Ameritron Al-811H Linear Amplifier Demonstration by K1OIK

[@lowertones1]

Burt, I love your vids. Very informative, succint, and I often find your angst justified and well directed :) As a new ham, I very much appreciate your walk-throughs of your gear. Thanks very much. You misspelt efficiency at 7:01.

[@markw.mullins2208]

Got to tell you pard, it was a great demo of this amp. I have an Ameritron AL-811-H, replaced the 811s with 572Bs and have never had a problem with it at all. Had to replace the meter bulbs, but did it with LEDs, so there should be no problems after that. Dollar for dollar, its one of the cheapest amps to use, and got great qualities where it counts. Upgraded it a bit with new caps, and bleeders for stabilization, and saw it go to 900 on the Bird. That should be all any ham needs. Thanks for the vid for all those who did not know how to do this. Wouldn't take anything for my Ameritron. its been a good amp. KB4AKS "A"lways "K"eep "S"miling !! 73. Mark

[@Capecodham]

Was getting the 572s worth the expense?

[@markw.mullins2208]

Since they will never be abused nor overdriven, and since they are the most rugged of them glass bottle tubes, they should be lifetime tubes. Will never need to replace them, so yes, they were worth the expense. Got all four for $200.oo brand new. Good investment.

[@Capecodham]

You got a great price.

[@Capecodham]

An "investment" is something that makes money. Little in ham radio is an investment

[@markw.mullins2208]

If I had given Ham Radio that much thought I never would have got into the hobby. The way it is, its an investment that I would never have to shell out todays heckalacious prices for tubes. Nice Amp, Nice Tubes, Nice readings from others, yep, it has a return.

[@bikernut1969]

Burt it was nice to see your not angry at us fellow Hams. I enjoyed the video as I'm just getting into the hobby. Thanks Burt nice video.

[@djjoep100]

yes i am planing to use only for yes i am only doing SSB so when i tune it up i just key up the mic? thank you for the help

[@M1bcm-ham-radioCoUk]

Good video Burt, keep 'em coming.

[@georgepowerjnr6348]

u need to show how to houck up the areals want way to houck them up do u houck up the areal up to the amp with a power & swr meter ??

[@Capecodham]

u? houck? areals? how stupid are you?

[@dannelson8556]

Nice way to abuse those tubes Burt, You did a fine job cooking those anodes and I'm sure the new owner is going to appreciate it. What you accomplished here was actually showing people what not to do while tuning up an AL811h. What was that like 15 seconds of 100% full duty cycle CW carrier like 3 or 4 times in a row with no rest period in between tune ups. If that's your normal tune up procedure than I bet those anodes have a nice bright silvery spot in the middle where they where over heated.. For those of you who don't know the anodes in 811 tubes are very thin and heat up quickly. Since 811 tubes dissipate their heat via infra red radiation there's no amount of forced cooling that will protect them from long tune ups (read more than 5 seconds) Thats why the manual is very specific in that you must not exceed 5 seconds of CW carrier while tuning up. Furthermore the warranty does not cover tube damage from improper tune up procedures and while you did a fine job demonstrating the plate current dip the excessively long tune up will destroy those tubes very quickly. If used properly the The AL811 is a fine amp unfortunately I see far to many 811 tubes which have been cooked by people tuning up like you just demonstrated.. 5 seconds max is all it should take if it takes you longer than 5 seconds to tune the AL811 then YOU MUST WAIT AT LEAST 15 seconds. If you can't get the hang of tuning up an amp 5 seconds then at least buy a pulsar for tuning which will reduce the duty cycle during tune up saving the tubes...

[@patrickbaer3742]

Are you know what for when I saw the meter you were using a Dosey good Lord if you find for relative power while you're tuning up however you should know better

[@timbacchus]

I agree with all .

[@1OFGODSOWN]

All of that nice gear a a sorry Dosy wattmeter? I have been using my Ameritron 811H for over 10 years with no issues.Purchased an ICOM PW-1 that I'm picking up today.The Ameritron will get a new home soon! That 1 gallon will be a BIG help on 6 meters so I'm looking forward to it & those few extra watts on HF won't hurt either.

