I own a new AL-1200. I chose this over the AL-1500 because I didn't see the
value of spending an additional $500 dollars for the AL-1500. Both amps
easily make the legal limit. I bought this rather than the AL-82 because
I've had enough glass tubes in my ham career, including 3-500zg. Ceramics
have enough advantages to overcome the price differential.
New AL-1200s (and the others) do not suffer from as excessive fan noise. The
new units have a EBM fan which is very quiet, and on the medium-high setting
(factory default) it is not appreciably noisier than similar tubeaxial fans
used on 3-500zs. I also have a TenTec Centurion (2 3-500zg) which is
probably the quietest 3-500 unit on the market. The AL-1200 is not noisier
than the TenTec.
If you raise the fan speed to highest, it is noisier, but not bad at all.
Also, the T/R relays have been replaced with a much quiter unit in recent AL
82/1200/1500 so there is neither a loud 'clack' and the switching time is
way under 10 ms, so it is quite satisfactory. It isn't QSK, but still very
nice.
Finally, before deciding, I surveyed all the reviews and more importantly, I
saw a large number of contesters using the 1200. I figured that they would
be more demanding than most, and more irritated with any problems.
So, it came down to $500 more for an addition 300 watts of anode
dissipation, and I just didn't think it was worth while.
----- Original Message -----
From: <Gudguyham@aol.com>
To: <amps@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2003 11:51 PM
Subject: [Amps] OPINIONS PLEASE
> Hi All, I would like to have your opinions on something regarding
amplifiers.
> Ameritron makes 3 powerful amplifiers that are all 3 exactly the same
except
> for the tube compliment. They are the AL-82, AL-1200 and the AL-1500. The
> stats on these amps are as follows. The AL-82 does a max output of 1500
watts
> with 100 watts drive and has a pair of 3-500's. The AL-1200 makes 1800
watts
> out max with 100 watts and has a 3CX1200A7 and the AL-1500 makes 2250
watts out
> with 100 watts and it uses the 8877 (3CX1500A7). When I was confronted
with
> the decision on which one to buy, I bought the AL-1500 because I wanted
the
> extra power regardless of the extra cost. I figured that the tubes were
> plentiful as pulls and that at 1500 watts I would rarely ever need to
replace the
> tube. If you own any one of theses 3 amps, I would like to know the
reasons why
> you selected the one you did. Please discuss price or whatever else took
place
> in the decision making process. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
> If you do NOT own any one of these amps, please assume for a moment that
you
> had to make the same decision and what the criteria would be for your
> decision.........Thank You 73 and Happy Holidays to all
> Louie W1QJ
> _______________________________________________
> Amps mailing list
> Amps@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
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