[MFJ-Ameritron] Re Failed AL-1500

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Hi All, 	
	
I had a discussion today with a tech at Ameritron and also with Jim Smith the
owner of Burghardts Amateur Center in SD. The concensus is that the 8877 shorted
out.	
	
This amp was purchased new and is just under the warranty by six days. The tube
is warrantyed by Emoch. (Not sure how to spell that company) I am hoping I can
get the tube replaced by the manufacturer uner warranty. Ameritron seemed to
think it would be replaced under warranty. 	
	
I was told that this amplifier was one of the best made by Ameritron. I was told
it was rugged, dependable and well designed. i was told that the single 8877 was
superior to running a matched pair of 3-500zs tubes. Now I wonder how much of
what many told me was really accurate. 	
	
Does the 8877 have a history of failure out of the clear blue? This amp is well
ventilated, used only for 20 meter NCS duties, was tuned and left alone and gets
about one hour of actual transmit time per week. I drive it with 60 watts,
average modulation and zero compression. I do not use an antenna tuner, as the
swr on the three antennas are all less than 1.5 without one. In short, the amp
is well treated and well taken care of. 	
	
It worked just fine last Wednesday. No problems of any kind. Sunday it failed
when it reached the warm up point and engaged the relay. That is when the one
fuse blew. Only one blew. The same fuse blew again on a second test. I think it
is F2, but I am not positive of this. Being totally blind I can not read the
schematic to be certain.	
	
Is this behavior typical for the AL-1500? I do not want an amplifier I have to
live in the fear of it failing like this in so short of a time. I realize
anything can happen to any amp under the best of circumstances. I just want your
collective wisdom to tell me if the AL-1500 is apt to do this same thing again
in six months, eleven months or sixteen months.	
	
Thank you for your candor. 	
	
Duane Fischer, W8DBF	
dfischer@usol.com