[@jaywardjulian6163]

Pls help me I do have an AL-811 and was told not to go beyond the red line while tuning. No I noticed that the plate current on your Al-811H is the one that has the RED marker on the meter and not the GRID CURRENT meter, opposite with AL-811 can you pls kindly tell me what I was doing wrong and should I just simply follow the way how you were tuning your 811H ? Thank you and 73

[@Capecodham]

Did I go beyond the red line?

[@jaywardjulian6163]

Yup if I were to compare it to where your needle went on grid current it was all over the red. Which I dont understand, your grid current doesn't have the red marker but instead it's on the LOAD PLATE

[@Capecodham]

@djjoep100 you generally put it in CW and press the key

[@Capecodham]

@kc8ntp When I used it against a known meter it was accurate, so what say you now?

[@djjoep100]

thank you getting one for my ft-450 yaesu . i hope it works for the ft-450. this is kc2qyw 73 for now

[@richardsenining7410]

Sir . How are you im really interested about linear amp like what ive seen in your ved. So looking a linear.. Then where could i buy or purchase that kind of linear vhf 2 meter band

[@Capecodham]

Is English a second language for you or do you live in a trailer?

[@Capecodham]

@djjoep100 If you plan to use only SSB and CW you can get a solid state amp, tuning takes less than 30 seconds with a tube amp

[@08drenalin]

Great video. Please keep up the good work. I like your videos...

[@mikeofborg2]

I've been thinking about getting an Ameritron AL-811H for sometime now. I've been running barefoot out of an Alinco DX-70 since I got my general ticket. Truly I've yet to run into a problem making a contact running 100 watts, but it would be nice to have the extra power there if I happen to need it. Great video Burt, I learned a lot. It's pretty similar to running my old Heathkit HW-101 as far as tuning for the dip etc. W8MLD // Mike

[@djjoep100]

is it easy to tune it up or should i get the als600s sold state amp?

[@noriceburners]

Excellent demo.

[@wb5oxq]

I bought one used and intended to run 572B's in it but the post office dropped the box and badly damaged the amp so they paid me for it and I bought a clipperton l without tubes and used the 572B's in it. Nice and makes 1300 watts...Enough power!

[@bob4analog]

wb5oxq - Wait... you got 1300 watts out of an AL811H with 572B's? How, pray tell, did you mnage that??

[@624radicalham]

@@bob4analog lol no read it again. He got 1300 watts out of a Clipperton with 572s. Even worse. Just pure bullshit

[@Z28videogates]

I missed it, your selling it why over the Kenwood? Do one on the keywood, I'd like to see that.

[@Capecodham]

@djjoep100 It is the element of the output tube that has high voltage on it and carries the power

[@djjoep100]

what does plate mean?

[@Capecodham]

@DaveLG526 Why are you limited to 100W?

[@MyJeff1969]

Hi Could you please do a tune up demo Of 922a on 10 meters? My radio is ts930 Do you have same or similiar radio? Thanks jeff

[@Capecodham]

I no longer have them anymore.

[@shawnbrunel8471]

I just passed technician class exam and i was wondering does this amplifier cause any interference on someone else's TV , telephone, or stereo

[@Capecodham]

no

[@shawnbrunel8471]

@@Capecodham thank you sir

[@macpaul7719]

Oh! BTW a DOSY is calibrated for 11 meters and its frequency range is for 25 to 32 MHZ. 10-4?

[@KnuckleHead-t4x]

My Dosy reads 40-6 meters almost the same as my other meters, it's very close. Your response wasn't thought out very well.

[@gvvq-pi5ml]

Hi Burt is it ok to use an 811H amplifier with an IC 7300 regarding the PTT and ALC lines direct...please from Fred g4vvq UK

[@Capecodham]

I never tried it, I Manually tried it

[@SWRadioConcepts]

It's fine. The 811 has low key voltage/current draw. I used an MFJ ARB-704 and rig cable between my 7300 and 811. Just playing it safe.

