User's Manual

13
ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL
www.alpharadioproducts.com
3 Station Engineering Considerations
3.1 Overview
The Alpha 9500 is capable of dramatically improving the performance of your amateur station.
It is important that you observe good engineering practices to achieve all the benefits of such a
station in a safe and reliable manner. This section provides a few hints for important operational
considerations, but it is recommended that the user also consult a good source of general
information such as “The Radio Amateur’s Handbook” by the ARRL, especially if this is the first
high-power amplifier you have used.
3.2 AC Power Source
This amplifier runs best when powered by a 200V - 240V AC circuit. If you do not have a 220V
AC outlet in your shack, you will need to get a licensed electrical contractor to install one. A
minimum of a 20 amp capacity is required. A 20 amp breaker on your 220V circuit is sufficient.
There are many styles of plugs, some of which are country-specific. For this reason, the amplifier
is not shipped with a power plug. Select a location for the outlet as close as possible to where
you expect to operate the 9500. If you are not sure, or contemplate moving the amplifier, you
may choose to get a second outlet installed at the same time. Ask your contractor for two or
three matching plugs during installation as there are several styles of connector available. Ask
the contractor to measure the voltage and record it for reference. The Alpha 9500 can run when
connected to a 110V AC outlet. However, you WILL NOT achieve full legal limit output in this case.
If the amplifier is connected to a 110V AC outlet, you should not expect more than 1000 W output.
Please note that when the amplifier is plugged in and turned on, you will hear the capacitors and
band-switch zero themselves and you may also hear a load “clunk” as the transformer comes up to
full load - this is normal!
3.3 Air Flow
It is critical that airflow around the Alpha 9500 remain unimpeded at all times. Keep the top of
the amplifier clear of any restrictions. If you are mounting the amplifier in a console, make sure
that the exhaust air is properly and fully removed from the console. Poorly designed consoles can