I have been looking for a moderate sized and priced linear amplifier to add to my shack. I really do not need an amp due to the fact I have a resonate antenna and do a very good job getting out there with just 100 watts. Heck, I typically do the 13 Colonies contest with just 5 watts and get all stations plus the bonus stations across the pond. I just wanted to have an amp to get through traffic in an emergency and to be able to reliably hit the west coast and Alaska. I can hear 'em but often cannot get 'em.
Did my research and decided a used Ameritron AL-811 or AL-811H amplifier would fit the bill. Maximum output is 600 watts and the cost is reasonable. Originally, the amp went for around $1,500- and you can pick one up used for around $900-. I found a used one for $500- and of course the seller told me it had new tubes, was used by an old lady from Pasadena on Sundays and ran like a top. It didn't.
Made my purchase at the end of September. Due to life, I got to try it out for the first time at the end of October after my return from the Hurricane Helene mission in North Carolina. It came on but one of the three tubes would not work. Took it apart to make sure the tubes were properly seated, and that one tube still did not work.
Ordered three new tubes from my favorite dealer, DX Engineering. Installed the new tubes and now two of the three tubes would not fire up. Scratching my balding noggin, I reached out to the designer of the AL-811 Tom Rauch (W8JI).
Tom and I had a series of exchanges via email, and since he is retired and does not work on amateur radio equipment anymore, he suggested the
Amprepairguy (ARG) as a go to person for the AL-811. Sent the ARG an email and he was quick to respond and offered to take a look at the amp. As per his very specific instructions for shipping, I sent it off to him.
In short, he looked at the amp, told me he could make it like new and to send back the tubes I bought for the amp from DX as they were wrong for the amp. He had the proper tubes, 572B vs. the 811A's in stock.
About a week went by and ARG sent me a video of my repaired AL-811 putting out the advertised 600 watts on 40-meters. Pretty cool customer service. ARG sent back the repaired AL-811 and the tubes separately, professionally packed, via Federal Express and it arrived the week before Thanksgiving.
Due to a life, (snowstorm, antenna came down & needed to be put back up, the holiday, etc.) I finally hooked up the AL-811 yesterday and worked out a dope sheet today for each band, wattage driving the amp, and of course plate and load settings for each band.
The cost of everything was a bit more than I was hoping for but alas, it is amateur radio equipment. Here is the itemized list,
Original used AL-811.....$ 500-
Repair of the AL-811.....$ 525-
Tubes..........................$ 260-
Round Trip Shipping......$ 200-Total..........................$1,485-In closing, I was very satisfied with the workmanship and continuous communication I received from ARG during the whole process. I love dealing with professional customer service driven people. I now own a basically new Ameritron AL-811 amplifier for what they went for before they were discontinued.
Watch out west coast, old JohnyMac is a-coming.
73 & God Bless