[@gvvq-pi5ml]

Ok thanks i just plugged mine in and it works fine...Fred in UK g4vvq

[@SWRadioConcepts]

Good deal! I just got the 811 (3-tube) and it really made a difference with my compromise antenna. I can actually rag-chew on 80 meters now!

[@platinum9482]

@@SWRadioConceptsBonjour, auriez-vous un schéma de connexion? J'ai aussi ce ARB 704, mais je ne sais pas si connecter le jack ALC; mon mail: [e-mail]

[@gvvq-pi5ml]

Hi Guys, i dont like the sounds of the 811 only lasting about 1 year, what does that mean exactly, is it if you use it all the time, or 3 times a week or once a week etc...i know you can replace them with the 572B but you shouldn't need to or they should put them in there in the first place, i haven't bought one yet but thinking about it...any comments welcome, from Fred g4vvq in England...

[@Capecodham]

It will last years as long as are reasonable

[@gvvq-pi5ml]

ok...

[@bob4analog]

Tom Smith - I might add that the quality of the 811's now are not as good as the American made. If one can get American 811's, please do so.. they'll last far longer.

[@Capecodham]

@chilliedog2918 Tennessee is not in the USA?

[@gvvq-pi5ml]

Hi There there does anyone know about the 10 meter conversion something about fitting a link wire somewhere or cutting one.....Fred g4vvq.

[@djjoep100]

do you have to key up the mic when you tune it ?

[@MyJeff1969]

You you a remote keyer some radio like mine have this built in Send button or foot relay pedal

[@Capecodham]

the post office actually made good on their insurance?

[@Capecodham]

@KE1MP It was sold over a yearnago

[@Capecodham]

I may do one on the Kenwood. The TL-922A is more robust

[@MyJeff1969]

Too late i know this demo was way Off but i figured out how to tune ts930 tl922a Cqdx

[@johninfl]

Great video....I just picked up one used...Standard 811 model....I was wondering about upgrading my feed line to the antenna... It is RG-58, but I don't plan to run more than about 300W into my vertical loop...Thoughts? 73....

[@KE1MP]

You mentioned that you were selling this unit. There was not date on this video.

[@nordland2235]

Dose it run on 110 or 220 ?

[@Capecodham]

110

[@Capecodham]

@chilliedog2918 I do not sell to dirtbags or CBers. I guess that was redundant

[@M1bcm-ham-radioCoUk]

@djjoep100 Do you actually have a license to transmit .. if so GOD HELP US !

[@Capecodham]

@djjoep100 Keying the mike will do nothing, did you not read where I said, "you generally put it in CW and press the key?"

[@Capecodham]

I doubt you had a license, proof?

[@robertleacock9947]

I want to the connection

[@Capecodham]

What?

[@LU8HRW]

Very nice video, good works, 73

[@djjoep100]

this is kc2qyw please look at this amp. the rm Italy bla hf solid state amp. bla-350 and let me know what you think about this amp. thank you from Joe kc2qyw 73 for now. dnj radio sells the rm italy hf bla-350 solid state amp. thank you for the help.

[@vacuumtubeTV]

Nice Amp-Luv those vacuum-tubes !!!! 73s, KC5JAV (EM40).

[@Etherionix]

YES WE ALL NEED 8 OR MORE AMPS. ONE FOR EACH MAJOR BAND. FEEL THE POWERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[@gvvq-pi5ml]

Hi does anyone know if you can plug the PTT line on an AL 811H into the relay socket on an Icom IC 7300, to start with i didn't think you could, but i have just measured the voltage at the socket on the radio, the one marked relay next to the ALC socket and it reads 00 on tx and rx, so i think it grounds out as you would expect it to, but there is a lot of hoo hah about 16v at 0.5 amps etc, in my opinion as the amp uses 100 mA at 12 volts at the PTT i think you can plug it straight in the socket, but i'm not brave enough to try it lol from Fred g4vvq in Uk.

