Quickly Tune the Ameritron AL-811 - Tuning Procedure Using a Drake TR-7

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#hamradio #iameritron #k0pir
I just wanted to show how I tune up my Ameritron AL 811 ham radio amplifier. This is a good and quick tuneup procedure for anyone, but I encourage everyone to read their manual. I am using a Drake TR-7 transceiver for the exciter. Fun stuff! Thanks for watching.
I'm an Amateur Radio enthusiast. I love the hobby and experimenting with radios, antennas and software. I have a lot of fun. On my RU-vid channel I upload videos mostly on the Icom 7300 and Icom 7610 as well as Ham Radio software programs. I hope to inspire people to get involved in Amateur Radio.
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Best 73 - Rich, K0PIR
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5 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 48

@thedutydoctor 3 года назад

Good video Rich, thank you.. W8BFO here Sir!. Your YT video popped up this morning for some reason in my feed and I thought I would give it a watch. I have the same amplifier and it's almost 4 years old now.. still running like a champ, 400 watts no problem at all. I have mine hooked up to an MFJ - 998 IntelliTuner. Best 73s and good DX, looking forward to working you on the bands one day.

@ronbjork3479 3 года назад

Thx for the explanation on the alc setting, helped me out a lot 73 Ron

@Medic-ui9ms 4 года назад

Thanks for the video! Just ordered an 811. 73, KB0VXN

@HamRadioAdventures 4 года назад

Thank you for watching and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. I’ve had mine for quite some time and it’s been a workhorse for me. Best 73!

@ED_K3CU 4 года назад

Thanks Rich much appreciated

@N4KRX 4 года назад

Interesting to see your tune-up procedure. The AL-811 is a workhorse for thousands of HAM's!

@HamRadioAdventures 4 года назад

Thank you for commenting and 73!

@jaywardjulian6163 4 года назад

Nice video since I got an AL 811 really appreciate it. I have an IC 760 and having a low recieve volume even on 5oclock settings can you help me? TIA

@rickvia8435 3 года назад

Thanks for the post. I've never been able to get more than 400 - 450 watts outta my AL-811 (presently have 572Bs). Also on 40M and 80M my load can be set no higher than 0 to 1, or my output really drops.

@micksibraa3787 4 года назад

I have found this video to be very useful , but do I need to adjust the ALC located at the back of the amplifier? Thanks Mick

@HamRadioAdventures 4 года назад

Hi Mick sorry for the delay. Only if you use the ALC circuit with your radio. Check the manual if you want to set that up. Best 73!

@richarde735 4 года назад

How old is your Ameritron in this video? I'm looking at a used amp. it looks excellent but it's rather old. would you recommend an older unit or would you avoid them?

@205a2 4 года назад

I have had mine for about 2 years now using it on SSB. It works well. I realize each case is different, but what is the normal life expectancy of an 811h tube used for a few hours a day with only 5-10 minutes of key time? Not over-driving it.

@HamRadioAdventures 4 года назад

Years and years and years years and years and years👍

@ronbjork3479 3 года назад

I have seen a lot of tuning videos on al 811 amps can’t find any on how to adjust the alc? Can you help me out? 73 Ron

@HamRadioAdventures 3 года назад

Ron Bjork Hi Ron, nice to hear from you and that’s a really good question. I used the manual to adjust my ALC when I was using it. Normally I don’t use it though. I will have to put something together sometime, but basically you tune up the amplifier and over drive it just a little (75 watts), hook up the ALC circuit with a shielded cable and then while driving the amplifier (75 watts) turn the ALC knob on the amplifier back just a little bit right before it starts to decrease the power output on the amplifier. Now when you drive the amplifier with 100 watts it should still be within the range of safe operation. In other words the amplifier won’t be over driven and your meter readings should be within a safe range. The amplifier power output will be in a safe range also. I recommend reading the manual a few times and it should become clear to you. Be careful. Thank you for commenting, I hope everything is well where you are and best 73!

@jackhawkins8438 2 года назад

I have not found anything on tuning up for digital modes (FT8). Can you explain on tuning the AL811 for about 200 watts output. Thanks

@HamRadioAdventures 2 года назад

Hi Jack, it's good to hear from you and thanks for commenting here. I don't use an amp, but you can tune it up as you normally would for maximum output, open WSJT-X and hit the tune button, then lower your power output like you normally would with WSJT-X or just use the Power slider on the right hand side to adjust power output. Keep the ALC within the "red" ALC zone. I hope this helps. 73!

@jackhawkins8438 2 года назад

@@HamRadioAdventures Thanks

@williampeacock9473 2 года назад

Rich thanks for showing the tune up procedure. If you look at the instructions in the manual they're about as clear as mud. But the way you showed how to do it is about easy had falling off of Grease log. Thanks again Rich . 73 AE4OY William Peacock 🦚 EM-81UF SOUTH EAST GEORGIA (OLDYELLA) Blackshear, Ga 🤓🔥

@HamRadioAdventures 2 года назад

Thanks for commenting William! Vry 73!

