> caps in my 1500, piece of cake.  If I had to work on my Alpha 99, anything
>> beyond the high voltage or the tube, I'd probably be lost.
>>
>> Stick with the 1200 unless its low on power and you don't want to buy a
>> tube.  No need to inherit the uncertainty of the 91b.  I have a spare set
>> of
>> GU74's, but they're getting old.  I gettered them about a year ago, ran the
>> heaters without the HV, hopefully to keep them in tact until called to
>> duty.. but perhaps never?
>>
>> My 2cents.
>>
>> Charlie
>> N5WE
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: LCC [mailto:lcc-bounces at louisianacontestclub.org] On Behalf Of
>> w5wz at w5wz.com
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2017 4:00 PM
>> To: lcc at louisianacontestclub.org
>> Subject: [LCC] Amplifier
>>
>> Hi guys,
>>
>> I've currently got an AL-1500 and an AL-1200.  They both serve me well.
>> However, I've just learned of an Alpha 91b available for sale at what seems
>> to me a bargain price of $2,400.  If I do this, I'd likely offer the
>> AL-1200
>> for sale.
>>
>> What do you guys think?  Stay with what I've got, or go for the Alpha ?
>>
>> --Scott
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> LCC mailing list
>> LCC at louisianacontestclub.org
>> http://mail.louisianacontestclub.org/mailman/listinfo/lcc_lo
>> uisianacontestcl
>> ub.org
>> Message delivered to cmorrison at lusfiber.net
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> LCC mailing list
>> LCC at louisianacontestclub.org
>> http://mail.louisianacontestclub.org/mailman/listinfo/lcc_lo
>> uisianacontestclub.org
>> Message delivered to w5sum at comcast.net
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> LCC mailing list
>> LCC at louisianacontestclub.org
>> http://mail.louisianacontestclub.org/mailman/listinfo/lcc_lo
>> uisianacontestclub.org
>> Message delivered to lottsphoto at gmail.com
>>
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