HF Linear Amplifier Installation Tutorial - Acom A1010 

A very well thought summary with personal insight and real-world experience adding to content! Well done sir

Thanks Peter, I found your advice here very useful..as I always do...

Every HAM should watch this video. There are PA tests, what I am missing to get a noise data from 1 foot from PA with A filter.

Good summary of the pros and cons. I have an Acom 1010 and have been very happy with the performance. Tuning/matching is a breeze and the protection circuits provide peace of mind in case of operator error/overexcitement chasing a DX station. The design and finish of the unit is first class and the small size and low noise means that it can sit on the radio desk next to the transceiver. My only niggle with the unit is that it has to be powered up to switch antennas. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the availability of replacement valves. Y

i bought mine second hand ten years ago and it's still running like a Swiss watch.

I just bought a New Acom 1010 from DX Eng because of this video and I love it...

Fantastic summary as always Peter. I’m purchasing a 1010 my father has owned for 10 years now trouble free. I hope I can keep it the same way.

Excellent info for amps, many thanks.

thanks for your videos. as far as here in the USA, conventional wisdom says that one's first amplifier should be a legal limit (1500 watts USA) amp. then, have a backup amp of 700 to 800 watts.

Very nice video, thank you.

Still using my TenTec Centurion 15 years on. Works fine.

You are fun to watch! And I learn so much! Thank you, Lloyd, WB8YKH

Excellent Peter, thank you 73 Robert G3RCE

I have an ACOM 1010 and it has been fab-u-lous. I did let the smoke out of a few antenna related items at first 🤦🏻‍♂️🤣

Great video as always Peter. I have had the ACOM 1000 (1kw amp) for 2 years. The reason I got this model (tube/valve) is that it can run a full kw on digital modes (in fact this was ACOM factory recommend because I run a lot of ft4/8) transistor amps have to be derated by50% an extra 500 watts over the 1010 in ft8 is substantial

Very nice video. You’re right, the entire antenna made from 450 ohm line would be good

Another.excellent lesson what type of amp to buy and the advantages of the valve style versus the solid state style. Thanks so much. 8:13

I always fancied driving a valve linear to 200-250w on CW. Normally i run 50w. That would give me an S point advantage and reduce the heat load on the radio especially on the occasional days i take part in contests. Things got a bit toasty last weekend especially as it was a hot day.

if we get a new power for full licence holders that will be handy, I was wondering when you would bring this into line.

fit on my desk? I will build my desk around that beauty.

Hi Peter, Very informative and interesting video. I wish I’d seen this before I bought my amplifier. I purchased the Acom A700 which interfaces nicely with my FTDX101. I am still using an 66ft EFHW at the moment. I built my own high power 49:1 UnUn with 3 x FT240 43 toroids stacked. I added you loading coil extension kit so I could tune the EFHW on 80 metres. According to my Antenna Analyzer SWR on all bands (apart from 60m and 30m) is below 2. To be safe I also have an LDG at600ProII between the antenna and A700. I am experiencing problems using the A700 if I drive it with much more than 10 watts from the exciter which gives me around 300 watts Peak power. If I try to increase the power past that point or get too near to the microphone; the A700 reverts to standby and shows a fault indicating ‘Excessive PAM current’. I’m Wondering if the LDG just can’t achieve a good enough match although my SWR bridge indicates it has. Wonder if you have any guidance?

Excellent video Peter. Assuming the Ofcom 1KW proposal goes through later this year or early next year, do you think that demand for higher power (700W - 1.5 KW) linears in the UK will be able to keep up with demand? Also do you think there will be an increased number of second hand "modest" power linear amps on the market (thinking the smaller Ameritrons and the 250/300W solid states such as the RM models) as people trade up from their current set ups?

I have an rf kit rf2k-s solid state amp that has a built in tuner and instant band switching. Critically it has no warm up time, just time to boot the raspberry pi that controls it. It has 2 ldmos run way under spec so is capable of around 1800w constantly with very quiet cooling.

Well interesting and helpful video ! Cheers, 2E0MSR

What a beast.... the amplifier that is😉. Have been thinking about getting one myself for a while now.

Dear Peter I would like to ask question, I bought ACOM 1500 , Do I have to use all power or Can I set it low powers like 800 or whatever ? best wishes and Regards from Turkey/Istanbul.

Is it just a coax connection from the Acom to the Icom 7300 or do you need a rca cable as well from key to key?

I built an amp for those times when conditions are bad and my antenna isn't oriented for optimal communication. I guess those folks are right, "Life is just too short for QRP." So now I can crank up the smoke to just over 39 watts if my battery is fresh!Can you hear me now?!

Looks like that the new limit will be granted in a 1000 watts on a full licence I'd say

I wish to see in my lifetime a tube linear with no output tuning adjustments (I know Central Electronics did 600L but it was before I was born)😅😅 these ACOM have so many bells and whistles but didn't surpass '60s CE

Hope my options included an Acom 1010/1000 HF Amplifier, if anybody wants to lend me one to review for 6mth, cheers and great video. 👋

The only issue I would if it uses Russian tubes and how much stock is left.

Acom is top quality and built like a tank in Bulgaria.

I was going to buy it until I found out it can't QSK :-(

PS5 is quieter than a IC7300, hihi.

Don't need an RF ground with a dipole antenna so no need to connect this amp to the transceiver!

What about the purists who constantly moan about using amplifiers.. If, like them, I lived on an elevated site, a few kilometers from the sea and antenna 60ft above the ground, sure I wouldn't mind need one. Go figure. 😮

Great video about 7300 & amcom 1010 my setup + hex beam, works great I'll have to try emergency mode, Nice touch. Great channel aswell 👍 de sean GI7ULG.