@dheller777 4 года назад

I have the AL811-H and the Icom 7300. The amp is new. I can only get about 500 watts out if it using the recommended grid and plate settings in their owners manual.

@HamRadioAdventures 4 года назад

Hello and thank you for commenting. I would stick with the limits in the manual. If it is brand new maybe you'll notice a change after it's used some. The Bird watt meter is pretty accurate, but some others I've used are not. MFJ watt meters I've had in the past were not. Enjoy using the amp. Best 73!

@205a2 4 года назад

Hello dheller777... You may already know this, but the antenna and antenna tuner make a big difference too. I have a G5RV and only get about 300-400 on SSB on 20 meter, but get 700 watts on 80 meter all tuned on each band with a tuner to @ 1:1.2

@dheller777 3 года назад

@@205a2 I run an 10-80 mfj endfed wire in an inverted V. With my 998 MFJ tuner it will only bring the swr down to 1.5 to 1.6 on 80 meters.

@jes4596 3 года назад

I'm running icom 7300 with a Heathkit SB-1000. I run it with about 60 watts drive that gives me around 500 to 600 watts on peak. I can get 1100 out of it but dont want to save my Eimac tube :)

@SouthernManinDakotas 3 года назад

Hi Jes, it’s good to hear from you and thank you for commenting here. GL, good DX!

@revadan 4 года назад

can my outlet handle such amount of wattage? can i lower the power of this like 200 or 300w ?how?

@HamRadioAdventures 4 года назад

I ran mine on a 120V, 15amp circuit with my computers, so tune it up for max power and then decrease the RF power input. I usually run about 400w with the amp on. 73!

@rickvia8435 4 года назад

I run an AL-811 with an IC-730 - both on a 120v, 15A circuit along with some lighting. Plenty of capacity on the household circuit for the AL at 400 watts out. BTW, if you get 400W out, the AL-811 is doing it's job.

@M70ACARRY 4 года назад

Wish you would have shown how to dip the plate.

@azcharlie2009 3 года назад

Not sure I understand why you turn the Load up? Why not just tune for max power and turn your drive power down? How does turning the Load up help?

@HamRadioAdventures 3 года назад

Hello and thank you for commenting. When I am driving it with max power, heavily loading it a little will help avoid over driving it on SSB voice peaks. Just what my Elmer taught me. Thanks for asking. 73!

@tonytony3828 2 года назад

Even the designer of this amplifier recommends doing as he did on SSB.

@patrickgermond2750 4 года назад

I asked DX if I needed any extra meters like your in line meter. They said no. I’d love to find a tuning video using the meters on the amp. My radio tells me the watts coming out so I don’t think I need an incoming load meter. This really didn’t help at all

@HamRadioAdventures 4 года назад

Hi Patrick, nice to hear from you. I hope all is well with you and your family. I don't understand. DX Engineering said you don't need a watt meter? I disagree, every ham should have a watt and SWR meter. You don't necessarily need a Bird. Every ham I know tunes for maximum power out when tuning an amp. I guess there are exceptions. Stay safe and best 73!

@patrickgermond2750 4 года назад

Ham Radio with K0PIR Thanks for the tip. I’ll call them back and order one I guess

@patrickgermond2750 4 года назад

Thank you for the info. I went back and subbed

@patrickslevin6424 2 года назад

If you want to show someone a BIRD this is a good video.

@HamRadioAdventures 2 года назад

Hi Patrick, tu for commenting and watching. Best 73!

@hitekredneck109 2 года назад

Lol....everybody's heard..... about the bird....

@roscoe66666 5 месяцев назад

interesting you tune it the opposite way to jim w6lg wonder whos right

@HamRadioAdventures 5 месяцев назад

Thanks for commenting. Basically tuning for max output. How do you mean it’s different?

@roscoe66666 5 месяцев назад

jim tunes load then plate, you suggest plate then load ?????

@bigdEnergy666 5 месяцев назад

You run at the power that you tune at. Turning down the drive after tuning in incorrect.

@HamRadioAdventures 5 месяцев назад

Thanks for commenting. You don't need to retune for maximum power after reducing the drive power at the end. The way I've shown provides some "headroom" for SSB peaks. Best 73!

@bigdEnergy666 5 месяцев назад

@@HamRadioAdventures , that is performed by increasing the load past peak tune. Turning down the power after tuning is a nono according to the man who designed most of the Ameritron amps. I'm just passing that along. A lot of people tune and then turn down the power including me in the past. Before I read W8JI's explanation about the matter.