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Alpha 87a question

William Drouillard

New Member
Aug 5, 2020
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Hello gentlemen , I'm new here so please bear with me and thank you in advance , I just purchased a alpha 87a amp and love it and it seems to be opened up for 10 & 12 meters it tunes there no problem , but I occasionally go to a couple of 11 meter freqs where some friends of mine are but they are a bit far away from me so I would like to use my amp there occasionally , but the amp won't time there , does anyone know if it's possible to tune on 11 meteres or maybe have to manually tune it there not sure any help would be appreciated , thanks in advance.

Bill
 

you need the software code from the manufacturer to unlock 24-30 MHz coverage,.............. who is out of business.

if you already have the code installed and don't get an error code of 29, then it will tx on cb freqs.

I "think" JK (RK?) something or other, took over the company
 
you need the software code from the manufacturer to unlock 24-30 MHz coverage,.............. who is out of business.

if you already have the code installed and don't get an error code of 29, then it will tx on cb freqs.

I "think" JK (RK?) something or other, took over the company

Looks like Ten-Tec, or their parent company took over Alpha and is going by Alpha RF Systems
 
you need the software code from the manufacturer to unlock 24-30 MHz coverage,.............. who is out of business.

if you already have the code installed and don't get an error code of 29, then it will tx on cb freqs.

I "think" JK (RK?) something or other, took over the company


Thank you for the fast response well it does tune in 28 mkz & 24 mkz but it won't in 27 mkz then throws a 17 code which is high plate current
 
actually , there is a command to return all parameters to factory defaults and set levels.

command is "DEF"
 
actually , there is a command to return all parameters to factory defaults and set levels.

command is "DEF"
Thanks Dain , sorry for my ignorance but first time with a auto tune amp , I don't want to wipe out the pin that was imputed to open 10 & 12 meters not sure if a factory reset would do that
 
Thanks Dain , sorry for my ignorance but first time with a auto tune amp , I don't want to wipe out the pin that was imputed to open 10 & 12 meters not sure if a factory reset would do that

They designed them so they will not be used on 11 meters.I have known several folks who thought they outsmarted the designers of the amps but they lost because it ended up being a costly repair & it still did not work on 11 meters without a failure.

SIX-SHOOTER
 
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actually , there is a command to return all parameters to factory defaults and set levels.

command is "DEF"
They designed them so they will not be used on 11 meters.I have known several folks who thought they outsmarted the designers of the amps but they lost because it ended up being a costly repair & it still did not work on 11 meters without a failure.

SIX-SHOOTER
Ok thanks gentleman you've been a great help
 
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When a tube with an 800 watt dissipation costs $1,525, while the BLF188XR transistor is only $200 for 1,500 watts, you know tubes are a dying breed. While transistors require a lot more support circuitry for reliability, once it's intact, you don't have to replace them like tubes.

Both Econco and Eimac are struggling today. Econco can't buy duds for rebuilding from the commercial broadcast market like they had in the past since much of that is solid state today. There are fewer and fewer applications that actually require tubes now and the ones "hobbyists" send in for rebuild, are often not rebuildable due to arc pits in the anodes.

In order for Eimac to stay in business, the cost of this 800 watt tube has reached what a 3CX3000A7, 4,000 watt tube was 20 years ago. They are significantly more expensive than their Chinese competition and also built to last much longer. The only manufacturer that I've ever seen personally beat an Eimac tube, was Amperex and only with their glass tubes like the 3-500Z / 8802. Eimac stopped making all glass tubes soon after and neither does Amperex today.

Once Eimac is gone, you will no longer have the option to pay more for a tube that is built to last. They take punishment like no other and when run properly, last forever in our applications. I still have a set of four 4-400A, Eimac tubes in a homebrew piece of equipment built in 1963. They can easily be driven to run at full power with their plates glowing orange, to keep them conditioned.

This Alpha 87A is a masterpiece that retains good value when STOCK, clean and making full output. Once you start making any modification, including ones that alter the software to bypass the 11 meter lockout function, you will not only decrease its value, but you will also reduce the pool of knowledgeable buyers willing to pay for it.

If you have any intention of using it on the other HF bands one day, put this amp in a safe spot and save it for that day. You'll love its ease of operation and auto tune with band switching. Modifying it for 11 is risky business because even if you get the microprocessor to allow it, that doesn't mean the amplifier is going to like it.

How efficient is it going to run on 11? Does the plate choke have a resonance point anywhere within the 11 meter band? How will the input circuit need to be modified to match 11 meters and will that require losing a match on 10 or 12 meters? Will the tank coil need to be retapped? Will any of the band switching components or inductor be stressed on AM if someone runs the carrier up a bit too high? Is the grid current higher on 11 meters, than any other band when the mod is complete?

To me, it's kind of like having a luxury cruising machine and taking it to your local garage to have them modify it for a weekend at the drag strip. To do that job effectively, it may require more work than first thought and not be the easiest to reverse if desired in the future. It also increases the chances of pushing it beyond its design capabilities and failing. Keep this for HF and get something simpler (no microprocessor) for mono band use on 11.
 
Well said Shockwave , and it's funny you said put it aside for ham bands because that's exactly what I did , I actually have a Alpha 78 that I use on 11 occasionally and works fine there , I'm 58 years old and getting ready to retire and spend more time behind the microphone and use the 87a again thanks everyone for your input sometimes that's what it takes to get a dumb idea out of your head , great site u have here and plan on sticking around for further knowledge since there seems to be alot here.

Thanks again Bill
 
William: Be VERY Gentle with that Alpha 78...Most certainly using it on AM or the grid drive level on SSB.
Those 8874 tubes, have been out of production going on over 20 years now.
They are almost on the unobtanium list.
They are near the $1000 USD each range if/when they come up For Sale.
Many of those amps with the 8874 tubes were converted to 3cx800's for that very reason.
Good luck
All the Best
Gary
 

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