Hey Gang,
I'm looking at a used (less than one year old) Ameritron AL 82 for about the same price I can get an Amerirton AL 572. I have a Ameritron 811 which just
came back from Ameritron with a complete check. Now the problem! I have been told by some of the more expericened hams in the DX club that the wattage out put is not that important, depends on lots of things, which I know. I understand lots goes in to each transmission. but am I gaining anything by stepping up to a bigger amp with more output?
Hey Gang,
I'm looking at a used (less than one year old) Ameritron AL 82 for about the same price I can get an Amerirton AL 572. I have a Ameritron 811 which just
came back from Ameritron with a complete check. Now the problem! I have been told by some of the more expericened hams in the DX club that the wattage out put is not that important, depends on lots of things, which I know. I understand lots goes in to each transmission. but am I gaining anything by stepping up to a bigger amp with more output?
Ah, to have some people's problems!
The 200W difference between the 82 and 572 won't make that much difference on the other end. If he can't pull you out at 1300W, chances are he's not going to at 1500W.
With that being said, I'd determine which is more rugged, has a better power supply with less sag, has readily available tubes, cost of tubes vs output, etc. Unfortunately I have no experience or knowledge of either of these two amps.
Full disclaimer: I'm a 99-44/100% CW op and the only time I kick in the AL-811 afterburner is on the SSB emergency nets to cut through noise and static from thunderstorms and hurricanes. If the "big boys" get through, I get through.
Stay with what you have and if you feel you must spend the money, put it into improving your antenna system.
__________________ If your ship hasn't come in, swim out to it!
Want to thank everyone sound like I should keep the Ameritron 811 that the additional out put will not help me...just tired of not getting much beyond the east coast of the USA. But maybe the new antenna will help...
again thanks for all the help
You are getting very good advice here. The most important thing is the antenna, not the power level. This is true as long as we are just talking equipment.
The real secret to DX is time and tuning. (AKA known as experience!)
In the meantime, the AL-811 will do well for you.
Having said all that, I recently purchased an Ameritron AL-82 to replace my Kenwood TL-922. I have had the new amp about a month and it seems to be a good machine and probably will go the distance for me.
73 Gary
__________________
Radio WG7X: 22 Years later and it's still fun!
Given the choice between a lightly used AL-82 and a brand new AL-572, I'd go for the used AL-82. It's a much heavier duty amplifier using a pair of 3-500Zs (1000W plate disspation, compared with 640W total dissipation for four 572Bs), so there's a huge increase in "headroom" right there; also the AL-82 runs a full wave bridge power supply, 3.6kV at 800mA compared with the light-duty AL-572's voltage doubler producing 2500V at 700mA.
Of course, the AL-82 is also larger, weighs more and only operates from 240V (no 120V operation), as should be the case for a true 1500W output power amplifier.
But I'd run an AL-82 at 1 kW output forever and probably never age anything in the amp, including the tubes. It's a very good amp.
Given the choice between a lightly used AL-82 and a brand new AL-572, I'd go for the used AL-82. It's a much heavier duty amplifier using a pair of 3-500Zs (1000W plate disspation, compared with 640W total dissipation for four 572Bs), so there's a huge increase in "headroom" right there; also the AL-82 runs a full wave bridge power supply, 3.6kV at 800mA compared with the light-duty AL-572's voltage doubler producing 2500V at 700mA.
Of course, the AL-82 is also larger, weighs more and only operates from 240V (no 120V operation), as should be the case for a true 1500W output power amplifier.
But I'd run an AL-82 at 1 kW output forever and probably never age anything in the amp, including the tubes. It's a very good amp.
WB2WIK/6
I concur.. An AL-811 and it's "big brother" the H model is running almost wide open at 500 - 700 watts... An AL-82 is just loafing at 1KW.. Repairs to my 15 year old AL-82 ----- 1 plate choke and 1 relay... Cost? --- less than 50 bux..
"just tired of not getting much beyond the east coast of the USA"
Out of curiosity, could you give us a description of your antenna setup? Seems like you should be able to do much better given the power you're running already.
RE: Which Ameritron?
Linear Mode
