Featured: Ameritron AL-80B amplifiers and parts on eBay.
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The Ameritron AL-80B puts a single large triode into a desktop HF amplifier. DX Engineering currently lists it as Not Available new, so used amplifiers, manuals and parts on eBay are the practical route for many operators. Searches turn up instruction manuals, relay and bias upgrade kits and other parts for this amplifier family.
What the AL-80B is
DX Engineering's listing describes the AL-80B as an amplifier with one 3-500ZG import tube and 1,000 W output PEP, covering 160-15 meters and drawing 12 A maximum at 120 Vac. It lists up to 1,000 watts output on SSB, 800 watts output on CW and 500 watts output on RTTY. The listing also says you can select from 14 different primary voltages from 90-140 Vac and 205-250 Vac.
Ameritron's manual describes the AL-80B as using a single 3-500Z tube in a class AB2 grounded grid circuit. It gives typical drive for full power output as 85 watts and maximum drive power permissible as 100 watts PEP, a full load voltage of 2700 V, and frequency coverage of 1.8 to 21 MHz amateur bands.
Limits from the manual worth remembering
Ameritron's manual includes several hard limits and warnings that any owner, new or used, should know:
- Never apply power with the cover removed. The manual says it in capital letters, and the voltage inside can kill.
- Watch grid current. The manual says never allow the grid current to exceed 250 mA under any operating condition.
- Watch the high voltage. The manual says never allow the high voltage to exceed 3200 volts under any condition, so the primary voltage selection has to match your line voltage.
- Never ship it with the tube installed. That applies if you ever sell one, and it is a good question to ask a seller before you buy.
Buying a used one
- Ask how it will be shipped. A seller who ships it with the tube installed is ignoring the manual, and the tube or the amplifier may be damaged in transit.
- Ask about the tube. Find out its history and whether it is original or a replacement.
- Get the manual. It has the tuning procedure and the limits above.
- Check the primary voltage setting against your line voltage before first power-up.
First power-up
Before trusting a used amplifier, test it into a dummy load at modest drive and watch its meters closely, especially grid current. Follow the tuning procedure in the manual rather than habits from a different amplifier, and raise drive gradually. If anything looks wrong, such as grid current climbing too fast, a smell of heat or an unusual noise, stop and investigate before going further.
And the usual reminder: external linear amplifiers are not legal for use on CB radio. The AL-80B covers the amateur bands and belongs in a licensed amateur station.
Where to get it
Browse current listings: Ameritron AL-80B amplifiers and parts on eBay.
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