[@djjoep100]

dnj radio sells them the rm bla 350 for 750.00 dollars . the store owner gave me a customer number to call him another ham operator and i did call him on the phone and he loves the amp. and it works good i look up hes call sign to make sure hes not laying about the amp. i just want you to check it out to.. and other hams out there to .

[@raypsi1]

gr8 job hope you unloaded that AL811

[@berkmanyt]

Who needs all that power ? Are you getting into DX ? Wouldn't a better antenna buy you more ? Do you have any HW-9 gear for sale ?

[@SWRadioConcepts]

Some people need extra power to at least somewhat overcome limitations of compromise antennas.

[@19GN03]

Best HAM's are comming from the CB stable !!!

[@tjalessi]

1 M in Coming.

[@3Dprint4you]

Hey Burt how come you keep saying "we", you got a mouse in your pocket? :-) Love your videos, keep it up.

[@macp8854]

Wonderful comedy video! No one would do this to an amp for real!

[@Capecodham]

I have had it for years works great. I wonder if your mouth would say the same words to my face? You are jealous of me.

[@sergiodmota]

I understood that if you put 70w at the input you can get up to 700w at the output. What final power would you get by playing 10w, 20w, 30w, 40w ...? Thank you so much for sharing your video. 73.

[@Capecodham]

It becomes less efficient with lower drive. with 10 watts you might 70 watts.

[@Capecodham]

@djjoep100 It certainly requires very little drive. I would not be an amp from Italy as service might be a problem. I wonder about a guarentee. Otherwise it looks good but I did not see a price Check Eham for experience of others

[@davemitchell116]

00:21 "There's no sense in having two linear amplifiers." What if one is down for maintenance, repairs or has an issue that make take some time to resolve. Whether it's an HF rig, a VHF/UHF rig, a tuner, a mic or an amp, 39 years of ham radio experience (and 48 years of broadcast experience) has taught me that you ALWAYS need a backup!

[@Capecodham]

In a lot of things you need a backup, but not in ham radio.

[@davemitchell116]

I respectully disagree. Some years ago, I was the liason between local law enforcement and the only local broadcast station (WRHI-AM) in a small town in South Carolina during a major hurricane (Hugo, 1989). I was the only ham getting information from the city/county government to the public via the radio station. No one could get to the station to back me up since the road were blocked by heavy debris. The VHF radio I was using (Icom IC-28H) developed major problems. It I had not had a backup rig (IC2-AT), there would have been no communication between the police and the public. From that point on, I ALWAYS made sure the equipment I owned had a redundant unit, whether it was a HF rig, VHF/UHF, power supply, emergency power, antennas, power supply, ampllifiers, tuners or what have you.

[@Capecodham]

You found the rare case where a backup was important. Most hams are not you and they have a backup for their cackling, hardly important.

[@berkmanyt]

Burt I thought you were QRP ?

[@BananaJSSI]

Awesome!

[@radioaustralia5070]

Oh boy would I love to use that on 27mhz cb radio 😉😉

[@KE1MP]

I should have kept typing. I read an article once that said, "Ham radio was cool because it was dangerous back in the old days where things were blowing up." I have to agree that where has all the experimentation gone? Anyway, I want to run some power. QRP is neat and all but I want power. Power is cool. How much are you selling that AMP for. I want to get my hands on one so that I can experiment. I did not say blow up. I recently have an intereest in HF and quite frankly vhf is boring.

[@Capecodham]

I have never blocked anyone for stupdity but you are working on it. Prove now you are licensed

[@crazybobdj]

I'm going to buy the Ameritron. It's a good amp & a good price, made in America, by American's getting up everyday to go to work, instead of the unemployment line. ...America really needs to bring back manufacturing jobs, or this won't be the America I grew up in for too much longer. ..Just my opinion. I respect all opinions.

