What is a fair price?

[ab8tb]

What would be a fair price to sell a working AL-80 (no suffix) amplifier. S# is in the 700's.

[N3JI]

I'm thinking around $5-600. What condition is the tube in?

[WB2WIK]

I'm thinking around way less than that!

The AL-80 (no suffix) is very old and was made a long time before Ameritron was aquired and started getting serious about making amplifiers that were fairly trouble free. It not only lacks many of the features found in the current "B" model, it's also not as reliable and about every AL-80 I've ever heard about has failed. As such, I'd want to know who did the repairs/upgrades to keep it going before I bought one at any price.

I have no issues with the "B" model, seems quite solid.

Very different product.

WB2WIK/6

[KM5FL]

There's not too many of them in service. I'm currently in the middle of resurrecting the only AL-80 I've ever seen.. Ameritron provided me with a manual and that's about the extent of the support they offer for it. It's a very compact design with discontinued components literally stuffed into every nook and crany.. Not very "service tech friendly"..

A nice Heathkit SB-220 goes for $500 - $600.. Unlike the SB-220, the AL-80 works on 160 meters.. That might bring them to equal terms value wise, but I kinda doubt it..

KM5FL

[N3JI]

I think it would be a fair price if the tube is good. AL-80As on eBay seem to go for $650-800 or so. 811/811H are around $450-650. Hell, a good Eimac 3-500 is usually better than $100 by itself (that's why I buy RF Parts 3-500ZGs http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif )...

I don't know Steve, it was a swag. I figure it's right in that class of amp. You can get a SB-220 for about that price as well which is arguably a better amp.

[WB2WIK]

Quote[/b] (N3JI @ Dec. 04 2007,17:20)]I think it would be a fair price if the tube is good. AL-80As on eBay seem to go for $650-800 or so. #811/811H are around $450-650. #Hell, a good Eimac 3-500 is usually better than $100 by itself (that's why I buy RF Parts 3-500ZGs http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif )...

I don't know Steve, it was a swag. #I figure it's right in that class of amp. #You can get a SB-220 for about that price as well which is arguably a better amp.
Eimac hasn't made a 3-500Z in a very long time, so I wouldn't go much by that.

My guess is a SWAG also, but from what I've seen of the "original" AL-80, I'm not impressed.

A used AL-80B, which is better and has more features, is only worth about $800 in very good condx. I'd go for one of those, although I don't have to since I bought a brand new AL-80B about seven years ago and it's still just fine.

I have a "big amp" also (homebrew 4-1000) but frankly the 2 dB difference usually isn't worth the extra noise in the shack.

WB2WIK/6