What is the general consensus about the Acom 1010 HF Amplifier? Have heard some good things elsewhere but wanted to see what you guys thought? I have had a couple of amps, but FT8 killed them. Perhaps I just either shouldn't have been using them on FT8 at all, or I was just overdoing it. Either way, I'd like an amp for FT8 and wanted to get some feedback about this. I can take any honest critiques. I am willing to learn how to properly use an amp, whether solid state or tube. I figured the Acom 1010 was pretty rugged, with one modern tube and manual tuning, with some excellent protections. I would rather buy new, as I have found that used amp have a short life (at least with me hihi) Thoughts?
I ran tons of RTTY through my 1010, and it barely even got warm. Remember that the 1010 uses the same power tube as some of its higher-power brethren, with a slightly smaller power supply. It's a tough amplifier, and the tube is very conservatively rated for its nameplate output levels.
I have one. Got it used from the local ham club. I've used it on RTTY with no apparent problems, in fact, it hardly even gets warm! Just do not drive it with much more than 50 watts or so. I was using true FSK, not AFSK and so the biasing might be different. In any event, just be sure not to overdrive the amp. If you use the amp for FT8 or RTTY, be sure to push the RTTY mode switch. This will limit the output to 500 watts. I find that the little amp is really easy to tune and puts out the rated power with no muss or fuss...
I was in the market for my first amplifier (until the engine in the tractor went south this weekend). I’m probably going to purchase an Acom 1010 at some point unless a better option presents itself.
Got one in January 2020. The "failsafe" features do work. Had a couple trips. Two minor issues are waiting for it to warm up, and having it go directly to "operate" when it does. I use a dedicated 120V line and haven't had any trouble at 500-600 watts. Mike N3PM
I have a Acom A2100 & Acom 1200s. I use the 1200s strictly for CW. Never a problem, Acoms have been good to me. 73 Rich