[@Capecodham]

Depends on the quality of the cables and their connectors. But mil-spec RG58A/U or RG58C/U can handle a kilowatt on HF, into a matched load. If you run SSB-CW-PSK31, you should be in good shape unless you're transmitting into a real mismatch. For RTTY, I'd go for bigger cable. WB2WIK/6

[@MyJeff1969]

High power rfc 400 only way to fly Handle 1800 watts And very low line loss

[@Capecodham]

It has been 12 years, sorry I don't remember.

[@michaelzehrfeld7766]

Thank you Burt - nice Demovideo. 73 de Mike

[@Capecodham]

What is an "idot?"

[@Capecodham]

@chilliedog2918 They are illegal for CB

[@Capecodham]

@djjoep100 The price seems good. No reviews on Eham. I would not buy something with so little information. But I am extra safe

[@Capecodham]

I do not think CB runs to 1000 watts, in any event the meter is accurate

[@ParrotSailor]

I need this for my contest rig :)

[@burtfisher7059]

Why be a contester? No life?

[@ParrotSailor]

Well I tied dry humor and video for a while but wasnt much good at it

[@harrybalz69]

Yeah a "Dosy" meter is real accurate.... smh

[@Capecodham]

@jrmcferren Of course not

[@carlg6653]

I have a Browning Golden Eagle in really nice condition with the original microphone don't know what it's worth but it's for sale please reply

[@Capecodham]

I know nothing about worthless CB

[@carlg6653]

burt2481 well that was kind of rude anyways have a nice day

[@Capecodham]

Carl G Your question was kind of stupid have a nice day .

[@carlg6653]

burt2481 yeah I should have known what you were like just by your video anyways have a nice day a******

[@carlg6653]

burt2481 in Canada was he beers like you usually you don't got an antenna on your roof cuz we tear them off

[@SQ1JGU]

Nice video:) 73!

[@Capecodham]

Where did I say "we?" If so, depending on the context it was not very smart.

[@M1bcm-ham-radioCoUk]

@djjoep100 omg .. YOU ACTUALLY HAVE A LICENSE kc2qyw .. UNBELEIVABLE !

[@vasilepop4369]

Congratulations! Wonderful video. 73 de VA6POP

[@nyteskyy]

When did DOSY make the non-peak reading meter? Oh, to the poster below, I have seen a cb linear do 50,000 watts on AM, wanna see it? It is even mobile, and not dosy, either...LOL - but a Bird 43 - in a Sburban - a lot of cb'ers use 1-2k, thats why the AM band there is so trashy - and they are always trying to sell burned up ham amps, just look on ebay! Want to hear 100k on the air? Go to 27.025, listen when they are doing their version of dx (state to state) - FCC seems not to care? hmmmm

[@WA8QFE]

I'd like to see one with 572B finals for a comparison. Lee, WA8QFE

[@rickvia8435]

You'll get virtually the same values on all meter indications. 572Bs are over-rated when used in an 811H amplifier (same with the 3-tube 811 amp.); 572Bs will last longer and accept more abuse than an 811A tube in this amp. 572Bs are rated for ~2,200 Vp, while 811As are around 1,750V. 572s have graphite plates which have a MUCH higher melting point than the simple thin mild steel plates of the 811As.

[@Capecodham]

Class AB is intermediate between A and B. The 1 in AB1 means that grid current does not flow, the tube grids are not driven positive. A class AB1 amplifier will produce much less distortion than a class B amplifier using the same tubes. The distortion figures are often comparable to class A. The rise in plate current from zero signal to maximum power may be as little as 10 % to as high as 70 %. Any idiot can look it up. But you have never had a license

[@Capecodham]

@djjoep100 I am not making fun of you re: tuning an amp. You are doing quite good since English is clearly a second language for you. Half the USA cannot read? That is false. Third time get a key, put your exciter in transmit and press the key, then tune. You have a call?

[@G0IFI]

Actually no, Ameritron linears are really rather good for the price, rugged, well built and spectrally pure, unlike most CB amps. Could you quantify your description of Ameritrons with some technical reasons for it? Don't expect so. You'll probably just give me some verbal abuse.

