Ameritron ALS-500M Old vs New just an observation.

[@n0vty873]

The new ALS500M I just got has a very neat and tidy assembly and soldering. The case screws not so much. I run it on a 75 amp power supply. I get abt 100 watts out with 5 watts in running digital modes. Amp has been flawless. In SSB modes I get easy 500 watt plus peaks with 30 watts in. I only dead key it at 5 watts in on AM for tuning . I may have lucked out.

[@fredflintstone8048]

What a dramatic difference between the build quality of each amp. One can see that the older one was built by someone who took pride in their work. The newer one not. However we don't know the reason behind this. In more modern times it can be the worker who no longer cares, and we have to ask why if that's the case. It could be the way the company treats it's people. How much it pays, and also how much time it allows for a person to spend on each unit. Doing the job right takes more time. Could be the worker, the company, or both. The workers may have quota targets they have to meet. By not soldering the top side they reduced the surface area of the circuit traces on the board used for conducting the current. It might not be enough to be concerned about but it is what it is. On the other hand it makes it easier to replace components. Thanks for sharing.

[@JonesJaysun-wg5ce]

I enjoy your videos

[@AdamosDad]

I got mine from a silent key, no idea how old it is, 10meter mod is installed, my guess is it's about 30 years old. I use it for my base, on a power max 100-amp 14-volt supply. Great amp. Great new vs old comparison.

[@homersaypian3798]

It’s a shame. We live in a disposable world.

[@757boulderbuilt4]

Nothing here disposable

[@OriginalQuasarSignals]

The old one was Ameritron pre-MFJ take over.

[@justinruth9729]

Poor work ..crazy how tech..goes down hill

[@fredflintstone8048]

Human labor is the most expensive part of building anything these days and this type of amp construction is the most time consuming of all. No automation going on there. In order to cut costs it could be that the company has moved to a cheaper labor source somewhere to build them. They may also have imposed quotas on the workers, or perhaps pay them per piece and not much both being motives for rushing through the build.

[@Sky1]

I just ordered one with remote and 10 mtr kit.

[@CommuniteeGuidlines]

Pre covid vs post. People's work ethic went put the window .

[@bparker86]

A great breakdown brother greeting from central Maine

[@randallbarton1114]

hard to get good help these days......

[@Sky1]

Probably built during Covid. I had to talk with one of the texts at mfj. He said getting parts was a nightmare.

[@TenCorUx]

Chinese montage???

[@ronjoseph7973]

MFJ and its affiliated products have really gone down hill. Really crappy work and quality control. The 500M usually gets poor reviews compared to the 811 and 811H, which are Ameritron’s most popular amps. If I wanted to spend that kind of money, I would go with ACOM. In this case MADE IN BULGARIA beats MADE IN AMERICA. American products built domestically are getting as bad as they were in the 1970s.

[@truckinguy92]

That’s horrible and sadly they’re charging more for less build quality. It won’t be long and you won’t be able to get them any longer as MFJ is caput. MFJ Mississippi’s Finest Junk!