[@Capecodham]

With your name I would not expect much more

[@Capecodham]

you can't leave something you have never been able to achieve

[@unclequack5445]

Sir your pretty cool, but these amps are way to expensive you should be getting 1.5 to 2 KW from an amp that expensive.

[@macpaul7719]

Please DO NOT use this video as a way to tune an amplifier. An AL-811 has 811A tubes and in tune mode that means 5 seconds key with a 10 second rest in between. You will destroy the plates on the 811's if you tune like this guy does. An AL-811 should be able to be tuned up in 2 or 3 five second key downs. T first I thought this was a comedy until I realized he was serious.

[@Capecodham]

Mac Paul Please share your video on the process, oh that's right, you have no video.

[@Capecodham]

+Mac Paul I wonder how my amplifier worked for years?

[@MrMrHungarian]

Amplifiers (tube) scare me, somehow I need to get over this

[@detaart]

lol 600 watts on CW ... that's one way to make sure you're heard.

[@flatlander523]

Good content but you really need to Focus and use a tripod. PLEASE !

[@Capecodham]

Virtually all was on a tripod.

[@MrMrHungarian]

Is this the USPS? They must be better than UPS who destroyed an AL-80 and couldn't of cared less. No insurance payment ever received.

[@nobodyyouknow222]

These things are a nightmare. The microscopic relays have DIP ( read IC pinpout) packages soldered directly to a circuit board.. You have to tear apart the whole damn amplifier to get at it.. contacts aren't the size of a match head.. and then you need a special dip soldering iron to unsolder all the contacts at once.. or you get to cut it out.. piece by piece. Easy for robots to make.. bad for humans to service. Contrast to an SB-200 . As to stability ( especially in the 3 tube POS) no comparison. I took a hammer to one.. that's what I think of these things.

[@4gauge10]

I said it before,sometimes its the things that you DON'T SAY,that can be a lie...do a video showing the filaments in the tubes,I'll bet they are nice and "silvered" from more then 5 second key-downs at a time Burt.I'm willing to bet also that you still own this amp,due to the poor demonstration given in this video...I have the Ameritron AL-1500 with two 8877's (two Eimac 3CX1500's in parallel) even with these mil-spec ceramic triodes,I NEVER keep the Collins transmitter keyed up into this amp more then 5 seconds at a time.

[@1903A3shooter]

+4 gauge AL-1500 only has one tube.

[@4gauge10]

+1903A3shooter Mine has been upgraded and completely reworked internally.Nothing in this amp is stock anymore but the cabinet.

[@4gauge10]

+4 gauge Thanks to mjsmith626 for completely rebuilding my AL-1500.Its now a AL-3000 and have not had ANY issues with this amp.Great work!!.

[@Col-Hogan]

Focus the camera,

[@tahoma6889]

This is the wrong way to tune an amp. Absolutely. One tuning taking years off it's life.

[@Capecodham]

I have had it for 10 years so when will it die?

[@djjoep100]

lol yes i do and a cdl driver license class a and m and nps tank vehicles passenger school bus OK. now i never use a amp. before. and ameritron said on KZbin to key up the mike when u tune the amp. they show u on KZbin so please don't make fun of me .do u know that 1/2 of USA can not read or type what happens if your kid is slow u will make fun of him or her to. no u teach your kid.this world needs love not hate so GOD HELP YOU. .and thank you for the help.

[@1903A3shooter]

I bet those tube plates were RED and about to melt.

[@Capecodham]

+1903A3shooter You lose

[@sirmordrede]

3 AMPS AND A DOSEY WATT METER

[@Capecodham]

Your point?

[@sirmordrede]

@@Capecodham big CB amp

[@dieselheart001]

Dosy doe... yeeha...

[@kc8ntp]

A Dosy, non-peak reading watt meter, lmfao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, that is some fine HAM radio equipment, ROTFL!!!!

[@lowertones1]

oops. at 4:00 We're all fallible 73

[@Capecodham]

you win the award for the dumbest comment. Also the word is hypocritical